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Reviews For: Kenwood TR851A

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

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Review Summary For : Kenwood TR851A
Reviews: 5MSRP:
Description:
70CM all mode transceiver
Product is not in production
More Info:
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0054.8
G3WRT Rating: 2021-02-13
What to do with it? Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had my 70cm TRIO TR851 from new. I recently resurrected it after many dormant years by replacing the failed front panel potentiometers. I read this is a common fault and have no recollection when this happened to mine, nor did I recall that was why it was on a shelf. That was a straightforward job, and I found the right parts on the web somehow or another! (from the USA). It now works and sadly I have not yet found anyone to test it with! It has however met my bird through line, and it does transmit. I only have a fixed horizontal log periodic so perhaps not surprising no one to hear me. I might be better off vertically polarized and on FM? My first impression in late 2020 is there is not much 70cm activity near me. 25W is not embarrassingly low power but perhaps the multimode capability is wasted and just FM locally useful. In which case I think the lack of many memory channels is a significant handicap, I have replaced the battery (not cheap). The missing (first) digit on the frequency display is rather an eccentric and annoying omission even though it would be redundant.
I leave it permanently on in an unheated shack. It is, perhaps, time for it to go to someone who will use it. I have never heard anyone on 70cm SSB mobile. Maybe I should pioneer that mode? However, I maybe talking to myself for quite some time.
I may well employ it as a permanent IF for my Kuhne 10GHz transverter. Slaving the LO to GPS might be the ticket and bypassing the PA. That would make a neat portable combination and one which lends itself to modifications given its build and lack of surface mount etc. food for COVID lockdown moments 2021.

N0JYC Rating: 2012-09-16
Not Too Many of These Around! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
A rare 432 all mode rig. I bought this for weak signal DX work and satellites. It has a very sensitive receiver and comes in a compact mobile package. I found mine on ebay and paid $185 for it. It was in perfect (a 10 all the way) condition electrically and cosmetically. I also had the TR 751A but let that go when I picked up a Icom 746. If you see one of these for sale, go for it. I rarely see them any more.
SQ7DQX Rating: 2005-01-18
Old but gold ;-) Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have A version (E needs new diodes config, easy to resolder). I use TR851A to satellite communication (AO-7, FO-29 and I hope new ones that will be launched) without preamp and any TX filter (duplexer ect) who helps reject strong 144MHz signal transmitted simultaneously in full duplex mode (TX - IC746 50W). There isn't any signs of sensitivity decrease on 430Mhz, its superb receiver. Previously I used FT817 to receive on 70cm band. Don't ask what happens always when I was transmitting on 144MHz to satellite... noise noise noise... 25W from Kenwood is sufficient. Wants more ? You should think abt better antenna :-) Its old radio but it has very good receiver. Lets look how circuit of receiver was designed. Who use helical filters now in mobile radio ? Nobody. Kenwood did it and did it very well. It allows me now to enjoy birds like AO-7 or FO-29. Strongly recommended !!!
VK3BRZ Rating: 2001-10-09
A great little UHF package Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I own both the TR-751A and the TR-851A. Mostly I use them for portable/field/contest work. It's nice to have two rigs that drive the same! The '851A puts out a healthy 25W, all modes, which is handy for driving a grunty amplifier. I use a PA with two MRF646 transistors which need the whole 25W to get 85W out.

I rarely use FM, but the rig does all it's supposed to in this mode. Mostly I operate SSB weak-signal. The rig's sensitivity is as good as any for FM work, but isn't up to snuff for real DX work. This is not a problem. No 70cm rig I've ever used is good enough without a mast-head low-noise preamp, so I don't see this as a problem.

Frequency stability is acceptable (far better than the '751A!, in fact). Mine drifts about 450Hz from cold in the first hour, then stays put.

Memory capacity is a bit limited by current standards (there's 10 memories which store frequency, mode and repeater offset), but I personally find this enough, otherwise my own memory can't remember what's in the rig's memories.

These rigs are quite rare in VK, and elsewhere it seems. Maybe they were just to expensive when new. I bought mine second-hand for $550 (VK-$). If you see one, don't hesitate - grab it before someone else does.
NE0P Rating: 2000-07-13
fantastic radio Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
This was the first 432 radio I owned. It is the 70cm version of the TR751A two meter radio, but it seems kind of rare. I don't see a lot of them for sale, but I may be because of the quality of the rig. It is a fantastic 432 all mode radio. Puts out 25 watts on all modes. Has a great receiver, which is very sensitive. Not enough 432 activity here to comment on selectivity. Has a nice color display, and voice synthesizer option. This has all of the features you could want in a 432 all mode, and comes in a nice mobile package. If youi want to get on 432, buy this radio if you can find it, you will not be disappointed. I ran mine in a few vhf contests with very good results. I kind of trading it for a FT736R. Hope to get another one sometime soon. Maybe one of Kenwoods finest efforts in the vhf/uhf mobile market.