#81 Radio repair: Kenwood TS-50 S intermittent no power and other odd behaviour

In this episode we have a Kenwood with the known hybrid boards problems but additional to that there is a more hidden exciting fault.

[@raccoonnyc]

always a pleasure to watch your troubleshooting techniques.

[@TRXLab]

+raccoonnyc Thank you for the nice feed back 73

[@Robalo844]

I WAS GUESING C194 AND Q51,52,53 AT THE BIGINING AND THEY CALL IT DC-DC CONVERTER REPAIR GOOD TECH JOB I LOVE IT

[@TRXLab]

+jjmtzama Hi, thanks for feed back. Yeah sometimes the outcome is funny 73

[@sean999ification]

Very absorbing watch. Thanks. Almost wish you found a couple more problems to fix!

[@TRXLab]

+sean999ification Hi, LOL yeah great that you like it so much :^) Thank you. All the best 73

[@berndb.5097]

Hey, you do it very nice Peter! The video inspired me to repair my TS 50 also. While he has not this error but the capacitors are also very poor. Mny tnx and 73 !

[@TRXLab]

+Bernd B. Hi Bernd, thanks you. Good luck with your TS50. All the best and 73

[@miltonball2591]

Good job well done. But i hope you also have fixed the centre jack👍

[@TRXLab]

which centre jack do you mean exactly ?

[@miltonball2591]

@@TRXLab sorry should have said cw key jack 😀

[@garymclellan5604]

Amazing dedication to your craft..... I have a ts 50 id love to have you look at and repair. Low on tx power. Everything else works.

[@Reuben1024]

Really interesting to see your faultfinding and tenacious patience in getting this radio working again. Hart-warming that it's not just "beyond economic repair" and instead used to help educate and explain how to locate and fix faults, as well as give the owner their radio to use again. 73 from the UK

[@TRXLab]

Thanks for feed-back. Glad that you like it. All the best 73

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Great Job Peter!

[@TRXLab]

+Mr Carlson's Lab Thank you Paul!

[@felixmeyer1972]

Hallo, tolle Sache ...

[@felixmeyer1972]

Hallo nochmal Peter. Ich habe 1993 einen TS-50 gekauft, um ihn an Bord eines Schiffes mitzunehmen. Ich war der Funkelektronikoffizier. Das Gerät wurde 4 Monate benutzt. Dann wieder in die Originalverpackung stecken, wenn ich zurückkomme. Nachdem ich dieses Video gesehen habe, habe ich Albträume von den Kondensatoren, die alle undicht sind! Ich werde es Sie wissen lassen, aber wie andere gesagt haben: „Sie haben die Geduld eines Heiligen, methodisch Schritt für Schritt vorzugehen! Frohe Weihnachten und ein frohes neues Jahr!

[@CT1ELP]

Very Good, well explained and successful repair.

[@TRXLab]

+CT1ELP Thank you Pedro!

[@SquantoTerror]

Well done Peter! Very Interesting repair video.

[@TRXLab]

+Nicholas Hyer Thank you Nicholas! 73

[@Beretta96Dan]

Hello Peter! Maybe this is a touchy question with repair techs like yourself, but I can't help but ask it: How do you keep from "losing your ass" on repairs such as these? I mean, the video was over an hour long, and you cut the video several times to remove boards, replace components, etc. So, you have got to have a number of hours involved in your labor. It would seem to me that there would be a point where the radio repair would not be cost effective to spend the labor and parts for the repair. I don't know what a 100% working TS-50S would cost, but unless the repair cost is minimal, maybe it would be better to spend that money on a new or newer radio. Is this more of a "labor of love" verses business as usual? Enjoyed the video and as always gave the thumbs up. 73, Dan

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

+Beretta96Dan HI Dan. I think I could speak for quite a few youtubers at this point, (myself included.)The video time "just itself" makes the repair completely not worth doing from a monetary aspect. The payback is helping others learn. Just for example, in a troubleshooting and repair video, one hour of video time is one week of work (give or take a day) I'm pretty sure Peter's video time ratio is much the same. (we talk a lot) Very little of what I repair, design, or trouble shoot makes it to a video for this reason unfortunately.

