W2XC - Kenwood TS-830S Page

Kenwood - H.F. Transceiver
TS-830S
(Circa 1980 - 1983 - No longer in production)

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Kenwood TS-830S

In the search for the ultimate "hybrid" (part solid state & part tube design) it is hard to choose between this rig and the Yaesu FT-102 for top position...Yes, the FT-102 has many more features - but the FT-102's well known reliability problems (intermittent relay issues) knock it down a few pegs. Another less known contender would have to be the Yaesu FT-902DM.
Without any mods - this rig sounds great - both receive & transmit audio (especially with the matching MC-50 microphone) is superb...
Unit above is shown with optional KB-1 anodized aluminum tuning knob.
The original TS-830S had a silver colored label under the tuning dial. This also used the YK-88S a 2.4 Khz. bandwidth filter in the 8.830 Mhz. IF (used in both the receive & transmit chain).
This TS-830S (in the photos) is a "Gold Label" version. The "Gold Label" versions (nicknamed as the label under the tuning dial is a gold color) were later versions & included a CW filter. There were actually two versions of the "Gold Label". Both had 2.7 Khz. crystal filters the YK-88S1 (in the 8.830 Mhz. IF) used for SSB transmit & receive. The latest of the "Gold Label" also had a change to a wider 455 Khz. used in the the second IF and in the receive chain only.
Optional synthesized VFO (VFO-230) available bringing this hybrid rig into modern frequency stability & accuracy. The smaller DFC-230 VFO also works nicely with this unit.
Check out my notes and "pros & cons" - I will continue to add more as time permits. Much is already available on the web as this rig is now 30 years old!