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Reviews For: Kenwood TS-830S

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

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Review Summary For : Kenwood TS-830S
Reviews: 129MSRP: 930
Description:
160M-10M SSB/CW transceiver
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.kenwood.net/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
001294.9
MW3CUR Rating: 2004-02-29
Second hand bargain ! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought one of these great radios for £150.00 ($250.00 ish). What a bargain! I have worked stations all over Europe, North Africa and the Eastern seaboard of the US ......all on qrp power levels (around 10 watts). The receiver is truly excellent, and the TX is very forgiving of less than great antenna set ups. All reports have been good with comments on the audio quality (the built in processor is great). I got mine complete with the ssb filter installed.
All in all, despite having to 'tune up', I have found this radio very enjoyable to use. The build quality is superb and everything works perfectly.
If you find one of these at a knock down price then go for it ......just watch out for the band selector rotary switches which sometimes play up with age, dirt etc. Mine are all fine so I give it a '5' for 'bang for the buck'.

Simon.
K9WQ Rating: 2004-02-12
The duke of analog Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This radio is a delight to listen to and to operate. I bought mine as a backup radio, but I use it often just because it's so much fun. No computer control, no menus -- it's like going for a Sunday drive in a classic car.

Mine still puts out 100 to 120 watts on all bands. The audio is rich and warm. The controls and frequency readout all work fine.

These rigs and their accessories are fairly easy to find on eBay and elsewhere, generally in the $350-$400 range.

This radio may not be the king of analog or even the prince. But it's certainly an aristocrat and a classic -- the duke of analog.
KBPB4881 Rating: 2003-12-10
Nice audio quality, Solid Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Based on reviews posted here I purchased one on E-bay and am very satisfied with the performance. I use it for SSB voice only as of now on 11 meters ( ok don't yell at me!) and will be utilizing it for CW as soon as I get my General ticket. I get many unsolicited reports of great audio sound. I use a Heil HM10-5 microphone. Nice website.
AH6RR Rating: 2003-11-12
Best Radio Yet! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I used to goto Douglas Electronics In CC Tex. when I was a young man and wish I had enough money to buy a Kenwood 830S I was just getting into radio. But at the time all I could afford was a used 520 a great radio but not the 830. I was inactive for about 13 years and I am getting back into radio again on a very limited buget I looked around and could not find a 830 that I could afford so I bought a 520 again. Well 1 month ago I found a 830 at a swap meet for $100.00 it looked bad, but it worked. After a clean up on the face plate and painting the cabinet it looks great. It still puts out 120W on all bands and the reports I get on the audio I'll have it for a while to come. I use a Heil BM-10-5 and its a dream to operate. If you ever get a chance to get one dont pass it up. I also have owned a Yeasu FT-707 and a Kenwood TS-430 and the 830 beats them hands down.
Thanks Kenwood
73
de AH6RR
NO9E Rating: 2003-09-21
One of the best of its time Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
At one time I had TS-830S and TS-850S side by side, both with CW filters. Both had good SSB transmit, however, in TS-850, SSB was more punchy after swithing on the "high boost" button. CW receive was mostly about the same, however, TS-850 was more sensitive at higher frequencies. NB in TS-830 was somewhat better. Ergonomics in TS-850 were vastly superior for a DX or contest user. A friend of mine who used TS-830 started having problems with band switches, perhaps a normal sign of wear and tear. TS-830s was a good radio, but, thanks to new technologies, it was replaced by a better one, as it should have been. If not too heavily used, TS-830 is a very good bet for someone who wants an inexpensive rig with a quality signal but does not require split, fast band changes, etc.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by NO9E on 2002-02-09

I bought a used TS-830 with 2 500 Hz filters and an Astatic mike. I compared it to TS-850. The TS-850 had slightly better TX signal due to high boost, more sensitive receiver, and slower dial. Also switches of TS-830 seemed going out. The noise blanker in TS-830 was marginally better in my local noise. Whiel TS-830 is a very good choice for $400, easily beating many new transceivers especially on TX, there are better used radios nowadays.
AB2T Rating: 2003-09-21
The only rig I will ever need Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My first rig (at age 14); will last me many, many years.

No inboard 2nd VFO, but this was not a common feature at the time. I don't mind using a solid-state "modern" communications reciever as a glorified 2nd VFO.

Get or find the 500 Hz filter, especially if you're a CW op.

4146Bs are cheap, and simple to replace.

So I have to warm it up and tune it -- at least I can fix it when it breaks.

Get yours before all the good ones are gone.

Jordan AB2T
ON4MGY Rating: 2003-09-07
very great receiver Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I met the kenwood TS-830S in our local radio club. From the first time I used the transceiver on 40m I fell in love with it. The receiver is very selective, and you have no problem to copy weak stations very close to strong stations. It's just a great transceiver. I just bought my own so from now on I'll be able to work on 40m without much problems of interference between stations.
Best 73 de ON4MGY Nic
N5IFI Rating: 2003-05-25
TS 830S Time Owned: more than 12 months.
When used with the remote vfo it's the best transciever ever produced.(drifts a little when on the main vfo, rock solid on the remote) Mine was built in 1983 and is my only hf rig. The reciever works excellent. The transmitter is second to none. It all works.
SP9RTN Rating: 2002-11-21
For me - number 1! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have my TS830S since 1995, but it is made in 1983. It has still the original tubes and is working with no problem. No any problem with controls too. An over - time trx. Sorry for possible mistakes - my English is not so good I wish !
Andrzej / Andy / SP9RTN
WA9BXE Rating: 2002-11-08
Proven Performer Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Does everything you would expect and more. Bought it new in 1982 and I am still impressed 20 years later (yes, I still use this radio and I like it better than my IC706MKIIG).