[Kenwood] Serial Numbers

[Hsu, Aaron (NBC Universal)]

Serial numbers for the '850 series are generally important for a couple of reasons:

1) It directly gives the "age" of the rig (within a year).

2) It helps identify units with "known" early production issues.

The primary "early production" (first year or two) issue is with the DDS chip, part #6631 - there's a high incidence of failure with this part.  Newer production units use a 66312 which has proved more reliable.  The 6613 can be replaced and many older '850s have had this done.

Another *VERY* common problem on all '850s to look out for is a leaking memory backup battery.  The battery itself is a CR2450 with tack-welded mounting tabs.  Replacement is fairly easy - just make sure to clean up any leaked battery goop and check the traces under the battery for corrosion.

Just my 2 cents.

73,

  - Aaron Hsu, NN6O


-----Original Message-----
From: kenwood-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:kenwood-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of N9EMZ at aol.com
Sent: Monday, February 23, 2009 11:45 AM
To: Kenwood at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Kenwood] Serial Numbers (John Parker)

John....

Don't confuse the TS-850SAT with the TS-940/930 series rigs where 
manufacturing QC/operational problems relative to production runs are concerned.  I've 
owned and operated a number of TS-850s dating back to their inception and issues 
such as poor assembly/soldering techniques, PLL unlock, display faults, et al 
were never common nor has reliability ever been an issue with them.  

Issues commonly associated with the 850 are Noise Blanker ineffectiveness and 
VOX, Processor, Monitor, Mic Gain, and Broadcast Band RX filter circuit 
designs.  An "appliance" operator would never notice anything but the Noise Blanker 
issue.  As for the other issues, anyone who was unaware of all the BS spread 
about them would write them off as convenience/preference items and compensate 
with skillful control adjustments.  The 850 shares something common with eve
ry rig ever produced....given time, someone will come up with a whole host of 
performance mods/improvements.

If you want to know the real deal about the 850, search the ARRL/QST reviews 
of the rig.  As dated as the 850 is becoming, odds are any issues were 
addressed and any necessary improvements/mods have been done.  Reliability and a 
great, one of the best, auto-tuners have never been issues.

I have a 30mil series 850 I've owned for nearly 10 years I'll put up against 
any serial number unit you can find elsewhere.  If interested, give me a call 
or shoot me an e-mail.

Good luck and 73,

Sam Mills, N9EMZ
812-369-8155

Subj:   Kenwood Digest, Vol 58, Issue 16    
Date:   2/23/2009 12:03:04 PM Eastern Standard Time 
From:   kenwood-request at mailman.qth.net 
Reply-to:   kenwood at mailman.qth.net