Many old HF transceivers have issues such as the TS-440 & TS-450 digital display dot issue. Three reliable transceivers can be bought for about $400. Yaesu FT-840, ICOM IC-718 and Kenwood TS-570. I never read of a repair needed but guess a few broke. The best of lot is TS-570 with factory DNR installed.
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Three Reliable used Budget HF Transceivers
- Thread starter Amperex
- Start date
IC735 is my favorite "tank"
but even then those darn plastic trimmers eventually show up needing service.
but even then those darn plastic trimmers eventually show up needing service.
I recently got rid of My Kenwood TS-450, that has been sitting
around for 20 years, due to not being repairable. The known
"display dot issue" and "UL" in Morse Code being heard.
I believe some of the TS-950's have the same well-known dilemma.
The Carrier Board DDS ASIC's (YM66312 ??) go bad, and
Kenwood changed to another ASIC.
Every now and then I see someone making a replacement
board for these radios with a different design. When I bought this
radio from a friend, I knew it was starting to have problems, and
I assumed it was the PLL problems as in a TS-440, that are repairable.
But with the Internet now, with all these radio forums,
research can be made to see if there are known problems with
a radio, and if it is easily repairable.
around for 20 years, due to not being repairable. The known
"display dot issue" and "UL" in Morse Code being heard.
I believe some of the TS-950's have the same well-known dilemma.
The Carrier Board DDS ASIC's (YM66312 ??) go bad, and
Kenwood changed to another ASIC.
Every now and then I see someone making a replacement
board for these radios with a different design. When I bought this
radio from a friend, I knew it was starting to have problems, and
I assumed it was the PLL problems as in a TS-440, that are repairable.
But with the Internet now, with all these radio forums,
research can be made to see if there are known problems with
a radio, and if it is easily repairable.
