So do the Kenwood TS480HX units really do 200w or is it just a nice claim to make, let's find out...

cheers brenton vk3cm

[@brianfields4479]

Thanks for sharing, I've had one of these for years, along with the cw and ssb filter it's a great radio. What current did you take on 200w test. Mine draws 43 amps with 200w, but havnt got a decent amp mtr.

[@markw6549]

This was the second ham radio I bought after my ic735. Didn't have it long as I decided to swap it for a ts2000. Think I noticed an old Ferris 5000 on the floor there too. That was my 2nd SSB radio which I had for many years and a mate of mine still owns. Had an old 23 channel kemtronics before that but the Ferris was a real good radio with the Uniden 858chip.

[@Pull_It_Apart_Paul_Ham_CB]

Mine does 200w Brenton easilly. Put in the additional ssb and filter, voice record and readout. Great radio with rx comparable to ts2000. Awesome POTA, SOTA, Mobile

[@geoffmcwiggan2814]

What’s the value on something like that mate ?

[@benmmm7359]

Nice demo, Brenton! It still begs the question: why bother with a 200W transmitter? For a mobile installation, the extra current demand means heavier wiring and fuses etc… and for what? Probably half an S-point or less on the receiving end of the signal.

[@brentonmeadowsvk3cm]

Hi Ben, To be honest, I ran an amp that easily cruised at 400w plus plus plus in my mobile for years and whilst it made it truly a very good signal for dxing mobile, technology started to be my enemy as the electronics in the new 4wd I owned was very susceptible to RF and we determined that 200watts was probably the Max you would want to run before check engine lights start flashing and I was out hooking up my Autel MK808 obd2 tool to clear codes constantly. In the mobile, in theory the extra 100 watts doesn't sound much but often it's the difference between being heard or not heard when conditions are average but when conditions are good, your point is equally valid and it's an s point or so maximum. I am running 100w out of an IC7000 and a codan 3040 system right now so I have to stay around 100w to avoid frying the auto antenna. I ended up loving this basic setup as it's so fast to go from band to band retuning in a second each time where previously I was waiting for my Scorpion antenna to get to the correct band. That being said, I have plans to utilise a Scorpion again but not with any huge amplifiers in a brand new 6.2 litre Chevy Silverado so that should be an interesting performer and that will use the Kenwood TS480HX for sure. Its never boring, that's for sure cheers Brenton vk3cm

[@tpobrienjr]

This rig is a good one for use in an isolated location.