[Kenwood] TS850 Output (or lack of)

[Kelly Jones]

Well it finally happened.  After many years of trusty service my 850 is 
starting to show it's age.

This morning I got up to work some 80m and noticed the output power seemed 
a little low.  It was showing about 60-70w on the meter.  I thought it was 
a little unusual, but really didn't think a lot about it.

Then I plugged in the headphones.  On every key where a distinct "thud" in 
the headphones with every key.  It didn't matter if the radio was in break 
in or just plain keyed, the "thud" was there.  I also noticed every time 
the radio keyed the display dimmed a little.  I checked the amount of 
current the radio was drawing and it seemed normal.

After about 10 minutes of calling stations, the power perked right back to 
normal, the "thud" went away and the display no longer dimmed on key.  When 
I got home this evening, the exact same scenario played out.  The symptoms 
were present on all bands, then just as if nothing happened, it was back to 
normal.

The problem doesn't act like the DC/DC problem where the output 
fluctuates.  I had had the DC/DC converted replaced about 3 years ago when 
that problem did show it's head and also the trimmer cap problem was fixed 
at the same time.

Anybody have a suggestion to this problem?  It almost seems to be when the 
radio if first turned on lasting for about 10 minutes.  So far this 
evening, after it corrected itself, the output has been fine.

Thanks for any suggestions.  Cliff, you may be getting a package!  What 
perfect timing too.  Isn't there a contest this weekend?

Kelly - KE9KD
http://www.dx-central.com