These radios suffer from so many issues. From leaking caps to ageing components. Great job on getting it back up and running Peter. I enjoyed watching you work through it.
I remember back in the 90's me and a friend were experimenting on a Kenwood TS-440. While watching the wattmeter, he cranked the ALC to zero and started turning up the carrier. At about 330 watts it blew up.
Really nice video Peter. Many problems in one video. That's a nice keithly meter. It's fast !. The graph is great for a visual view of what's happening. Thanks for another nice video. I learned a lot. 73
Ha ha funny Peter, when you say that the zener diode falls on your floor - and disappear. I experience just the same, any component that falls on the floor is gone. I am sure I have a black hole under my desk, which consumes anything that comes close to it. Thank you for another interresting repair video. Take care. 73 Asle
Thank you Peter for another great video showing us how to logically and methodically start with the symptom and slowly work back through the circuit and diagram to find and fix the issues with the radio. If only I had half of your knowledge, but I would probably be a danger to the radio LOL Take care and looking forward to your next video.
Excellent troubleshooting video Peter! I always wanted one of these radios (TS-50) when I was younger, but after seeing what a pain it is to access some of the parts, not so much anymore! LOL! All that said, troubleshooting and repair have always been a bit of a love/hate thing for me. I love troubleshooting but repairs can, on some radios, be a headache! Great Video in any event! Thank You!
I used a Motorola SyntorX on 2 meters. Its nominal power output was 100 W, but I adjusted things and added a 3 level output switch of 5W, 40W, and 175W. It was very useful that way. The 5W was what I normally ran it on and it saved battery power and with its huge heatsink could run in Xmit mode forever. The 40W matched other rigs running simplex in car convoys and such, and the high power was a 'last resort' that I never used except for short tests, since I was unsure how long the output transistors would last at that power level, as I could not get specs on the transistors from Motorola. They are a very secretive bunch, something I never liked about them.
Wow. That was a ton of fun. Thank you so much for this project. It was a wonderful way to spend my Sunday morning. The Keithley DMM is awesome. I am envious of such excellent tools. Much appreciated.....
From the start, I figured it was ALC and as soon as I saw the carbon film pot, I was suspecting it. I would have thought that the buck converter would be OK, but that zener is being worked hard to supply -6.2VDC. That poor drive transistor didnt stand a chance at 16dBm 😢. Great job, on this one. Bet that PA was getting toasty at 230 watts out. Your test gear is unbelievably good. I used to use an HP8640B as a signal generator back in the 80's, wish I had one today.
Thank you so much for posting this video! Mine had a similar issue where I was getting 150W on all output settings. If it weren't for this video I wouldn't have checked the buck converter for the -6V supply. Mine ended up being the 1mH inductor on the input of the buck converter and not the Zener but this video pointed me in the right direction!! Thanks so much, 73!
You see why Kenwood TS-50S, the 1st of the full power small HF rigs has disappeared from the used markets in the States They have not aged well, and are just not worth fixing. This is too bad it is a nice little radio when it is working.
WOW! That was a struggle, Peter... Not only do you have the expertise to diagnose such repairs - more importantly, you also have the persistance needed to follow the problem through to the end! Negative voltage DC converters always seem to be a source of BIG problems in old receivers and transceivers.
Another fun trip down mystery lane ; ) At what point is repair no longer cost effective considering labor cost these days? Must be a labor of love at some point. As an Amateur Radio enthusiast its rewarding for me to watch a radio "resurrected" Thank You Again : )
Another nice video, Peter! I have a IC-2200H with similar problem. When I press the PTT, the output power drops from 65 to 50W in 2 sec. and 10W in more 2 sec. When I change to 5W, the power increase to 10W in same time above. So, in HIGH the power drops, in LOW until MID, the power increases... Do you think is this the same ALC problem reported by you? Kind regards!
Good video. I do not know the history of the radio. It is unfortunate that a lot of radios across my bench have been 'tampered with' . My first guess would be that the pots for the ALC have turned more times than a doorknob from others trying to get more power. Took out the transistor. Not sure on the negative vibrator. That tacked on cap looks like something the factory would do. I too keep some vintage transistors around as best I can to save older radios. Please keep video's going, we are watching out here, thank you.
Based completely on nothing but what you pulled out of a rear orifice. There was zero evidence that anyone was twiddling pots in this radio the transistor was still working when he received and tested the rig.
