[Kenwood] Some "which radio" questions

[Philip KO6BB]

Hi All,

My "primary" (presently only) HF rig is a venerable TS-430 that was given to 
me, with the proviso I COULD NOT sell it.  It had a number of problems like 
bad solder joints, relays in the filter board etc. that I had to repair (I'm 
a retired Electronic tech by trade).  I then installed optional factory 
narrow SSB and CW filters.  The radio has since worked flawlessly, gets good 
reports and is used almost nightly for NDB (Longwave Aero beacons) DXing. 
In short, a "decent and reliable" radio.

I just filed my income tax and am seriously considering the purchase of a 
TS-440S transceiver (NO internal tuner) from a friend for roughly 400.00. 
Immaculate condition, no apparent PLL problems.  I had one in the past (with 
tuner) and REALLY liked it and wished I'd never sold it. I've bought and 
sold many radios I wished that I had kept 8^)  I DO still have the ability 
to repair my own equipment, though I'd prefer NOT to have to work on it 
continuously. . .

Anyway, the "new" radio would be installed in the base operating position 
and the TS-430 would be moved out to the 2005 Ford F-150 Crewcab.  It would 
also serve double duty as a back-up radio for the base station.

Now that the preliminaries are covered, here are the questions that I have. 
I haven't bought any radios in the past couple years, so am not that "savvy" 
on what's available and prevailing prices (I WILL NOT do eBay).

1.  Is 400.00 reasonable for a good condition TS-440S (sans tuner)?

2.  Is there possibly a BETTER choice in the 400.00 and under price range? 
(Radio MUST have General Coverage receive and do well at LF)?  400 dollars 
is about the upper limit I can put into a rig.

3.  I've also been offered a very nice TS-130 at a reasonable (about 200) 
price.  If I went that route the 430 would stay in the shack and the 130 
would go in the truck.  But if the 440 would be a substantial step "up" from 
the 430 I'd prefer to get that one.

4.  Will the present TS-430 Narrow SSB and CW filters (solder in) be usable 
in the 440 (I 'seem' to recall the 440 was also solder in filters).

5.  Is the receiver in the 440 substantially "quieter" than the one in the 
430, particularly at LF (though I've had both radios, I never had them side 
by side)?

73 de Phil,  KO6BB
DX begins at the noise floor!

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