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Reviews For: Kenwood TS-711A

Category: Transceivers: VHF/UHF+ Amateur Base/Mobile (non hand-held)

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Review Summary For : Kenwood TS-711A
Reviews: 26MSRP:
Description:
25 Watt 2 meter all mode base station (circa 1984)
Product is not in production
More Info: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TS-711_TS-811/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00264.7
KA5ROW Rating: 2008-05-02
TS-711A Fine Radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The Kenwood TS-711A was my second 2 meter all mode radio my first was a Kenwood TR-751A and for a time I owned them both at the same time. With a antenna switch I could go between the two radios. The TR-751A had a better receiver when a station was very weak, When it was not readable on the TS-711A I could tell what the other station was saying in the TR-751A but still weak.
Just for a reference purpose on the TS-711A a S reading of 1 and maybe 10% copy. The TR-751A would have a S reading of 2 and 85% copy but weak. I was happy with both radios and and had no issues with either one, I sold them to buy the Kenwood TS-790A
I bought the TR-751A new and owned it 10 years.
I bought the TS-711A used and owned it 3 years.
KE7GGZ Rating: 2007-11-07
great radio for it's age! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just picked-up this radio off E-bay and after reading all of the reviews I decided on this radio...I have not been a ham long, but did take the advise of a senior ham...Get the radios with individual bands instead of a multi-band radio if it should break!...Even though it is an older rig, it can be worked on by almost anyone because it has yesterday's technology. It has great kenwood audio and after listening to one on a local net, that is what sold me on this radio...A 160 watt brick amplifier and a good dual quad antenna is all that is needed for ssb work in my RV on top of a mountain in Flagstaff, AZ. when the solar cycle comes around....Now, if I can only find the TS-811 to complete my trio to include a TS-440 and if I get froggy for AMSAT, I'll be halfway there!
K5YY Rating: 2005-08-12
good rig Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Have had 2 of these over the years. Drawback is the low power output, not enough to drive the KW amps out there. To the reviewer who wants 25 instead of 20 watts out, this is so small an increase for "barefoot" that you will not see a significant difference in reports you get.
The output is similar to the Yaesu FT726R and a bit less than the 736R. All of these rigs need at least a brick amplifier to be competitive for low signal work. They barely drive a 3CX800 amp to about 400-500 watts. The newer 100w 2 meter rigs are much more self sufficient, can drive a KW amp and power can be lowered down to drive a 25-40 watts "in" 250 -300 watt brick amp.
Bottom line, if you want to do anything other than local repeater work, like doing tropo, meteor scatter, E skip, ducting and such, you will need a brick amp at a minimum...
Just my thoughts. The 20-25 watt rigs will mainly just drive a brick amp, not a KW unless maybe the newer tetrode models (4CX800) with lower drive requirements.
To the reviewer below, keep the output at 20 watts, do not cut back the alc clamp and the finals will last longer too... Get a cheap brick amp with 160 watts output and built in preamp. ALL of these rigs need preamp help for low signal work...
Good hunting on VHF!
73
San K5YY
W4PIG Rating: 2005-08-12
GREAT RADIO Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
GREAT RADIO FOR THE MONEY.THIS RADIO WORKS GREAT ON REPEATERS AND SSB MODE GOOD RIG. CAN FIND THEM FOR $300.00 AND UP.
VE9GUS Rating: 2005-08-12
Nice RIG Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I purchased the 711A second hand about 6 months ago and I am very pleased with it so far, The radio is very attractive and looks good in my shack. Works good on all modes. The one complaint I do have is that this rig is suppose to provide 25 Watts Output and mine is only 20 Watts across all bands?? I would appreciate it if anyone can tell me if there is a way that I can increase the power without having to get an amplifier. I don't see anything in the schematic to do this. Thank you.
KD4JXZ Rating: 2005-05-24
Jewel in the rough! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had this radio for several years and it performs flawlessly! It's simple, yet effective, especially for working SSB. I use a Kenwood MC-60 mic with it and I always have great audio reports! If you're looking for something to work weak signal, this one will help you pull those stations in, with the help of a beam!
K4CDK Rating: 2005-03-25
2 Meter All Mode Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Was looking for a 2 mtr. all mode to work with. Read all of the reviews and checked around for used equipment. Ran across this one from a ham in Texas. Told me it was in great shape (9.9). Have found it to be peerfect for what I wanted. Good receiver, no intermode problems, SSB works great and have been having fun with the CW. It matches the TS570S and looks good in my shack. Has performed very well and met what I was looking for.
SM5SRR Rating: 2005-01-17
2m allmode, 25 watt Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Just traded my old TS-700G for the TS-711A. Have been using it for a few months now. Good sensitivity and easy to learn knobs and functions. I miss a VOX function on this rig but overall am very happy with it! (I use the rig mainly for satellites and Aurora)
F5GKW Rating: 2004-12-27
TS-711A CW /FM Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Hello !
I am also owner of a TS711. I fo prefer my very old FT 726 for use in CW : On the Knwd, the AGC in CW rx is fixed (too fast). So on big sigs, it is realy unpleasant. I listen in fact in SSB mode (to have slow agc) and Tx, Of course in cw.
It is not the same on my FT726, CW operation is more comfortable.

My Knwd have also a little pb on FM mode, the frequency is "shifted" about 2.5khz on FM. I never found the problem because it appears sometimes, and disapears when I want to correct it because I have time for free !
On a 2nd hand, The TS711 (and FT726) are not ready for 12.5 Khz operation!!! (Rx bandwtith too large, you must change filters which are not designed by kenwood)

Sorry for my bad English,
Jean-Philippe
F5GKW
Best whishes for holiday's season !
WB2CUK Rating: 2004-09-08
A GREAT RIG Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Have had my 711a since 1986. Bought new. Did research on other radios, but power output and internal ac supply sealed the deal! Last major purchase before marriage! Use it to run the Limarc swap & shop net on 146.85. Been a real work horse, no problems, an excellent Base radio.
Will never sell it unless going bankrupt. Would sell stove & fridge first!
T