[@TheRadioShop]

+Beretta96Dan Dan, Paul is correct and I agree with what he said. A lot of times the repair out weighs the cost, so you can say it is the passion of doing the repair and helping others. Somewhere down the road someone will have this problem and when they search they will find this video.  Peters hours of research and troubleshooting now becomes a 30 minute fix for that person. The manufacture no longer repairs these and most forks like Clif Holland will not work on them due to unobtainable parts. This leaves folks like Peter, Paul and myself the challenge to repair them (although my videos are no ways a good as theirs) all because the love of the hobby. Some repairs I may have several days tied up in it just for the video.

[@TheRadioShop]

+Mr Carlson's Lab Awesome reply Paul.

[@TRXLab]

+Beretta96Dan Hi Dan, yes well you already got all the answers from Paul and Buddy. We all try to find content which is interesting to everyone. And the repairs I show are most of the time radios which are still in the field and many times sold but very often quit support by the manufacturer due to it's age. Now we can give something back to the community and help others to learn.A short feed back like yours on our work is our pay. We can not live from that as it takes too much time to do a video like this as Paul already said. Let's call it ham spirit. During my scholastics and my fist job in development I got so much support and I just want to give back a little bit. There are so may things you can't find in a book and that is what we try to put through. That's it... Thanks for asking. All the best 73

[@TRXLab]

+Mr Carlson's Lab Thanks Paul!

[@jerryblood9554]

Love your videos Peter. Great job.

[@TRXLab]

+jerry blood Hi Jerry, thank you so much! 73

[@andrewrae2813]

Excellent faultfinding....I agree with RDH1024. A lot of people would say...not economical to fix"; instead you persisted in a logical manner and at the same time showed us the viewer a flowchart of search and repair. 73s from Canada

[@TRXLab]

Thank you for feed-back Andrew! All the best and 73

[@davideisenberger6197]

Hello again Peter. I bought a TS-50 in 1993 to take with me aboard ship. I was the Radio Electronics Officer. The rig was used for 4 Months. Then put back in the original box when I returned. After watching this video I have nightmares of the capacitors all leaking! I'll let you know, but as others have said, "you have the patience of a saint to Methodically go step by step! Merry Christmas and Happy New Years! 73's de K8KEM David

[@TRXLab]

Thank you David and Merry Christmas and happy new year. 73

[@DonaldOhse]

Awesome Job.. But always remember the first rule of troubleshooting.. Thou shall always check voltages.. :)

[@TRXLab]

+Donald Ohse (W5DRO) Hi Donald, you are 100% right and there is only one case where you need to ignore this first rule and that is if you know about loose contacts and/ or cracked traces and you can't simply distinguish is the missing voltage due to bad connection or due to a fault in the circuit. Thanks for comment and stopping by. 73s

[@michaelcarey]

Great repair video Peter. I have had to repair my TS-50 on a number of occasions. I ended up replacing ALL the electrolytic capacitors, this fixed a lot of strange little issues... like a slow AGC recovery after TX. Also had to replace some transistors in the power control circuit. I have lost count of the number of times I have cursed crappy electrolytic capacitors!

[@TRXLab]

+Michael Carey Hi Michael, yes this early smd electrolytic caps are really a night mare today this smd types are much better. Anyway the TS-50 is a nice radio as long we can manage the weaknesses we'll do :-) Thanks for comment 73

[@Pergel-o3h]

Dear Peter. I have the same radio model (KENWOOD TS-50) and I saw the video and I congratulate you. I would like to ask if you are aware of the following failure: While I have perfect reception, when broadcasting there is no sufficient signal output, (no line appears on the screen), despite the excistence of indication. It is worth mentioning that this damage was caused while using the small emission scale (10W), and despite not communicating with my interlocutor for long periods of time. Finally, I will mention that while I did a RESET, the radio still transmits at a power of only a few mW. Thank you

[@Aleziss]

urgh... I was about to buy a what it seem "nice" ts50 but after viewing this video... I am not so sure this is a good buy specially now knowing these little board that can cause issues, these parts are not available anymore and all the bad capacitors, on top of having bad diodes... bummer...

