[Kenwood] Service for TL-922A

[Donald Sanders]

As Ken stated, many mods do not enhance equipment operation. Some do such as the 
Measures Mods for QSK, Parasitics and SB220 mods. I also have the Harbach mods 
in my SB200 and the soft start, soft key and Power supply board are top 
notch.The amp works much better with them and I don't have to worry about the 
keying relay in the transceiver. 

Before modifying most gear it is a good idea to ask Cliff or other well known 
service people if there are service notes or up dates for known problems or 
areas of improvement. They see many of the mods and the problems they cause. 

Like the slow start mod for the SB200 is not really necessary as the transformer 
was designed by Heath engineers with enough impedance to provide protection. 
However with the slow start I do not see the lights dim at turn on and the 
transformer does not hum. So I am pleased with that mod. 
Since I built this SB200 in 1968 it still has the original 572-B tubes and still 
gives me 600 watts with 35 watts drive. Taking care of good equipment with 
periodic maintenance, cleaning, oiling fan motor, changing PS caps after 30 
years, checking components for heat damage and solder joints will keep it 
running many years. That does not require an engineering degree either, just 
common sense. 

Over the last 30 years I have restored many boatanchors that lacked TLC and 
maintence care. Most failures were caused by nature or carelessness. So take 
care of your gear and "if it is not broke, don't break it". 


Dr Don HC4/W4BWS 



----- Original Message ----
From: Kenneth G. Gordon <kgordon2006 at frontier.com>
To: Allen Griffith <n5ag at verizon.net>
Cc: Kenwood at mailman.qth.net
Sent: Fri, April 22, 2011 11:14:19 PM
Subject: Re: [Kenwood] Service for TL-922A

On 22 Apr 2011 at 18:32, Allen Griffith wrote:

>    How are these remarks helping the fellow? He asked for help and
>    advice. Clif only gave him legitimate advice.

Of course he did: he also "wisecracked". So? 

Gee....Lighten up.

>    Can someone really help to get his amp improved by mods that have
>    been developed over the years.

It seems to me that an amp that is working exactly as it should doesn't need 
mods. As Clif wisecracked: "If'n it ain't broke, don't fix it."


I will take this occasion to post my personal view of most "mods": they aren't 
worth the effort in 99% of cases. 

The engineers who designed the equipment were, for the most part, no 
dummies, and did almost everything they did for very good reasons.

Most ham mods I have run across usually make the subject equipment work 
WORSE than it did without them.

SOME very few, very carefully thought-out mods are worthwhile: like 
Measures' QSK mod (he calls it the HSS mod) for the various amps. That is 
excellent and works like a champ...when properly installed.

Ken W7EKB
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