ts820s

[buxkiner]

Hello, i'm new to this so please bear with me. can a ts 820s be upgraded to ALL mode? if so what would the ball park cost be? I was lucky enough to buy a complete station (less monitor) but I need AM and FM. can this be done or do I need a TVI for 2m? is ther a TVI for 6m? please advise.

[W0LPQ]

TVI = Television Interference.

Do you mean transverter? #If so, yes, Kenwood used to make them. #

And your call sign is?__

Bill, W0LPQ

[buxkiner]

thanks for the correction. the main question though was still unanswered, can the 820s be converted to (ALL MODE) or do I need a transverter for 6 and 2m. I do not as yet have a call sign.

[W0LPQ]

I repeat....

Kenwood used to make them. They can be found.

For AM, it is standard. FM? Probably an add on board.

Bill, W0LPQ

[buxkiner]

thanks for the reply, as I said to begin with I am very new to ham and should have my tech ticket by months end. I was kind of talked into buying the rig without knowing at that time my privleges with tech. I bought it and now find I can't use most of it untill I upgrade a ticket I do not already have. I have had a real hard time with this hobby, I am away from home alot and haven't had the time or the help to get started. I am now disabled and have plenty of time. thanks for your patience. I surely hope to learn something here.

[N8YX]

Quote[/b] (W0LPQ @ Sep. 30 2006,19:38)]For AM, it is standard. FM? Probably an add on board.
No, and no.

The TS-820S is USB/LSB/CW/FSK only.

There isn't a way to easily add AM or FM to one, though its companion receiver - the R820 - will receive AM. No space on the TS-820S 'mode' switch for another position or two, and -IF- you swap the existing mode switch to accomodate the new modes you'll end up redesigning a lot of the rig's circuitry to boot.

If you want an older (hybrid) rig with AM and FM modes included, look for a Yaesu FT901/902 or an FT101ZD/FT102 .

[W0LPQ]

Thanks YX. Never paid that close attention to the 820. Most rigs did have AM and FM was an option. Good to know about the 820.

Bill, W0LPQ

[N8YX]

Quote[/b] (W0LPQ @ Oct. 02 2006,06:59)]Thanks YX. Never paid that close attention to the 820. Most rigs did have AM and FM was an option. Good to know about the 820.
Bill,

For the life of me, I cannot understand why Kenwood did not implement those two modes in an otherwise 'perfect' radio. Unless they were trying to distance themselves from those manufacturers who were marketing to the AM CB crowd.

I recently got hold of a couple of 901/902 lineups (with transverters, scopes, etc), having wanted one of the rigs for for a number of years. I can honestly say that the 820's receiver is as good as - if not better - than the 90x. Were Kenwood to have implemented AM/FM into the TS820S line and offered a synthesized external VFO like the FV901DM I wouldn't have given the Yaesus a second glance.

The two '820 lineups in my shack are currently used to drive transverters, as is one of the 90x rigs. Between them I can cover 6/2M SSB/CW/FM and 432 SSB/CW, with the second 90x transverter-equipped setup useable on 10M FM and acting as a backup for the other VHF/UHF positions in the station.

I'll say one thing about the hybrids of that era: They keep on working...

[W0LC]

Quote[/b] (buxkiner @ Sep. 30 2006,22:05)]thanks for the reply, as I said to begin with I am very new to ham and should have my tech ticket by months end. I was kind of talked into buying the rig without knowing at that time my privleges with tech. I bought it and now find I can't use most of it untill I upgrade a ticket I do not already have. I have had a real hard time with this hobby, I am away from home alot and haven't had the time or the help to get started. I am now disabled and have plenty of time. thanks for your patience. I surely hope to learn something here.
Transverters are kinda hard to come by these days but you might look into Down East Microwave if you want to build one yourself.

A name would be nice vs. a user ID.

Callsign pending I take it.

I would have to ask, what you might need such equipment for since you obviously not licensed to operate it?

