[Kenwood] Re: Receivers: TS830 vs TS850

[Larry Clark]

AA5JG asks:

"Is this true, does the 830 really have an even better receiver?"

Depends on what your criteria for "better" is.  I've owned a couple of
830's and seven 850's over the years.  I used an 830 to get to honor roll,
but eventually replaced it an 850 when it began to show some age related
disablilities.  At first I was slightly disappointed at the rx performance
in the 850.  It seemed more prone to adjacent channel interference and
the noise blanker wasn't as effective as the 830's.  What I soon 
discovered was the 850's operating flexiblity and convenience features
made it much more effective when taken as a package.  Can't beat dual
VFO's in one box.  The tuning rate is much, much better.  Most contesters
and DXers find the 830's tuning rate *way* too fast.  Filter selection is
more versatile in the 850.  The 850 also has a very nice general coverage
rx that the 830 lacks.

KI6X:

"Guy I know was big 160M, CW contester, honor roll DXer.  Loved
his -830 and said nothing was as good at least on 160M."

160m DX guys usually didn't like the 830 because of the need
repeak the drive control for TX and RX when working large splits as was
necessary to work JAs.  This may be less of a problem now that
160m frequency assignments are changing.

WA2CWA:

"you could go here and compare receiver test data on a number of rigs:
http://www.sherweng.com/table.html"

True, intersting stuff.  I know Rob and respect him very much.  But 
nothing beats sitting down in front of a radio, or better two radios
side by side, to get a feel for the intangibles that can make or break
a rig according to one's personal perferences.

KI0OT:

"Never used an 850 but I can't see it being any better than the 830."

No offence meant Brad, but until you *have* used both radios, preferably
side-by-side, you have no basis for comparison.  Not being able to
imagine one radio being better than another isn't very quantifiable.

A couple of years back I was seized with some foolish nostalgia and 
bought another (very nice) 830 setup.  The whole thing, SP230, VFO230,
AT230, MC50, even a PC1.  I added a KB1 and CW filters.  I found I rarely used it.  It seemed slow and clunky and the tuning rate was especially
irritating.  It was a pain to try to use a low drive amp because
controlling the drive power is problematic on CW and damn near
impossible on SSB.  I couldn't believe this was the same radio that
got me to honor roll!

Don't get me wrong, I *like* boat anchors and I have
several vintage setups.  I guess I had unrealistic expectations for
the 830.  It doesn't have the charisma of a "real" boat anchor nor the
performance of a modern rig.  Now I'm content with a 950SDX, which is
like an 850 on steroids.  If I get the urge to operate something more
venerable, my Drakes fill the bill.

73,  Larry,  K0RS