@@johncundiss9098 No, I just randomly reply to comments that my ouiji board tells me to. Of course I read your comment. "My first guess would be that the pots for the ALC have turned more times than a doorknob from others trying to get more power" What other radio would you have been talking about here if not "that particular radio"? Do pots turn themselves? How else would they be turned so much unless the radio was "tampered with". So yes you said this particular radio was tampered with. Perhaps you need to read your own posts more carefully before clicking that reply button.
@@stargazer7644 Yeap, my first guess. Right before that I said alot of radios across my bench. I am not the one who has let my alligator mouth overload their paper asshole on a video 3 months old. Next I got the love from the creator cause he agrees with my comment. P.S. When I do get a radio that has been tampered with improperly my labor rate doubles.
Hello, I am not a technical radio operator, but I do get some pleasure, and some knowledge from watching your ,(TRX Lab) Videos. I am the owner of a Kenwood TS 450S radio. It was purchased as a silent key sale. It had a fault on RX, low audio .I checked, and found the fault was a blown Elec/ capacitor, replaced by a friend, now working fine. But then found that the TX was intermittent. Switch on the radio, no TX, then sometimes switch on and 100 watts output? Can you advise a starting point to trace fault? Have you done a repair video oh this model with TX fault? Kind regards and best wishes, James, G0EUN
I only operate in CW mode, so I do not need linearity of final amplifier. so I changed ALC setting, many radio can do well above 200 watts , specially in lower HF band. 100 watts is for SSB which require good linearity. AG6JU
So, I'm working on two TS-50s and they both appear to have the same problem. HP E6380A analyzer: generator into PA, Analyzer reads power. 1.83Mhz: -23dbm=1.0w, -5dbm=6.85w. More drive=no more gain just higher current draw. 3.5Mhz is better but also no full power. 29Mhz: -21dbm=1.17w, -12=11.7, -7=50.4, -4=97.8watts. I can drive it harder and the watts increase easily over 100w. This would indicate good finals but what could it be that is frequency sensitive? As I am driving the PA directly and looking at the so239 output I can't seem to understand where to problem is. Filter board, but on both radios? And then how to test that! Sheer stubbornness keeps me going. Any thoughts?
Peter, is it correct to say that the problem with these components is attributed to age and not to maybe transmitting into an antenna not tuned properly? And if the conclusion is with the fact that the components are at their “end of life”, that the rest of the circuits are reaching their end of life dates as well? Or is the issue with the ALC components being under more operational stress? Thank you.
I really like your videos but there are too many ads that prevent me from staying engaged. Literally every 30 to 30 seconds I get an ad and it it makes it hard to follow what your doing. I have to tap out, sorry…
These radios suffer from so many issues. From leaking caps to ageing components. Great job on getting it back up and running Peter. I enjoyed watching you work through it.
Marco...
Thank you my friend!
I've had mine for 10+ years, no issues, works FB whenever I've used it..
@Truth Filter For TH-cam Just turn the thing on and use it. Everyone else does. Life is short
I remember back in the 90's me and a friend were experimenting on a Kenwood TS-440. While watching the wattmeter, he cranked the ALC to zero and started turning up the carrier. At about 330 watts it blew up.
I have a Kenwood TS-60 6 meter radio that has intermittent power output, now I will have a good head start on trouble shooting. Good info....73 W8RNG
Really nice video Peter. Many problems in one video. That's a nice keithly meter. It's fast !. The graph is great for a visual view of what's happening. Thanks for another nice video. I learned a lot. 73
Thank you! Yes he Keithly is the best..
You brought another "TRX grandfather" back to life 👏👏👏👏👏+ 👍
Thank you for the in-depth video Peter, I certainly learn from you
Ha ha funny Peter, when you say that the zener diode falls on your floor - and disappear. I experience just the same, any component that falls on the floor is gone. I am sure I have a black hole under my desk, which consumes anything that comes close to it. Thank you for another interresting repair video. Take care. 73 Asle
lol yes black hole..
Thanks Peter, very much enjoyed your upload.👍🏻🇬🇧
An enjoyable repair video, thank you Peter.
Very extensive, a lot of detective work. Excellent work.
Thank you Peter for another great video showing us how to logically and methodically start with the symptom and slowly work back through the circuit and diagram to find and fix the issues with the radio. If only I had half of your knowledge, but I would probably be a danger to the radio LOL
Take care and looking forward to your next video.
Thank you!
Allwayys perfectly! I like seeing your work, like the best electronic lesson...Thank you!
Enjoyed your video on that old rig Pete great job a lot of chasing
Excellent troubleshooting video Peter!
