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Reviews For: Kenwood TS-140/680

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

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Review Summary For : Kenwood TS-140/680
Reviews: 51MSRP: 1,190.00
Description:
100w, 160-10m HF SSB/AM/FM/CW rig
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.rigpix.com/kenwood/ts140s.htm
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00514.3
VE4HUM Rating: 2002-10-08
Great Rig For Price Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Originally bought this used as a back-up to my TS-450S. Although a much less featured model, it does a great job. It has become a radio which I use both in the shack and mobile. All reports on my signal have been very complimentary - on a par with the TS-450S. The only problem I have encountered was that with the NB on, and the NB Level slider switch on max., the incoming audio overloads. Simply back-off with the slider and audio becomes crystal clear again.

A great little performer at a dirt cheap price.
KB1ML Rating: 2002-09-04
Solid rig and simple to operate Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought one of these 10 years ago, and used it for one year then sparingly for 9 years, and then heavily a few months ago. It is simple to use - the only hitch is that it has sliders for some of the controls, such as the mic gain, rf gain and power output, rather than knobs.

I use it both as a base station and as a mobile rig. It works well mobile, and although it's not as fancy or high-falutin' as some of the newer micro mobile rigs, it is simple to operate when mobile, and, unlike the Alinco DX70T and the Kenwood TS50S, it has vox. It also has Kenwood quality (no functional problems at all to date).

The only hitch is that it can be tough to tune out unwanted signals when things get crowded - it has IF shift, but no other fine tuning. I rated it a 5 for its class. It's not a 5 compared to the newer (and much more expensive) digital rigs.

This is a good entry level rig, and a good mobil rig if you have the room (and it's really not that big). They sell for $300 or so on the used market, and I may be looking for another one for a permanent mobil rig.
K9VKG Rating: 2002-06-27
Great Radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is an excellent radio. The TS-140 is definately worth the money. It performs nearly as good as rigs worth thousands more. I'd take a TS-140 any day and buy more radios with the change.
SV1ENS Rating: 2002-05-24
Good entry level radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My first ever full HF radio. Average sensetivity, good modulation and audio. A nice entry level radio for any newbie...
N5KNG Rating: 2002-05-02
Updated Review Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
In retrospect, after trying out several more receivers, I think I was expecting too much. The radio does not have passband tuning, or a notch filter. So it just can't handle crowded band conditions without a set of filters for the mode you choose to use. If you don't expect the radio to perform like one that has these features, my rating goes from a 3 to a 4.

It is indeed easy to use. The front panel has a simple layout, the radio is sensitive, and you get a solid transceiver for not a lot of money.

----------------------
Earlier 3-star review posted by N5KNG on 2002-04-19

I borrowed this one from a friend to try out for a week. It receives - but that's about it. I liked an old Drake R-4 with filters MUCH better. The filtering (stock on SSB and 400 Hz CW) constantly required use of 400 Hz to cut out most adjacent SSB signals. Also, the receiver was VERY noisy.

The front panel is laid out well, and it's easy to use. I only had to read a QST review to figure out the memories and more obscure features. [Didn't get to borrow the manual :) ] So kudos to Kenwood in the user-friendly department.

In summary, an OK radio, but I guess you get what you pay for ...
W8WWP Rating: 2002-03-04
Great first time rig Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Had one of these radios for quite a while and then purchased a TS-440 to replace it. Always liked the way that memories can be programmed. The band marker memories are great and can be used to mark the downlink frequencies for the 10m satellites! I would agree with all about the slide controls, but not that big of a deal. I would own this radio again for sure. I had the 140, so can't comment about the 6m 680, but I'm sure it works fine.
KG6EJT Rating: 2002-03-03
First Rate Rig! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Very nice starter or backup rig. Typical Kenwood quality. Well thought out design and easy to use. I can't come up with any complaints aside from agreeing with the others who have mentioned the slide controls being rather imprecise and touchy. But, you really don't use those controls all that much and the rest of the radio more than makes up for that. I purchased mine on eBay and have been very, very happy with it.
KB0WOI Rating: 2001-11-18
Excellent Rig Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Bought the TS-140S as a primary radio in between more expensive, fancier radios, thinking it would play a back-up role in the future. It is a pleasure to use such a simple rig, good receive, good audio reports. Going to keep this one, as it is an excellent primary rig for someone who doesn`t want the fancy bells and whistles, or a beginner. This one was used sparingly before I bought it, and mint condition. FM built-in,has vox also. Highly recommended as an inexpensive used rig.
LW8DJI Rating: 2001-08-27
muy mal receptor!!! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
El kenwood ts 140,es tal vez uno de los peores receptores que he tenido dentro de su gama de precio,inclusive es inferior al del Yaesu FT747,siendo que este ultimo es un radio de menor precio,el transmisor es medianamente aceptable,pero la parte de receptor es muy pobre,ruidosa,el NB practicamente no sirve para nada,y es el segundo que por esas cosas de la vida me toca tener,ojala tuviese un receptor como el de mi FT101ZD!!!!entonces seria un buen equipo.
N9SP Rating: 2000-06-08
Great HF Rig for the $ Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Have had this rig for several years, never had any troubles with it at all. Works great, puts out full 100 watts, good audio, etc. The rig has enough dials and controls to get you by, but nothing too fancy. The slide controls are a bit touchy, but the functions they control are not adjusted very often at all. I rarely touch mine, and I switch between phone and PSK31. Strongly recommend this rig for anyone that is looking on the used market.