[W0LC]

Quote[/b] (n8yx @ Oct. 02 2006,08:51)]
Quote[/b] (W0LPQ @ Oct. 02 2006,06:59)]Thanks YX. #Never paid that close attention to the 820. #Most rigs did have AM and FM was an option. #Good to know about the 820.
Bill,

For the life of me, I cannot understand why Kenwood did not implement those two modes in an otherwise 'perfect' radio. Unless they were trying to distance themselves from those manufacturers who were marketing to the AM CB crowd.

I recently got hold of a couple of 901/902 lineups (with transverters, scopes, etc), having wanted one of the rigs for for a number of years. I can honestly say that the 820's receiver is as good as - if not better - than the 90x. Were Kenwood to have implemented AM/FM into the TS820S line and offered a synthesized external VFO like the FV901DM I wouldn't have given the Yaesus a second glance.

The two '820 lineups in my shack are currently used to drive transverters, as is one of the 90x rigs. Between them I can cover 6/2M SSB/CW/FM and 432 SSB/CW, with the second 90x transverter-equipped setup useable on 10M FM and acting as a backup for the other VHF/UHF positions in the station.

I'll say one thing about the hybrids of that era: They keep on working...
Yeah, that is correct. Many of the 80's and 90's rigs had FM as an option board which I never understood, other than to make some money on options.

Many didn't do AM as there wasn't the "craze" for AM in the early stages of SSB as there is now.

One would think they would have those "optional" modes in all radios, kinda standardize the features a bit.

That goes without saying, the use of RCA jacks vs. DIN plugs, 4 pin microphone plugs vs. 8 pin mikes, etc...

[WA2ZDY]

Quote[/b] (n8yx @ Oct. 02 2006,11:51)]Were Kenwood to have implemented AM/FM into the TS820S line and offered a synthesized external VFO like the FV901DM I wouldn't have given the Yaesus a second glance.
I don't know if the 820 would have held up to full duty cycle FM or not. #Besides, FM below 29 MHz requires a modulation index of 1. #And the brand of AM that comes from these rigs today is often not pretty. #

I've run AM from my TS480 and that 25 watt carrier attracts ZERO attention. # One needs POWER on AM (my experience my differ from yours of course.)

I can say my 820 that was loaned out surprised me. #The elderly gent who had it MELTED the finals. #Yes, the 6146es were MELTED. #I was surprised to find the power supply held up. # In most of that variety of rig the power supply is the weak link.

As for the synthesised VFO, they did. #Kenwood made the DFC230. # It was synthesised, had four (wow!) memories and came with a hand mic that had up and down buttons. #

The DFC was marketed toward the TS130 market, where I used mine mobile. #But it was a direct plug-in equal to the VFO230. # And it was indeed rock stable.

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamhf/dfc230.html

The DFC230 is on top in the photo below while my Icom IC 3200 is below that.

http://www.wa2zdy.com/dfc230_and_ic3200.jpg

[N8YX]

Quote[/b] ]I don't know if the 820 would have held up to full duty cycle FM or not. Besides, FM below 29 MHz requires a modulation index of 1.

My 90x rigs do it just fine with 150ma IP max (I run them a bit lower...around 125.) The 820 uses the same driver/PA arrangement (12BY7A, 2x 6146B) as the 90x rigs.

Their FM circuitry ensures a narrow deviation and this is adjustable if so desired.


Quote[/b] ]One needs POWER on AM

Or a good antenna...decent band conditions...or a combination of all three. I have the amplifier end of things covered and am working on the antenna angle...


Quote[/b] ]As for the synthesised VFO, they did. Kenwood made the DFC230. It was synthesised, had four (wow!) memories and came with a hand mic that had up and down buttons.

But it doesn't work with the 820 - just the 130/530/830 series. I have a DFC230 for use with my TS130S. Trust me - it is NOT the equivalent of an FV901DM, which I also have in the shack.