Great video Buddy. I have a TS-50S in my collection. I replaced ALL the electrolytic capacitors about 20 years ago after experiencing an issue with VERY slow AGC recovery after TX. I was lucky to avoid a lot of PCB damage. I also ended up with a ALC issue as well that needed a few SMT transistors replaced. After the cap replacement, it was like a new rig and is still going strong today! You are 100% correct with radios of this vintage (early 90s), they might look perfect on the outside, but are being eaten alive on the inside. If you buy one, be prepared to replace the caps, hopefully you catch it before there has been too much damage to the PCB! Modern replacements seem to be a lot better. Make sure you buy genuine caps and not counterfeit. I've been through three local hams TS-450S/690S radios with leaking capacitors too, it's not just the SMT capacitors that fail. It's good preventative maintenance. Michael VK5ZEA
I really enjoy your methodical approach to seek out problems with radios. It is surprising to me how unreliable even the modern capacitors are. Even in my personal favorite brand of transceiver. Thank you for sharing your experiences.
Although the Kenwood folks probably weren't aware of the future failure mode of these caps it is sad that so many good radios are out there simply waiting to fail. Thanks for sharing Buddy! 73 - Dino KL0S
Sad thing is once they fail there is more damage from the leaky caps. And if in the right spot can be very challenging to repair for the beginner. Specially Kenwood's bigger units of this era. Thanks for stopping in Dino.
Great video, and as a new-to-me Kenwood TS-570D owner with a questionable history I will be checking the manufacturer of the caps and watching them carefully! Learning so much from your videos Buddy!
Don't watch them, change them. I've just done my (also new to me) TS-850S which had all the usual leaky caps. Luckily it brought it back to life, the DDS board being a known pita issue.
My TS-50 had this same failure. Capacitor fell off the board. The pad damaged. That via was also tough to repair I had to twirl a bit of wire in the via to have the indicator lights come on. Also some solder got into that large transistor and shorted the base and emitter making the lights stay on.
It was good to see your recent posts; I had begun to worry about you. I would like to have seen how you soldered the new smd caps back in place. Did you use hot air? Would hot air have been effective in removing them from the pcb?
thats why i never really liked them small tiny metal cans. they leak and destroy vias. glad you found this one. for sure theres probably a few others on their way out.
Well thanks for the excellent video Buddy, I have not work on one of those but several hams around here still have them. Sooner or later they will be up for sale. Please keep up the great job you do.
Very good Buddy, those TS-50 Kenwood rigs go from $350 to $475 on Ebay. Is it really worth buying one. My favorite rig was the Icom IC-706MK2G. those radio's get a good price too. I think that I'll buy another Icom
Hi, I have the same problem but I can't figure it out... although sometimes when the telegraph doesn't start on 10 meters everything is activated including the transmission... I replaced c186 and c80 on the TX-RX unit, c1 on the LCD unit ...a KAD2 track has been restored due to corrosion on the pad near C1 which has smeared it with acid, reactivating the second series of keys, and again c121, c122 and c 194...it doesn't want to start... what should I do should I give it up?
"I thought those new "computer type" electrolytic capacitors were better than the old style electrolytics." They are smaller, cheaper and easier to factory install by machine. That's about it!
Buddy, LED ring lights for the microscope do not work and won't give a good view! LED goose neck desk lights from Ikea work great and you can pick them for around $6 at Goodwill or buy new from Ikea for $19. Get 2 of them, one on each side.
Great video Buddy. I have a TS-50S in my collection. I replaced ALL the electrolytic capacitors about 20 years ago after experiencing an issue with VERY slow AGC recovery after TX. I was lucky to avoid a lot of PCB damage. I also ended up with a ALC issue as well that needed a few SMT transistors replaced. After the cap replacement, it was like a new rig and is still going strong today!
You are 100% correct with radios of this vintage (early 90s), they might look perfect on the outside, but are being eaten alive on the inside. If you buy one, be prepared to replace the caps, hopefully you catch it before there has been too much damage to the PCB! Modern replacements seem to be a lot better. Make sure you buy genuine caps and not counterfeit.
I've been through three local hams TS-450S/690S radios with leaking capacitors too, it's not just the SMT capacitors that fail. It's good preventative maintenance.
Michael
VK5ZEA
I really enjoy your methodical approach to seek out problems with radios. It is surprising to me how unreliable even the modern capacitors are. Even in my personal favorite brand of transceiver. Thank you for sharing your experiences.
Fantastic repair Buddy and thanks for the tips on removal of the caps! ~Jack, VEG
Thanks for stopping in Jack
some times, the proper brute force wins :)
the old "snip and clip" wins very often on ancient things.
Although the Kenwood folks probably weren't aware of the future failure mode of these caps it is sad that so many good radios are out there simply waiting to fail. Thanks for sharing Buddy! 73 - Dino KL0S
Sad thing is once they fail there is more damage from the leaky caps. And if in the right spot can be very challenging to repair for the beginner. Specially Kenwood's bigger units of this era. Thanks for stopping in Dino.