[@TRXLab]

Yes that is true...

[@garymclellan5604]

Anything is repairable

[@Aleziss]

@@garymclellan5604 it's getting more difficult with these radios that have obsolete components... I had a 706 with a faulty encoder and it is impossible to find besides finding a face plate... that you hope won't have a failing encoder too...

[@markorrick7558]

How bout this . This is the way you do things. First , Properly. Then, Properly. Then , Properly. Any questions?? Much appreciation for all of this. Thank you👍👍👍

[@Grinder-one]

That was brilliant....great fault finding which I always find more interesting than watching a detective movie. Always nice to follow the clues all the way down to the guilty component. Great video, subbed.

[@SkyWire88]

Very good troubleshooting job, Mr. TRX (?). It was fun to see you go to work again! Damn those Zener-bibbles. // 73 from the U.S.

[@robertcalkjr.8325]

Very nice troubleshooting and repair Peter. Thanks. It was a real pleasure to watch.

[@TRXLab]

+Robert Calk Jr. Hi Robert, thank you! All the best 73

[@TheRadioShop]

I paused the video at 1.36 just to say I see a problem. When you hit CW it goes into transmit. Now back to the video..

[@TheRadioShop]

+The Radio Shop Now that I have watched the whole video, I must say Peter this is one of the best repair videos on KZbin. Excellent work Peter! Great explanation of the problems. Very well done. I still have to order some capacitors for my TS-50. Even the ones on the boards that Grant sent me are faulty. Just have not had time to get back to it. Thanks for the mention of my channel my friend. 73 Buddy

[@TRXLab]

+The Radio Shop Hi Buddy, you have seen it earlier than me my friend :-) Thanks for nice feed-back Buddy. No problem Buddy any time. Take care.

[@officaleyup]

Hello I have a Kenwood TS 50 device. I am having a watt problem I would appreciate it if you could help. Thank you

[@OM4YJ]

It is super video. I have TS-50 from 1992 year and je OK. OM4YJ

[@garymclellan5604]

Is it possible to have a look at my TS50? Im in no rush for a repair.....at your leisure.

[@muratturant.a.6.s.m.t866]

hello kenwood ts50 usb and lsb also have a sound problem how can we solve it suddenly the sound disappears (FM-AM) normal

[@iw0hex]

Great Peter; this job is been very hard, it was not easy to identify the problem. At the beginning, I thought to capacitor, immediately; it's a great and known problem with Kenwood-TS 50 and to find faulty solders is no easy too. Compliments Peter, I learned so much with your videos. 73s dear friend, Pasquale IW0HEX

[@TRXLab]

+Pasquale IW0HEX Hi Pasquale, thanks for stopping by my friend.. Yeah sometimes it is tricky :-) 73

[@lyntonprescott3412]

Great work Peter. Even though your repairs are way beyond my competence they are very entertaining and informative. I hope you continue with them. 73’s Lynton.

[@SirBeauJangles]

Deepy interesting. My own TS50s is in front of me as I type this and during your hugely painstaking diagnosis I found myself wondering if some of its capacitors were also leaking over surrounding traces! I guess I'd better check. In use it's a very pleasant little rig - and mostly sounds as good on TX as my TS590s. Thanks for taking the trouble to make these videos - they must be the most technically accurate ones on You Tube. 73.

[@TRXLab]

Hi Ian, yes very good idea to Check the caps as it is really a nice radio. Thanks for stopping by. 73

[@dennisqwertyuiop]

As always you are a super tech,, great work and thank you for doing video I have several esr meters how do you like the one in video ?

[@TRXLab]

+DENNIS N Hi Dennis, thank you. Well the ESR meter in the video is not the best....73

[@toddanonymous5295]

Hi Peter, another brilliant repair video. I noticed on the Kenwood schematic that D34 shows the lower diode in the dual diode package with the cathode connected to the astable output cap. That would pull that point to one diode drop above ground ? Could the Kenwood draftsman have reversed that diode in the diagram ?

