[NLRS] Anyone ever have Kenwood TS-790A's on 144/432?

[NX0X at aol.com]

Todd,

Good evening!!!!

  I would like to hear from anyone who has had TS-790A's, current or past 
all-mode, base 144 and 432 (1.2gig optional) rig. 

I have the Kenwood TS-790A and still use it today. It is the only VHF/UHF 
base unit that I have owned and operated so I really cannot compare it to any 
others. I can give you my experiences with the rig however. I have had my rig for 
about 10 years now and have NEVER had a problem with it. I also have the 1.2 
gig module so I have the 3 bands to operate but have never had a good 1.2 gig 
antenna to try. Thus I've really only used 144/440mhz.

 Just curious what your experiences were with it.  My interest is in grid 
chasing and contesting, not sats or digital modes or eme.

That is exactly what I use the rig for, grid chasing and contesting from home 
(SSB & CW). I have never tried satellite or EME. I also have used it from 
time to time on FM to talk local (Duluth, MN) and to the cities & iron range 
simplex and through repeaters. Once again, Never had a problem and have worked 
pretty much what I have expected to work. I say it that way because I believe 98% 
is in the antenna system for transmit and receive not the radio itself so 
much.

 I would like to have a back-up radio, and the TS-790A has interested me for 
a few years.

As a back-up radio I don't think you can go wrong. Also I would be very 
interested in how it matched up to the Icom-910H in side by side same antenna 
station comparison.

  Please forward your comments, whether good, bad or indifferent.  I'm 
especially interested in receive sensitivity, reliability and both receive and 
transmit audio.  

I never had any bad reports on transmit audio and receive on my end has also 
been good. Sorry for not being any more technical...

I realize the TS-790A has less power on 144 and 432 than the IC-910H, but 
sometime this year, I may get amps anyway.

I have only used the rig barefoot. If you would like to try and contact to 
see what the signal is on your end I'd be up for that. My beams are down for the 
winter unfortunately due to a summer problem and I ran out of time before 
winter snuck up on me to get them back up. I have a vertical up at 75 feet for FM 
so should not have a problem with anything in the area. I could try SSB with 
it but I'm sure we would not be polarized and would not work out very well but 
I'd be up for the try if your interested.

I probably did not help you out with anything but good luck with what you 
decide to do.


  Thanks much,
  Todd  KC9BQA

Brian - NXØX
Duluth, MN
Grid EN36uu