Rockwell Collins KWM 380 explained

This is the classic KWM-380, designed and sold by Rockwell Collins. this radio was sold from 1979 to 1983. The price in 1970 was $6600. In today's dollars, that is the equivalent of almost $22000, an obscene amount of money for a ham radio. Still not too bad though, because the military version (the HF-380) was sold to Uncle Sam for more than twice that amount, while it is practically the same radio as the KWM-380. Needless to say that this is without a doubt the most professional ham radio ever sold in the ham market. It was also the last ham radio that Collins ever sold, because it was simply too expensive for the average ham. The rise of lower cost Japanese radios (which were also very good radios but much cheaper) made Collins exit the ham radio market.

[@teddyteeth]

I remember when this radio arrived here in the UK & I wanted it so much! It was very expensive & no way as a young guy could afford it at the time. Congratulations on owning this masterpiece. Thanks for the excellent video.

[@johnm.karian5295]

Great Review - Many TNX - I'm blessed to own and use both a KWM-380 and a HF-380. The audio quality of these transceivers is first class. They will be the last radios to leave my collection.

[@matthewcallaway9228]

Very nice Radio I still think The Old radios are way Better than the New stuff Lovely Radio nice bit Of Kit

[@tommybewick]

That's a gorgeous radio in both it's simplicity and quality. I hate to admit I had not seen or or heard of one until now. Thanks for sharing it. Too bad you don't have the noise blanker, it would help with that power line noise. The vintage analog noise blanker in my Kenwood TS-520 does a great job in my very noisy location (better than digital ones in SDR's I have tried).

[@N2FQ]

Great on cw as well, too bad you didn't show that. Great video.

[@wdfordinc]

I just acquired 3 of the kwm-380's at a local barn sale for under 200 , sure is nice to find gold in a septic system. 1 worked and the other 2 just need minor repairs

[@cwguy8960]

I used one of these as a MARS up on the USS Enterprise back in 1990 - no idea if it was a KWM-380 or the HF-380. Brings back memories!

[@coheher]

On the USS Enterprise? I thought they used subspace transmitters. Maybe I am wrong.

[@hamrad88]

beautiful radio and great review.

[@LifeIsTooShortForQRP]

Appreciate it!

[@ricardosuarez8023]

Great post!

[@LifeIsTooShortForQRP]

Thanks!

[@brianredmond4919]

I bought one in 1991 converted to hf 380 spec. Must try to get it going again- wonder what spares are available?.

[@mariomorozinbajcic3408]

Una maravilla ese collins CE2RKL

[@k5wxp22]

You always do great videos of some great rigs. I have never even heard of this one, and you managed to find one in mint condition. I find the toggle switch a little odd with all the push buttons on the rig. Was this an original switch? Thanks again for all the great videos! 73, Brett KF5WXP

[@k5wxp22]

Looked it up via the internet and K2XC's site and a Rockwell/Collins museum site, and sure enough, that's a stock switch. Still looks out of place to me with the rest of the rig's push buttons. I know it would be easy to break off when moving the rig. Still, a great piece of history and it looks like it holds it's own with the modern rigs. 73!

[@LifeIsTooShortForQRP]

You're welcome. The switch is indeed a bit strange - almost like an afterthought during the design. But it is original, they all had that switch. Cheers.

[@Jonathan-L]

How much did these cost new and how much are they worth today?

[@robertoellison348]

IF ICOULD FIND ONE OF THOSE IN MINT CONDITION,, I WOULD BYE IT,, 02-28-2019.

[@Alexshowa]

Yes in perfect conditions and filter dotations is not easy to find i have 2 of them but i sell only for 5000 euros ..(each)

[@wolfhawg]

Looks like a Ten Tec

[@alanhughes1262]

looks like a tuning vfo knob of a 7300 icom

[@silverhawk3324]

Any idea what one of these is worth or would cost 'today?' (March 2024) And availability?

[@LifeIsTooShortForQRP]

It highly depends on condition, serial number and installed options. A nice KWM380 in good cosmetic condition and no corrosion, but without any options and with serial number above 700 can be close to $3000. All options installed and good condition (like a HF-380 version) can go for more than $7000. A raggedy KWM380 with a serial number below 300 is probably more in the $1500 range. Hope this helps.

[@scharkalvin]

Has the KWM-180 been hacked to transmit on 60 meters?

[@LifeIsTooShortForQRP]

Yes, with a ROM board called "Kiron memory board", plugs in to replace the original Collins ROM

[@SkyWire88]

Great review on a great radio. Nice job. If you ever need to get rid of one, give me a call. /// wb3efe