[@TRXLab]

+Todd Anonymous Hi Todd, yes you are absolutely right there is a mistake in the Kenwood schematic. Thanks for watching. 73

[@BoB4jjjjs]

Good fix sir! :-))

[@iwanchinkoe1870]

My Kenwood TS50 after dx gets off and after that i can't get him power on more! please Help

[@Pergel-o3h]

Dear Peter. I have the same radio model (KENWOOD TS-50) and I saw the video and I congratulate you. I would like to ask if you are aware of the following failure: While I have perfect reception, when broadcasting there is no sufficient signal output, (no line appears on the screen), despite the excistence of indication. It is worth mentioning that this damage was caused while using the small emission scale (10W), and despite not communicating with my interlocutor for long periods of time. Finally, I will mention that while I did a RESET, the radio still transmits at a power of only a few mW. Thank you

[@TRXLab]

Unfortunately, this kind of issue can be literally everywhere in the chain...

[@danielstimpson7792]

Loved the point where you injected the -6.2volts. I learned some good things from this video. Thank you

[@TRXLab]

+Daniel Stimpson Hi Daniel, great that you have a use for my videos. Thanks for stopping by. 73

[@maninthevan53]

I will call this patience repair , and this a AWESOME JOB ,this would have me pulling all my hair out , may take me another 2 whole days to figure out

[@TRXLab]

+danny blackhorse Hi Danny, yes it was a bit tricky due to all the solder cracks but finally we got it under control. Thanks for feed back 73

[@gripper021164]

Good work Peter, always worse when there is more than one fault! Your customer should be very happy now with rig....

[@TRXLab]

+gripper021164 Hi, yes it is worse when there is more than one fault. Thanks for watching and comment 73

[@akennyd]

Awesome video, thanks for taking the time!! "Viggle" the IC!! Hi! Hi! Your English is great, just teasing you. 73 es tnx agn!!

[@TRXLab]

+akennyd LOL Thanks for feed back. 73

[@samgrieg]

Thank you Peter for your channel.. do you think BZX84-A6V2 will work as replacement for the obsolete RD6.2M-B2 diode? If not, can you recommend one?

[@TRXLab]

Yes

[@KingNast]

good job! (psst.. you can adjust the backlight timeout on that Agilent meter from 1-99 seconds) :)

[@TRXLab]

+KingNast Hi, thank you. Yes off course I can adjust the time out, almost forgotten..good hint.

[@timd1833]

What was the exact cause of the 1 Khz tone when first powered up?

[@gibbywankenobi66]

That was a basket case! Great job figuring it out!

[@Justplast]

Use SMD Tantalum Caps better Peter.

[@macp8854]

The diode package is drawn incorrect on the schematic. Cathode is connected to anode and not cathode to cathode. Cannot work as drawn.

[@montygore]

Hi Peter. You have the patience of Job.

[@robertisselhard8957]

Peter. Nice video. I have one of these on the bench here right now. Same issues. I re-soldered the ALC board contacts and am ordering a set of caps, both electrolytic and SMD. I also ordered the ESR tester you show in the video off EBAY. Question: where did you get the test probe you show in the video? I noticed the ESR tester comes with test leads and alligator clips. I would like to obtain the probe you use. Thanks, 73, Bob, K5INW

[@paulhg1ztn]

Great vid the Ts 850 and Tr751/851 also has the same problem on the -6v supply as I had a pulsing signal meter on the Tr751 due to faulty zenna diode on -6 v supply

[@morphshag]

I’d love to see how you got the SMD capacitors out.

[@TRXLab]

Hi John-Paul, there are Kenwood 850 videos here on my channel where I have shown it. But basically we put frsh solder to the joints and then we pick the components with the hot tweezers..

