[Kenwood] TS-950 SDX

Thu Jul 1 11:38:10 EDT 2004

Vince
Some additional info...my 950 SDX would have distorted audio on receive.
This distortion would turn 59+20 signals into unintelligable mush AND this
phenomenon would happen after the rig warmed up. This is on RX only...I
intentionally would not transmit...NO RF out! Once the distortion set in,
the radio was shot until I shut it off and let it sit for a few hours. Are
you seeing this?
Also, I take pride in my grounding system. 2 x 8' ground rods outside the
shack located 5' away from the txcvr and connected via flat copper 2" strap.
Good Luck
Carl AG6X
-----Original Message-----
From: kenwood-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:kenwood-bounces at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Vince Shirley
Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2004 9:55 PM
To: Kenwood
Subject: [Kenwood] TS-950 SDX
Hi all,
For those that remember a couple of weeks ago I asked for readers views on
the merits of a 950SDX as against a new 870 or a used 756 PRO2.
Well, my experiences with the 850 and the views expressed on here was enough
and I had the 950 which was delivered a couple of days ago, and I had the
good fortune yesterday to have a day free from work where I could get used
to it.
I concur wholeheartedly with the views expressed on here in respect of the
receiver which is all I expected it to be. I really need a while to get the
best out of it but the noise floor is very low and very easy to isolate weak
CW signals from the crud with the used of the filtering and the AF/IF VBT.
On transmission I had an immediate problem - RF in both the audio and the CW
on all bands (raspy auroral note to the CW and audio, erratic behaviour of
the ALC, erratic power levels etc...). The antenna I used was a Carolina
Windom (at 35 feet), used successfully with the 850 and a 1000MP on all
bands. After removal of all "inputs" to the 950 (external speaker leads,
key, headphones, RS232 lead etc.,) was done but the problem persisted.
Some work on the antenna, changing feeders back from Aircell 50 back to
RG58, insertion of a RF choke into the feed line and repositioning the
TS950SDX inside the shack, a thorough check (and changing a few) of the
patch leads and antenna switch in the shack has reduced the problem to 24
MHz and (occasionally) 28 MHz.
I've taken the antenna down and I can't see any problem around the balun or
the choke on the vertical radiator and as night was falling that's where I
left it. This morning, having slept on the problem, I check it before going
to work and initially there was no problem on 24mHz but it returned after a
couple of minutes. There was plenty of RF around in the shack too, the PC
objected strongly to it and the ELCB blew out sraightaway - and that was at
20 watts !
Both the 850 and the 1000MP don't seem to have a problem with it although
when I crank up the power to 200 on the 1000MP there is a little RF in the
shack.
Repositioning the antenna is impossible (I have a long narrow garden) - does
the 950 have a known issue with being susceptible to RF and can anyone
suggest anything else I could to alleviate it. I would like to stick with
the Carolina Windom as its been very successful for me and due to the joke
that is the "planning consent" regulations in the UK I can't get a tower or
mast up. Or rather I can have a mast, but I can't put any antennas on it
!!
Vince G0ORC
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