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Reviews For: Kenwood TS-515

Category: Transceivers: HF Amateur HF+6M+VHF+UHF models - non QRP <5W

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Review Summary For : Kenwood TS-515
Reviews: 4MSRP:
Description:
HF transceiver. Hybrid.
Product is not in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0044.8
SM5SRR Rating: 2022-04-08
Still a good radio Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recently picked up a TS515 for about 100 USD here in Sweden. It was complete but had an issue with the PSU which was easily fixed. It doesn't have all the finesse of modern radios but it is easy and fun to use with a very nice audio. Built like a tank, easy to maintain and extremely reliable. I have been using it on a regular basis on CW for a while now and find I am getting attached to it.
Great radio you can get for basically nothing today. Perfect if you are a new Ham on a tight budget.
SV9DRU Rating: 2012-06-04
Elegant simplicity Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Strong in every way:

Metal construction
Heavy duty power supply
Sharp (high Q) Preselector
"Lazy" tubes (instead of the hypersensitive solid state devices) in all the important RF stages both Rx and Tx with transistors in the VFO, AF and BFO oscillators etc.
Very good crystal filter, double conversion Rx

The result is fantastic audio, not the slightest IMD problem in crowded 40m band.
Unbelievable stability for analog VFO after 10-15 min of warm up.
Solid 100-150W output depending on the band for the (2) 6146A final model.
Surprising sensitivity NOT waning in the 10 and 15m bands like other boatanchors.

I have also acquired a second Ts-515(S) model with the addition of NB and (2x) 6lq6 finals capable for 350W output. Still waiting for some replacement broken cores of its RF coils and a sweep generator for bringing it up to its full potential.

Fantastic radios !
VE4HAM Rating: 2005-11-13
Great Vintage Rig Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Was one of my first rigs upong getting a license back in that era. Still have that rig, strong as ever, and never a repair. This I like about the older transmitters is the ability to take abuse in case of mismatch or accidental hazards like forgetting to hook an antenna or switching in a wrong antenna. Most important is the wide range of matching of the manual tuning section up to 600 ohms. The reception far exceeded rigs like Heathkit and such, the audio reports were all good, the supplies made for far the life of the set. Used for those who don't devote their lives to Ham Radio and use it as a hobby , not leaving the rig on 24/7 , the rig could last indefinitely as it seems here. It's cosmetically appealing, easy to repair, and a no nonsense rig with a 100 page manual to set up. After warmup, no complaints of drift. The dials light up nice and that large lighted S meter/tune dial is appealing. Even though not digital readout, one can use a frequency counter, but no matter, as for the non power ego tripped user, as long as you are in the band and it's calibrated ok.....it's fine. There's no law saying Ham radio transmitters and receiver need digital readout. Fine rig by a fine manufacturer....nice standby rig. A keeper.
ON6AB Rating: 2005-02-24
Good memories Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This was my first transceiver way back in 1975 and it sure was a good one for it's time. Friends had a TS520s and a Heathkit SB303 but these were IMD generators compaired to my TS515. They were unable to hear things I could hear on a crowded 40m band. Never had a single problem with it. Build like a tank. Great audio. Nothing but good memories about it. Had a "Magnum Six" on it too. Sure, you had to wait half an hour or so before it was a bit stable, but that was the case for all transceivers of that era.