[@morphshag]

TRX Bench ah yes, tweezers. I don’t have them in my arsenal at this stage. Thank you for the information. I was looking at buying one of these radios to use as mobile but after watching this video and seeing its common problems I’m not so sure haha. Great videos mate. Very informative.

[@iz7fmm]

This is very common problem in TS-50! In one of my repair, after fixing 2 times the same radio in 2 years, I placed a new DC-CD converter board with a simple 555 IC. This way stops any further problem with this issue! 73 from Vancouver

[@davekiernan1]

I love the ts 50. I worked with many of them. Where can i learn how to do the work you do? Thank you for this video.

[@PapasDino]

I'm curious about the CW jack problem as well? If you and Buddy think there are a lot of potentially leaky SMD caps to replace on the TS-50 PCB check out FeedbackLoop's Tektronix TDS 540A oscilloscope repair over on his channel; he had to swap out 96 of them to get his scope back up and running! Great job as usual Peter thanks for walking us thru your troubleshooting effort. 73 - Dino KL0S

[@TRXLab]

+Dino Papas Hi Dino, thanks for stopping by. Yes I know the problem with the Tektronix scope.. that is really a night mare not the TS50 in comparison :^) We left the "blind plug in the jack" Easy and cheap solution. With a keyer in the radio no problem so we can do it like this. 73

[@williel.morris4492]

Another great video from start to finish..theory.skill..the troubleshooting was Top-notch- " TOTAL PACKAGE"..!!! Great Work, Thanks

[@TRXLab]

Thank you Willie 73

[@Mr_Meowingtons]

good work dude! it is a shame they don't or wont make radios like this any more. there good radios for sticking in the car or even taking out camping. i ended up getting an Alinco ST8t to stick in my car but still wish i had a Kenwood TS-50.

[@TRXLab]

+Matt K Hi Matt, yeah Kenwood had really great radios... no idea why they skip this radio type these days. Thanks for comment. 73

[@PeterWalkerHP16c]

Mysteries! Did the caps break the zener's e;bow or did the zener just fail? You would think that with no excessive voltage or power dissipation these PN junctions would last forever. Maxwell's demons must be at work!

[@TRXLab]

+Peter Walker Hi Peter, well most likely we have more than one effect together. But in any case PN material will age.. It is by far not the first diode with this effect. 73

[@MichaelSmith-ql3ez]

Again I enjoyed the video. You are very meticulous in your technique and it is comfortable to watch your patient work on an almost lost cause. How long have you been doing this? Another big thumb's up. 73 Michael, N0WDM.

[@TRXLab]

Thank you Michael, well I'm more than 35 years in electronics in different functions :^) 73

[@majordisappointment8692]

Thanks for the info on the ts-50 and what was the problem with key socket on the back of radio?

[@TRXLab]

+mac theknife Hi, no problem. Thanks for watching. We left the "blind plug in the jack" Easy solution. With a keyer no problem so you can do it. 73

[@majordisappointment8692]

Yes that was maybe the best solution for the key plug would hate to have to open up another can of worms.

[@fey4949]

This was a difficult repair. Cascade failures. You did a very nice job, as always. What about cw transmit problem? Was the connector short the problem? See you next time.

[@TRXLab]

+FEY Hi, Thanks for feed-back. Well we left the "blind" plug in the jack and radio works.. 73

[@CarlosSilva-zh5mh]

Boa tarde, eu tenho um rádio desse, esta bastante usado, um excelente Rádio.

[@technos123]

Great repair I really enjoyed watching.

[@TRXLab]

Thank you so much 73

[@llsdigitek]

Wow, multiple problems and ya nailed them one by one! Excellent!! Thoroughly enjoyed this video!!! Lloyd - W9NLA

[@TRXLab]

Thank you Lloyd 73

[@drewbyronmeadows2208]

I really appreciate these videos. I've been an Amateur operator for 25 years, and have a lot of experience with electrical system work as an Aircraft Mechanic. I love the 90's era Kenwood equipment, especially the VHF/UHF transceivers, without videos like these from you, Buddy and Paul, I couldn't afford to keep the radios I love going. I have learned a lot by watching all of you, and I have a functional TM-255A I resurrected from the dead thanks in no small part to the content you all produce....now if I could just find that TM-741A I sold back in 1994 I would be a VERY happy ham indeed. Thanks again for the education and the troubleshooting help.