Sweet..... Love the warning at the end buddy. It's a shame that these radios are made this way, future radio people will not be happy with repair.
Thanks Pierre. Yes it is sad to see these problems in these rigs.
Great video, and as a new-to-me Kenwood TS-570D owner with a questionable history I will be checking the manufacturer of the caps and watching them carefully! Learning so much from your videos Buddy!
Thank you. Yes better to replace than repair later.
Don't watch them, change them. I've just done my (also new to me) TS-850S which had all the usual leaky caps. Luckily it brought it back to life, the DDS board being a known pita issue.
My TS-50 had this same failure. Capacitor fell off the board. The pad damaged. That via was also tough to repair I had to twirl a bit of wire in the via to have the indicator lights come on. Also some solder got into that large transistor and shorted the base and emitter making the lights stay on.
Learn more and more every time I watch thanks
Thanks Mark. Glad it helps.
Nice repair Buddy, thanks for your upload, regards Carl.
Thanks for watching Carl
Good job man, tight SMD repair
It was good to see your recent posts; I had begun to worry about you. I would like to have seen how you soldered the new smd caps back in place. Did you use hot air? Would hot air have been effective in removing them from the pcb?
Hi Wendell. Thanks. I have been super busy at the public job. Never use hot air on those caps. They will explode. Very easy to solder in with an iron.
thats why i never really liked them small tiny metal cans. they leak and destroy vias. glad you found this one. for sure theres probably a few others on their way out.
Those are a pain. Key is replace before damage is permanent.
Anothe great video, wow those sets are not easy to work on.
Thanks Bill. They are a challenge.
I wish you were taking in more of these TS50's.... I'd have one in the mail to you PDQ
I've replaced plenty of SMD caps inside the TS-850 over the years , A lot of the Kenwood's from this era have this issue .. regards de 'Gw0wvl' 👍
That is surely correct. They can do some damage.
Great job I am watching an learning thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching
Well thanks for the excellent video Buddy, I have not work on one of those but several hams around here still have them. Sooner or later they will be up for sale. Please keep up the great job you do.
Hi Lyle. They will fail, just a matter of time. Thanks for watching.
Great lessons there, thanks. Does the TS140 have the same caps on it? Super explanations. cheers Dave VE7CMI
Thanks. The 140 does not have these caps only regular electrolytic.
Thank you for the reply, thanks for taking the time to answer your listeners questions cheers, Dave
@@daveb4688 The TS-140S is of the age where going through and checking/replacing capacitors anyway is a good idea.
You certainly know your way around the TS50! I have one that is no longer working. It was my only radio. Could you take a look? VA6DRT.
another interesting job. Nice work.
Great job thanks for posting
When removing those surface mount capacitors do you cut through the bottom of the cap itself or through the legs?
I just cut low on the can and then desolder the legs
Hello! Nice video! How can we make an arrangement to repair my Swan 350b please?
Very good Buddy, those TS-50 Kenwood rigs go from $350 to $475 on Ebay. Is it really worth buying one. My favorite rig was the Icom IC-706MK2G. those radio's get a good price too. I think that I'll buy another Icom
Hi, I have the same problem but I can't figure it out... although sometimes when the telegraph doesn't start on 10 meters everything is activated including the transmission... I replaced c186 and c80 on the TX-RX unit, c1 on the LCD unit ...a KAD2 track has been restored due to corrosion on the pad near C1 which has smeared it with acid, reactivating the second series of keys, and again c121, c122 and c 194...it doesn't want to start... what should I do should I give it up?
Another good one, Buddy. I enjoyed this vid, as always. Hope you feel fine. 73 de Olaf
Thanks my friend. Feeling very tired but ok.
@@TheRadioShop So slow down and give yourself what you need. Work is also made to enjoy the sleep!
Good to know.
Thanks
Hi there, do you replace the other caps at the same time (of the same type)?
The 47 uf always leak. Never seen the other ones do so but always a good idea to replace all.
Por favor me diría donde conseguir el Flex que une el equipo con el frente... Gracias
Ebay es la única opción ya que este cable ya no se hace. Lo siento si la traducción no es Buena.
Hello. I can't remove the VFO knob. Any hint, please?
I thought those new "computer type" electrolytic capacitors were better than the old style electrolytics.
They used some bad batch of caps I this era.
"I thought those new "computer type" electrolytic capacitors were better than the old style electrolytics."
They are smaller, cheaper and easier to factory install by machine. That's about it!
Buddy, LED ring lights for the microscope do not work and won't give a good view! LED goose neck desk lights from Ikea work great and you can pick them for around $6 at Goodwill or buy new from Ikea for $19. Get 2 of them, one on each side.
Thanks for the great video. I have a TS 50 in working order but would like to know if you would accept it for inspection and repair. Regards KE2YK
Great video.... Keep up the good work!
Thanks
I guess you replaced the other caps while you had it open? 73
Although the only caps I seen leak in these are the 47 uF it is good practice to replace all.
Hello?
Need a better focus, bubba.