Cleaning up an old Kenwood TS-2000

[@M0LMK]

We used the original "Servisol Foam Cleaner 30" in the radio workshop which did an amazing job considering what our handhelds were put through "on the job". It's all but disappeared from the shelves now and is very had to get. What actually happened is they were acquired by "Kontakt Chemie" and have been rebranded. So, if you're looking for the best electronics cleaner, keep your eye out for "Kontakt Chemie Multi-Foam 77" as it's the exact same formula as the highly coveted Servisol 30. I tend to use 3 or 4 different products; Foam 77, Cleaner 601 and Screen 99 are the main ones, all from the Kontakt Chemie range via CPC when cleaning up radios for sale or after I've done a repair. The owners love a new, clean front panel when a radio goes back after having new finals or maybe an antenna socket change and my stock of business hire handhelds still look brand new despite being over 6 years old!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Some good tips there Matt!!

[@edwardholland36]

A soft long bristle paintbrush is a great way to remove dry dust before wet/damp cleaning. I use one in combination with a cordless vacuum. Works a treat on radios and other things around the house. But now I have to do all the dusting... On some radios I've found on ebay, I'll remove the control knobs and wash them separately in washing up liquid, with a toothbrush to get in to the knurled grooves. While they are off, its easier to clean the faceplate. Good fun as always, thanks for the videos.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Good idea to take the knobs off!

[@KendraAndTheLaw]

TS-2000 sounds unbelieveable with an RE-20 or RE-27 mic. There's a secret app to tweak the DSP mic EQ that really makes it shine even more. I'll always keep mine around for 2 meter FM and SSB.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Oh! I have both of those mics.. I must give it a try! I just need the "secret"!

[@johnhess351]

Maybe you know why my S-meter gets disabled on the TS-2000?

[@KendraAndTheLaw]

@@johnhess351 Have no idea

[@KendraAndTheLaw]

@@DXCommanderHQ It sounds great without the secret, but I'll try to find it for you

[@KendraAndTheLaw]

@@DXCommanderHQ YT won't let me post the link. Google "N3GX ts-2000 essb". As the graph shows, this mod will boost the top end to get almost 4khz TX audio. Sparkle!

[@mozzab424]

Way back in electronic manufacturing we used to use Ambersil Amberclens - but I have been using Ambersil Groom same stuff if you do the research from a UK automotive supplier beginning with H - works brilliantly does not damage any plastics in my experience - if you have a radio that has nicoteen stains best stuff to remove this is "no nonsense surface cleaner" works brilliantly - I don't spray directly on to the radio but apply to a micro fibre and wipe over - this removes the possibilty of cleaner ingressing around keypads and getting to the contacts - cover speaker grills and open ports for the same reasons - cheap good results and just works no damage - used this on many products not just radios I repair and rental returns 73's

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Good tip!

[@m0ngo]

Excellent radio for UHF and VHF. A true UU, VV, UV & VU all mode radio with fantastic audio. The HF is a bonus! I still rate my TS-2000X.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Agree!

[@m7trsradio]

Great cleaning Callum. I have the exact same cleaner in my tool box. Used it for years. 👍🏽

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I love it!

[@mikeshaffer2950]

I got my ts 2000 rig used in 2019, unfortunately i did have to do major disassemble an cleaning, it came from a smoker. Im very pleased on how it receives an transmit,

[@thomasperina2990]

Hello Lord Callum: It's great seeing you again on a non antenna setting. I'm certain that Wendy would approve of your house cleaning talents. Old chap your worried about the color from the camera you look fine but IMHO your lighting is too high. Any way old friend it's great seeing you, God Bless, & my best to Wendy & the dogs. TMP, Unit 22 from N.J.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes, can be lighting, then again I changed ISO, F stop and a couple of other things. You should have seen it before I tried to fix it in post! LOL

[@robertmeyer4744]

great tips. not sure how to disassemble that face plate. But carefully take the faceplate off and use that foam spray with a soft brush . Old plastic gets brittle and cracks easy . With the faceplate off check the transpertant lenz . some get cloudy or yellow with age and there's stuff to buff it and get it more clear again. Best thing treat that radio with love . take your time . Look at how ML&S cleans up used radios. I am Shore they will help with any questions you may have with cleaners and how to use them. Great view with the extra camera. 73

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes, it was Tony from ML&S that told me to use the spray.. But I never went deeper..

[@robertmeyer4744]

@@DXCommanderHQ Good people at ML&S and they sell to the USA as well

[@don_n5skt]

@@DXCommanderHQ I watch ML&S as much as I watch you. They do some great videos and it is how I learn what good radios there are out there. Thanks for the demo Callum.

[@RiaanZS1ZAR]

Good Evening. I've been using Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Interior Car Detailer spray. If it is safe on vehicle instruments and touch screens, I think it is safe for radios and laptops too. It's been doing a good job on my equipment so far. And I have to add that you can find SUPER soft brushes in the car detailer shops too.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Not sure I want to ADD anything to the front panel..

[@daveengstrom9250]

Your camera color is just fine.

[@winstonchurchill6506]

A soft brush oh booger iv'e been using a wire brush

[@DXCommanderHQ]

HAHAHA!!!

