[Kenwood] TS-430S AM Band Sensitivity

[Rob Stampfli]

On Fri, Mar 21, 2014 at 06:44:58PM -0500, Joe wrote:
> I will be installing the pass band filter cleaner mod.
> Bought this rig used and it has been since the day I got it ohhh 5
> years ago dead on receive between 4.000MHz and 6.500 MHz
> You hear the relays click as you tune across those frequencies and
> depending on what way you're tuning either the receiver comes to
> life or goes dead.

Yes, the 430 has 7 LP filters on the filter unit, and one of these
is selected in the range 4.0 to 6.5 Mhz.  These filters are switched
by relays.  They are used both in receive and transmit.  The 4.0-6.5 Mhz
filter set is notorious for having problems with dirty relay contacts
because it is the only filter set that does not have a ham band within
its range.  100W of RF does a great job of keeping the contacts clean.

You need to clean the relays.  Although I've never tried it, there is
a procedure involving connecting a battery through a resistor to the
coax connector of the rig while flipping through the bands with the
band switch which is widely claimed to work.  You can find the
particulars on the internet.  Another alternative is to open up the
430 xmit range and transmit into a dummy load in this frequency range.

I think there is a way to bypass the attenuation on the broadcast band,
but I don't have the details at my fingertips.  Again, the Internet and
Google is your friend.  I have to confess, though, that a lot of AM
broadcast stations are stronger than S-7 on my 430, so there is a
possibility that there is something more involved.  BTW, do you have
an AM filter installed?  It really helps.

Good luck with it,
Rob / KD8WK