Kenwood TS530S Date of Birth from Serial Number & AdviceFor Newbie HF Operator
 

I'm looking at a used TS-450S with Serial Number 30300519 that seems in very
good shape.

Can you tell me:

(1) What is the likely date of manufacture of this rig? I'm hoping to avoid
an early production unit that may have some inherent weaknesses...
(2) What are likely problems that this radio has experienced over the years
that I should watch out for?

Thanks 73 Kevin VE9XYZ

In article , "K. Hastings"
wrote:

I'm looking at a used TS-450S with Serial Number 30300519 that seems in very
good shape.

Kevin-

I've also been looking for a TS-520/530, and was hoping someone would
respond to your question with a web reference to its history. It would be
nice to find a 530 with the built-in DC supply, if they exist.

As far as the TS-450 is concerned, I have the TS-690, which is a TS-450
with Six Meters. I purchased the optional internal tuner with mine, as
well as the TCXO high stability oscillator, the CTCSS tone generator and
three additional filters. Does the one you are considering have any such
options?

I forget how old it is, but it was bought soon after it came out. I have
had absolutely no problems with it. I recently replaced the CMOS battery
because of age, not because it had failed. My only complaints might be
that use of the noise limiter seems to introduce distortion originating
from strong foreign broadcast stations, and that the CTCSS tones are
jumper-selected.

The TS-450/690 was replaced by the TS-570/570S several years ago, which
was joined later by the TS-2000. The recent TS-480 is sort-of a cross
between the TS-570 and the TS-50, but could be considered a replacement
for the TS-570. If you are looking for a good used Kenwood, I'd recommend
also considering the TS-570.

73, Fred, K4DII

Hi,

TS-530 did not have the dc power supply option like the kenwood ts-520.

I have a great used ts-530s from ebay (trusted seller, lots of used gear)
that works just great. No problems with it at all.

As long as the radio has been used all these years just fine,
if it has been in storage, you may have to replace the filter caps (2)
for the hv ps. Digikey and mouser have them.

come on over to the kenwood forum (all welcome)

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TS-520_820_530_830/

73


Fred McKenzie wrote:

In article , "K. Hastings"
wrote:

I'm looking at a used TS-450S with Serial Number 30300519 that seems in very
good shape.

Kevin-

I've also been looking for a TS-520/530, and was hoping someone would
respond to your question with a web reference to its history. It would be
nice to find a 530 with the built-in DC supply, if they exist.

As far as the TS-450 is concerned, I have the TS-690, which is a TS-450
with Six Meters. I purchased the optional internal tuner with mine, as
well as the TCXO high stability oscillator, the CTCSS tone generator and
three additional filters. Does the one you are considering have any such
options?

I forget how old it is, but it was bought soon after it came out. I have
had absolutely no problems with it. I recently replaced the CMOS battery
because of age, not because it had failed. My only complaints might be
that use of the noise limiter seems to introduce distortion originating
from strong foreign broadcast stations, and that the CTCSS tones are
jumper-selected.

The TS-450/690 was replaced by the TS-570/570S several years ago, which
was joined later by the TS-2000. The recent TS-480 is sort-of a cross
between the TS-570 and the TS-50, but could be considered a replacement
for the TS-570. If you are looking for a good used Kenwood, I'd recommend
also considering the TS-570.

73, Fred, K4DII