[@Rubedo777]

That’s a serious scrubbing Cal. Regarding the colour / lights I’m sure you remember black and white telly… best picture was get the brightness and contrast so it looked punchy then it was nice… now then turn up the colour saturation control and get the skin to look right… the tint hhhmmmm maybe just a little bit but the colours are usually linked in that like you put one colour in and the other colours change their settings… then with the lights use light boxes use a white sheet to diffuse the lights so they’re softer contrast and if you’re allowed to on these cameras use a higher f-stop. Just trying to give you idea.73. Best wishes…. 💙

[@DXCommanderHQ]

The lights are already diffused. It's the camera setting. I played with it today and it's better.

[@Rubedo777]

@@DXCommanderHQ Good … you’re an alchemist. 🤔 💙

[@Joe-KN4IFI]

The cleaning Tech. You missed your calling Callum. lol, 73 Joe

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Rig Cleaning Service!

[@stevencoleman7477]

Not sure if it's the same stuff but I use some foam spray cleaner for the car called flash dash. It brings up the dash and door panels like showroom condition Be careful what you use through as some household cleaners will remove the lettering on the face panel I'd be careful to only use a soft brush on the clear plastic display as well. If the bristles are a little on the stiff you could scratch it and it'll look like an ice ring after a hockey match. ☹ But keeping your radio in clean condition will definitely help sell it when the time comes. And polishing my car I'm sure makes it go faster so maybe a clean radio will work more DX 😂

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yeah.. Might be too aggressive for this :) !

[@DentonAylor]

Callum, what is the name of the cleaner that you used.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Anti-Static Cleaner.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXXYgnuma96Hbsksi=1mDrL92O2bbL1lj0&t=351

[@arnasundraitisLY7K]

Hey Callum, Just a random question. What's the size of your shack PC monitors? 27inch? bigger?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

27.

[@ozzyla1234]

Tried to find it on the RS Australian site - says its discontinued. Any good alternatives?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes, that's an OLD radio. Commonly called a "shack in the box". Look for HF, 6m, 2m and 70cms for similar.

[@ozzyla1234]

@@DXCommanderHQ lol Not the radio i have a TS2000 but the spray you are using on it.....

[@M7FWJ]

Is the TS-2000 any good? In general i mean, not that specific one. If it is i may have to pick one up if i can find one at the right price.

[@stargazer7644]

The Kenwood TS-2000 was the best shack in a box you could get for decades. I loved mine so much I bought two of them! The second one is a TS-2000X with 23cm that I use mobile as a rover. All bands 160m-70cm (23cm optional), all modes FM/AM/SSB/CW/Digital. 100W 160m-2m, 50W 70cm, 10W 23cm (optional). What's not to love? The only thing missing that newer radios have is a bandscope. It does HF, satellites, weak signal on vhf/uhf/shf (optional), repeaters, adjustable DSP filters and noise reduction, built in 1200/9600 bps TNC with packet cluster decoding, any soundcard digital modes (you'll need a rigblaster), general coverage vhf/uhf fm receiver for public service frequencies, computer control, I'm sure I'm forgetting something. And all that for about $1400 new. You simply couldn't beat it. Kenwood made this radio for almost 20 years.

[@M7FWJ]

@stargazer7644 I think if I get all that frequency coverage then no landscape is an alright trade off, I'll have to look into it a bit more.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Check out Stargazer's comment! :)

[@johnhess351]

I have trouble sometimes getting this TS-2000 radio set up to show the S-meter properly behaving on receive and have heard other people as well having this problem on otherwise very good radio. Not sure if its broken or just not set up right. Could ya'/would ya' , please run through a standard "knobology" setup to make sure the S-Meter is working and maybe explore the darn mode setting that makes it disappear?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Hmm. Interesting. I rarely take much interest in S readings.. But I will check it out maybe!

[@stargazer7644]

I have two TS-2000s and I have never seen the S meter not behaving properly on receive. I would reset the radio to defaults and see if that helps.Hold A=B when powering on, when you get the confirmation message, press A=B again to confirm the defaults.

[@ChipEckardt]

A lot of older hams were/are smokers and cleaning years of smoke/tar/etc. can take some elbow grease. However do NOT wipe off tubes with cleaner. The marking come off-trust me😂

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Good to know!

[@yt5bos]

Main camera was a bit overexposed, once you lower the exposure a bit the colors will look different and get closer to what the other camera shows.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Or ISO, maybe F stop or turn the lights down..! LOL

[@gi4sjq240]

You would need to do a full strip down of the front panel to get at the inside of the display to remove the dust. Not a hard job but takes time and can be fiddly

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK, thanks for tip!

[@bonnetdedouche437]

Not gonna lie, at first I thought you were about to open your packed lunch. 😅 73, EI6JHB

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Ha!!

[@mm3nrx]

Dimmer control ASMR...

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Funny!!

[@roach1317]

MLS has or had a cleaner. I saw it in one of their videos. GREETINGS FROM SOUTHWEST GERMANY John DJ6JH

[@Dennis35793]

thx

[@Mr_Meowingtons]

i was just looking at mine last week thinking i need to clean the face...

[@problemwithauthority]

There is a lot of stuff behind the screen

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Oh!