How many WATTS are left in the TS-440?

One thing that every owner of an older radio needs to check is how much output power the radio has. How did the Kenwood TS-440 do?
#hamradio #amateurradio #kenwood #ts-440s
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[@temporarilyoffline]

Google is your friend here. There are likely plenty of vids and docs and demos of how to fix this rig, mod this rig for more power or even open it uo for GASP 11m. Tread lightly to gain confidence, but have fun!

[@MikeN2MAK]

It's such a great looking rig!

[@LB0FI]

It is! It reminds me of 80s HiFi.

[@LB6QJ]

That is a very much a useful radio. It is 40 years old and will hold many more years.

[@LeeMcc_KI5YPR]

When you open it up, look for any damaged parts. If you have a schematic, find the filters on the bad bands. Easy! 👍🏻

[@LB0FI]

I plan to do that. And I might get some help from someone who has serviced a lot of these back in the day.

[@KS0JD]

Those age of Kenwoods have band switches in them for changing filters. They might need to be cleaned. 73

[@LB0FI]

Comments like this is why I love KZbin!

[@Kilroy_Was_Here_1897]

Its little brother, the TS-430, had a procedure from Kenwood specifically for cleaning the relays. It involved putting a fair amount of power into the antenna connector and constantly cycling through all the bands for a few minutes. This was supposed to burn off any crud on the relays.

[@LB0FI]

@Kilroy_Was_Here_1897 I saw TO do that, it might be worth a shot.

[@kevanwoodcock6858]

i would just add a 12v LED to fix he back lite issue. Wire it to the battery in. A small spot of hot glue to hold it in place and it will provide a good back light. Super cheap fix too.

[@LB0FI]

Didn't we just discuss this in another video on the same radio?

[@2EOGIY]

Check diodes next to relays, a common failure point in this model, and relays are cheap and accessible these days, too. In general, on the Web, you can find the information you might think about this radio. In this manner, it is more kit radio than commercial made. If I advise something for beginners, it would be this as it still has a single layer through hole PCPs.

[@LB0FI]

The internal tuner was, and somehow still is the problem. It does not always disconnect, and it struggles to tune. The next step is to remove the tuner.

[@user-rm5il4uh3i]

All these old radios are still perfectly usable. All the negative talk comes from ham radio companies and guys who are desperate to sell you more crap.

[@LB0FI]

What? I just tested it and showed that it wasn't working entirely like it used to...

[@JeffCowan]

Might be your band pass or low pass filters on the output.

[@LB0FI]

I'm thinking band pass filters, but we'll see when I get that far in my pile of projects.

[@voiceoftruth1943]

Can you reduce the power on the TS-440S?

[@LB0FI]

No, it's can only do full power out

[@PawelSamoHa]

I suspect LPF relays. Looks like popular dx bands are affected due to frequent use.

[@LB0FI]

Well, 20 and 10 works well though.

[@kevanwoodcock6858]

Can this radio be remote controlled by a computer?

[@LB0FI]

Yes it can, but I haven't tried it.