I always wanted one of these radios (TS-50) when I was younger, but after seeing what a pain it is to access some of the parts, not so much anymore! LOL!
All that said, troubleshooting and repair have always been a bit of a love/hate thing for me. I love troubleshooting but repairs can, on some radios, be a headache!
Great Video in any event! Thank You!
Yeah, the TS50 is too old now, but there are nice newer radios on the market. And you are right, some radios can be really a headache..
Another super exciting video just loved watching and learning such a great joy to learn new thing to be able to use one day you're the best
Thank you
The TS-50s must be at least 25 years old. Great job on the repair Peter!
I used a Motorola SyntorX on 2 meters. Its nominal power output was 100 W, but I adjusted things and added a 3 level output switch of 5W, 40W, and 175W. It was very useful that way. The 5W was what I normally ran it on and it saved battery power and with its huge heatsink could run in Xmit mode forever. The 40W matched other rigs running simplex in car convoys and such, and the high power was a 'last resort' that I never used except for short tests, since I was unsure how long the output transistors would last at that power level, as I could not get specs on the transistors from Motorola. They are a very secretive bunch, something I never liked about them.
Thanks Peter . I had learn a lot this Video due to how complicated the ALC loop. You have been describe clearly as well.
All way above my head Peter but I enjoyed the way you approached the problems one step at a time. Well done sir.
Lynton G4XCQ.
Wow that was very interesting. Glad you were able to bring it back to life. Great job as always. Thank you for sharing.
Wow. That was a ton of fun. Thank you so much for this project. It was a wonderful way to spend my Sunday morning. The Keithley DMM is awesome. I am envious of such excellent tools. Much appreciated.....
Thank you! Yes the Keithley is the best on the market!
From the start, I figured it was ALC and as soon as I saw the carbon film pot, I was suspecting it. I would have thought that the buck converter would be OK, but that zener is being worked hard to supply -6.2VDC. That poor drive transistor didnt stand a chance at 16dBm 😢. Great job, on this one. Bet that PA was getting toasty at 230 watts out. Your test gear is unbelievably good. I used to use an HP8640B as a signal generator back in the 80's, wish I had one today.
Another stellar repair Peter. It is nice to see your approach and patience for the old radios 73
Very nice. Logical troubleshooting at its best. You just can't predict a bad pot though.
Such an old radio is a constant source of work!
Absolutely
Great video. I have learned a lot from your previous videos so I am now able to fix the dear old aging equipment for my fellow hams. 73 de Goran, Z35O
Very good, that is why I'm doing it!
Thank you so much for posting this video! Mine had a similar issue where I was getting 150W on all output settings. If it weren't for this video I wouldn't have checked the buck converter for the -6V supply. Mine ended up being the 1mH inductor on the input of the buck converter and not the Zener but this video pointed me in the right direction!! Thanks so much, 73!
Thanks for the video Peter.
Fine job, sir. A pleasure to watch. 🙃
Thanks Peter, Love these videos!
You see why Kenwood TS-50S, the 1st of the full power small HF rigs has disappeared from the used markets in the States They have not aged well, and are just not worth fixing. This is too bad it is a nice little radio when it is working.
WOW! That was a struggle, Peter... Not only do you have the expertise to diagnose such repairs - more importantly, you also have the persistance needed to follow the problem through to the end! Negative voltage DC converters always seem to be a source of BIG problems in old receivers and transceivers.
Thank you
Very nice repair job Peter, always enjoy your videos. Also congratulations on passing 50K subscribers.
Thank you
At 54:50, you can see possible micro cracks on the through hole component lead to the left of the transistor.
...in the solder...
@@TimDyb
Yes. Probably nothing, but interesting.
yes I can see the crack, too
Yeah! Another TS-50S rescued... 👍
nice job peter
Hi Peter if the radio is old it might need some of those old type Caps need to be replaced you had your work cut out for you stay safe and keep well
As always a great repair video Peter.
Thank you Grant!
Thanks for another great video, Peter.
Vorschußloorbeeren - ganz ohne Risiko 👍🤠 73
ALC - Circus!! 😂😍👍
Minute 27. the small Hirschmann Cleps are worth its money - nice ones.. ❤
Danke! Ja die Micro Clips sind wichtig...
Very interesting, thank you!
great work
Thanks Dennis!
Another fun trip down mystery lane ; ) At what point is repair no longer cost effective considering labor cost these days? Must be a labor of love at some point. As an Amateur Radio enthusiast its rewarding for me to watch a radio "resurrected" Thank You Again : )
Most of what I'm showing here is not cost-effective! It is only for you to learn....
