Looking at Kenwood TS520 today...

[2RT307]

Came across a decent deal on a Kenwood TS520 today. 125 bucks for a clean working unit. Has the CW filter but no SSB filter. Comes with the stock hand mic, AC cord, DC cord, good tubes, and manual. Seems like a decent deal to me, and I've heard these rigs on the air and they sound real nice. Anything to look out for?

73,
Brett

 

[Mudfoot]

Probably can't go wrong at that price.

 

[2RT307]

Probably can't go wrong at that price.

That's what I was thinking. Actually originally was going to get it for a friend that got his ticket the same time as me... I think he'd have a blast on 10 meters with it and a dipole. Now I'm starting to think I want to keep it after reading all the good reviews on it. I kind of dig the hybrids since they came out about the time I got my Novice ticket way back in the 79-80.

73,
Brett

 

[n0zna]

if you dont take it i will,if close by...I have one,and had one years ago.And went and got another...cheap,easy to work on...and great radios.

 

[2RT307]

Looking at pics on the internet, I see that they have a four pin mic connector. Is it something standard like a Cobra/Uniden 4 pin? I have several desk mics laying around.

73,
Brett

 

[w9cll]

Nothing wrong with a 520 if the price is right.

 

[n0zna]

turned down 350 for mine 2 weeks ago...hehe wont make that mistake again.Now looking for a local swan350 or 350d...

 

[2RT307]

Well, I did it...




Popped the cover, and it's real clean. Non smoker! The paint on the trim ring is faded, and there are a couple of scratches... other than that, it's real nice. Sprayed some DeOxit on the potentiometers, and the scratchiness is gone. GREAT receiver, the boys on 7.300 sound awesome! Just wish 10 meters was doing something so I could try it out there.

73,
Brett

 

[w9cll]

Looks good Brett congrats! If Ten opens let us know and maybe we can work each other.

 

[2RT307]

Looks good Brett congrats! If Ten opens let us know and maybe we can work each other.

Thanks! It seems to be very stable... doesn't drift at all. Looking inside, it's kind of funny to see the wires tied with sandwich bag ties instead of the zip ties they use now. I have been going over the tune process and really need to sit down and re-learn it. And DeOxit is my new best friend.

73,
Brett

 

[w9cll]

Thanks! It seems to be very stable... doesn't drift at all. Looking inside, it's kind of funny to see the wires tied with sandwich bag ties instead of the zip ties they use now. I have been going over the tune process and really need to sit down and re-learn it. And DeOxit is my new best friend.

73,
Brett

The tune process will become second nature after a while. I know when I got the 101ZD it was a while before I became comfortable with tuning. Now it's a matter of seconds to tune up.

Keep in mind as well there are a lot of add on's for that radio. There is a digital display, external VFO, external speaker, antenna tuner, phone patch, transverters...etc.... could build a nice station around that "old" lady.

 

[2RT307]

The tune process will become second nature after a while. I know when I got the 101ZD it was a while before I became comfortable with tuning. Now it's a matter of seconds to tune up.

Keep in mind as well there are a lot of add on's for that radio. There is a digital display, external VFO, external speaker, antenna tuner, phone patch, transverters...etc.... could build a nice station around that "old" lady.

Yeah, I've been looking around the net at a lot of the stuff that was available for them. You could probably fill a room with all the accessories! This thing is BIG and heavy. But I really like the receive on it. I'll get the tuning down... now just need to get 10 meters going again!

73,
Brett

 

[Mudfoot]

Is the stock mic getting good reports?

 

[RT2020]

Good deal Brett! What did you do with the TS-430's you had?

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

It looks in pretty good shape for $125. I paid about $300 for one about two years ago but it had the hard to find DG-5 digital display and the VFO-520 external VFO for operating split.I haven't seen it in about a year as I bought it, checked it out and after a while loaned it out to my former boss when his rig died. I'll get it back some day but he is enjoying it for now so that is fine with me. he has health issues and can't afford a rig so I offered the use of it as he had a TS-520 several years ago as well. I have the TS-820S as well with the matching speaker with filters, VFO, tuner and the MC-50 microphone. I really like the classic Kenwood hybrids and want to collect the accessories for them as well as pick up a nice TS-830S some day.