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Reviews For: Kenwood TS-950SDX

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

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Review Summary For : Kenwood TS-950SDX
Reviews: 62MSRP: 4599.95
Description:
Rough Diamond
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.kenwood.net/products/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00624.9
LU7BSE Rating: 2022-08-17
It has no rival, it is UNIQUE, THE BEST Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Build quality, audio quality, unsurpassed receiver, ESSB ready frequency stability, and so I could write a book talking about this Kenwood engineered machine, I had 2 of these and I have among others the ts 990, just this it has its place and only those who had or have a 950sdx know what they have, be careful not to get confused, the SDX is the best, not S not SD. many think of older equipment or even earlier models 940 or 930, but it has nothing to do with it... the 950SDX is on par with any 2022 range equipment, if you find one you won't regret it, the machine is simply the better.
RA4RT Rating: 2022-05-21
Best Time Owned: more than 12 months.
In 2004 I bought it for the first time. Then there were FT2000 9000D, IC7700 7610 7300, TS 890.
Now I have 1000D 775DSP 950SDX. They have the best receivers. DSP filtering instead of kfartz filters is a big evil.
The 950sdx is the best of the three for weak cw signals at 160m. Changed all the capacitors in the audio circuits of both receivers.

Audio line input via 4.7 microfarads. The sound is stunning!
KE4AMQ Rating: 2022-05-19
A great rig for its day Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned several of these radio's in my ham life. I just bought another one a few days ago. well my main rig is a yaesu ftdx 9000d and there is no comparison. But as far as a 40 year old flagship radio----I LOVE IT. Every once in a while when I power it on I do get the DOT display, turn it off and back on and its normal. I think this one will be with me for the rest of my Life.
PD2AHQ Rating: 2022-02-07
The Best of the Kenwood at all times Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Kenwood TS-950SDX was launched in 1992 and remained in production till 2000. I had the opportunity to test extensively all of his features even I have made a reception Comparison with Icom IC-775DSP, which can be seen on my channel;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXttPirbiFg&t=79s&ab_channel=SpacetimeEngineering

This will help all of those who are considering buying either Icom IC-775DSP or Kenwood TS-950SDX as both are excellent transceivers from almost the same generation with more or less the same features.
Personally, I like the receiving audio quality of Kenwood more lively than Icom and its dual-frequency receive feature is also outstanding. The AIP (Advanced Intercept Point) is an exclusive circuit design that provides a superior dynamic range when AIP is selected. The use of two selective RF amplifiers results in a significantly reduced noise floor level thus very quiet receiver free from background noises the best feature Kenwood ever introduced. It also outperforms other transceivers of the same era with high-performance CW functions such as Full break-in and semi break-in reverse mode. In reverse mode the pitch of interference competing with the CW signal is reversed, so the operator can approach the target from either side & variable pitch controls the CW pitch frequency varied between 400 Hz and 1000 Hz in 20 Hz steps. Kenwood’s trademark feature SSB IF slope tuning is very effective for LSB and USB modes, independent high-cut and low-cut controls will let you select the ideal IF passband width quick and easy & a high-precision IF notch filter will provide you an approximately 45 dB of attenuation in a very narrow frequency range in the crowded band condition and you will this feature during contesting. I received excellent audio reports at all the times I have used this best of the Kenwood with my Fritzel GPA-30 a vertical antenna. All in all best radio Kenwood ever made.
KE2SD Rating: 2021-12-17
Great radio! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Purchased from an estate and love it. Had an issue using rig control software. The transmit on ssb and cw would stutter. Like a machine gun. Installed a new eprom chip with the last and latest firmware and the problem was fixed. I can't compare this to any newer rigs since I don't own any, but I am very happy with this radio. When compared side by side with my TS-940 it receives a bit better. Not a lot, but a bit better. The noise reduction is effective on weak signals. Of course the TS-940 is no slouch.
W2UOY Rating: 2020-12-23
One of the best! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have been a ham since 1974 and have owned a few rigs considered to be very good: Kenwood TS-830s, Ten-Tec Omni VI Plus and Yaesu FT-102. The Kenwood TS-950sdx is just plain the best!!
WB5LXZ Rating: 2020-04-09
Best of the Kenwoods Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've worked for several dealers beginning in the 1970's and have owned and operated many different radios over the past 50 years, beginning with the first TS-520, which is still an excellent beginners or back-up radio. I've also owned all of the TS-950 series since their beginning, and then switched to other radios and other excellent brands, however, ever to return to the TS-950 radios. Almost bought the new TS-990 several months ago, but after comparing it to my TS-950 SDX, decided to stick with what I have. I actually operate my 950SDX next to my 950SD.....love them both . Rock solid radios and still fully repairable, I am sold on the 950 series. Highly recommend if you can find one.
WI4G Rating: 2020-01-03
What a great rig! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I was in the market for an upgrade to the TS-850SAT ( a great radio, but wanted an upgrade). looked at new Kenwood then found the SDX in an estate sale for a can't pass up price; they didn't know what they had. its such a great radio and even though its close to the same time period of the 850 its so much a superior big brother. I found my upgrade and couldn't be happier with it; after a year of heavy operation (digital, RTTY, SSB and CW) no know problems so I got lucky! with the TL-922 my station sings.
W6ACT Rating: 2019-08-18
Still one of the best Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had this radio for about 7 years now and it has been just the best rig I have ever owned.Just a rock solid radio. I run PowerSDR software with a softrock SDR receiver via IF output and I have full SDR receive, it's just wonderful. Transmit audio has been opened up via menu option, and WOW it transmits at 6.7KC wide broadcast audio with no modifications. I picked up this rig for $1200. The new comparable radio's cost 3 times as much and do not perform like this rig. I will take this rig over the TS-990 any day. I will never sell this radio. If you find one for a good price get it you will not be disappointed.
N8DXB Rating: 2017-07-15
Best HF Radio Kenwood Made Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned many Kenwood and Yaesu HF radios since I got into the hobby back in 1978 and after using a TS-850sat since I purchased it new decided to find a late model TS-950SDX. And after finally finding one, and using it for over 5 years, I know it is a keeper. It has great sounding transmit and receive audio. It is a very quiet receiver and also has great selectivity and sensitivity. The TS-950SDX is definitely a cut above the TS-850sat, which at the time I thought was a great radio. This radio is equal to or better than today’s high end radios without all of the menus.