[Kenwood] RE: TS-850 or TS-870

[k8vf_mark at centurytel.net]

I have owned 4 850, 3 870.
Owned an 850 from 1990 or so until 2005.



Both are great rigs. The 870 cannot compare as a receiver IMD wise, in my 
opinion.

Otherwise, both are more than adequate for the average ham.

One issue:

Is Kenwood still supporting the 850 with parts? I dont believe so, that is 
why I got out of the 850 business.

The 2000 is a terrific all around rig.

Have no fear, Kenwood will have something worthwhile for us soon.

My T599d/R599d are still going strong since the 70's.......
ANOTHER gem!


73
K8VF


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Geiger" <johngeig at yahoo.com>
To: "Hsu, Aaron (NBC Universal)" <aaron.hsu at nbcuni.com>; "I>Kenwood 
Reflector" <kenwood at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, October 23, 2006 3:46 PM
Subject: Re: [Kenwood] RE: TS-850 or TS-870


> Haven't used an 870 either, but I can make a few
> comments based on what I have seen, and from using an
> 850:
>
>
>
>> > Comparing "stock" rigs, the '850 definitely has
>> better selectivity.  The main problem with the '870
>> is a lack of good filtering in the front end before
>> the DSP chain.  However, there are mods out there
>> that add better pre-DSP filtering to the '870 and
>> reports are good.  However, the '850 wins due to
>> it's "mod-less" nature.
>
> W8JI wrote a column a few months back about this issue
> in Worldradio.  The problem with all DSP radios is
> that the filtering occurs at the last IF stage, and at
> a very low frequency IF.  You have 2 or 3 stages of
> distortion occurring before the filtering occurs.  Now
> some of the newer DSP radios do have roofing filters
> which greatly helps, but the 870 doesn't yet.
>
>
>
>> >>> What are average price ranges for one in good
>> condition?
>> I've seen "good" '850's currently going for $700 to
>> $800.  Haven't seen any '870's for sale in a
>> while...they're not as common as '850's.  I'd expect
>> them to be in the $800 to $1000 range.
>
> I have seen some 850s in the 650 range recently.  The
> 870s seem to be going for around 1100-1200 right now.
>
>> > >>> What filters or options should be installed?
>> For the '870, check the web for the mod on how to
>> replace the stock ceramic filters.  For the '850, it
>> depends on your operating modes.  I have one of my
>> '850's configured with two 2.1KHz and a 400Hz InRad
>> filters, and the second rig configured with a 2.1KHz
>> and two 400Hz InRad filters.  I think you can tell
>> which rig is for which mode.
>
> One problem with the 850 is that you need to have
> equal filters at both IFs to get the slope tuning to
> work right.  You can't install narrow filters for both
> modes and also use the slope tuning on both modes
> because there is only 1 3rd IF filter slot.  I think a
> good setup is to install 2 narrow CW filters, and just
> use the slope tuning for SSB.  However, the filters
> are easy to install, don't even need to take the
> covers off, so maybe switch 3rd IF filters between SSB
> and CW, depending what contest you are doing.
>
>
>> >>> Which do you like and why?
>> For me, the TS-850.  Better "out-of-box" performance
>> and better cost factor.  Most all of the problems on
>> the '850 are documented and can be found on various
>> websites on the 'net.
>>
>
> I can't see how the 870 would be better than the 850,
> as the 850 is an excellent rig.  And I think the
> autotuner is better on the 850.  However, I have a
> friend locally who just loves the 870. He keeps buying
> other rigs, and then selling them because they don't
> do as good as his 870-he did that with a PROII and a
> Mark V. He does alot of RTTY operating, though.  I
> think he plans on keeping his Orion II, though.
>
>> >>> What is the best serial number range to get?
>> To avoid the DDS problem on the '850, find a newer
>> one.  I believe the old DDS chips were only used in
>> the first and second year of production, so serial
>> numbers starting with "4" or higher should be fine
>> (the first year of production started with the
>> number "2").
>
> Kenwood made a major change in the 870 mid production
> run, that greatly improved the receive performance of
> the rig.  I think it was around 1999 or 2000, which
> would be serial numbers 1 or 2, but I am not sure on
> that.
>
> 73s John W5TD
>
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