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Reviews For: Kenwood TS-520SE

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

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Review Summary For : Kenwood TS-520SE
Reviews: 14MSRP: 599.99
Description:
The Kenwood TS-520SE is designed for SSB and CW modes in the 160
through 10 meter ham bands. It also features receive of WWV at 15 MHz.
Power input is 200W PEP SSB and 160W DC CW. This transceiver does not
have general coverage receive and NO WARC Band (30M/17M/12M). Note that
the Transverter Control Connector on the rear panel of the earlier TS-520S is
not on the TS-520SE. And the TS-520SE has a switchable CW-Filter.
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.k4eaa.com/types.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00145
K6TLA Rating: 2017-08-06
Great classic Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I had a TS-520S station nearly 40 years ago and have always regretted parting with it. I began a search for another this year, found a complete TS-520SE station, and bought it. For a nearly 40 year old station this one is nearly mint and every bit as nice as the original from many years ago. It's a keeper. Sure I have more modern rigs available but this one is a gem.
N4JHY Rating: 2016-10-15
Nothing but FUN! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Saw a mint condition TS520SE with original box and manual on QTH.com and decided to buy it.
Needed the help of the Usersgroup because of misunderstanding tune up procedure. Radio works great, except for an intermittent speech processor switch. Will deal with it when I have a minute.
No notch and no I.F. shift, but radio makes up for it with steller performance. Has a wonderful sounding receiver and excellent xmit audio. I like older Kenwood radios and have a TS930sat and a TS120s in my collection. Nicely drives my amplifier, a Heathkit SB230 with the GI7b conversion. The 520se is a keeper. Looking for a cw filter. If you find a nice one TS 520s or se, buy it!! 73, Bruce N4JHY
N4URW Rating: 2016-02-26
LOVE THE RIG Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I obtained a Kenwood TS-520SE from a fellow that had bought it brand new back in the early 80's. He had planned to get a ham licensed but never did and so he stored it away. The rig had never been operated until I got it in the original double box. The voltage switch in the back was still in the 240 mode. Took off the covers and looks brand new. Had to clean the front because of mildew but then switched the voltage switch to the 120 mode and fired it up. Rig works fantastic. Later bought a MC-50 and TS-520 Speaker to match. I don't think I would ever let this one go unless it is a deal that I can't refuse. I don't think I would ever find a 520SE in this kind of shape. I am wondering if I need to change out CAPS or do any upgrades to it but right now it operates flawlessly. N4URW
VK6NSB Rating: 2015-05-02
SUPERB Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I got my 520SE from a deceased estate and it had NEVER been plugged in so after bringing it up on a variac you need a gun to get it out of my shack. It's my main rig at my weekender and gets turned on when I arrive and turned of when I leave 2 days later. I always get top audio reports from everybody. Receive is so easy on the ears and to me runs rings around later radios. If you find one grab it, you wont be disapointed
W7TNS Rating: 2012-10-16
Great oldie!! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Considering it is an analog, oldie rig...it is a fine Xceiver! Bought mine virtually new in 1988...mint then, and mint now!! HAs original tubes and still puts out 140 watts on 75 M! It is currently the backup rig for my backup rig, and still FUN to use with great reports. Survived my early ham career with wrong antennas, mistuned antennas, even NO antennas!! Maybe would stop a truck! :):)...SE model was last one of the bunch, but all are cool rigs! Enjoy!
W0RDX Rating: 2012-10-15
Great Oldie - Still Great Now! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
When I progressed years ago from a GT-550A to the TS-520SE, I was moving light years ahead. Now, I am stil playing with the 520SE. Simple to use, no WARC (sniff, sniff), but put out a respectable signal, and I have the 500 HZ CW Filter, which really helps. No IF Shift, no DSP, but great sounding receive audio and transmit audio. Mine is on a scale of 1 to 10, at least a 9.5. Very clean, looks really sharp and fun to play with an "analog radio". If you have a chance to get one, get one and play with it and have a blast!
26JLH Rating: 2011-07-07
good ,but watch out for twidlers Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
got this on ebay for 140.00 pounds,you guessed it 10 meter tuning slugs busted.
why the hell do people do this its mad i am sure kenwood tuned the set befor they got it but they say i will do it better with my metal proddler.
oh i broke the slugs oh well,i got some comming but it was a pain to get out but i did.
rig works well after i tuned it so it would track on transmit and recieve that was way out to.
one the plus side this radio is one of the best of the valve type built like a tank and will put you on pain killer if you pick it up.
good audio reports works flawlesly when tuned up so i am happy but i wish the so called exe drips woul lay off with ther prodding things....jeff...

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Earlier 5-star review posted by 26JLH on 2011-05-17

this radio was used on an on air day at the club,i bought it, well i put my name on it pending payment.
it sounded so good and was the best i heard lovely sound.i did 2 hrs on it and i was hooked i just had to have it ownd by to older owners not a screwdriver bucket looks good just needs a clean and touch up a few case marks,i may respray it i am not sure what i want to do yet.
these rigs may be old but the new stuff cant touch these old radios on build quality full stop.
jeff... m6glh..can be made to run qrp i do morse and psk only...
VE3MVW Rating: 2011-01-02
The Rolls Royce Of Hybrids Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Have had mine for nearly 28 years now.Bought it used from Ham Traders in 1982 and was my first real decent tranceiver.Built like a tank.Still has the original driver and finals and puts out 110 watts.Receive audio is excellent.Transmit audio is excellent.Reliability is excellent.I don't think I will ever part with it.
N1TCH Rating: 2010-01-17
This is an easy to use outstanding rig Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I had an ICOM IC-706 and wsa frustrated with the menus and tiny knobs. When I upgraded to general I lppked around and was impressed with the fact that these 30 year old rigs are popular and very easy to use. I bought the 520SE and added all of the accessories, except the external speaker, and have made contacts all over Eurpoe & the US with a 20 M wire dipole 15' off the ground. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
MI3LVZ Rating: 2009-02-02
Lovely old timer Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Hi, iv owned my 520SE for about 6 months now and it never ceases to amaze me! The receive is superb for a radio of its age. Simple to operate and tune the tube's. I run mine with an Astatic 575-6 mic and get cracking audio reports. I also have in the shack a FT890,FT101ZD mk2, IC706 Mk2 and a beautiful FT102. Against the 520 the 102 is the only radio that comes close but not close enough. I paid £90 for mine which was about $180 at the time and its the best money iv spent on a rig in a long while. If you come across one grab it and i can guarantee you wont be disappointed.
If there is a down side its no WARC but we can live without that. The old radios ooze character and look like what a radio's meant to look like, none of this computer carry on!
Keep those tube's glowing.