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Reviews For: Kenwood TL-922A

Category: Amplifiers: RF Power - HF & HF+6M

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Review Summary For : Kenwood TL-922A
Reviews: 63MSRP: 1200
Description:
160-10M 2K PEP- cct resembles SB220, with 2 x 3-500Z tubes
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.rigpix.com/linears/tl922.htm
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
24.5634.5
VK6WB Rating: 2021-07-13
Superb Amplifier Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I Also Purchased a Troubled Kenwood TL-922 not the ( A ) model. from fellow ham use to be operating from HS1 Saudi Arabia. The Amp look very clean, I check the band switch and was in perfect conditions , no burn mark. the only I have notice was one of the 3-500z tube was creaked glasses . so decided replace Both tube put the new one in. and did the MODS.. bought the TL-922 part from Kessler engineering . and replace the Parasitic suppressor with airpin style , commanded by the PA0FRI .. WOW.. thats is all i can say. Here in VK , we allowed 400watt . 30 watt drive i get 400watt out.
i am very happy with that. Old Amp turn into Modern Amp . this TL-922 will stay with me. This Kenwood TL-922 cover 10M to 160M band. 10M was factory install
W2UOY Rating: 2021-06-06
Great amplifier after Kessler and W1QJ Mods Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have a TL-922 that was modified by W1QJ and he also put in the Kessler mods for me. The amp is just awesome now. I have 1200 watts of stable power with easy tune-up and well protected by W1QJ mods. Lou also put in the LED lamps and QSK mods that Kessler has and it is like having a modern amp with QSK now. Love it!
KD9IQO Rating: 2021-01-04
TL-922A (A new lease on life) Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I purchased a troubled TL-922A from a gentleman in my state (Indiana). It was advertised on eBay and I drove 400 miles (round-trip) to avoid the transportation costs and possible shipping damage. The amplifier was in pristine condition except for some glass scattered throughout the inside. The glass was from exploding anode fuses. I didn’t even bother to fire-up the amplifier. I brought her home and immediately began to modernize this cranky girl. The list includes:
(1) Variable bias (W7RY control board)
(2) Soft-key circuit (W7RY control board)
(3) L.E.D. metering lighting (W7RY control board)
(4) Robust & safe anode glitch protection circuit
(5) Dual 80 mm fans for tube pin cooling. Requires new
undercarriage panel.

(6) Modern parasitic suppressors (Anton Suarez F1BXL)
(7) Out-board 3.6 kW soft-start unit (Anton Suarez F1BXL)
(8) Grids connected directly to ground.
(9) New set of Taylor 3-500ZGs. Date code 13th week of 2020.
(10) New ultra-fast T-R relay.

This unit has been in operation for 6 months without a hiccup.
Output Power:
10 meters 85 Watts PEP drive 1500 Watts out

80 meters 50 Watts PEP drive 1500 Watts out
K7PWR Rating: 2020-10-21
Good luck getting parts... Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased this amp about 3 months ago, and it really puts out! I had a 15 amp breaker, and it would overload the circuit and shut everything down when its running hard. I swapped out the 15 amp breaker to a 30 amp, problem solved. I love the way the tubes glow, and the signal and audio reports are always excellant.I run a Kenwood ts-930s, and its a very good match. It will easily put out 1350++ watts, and the amp never overheats. Ive had a Icom pw1 and an icom 7000 before this setup, and it worked well, but there is nothing like using a tube amp...Warm sound, and puts out some serious power. It does circles around the Icoms Pw1. I'm sure most of us will agree a tube amp is the only way to go. The only problem I came across is replacing the variable load capacitor.. Its virtually non-existant. Replaced it once, and it wasnt an easy task. And finding a used one is next to impossible. If this part ever fails again, Ill simply give up, and part it out.
N1DZ Rating: 2020-09-03
A truly beautiful amp. Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Fantastic amp! Runs very cool and quiet. It easily puts out 1200 Watts plus on all bands.
Very compact and beautifully built and designed.
Did kessler engineering mods and it is now a full QSK modern amp. Easy to work on and quiet.
This one will last me the rest of my ham life.
OZ1ITM Rating: 2018-10-06
Absolutely great Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Got this EU version (220/240 volt and 10 m) with a burned main switch. That was easy to find and replace, and later I upgraded the PA with the Revival Modification Kit from Kessler Engineering. Installation was pretty easy with the support from Dr. Kessler by e-mail.
Definately a keeper :-)
LU1AW Rating: 2018-04-03
AMONG ALL-TIME BEST Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I got a second hand one in 2012. It was in perfect shape in and out. Pretty soon I got tired of relays clacking and removed all screws holding them against the chassis, lifted them slightly while inserting a thin rubber between both relays and chassis. It did its job by attenuating noise about 80% and living it quieter than many ones. (equals the noise of my IC7300)
I have use it almost daily for 6 years driving it to full 900W in CW. (it puts 1.5KW out on SSB position)
NEVER had a problem even having done almost all kind of mistakes, including keying full power without antenna connected or with the wrong antenna. I appreciate an excellent mechanic engineering. Built like the in golden years, Very Heavy. Rock solid. AND A BEAUTY!!
Last week I did the Kesller Engineering MOD (I strongly recommend it)and now I have an amplifier that gives me joy looking at it and operating it a full QSK absolutely noiseless. I only do CW and now I can go to SSB position - 3300v in plates - and it won't heat up because you avoid the about 400W plus wasted in generating heat when idle between dots and dashes.
I'll never regret a single buck spent in this amp and the $399 mod.
I also have a Centurion TT422 and a Dentron MLA2500B with two 3cx800A7.
One thing I'm certain of: If I have to chose, I'll keep the TL922!!
PY1KZ Rating: 2018-03-03
A Great Linear Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I love this linear. It has excellent ergonomics and the beauty of its panel. I recently purchased a TL-922A model, with 28mhz included, that faced a deep retrofit, including new valves. Wonderful !!! It's sure to work for another 20 years.
NY2F Rating: 2018-02-28
Honesty Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Love this AMP. Needs mods, not so great out of the box. Added Mods, LOVE IT. Needs drive to get full legal. Kenwood, Looks good in shack...Works.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by NY2F on 2018-01-23

Talking about my original 922. Had problems. Made these Mods. Will never sell. Electrolytic caps, ECBS MOD, Tube glitch, Step start, T/R relay and BAND SWITCH. Will keep up to any legal AMP. AND IT'S PRETTY....ONE Other thing need 110 drive to 1500 OUT...
W0BKR Rating: 2017-12-12
Great Amp Even Today! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I love my 922 amp, easy to tune up and a beast to move around (only nit). Wish Kenwood had made the transformers removable. Touched up the top and bottom covers and side panels and looks like new. Very good amp and very similar to the old SB-220. I am sure I will be making some upgrades down the road but for now, enjoying it as is.