[@TRXLab]

Thanks for your feed-back Drew! Glad that my videos were of any help to you! 73

[@pwllgwyngyll]

Excellent job very interesting, I have a TS-50 And i enjoyed watching your video, Thanks73 de Dave

[@TRXLab]

Thank you Dave! 73

[@hdmalpas]

Very good video Peter, I like your train of thought, never give up. All the best. M3KQW. 73s

[@TRXLab]

+Howard Malpas Thank you very much Howard! All the best 73s

[@user-uv4xe3cq2y]

Capital!

[@greengrayradio1394]

Good work, Peter! Right now I have a TS50 on my bench, have replaced all 21 (!) SMD electrolytics. They were all bad. On the front module there is one, it had leaked and damaged a VIA. Had to solder in a wire there. Still not ready, it gives no power out. Will continue later today..

[@TRXLab]

good luck with your project

[@greengrayradio1394]

@@TRXLab problem with the -6V line in this one also. The zener is ok, seems something on this line is pulling too much current (it varies..)

[@WarrenPostma]

What do they coat those little daughterboards in? Is it an epoxy or epoxy/glass?

[@TRXLab]

Hi Warren, I'm not entirely sure but I think it is epoxy nor mix.. Thanks for watching. 73

[@MrKelendros]

Wir vermissen dich Peter

[@joelkist6493]

NICE!!

[@gregorywest2029]

Great troubleshhoting. Keep them comming, 73's Greg.

[@TRXLab]

+Gregory West Hi Greg, thank you very much! 73s

[@g1fsh]

That was really nice work Peter. very well worked out and a great video to watch full of trouble shooting tips. Thanks

[@TRXLab]

+Gary g1fsh Thanks Gary, always glad if there is a need for my videos. 73

[@michaeltaylor9463]

hi very good video very educational good job

[@albertorojas3631]

Nice troubleshooting and nice job!!! 73 de YV3AR

[@TRXLab]

+Alberto Rojas Thank you Alberto.

[@zari63]

this is home hobby lab ? or industrial

[@karlfell3768]

Fantastic video Peter, keep them coming. Karl

[@TRXLab]

+Karl Fell Thanks Karl!

[@andyg8966]

Another excellent video, always a pleasure to watch you work. Andy

[@TRXLab]

+Andy Gallacher Thank you Andy! 73

[@konradkubit6525]

Great job Peter It really shows your dedication . Thanks

[@TRXLab]

+Konrad Kubit Hi Konrad, thanks for your feed back and for stopping by. 73

[@MAURICIOFALCAOPY5MZ]

Great job, Peter as allways, Congratulations.

[@TRXLab]

+Mauricio M. Falcao Thanks you Mauricio. 73

[@Beretta96Dan]

32:42- Lol!! You have the patience of Job!

[@TRXLab]

+Beretta96Dan Hi Dan, haha we do what we can :-) 73

[@guilhermepaixao1102]

Thanks Peter , Excelente Work, 73's

[@TRXLab]

+Guilherme Paixao Thanks Guilherme. 73

[@grantfullen9559]

Great Job finding that Diode.

[@TRXLab]

+Grant Fullen Thanks Grant 73

[@KrissBartlett]

very nicely done thank you

[@TRXLab]

+Kriss Bartlett Thanks you 73

[@drwhostardis]

Great work !

[@TRXLab]

Thank you 73

[@chrisyln1]

did you fix the key jack

[@TRXLab]

+chrisyln1 no, we left the plug in.. 73

[@ronlouis3011]

So am I right that the jack would not be a problem if a CW key were permanently connected?

[@originalzingaro]

In awe of your technical knowledge I would quite happily send my TS 50 for service as it’s getting old now, be great to have it as good as new Love using it

[@perodonvalencia8065]

Yu teléfono nube peas