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Reviews For: Kenwood TS-870S

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

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Review Summary For : Kenwood TS-870S
Reviews: 164MSRP: 2399.00
Description:
The Leader Of The Pack
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.kenwood.net/products/index.cfm?AMA=open
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
251644.7
LU7BSE Rating: 2023-03-10
Kenwood is quality. AUDIO!!! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
easy to use radio, simple menu list, robust heavy and 100w really stable.
antenna tuner that does its job, it's a few years old, it's not a modern radio, but....
It has one of the best audio in RX and TX of all history and of the competition, with a good microphone you achieve broadcasting audio without complications.
I had it for about 4 years, today I have its bigger and older brother the 950SDX that I am even happier with.
Kenwood is quality.
W0HY Rating: 2022-12-21
Gold Standard Strong Signal Rx Audio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Bought used and owned more than 15 years, my TS-870 was my introduction to "Kenwood Audio". My summary for this rig is: best in class RX audio given a strong signal / low noise environment - even in 2022.

By today's standards, it is a respectable performer in anything but the most over-crowded conditions. However, the digital NR does not compare with the current (2022) crop of radios.

It does represents a milestone in history being one of the first- if not the first- digital IF / DSP HF Radios.

Luckily, the 590 series and 890 radios can replicate the TS870 SSB audio with some tweaks to the RX EQ- 590 requires the free software that Kenwood offers. I bring this up because I try to do exactly that- match the strong signal RX audio of my TS870, while gaining performance of the more modern radios- better DSP NR, Band Scope, Selectivity etc..

The bodacious SSB audio experienced from the 870 can not be replicated with other radios natively including some much more modern / recent options.

This rig deserves a 5 star, and deserves consideration if you want to experience what those OMs mean by "Kenwood Audio"

The 870 is not my main rig any longer, but I still break it out once or twice a year to remind myself what great strong-signal SSB sounds like- especially when piped through external speakers at filling-rattling volume!
N5XJT Rating: 2022-09-23
A Good One! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
This one has excellent tx and rx audio plus it is fatigue free to listen to for hours. Signal reports are always good and most functions are easily managed from the front panel. Another plus is the internal antenna tuner which is very good and very fast. This is a fun radio that is almost addictive to use. Prior reviews are right on so getcha one if you have an opportunity.
KC3SWL Rating: 2022-07-10
Fantastic rig that still snags stations Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I originally reviewed this a few years ago in 2019 under my old username SWLChris.
In the time since I had the radio I didn't have any problems until a few months ago when it suddenly wouldn't transmit and then even power up.
It took a repair from the reliable and excellent Tim Moes at Midwest Technical Services to get back in working order. A few replaced parts later and a new set set of finals makes this practically a new radio.
I use all modes on the rig including digital , RTTY, and SSB phone. The antenna tuner is fast now and works well on all bands.
The transmitted audio is clear and punchy and will get my call heard just about every time I try. The only time I don't get through is when there are tons of guys with amplifiers calling and calling and calling no matter if they hear the guy or not, more than likely they never did because they keep talking when the DX station is transmitting.
The receive is outstanding, can't work them if you don't hear them. The filtering is first rate and doesn't take much to power the HS5 headphones in audio power.
After the repair it functions much better than expected. so it must have needed the alignment after about 20 some odd years that my friend had it . I have had it for about 4 years now and so it was worth the bill to get it fixed as now it should last another 20 some odd years.
I have been able to work numerous stations not worked before, I have a few Asian stations in the log than I never heard before over the course of the last few months.That right there tells me what an improvement Tim made in the performance of this great radio.
If you can find one of these, which is rare but still possible at times, grab it. If you already have one, keep it.
For an older radio the performance is really fantastic and has that edge to the audio that stands out in a crowd.
VE3AKV Rating: 2022-04-20
Great addition to any station. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought a TS-870sat back in Sept 1999 brand new. I used it along with several other HF rigs over the years. I still have the 870 and it still does its job with basic simplicity.

DSP at the IF stage was a huge deal back in 1999, and it still holds its own today.
14AA111 Rating: 2022-02-16
exceptionnel Time Owned: more than 12 months.
utilisateur depuis 2001 d'un 870, je ne suis pas licencié, je l'utilise sur le 27 mhz et la plupart du temps en swl sur le 80m et 40m, j'ai testé beaucoup d'emetteurs dans ma vie, yaesu ft one, 102 /980, 1000d, mark5,mark field icom 775 dsp 756 pro3, kenwood ts 450 850 et 950 sdx, le ts-870 est a mes yeux exceptionnel pas cher a l'achat et largement aussi efficace que les emeteurs cités . ce n'est pas le meilleur mais il restera dans mon coeur de swl et il ne quittera pas mon qra 73
W0BKR Rating: 2021-08-18
Great Radio even in todays environment Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Not much to add other than is you get an 870, you will love it. No, no menu nonsense just great performance.
EA5DD Rating: 2021-03-19
Excellent transceiver! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I own the TS-870 S since 2003 without any problem. It works like the first day. The audio is excellent. The first years in ssb and later in cw, the transceiver works really well. Many newer transceivers have better performance, sure.
The idea is not to compare this rig with a brand new TS-990 S. I am very satisfied with this transceiver. It will always be in my shack.
F4EGA Rating: 2021-03-15
Fantastic! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
14 years later I still enjoy using this transceiver, I commonly use a TS-590 TS-2000 and an apache labs ANAN 200D but in ESSB transmission and wide reception the 870 is excellent, it is a real pleasure to use it every day!

The TS-870S is just a great radio. The internal antenna tuner works well. The built-in keyer is very good. For me, this is one of the best transceiver with the IC-775DSP and IC-751A, the receiver is very quiet.
Receive audio sounds very smooth.... easy to listen for extended periods. AM on ham bands, and broadcast bands is also above average, especially if outboard speaker is used.
TX audio is typical Kenwood : TOP NOTCH!
This is one of the late serial and i'm very happy with this transceiver! I highly recommend the 870, and will be holding on to mine for many years!

ADRIANB12 Rating: 2020-09-09
Best Radio I ever owned! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This radio is best transceiver I ever used.
I have owned it for around 4-5 months already and really happy with it.
The audio that comes out of it is Amazing! Best sounding radio.