@@TRXLab Thank You
Another nice video, Peter! I have a IC-2200H with similar problem. When I press the PTT, the output power drops from 65 to 50W in 2 sec. and 10W in more 2 sec. When I change to 5W, the power increase to 10W in same time above. So, in HIGH the power drops, in LOW until MID, the power increases... Do you think is this the same ALC problem reported by you? Kind regards!
Very interesting! Very informative too.
I noticed one of the parts that you swapped-out looked like a resistor or RF choke. Where was it removed from? Tim W8RNG
no, a resistor out of tolerance only...
All we need now is a"Mary's Lab" and then we will have "Peter, Paul, and Mary."
lol
Let me know if you want to work on my Kenwood TS-60. It works for the most part but has erratic power output or low power most of the time. Tim W8RNG
just wow!
Watch those nasty smd electrolytics on the interface board for this radio. Fixed one of these already, having to resurrect thru vias that were eroded
Peter is a WIZARD.
in this case, where the failure requires the removal of components and various measures, how do you establish a quote for the customer?
You charge for your time and the cost of the components used, just like any other repair.
Good video. I do not know the history of the radio. It is unfortunate that a lot of radios across my bench have been 'tampered with' . My first guess would be that the pots for the ALC have turned more times than a doorknob from others trying to get more power. Took out the transistor. Not sure on the negative vibrator. That tacked on cap looks like something the factory would do. I too keep some vintage transistors around as best I can to save older radios. Please keep video's going, we are watching out here, thank you.
Based completely on nothing but what you pulled out of a rear orifice. There was zero evidence that anyone was twiddling pots in this radio the transistor was still working when he received and tested the rig.
@@stargazer7644 Did you even read the comment? Did I say that particular radio was tampered with? Please read carefully before posting.
@@johncundiss9098 No, I just randomly reply to comments that my ouiji board tells me to. Of course I read your comment. "My first guess would be that the pots for the ALC have turned more times than a doorknob from others trying to get more power" What other radio would you have been talking about here if not "that particular radio"? Do pots turn themselves? How else would they be turned so much unless the radio was "tampered with". So yes you said this particular radio was tampered with. Perhaps you need to read your own posts more carefully before clicking that reply button.
@@stargazer7644 Yeap, my first guess. Right before that I said alot of radios across my bench. I am not the one who has let my alligator mouth overload their paper asshole on a video 3 months old. Next I got the love from the creator cause he agrees with my comment. P.S. When I do get a radio that has been tampered with improperly my labor rate doubles.
@@johncundiss9098 WTF is that even supposed to mean? I hope you're more competent at radio repair than you are at writing coherent youtube comments.
Hello, I am not a technical radio operator, but I do get some pleasure, and some knowledge from watching your ,(TRX Lab) Videos.
I am the owner of a Kenwood TS 450S radio. It was purchased as a silent key sale.
It had a fault on RX, low audio .I checked, and found the fault was a blown Elec/ capacitor, replaced by a friend, now working fine.
But then found that the TX was intermittent. Switch on the radio, no TX, then sometimes switch on and 100 watts output?
Can you advise a starting point to trace fault? Have you done a repair video oh this model with TX fault?
Kind regards and best wishes, James, G0EUN
Speed it up to 1.5x to overcome the slow-talk and hesitancy.
good job!
I'd like to see you make that same fluctuating -6 volt measurement using the Siglent.
IF I remember right, somewhere down the video I have used the Sigland and swapped it over as it was to slow..
Hi Peter that Radio had underline problems
Absolutely yes!
I only operate in CW mode, so I do not need linearity of final amplifier. so I changed ALC setting, many radio can do well above 200 watts , specially in lower HF band. 100 watts is for SSB which require good linearity. AG6JU
So, I'm working on two TS-50s and they both appear to have the same problem. HP E6380A analyzer: generator into PA, Analyzer reads power. 1.83Mhz: -23dbm=1.0w, -5dbm=6.85w. More drive=no more gain just higher current draw. 3.5Mhz is better but also no full power. 29Mhz: -21dbm=1.17w, -12=11.7, -7=50.4, -4=97.8watts. I can drive it harder and the watts increase easily over 100w. This would indicate good finals but what could it be that is frequency sensitive? As I am driving the PA directly and looking at the so239 output I can't seem to understand where to problem is. Filter board, but on both radios? And then how to test that! Sheer stubbornness keeps me going. Any thoughts?
Hi! What does the RF meter indicate when running 10W on CW or USB? Thank you!
Peter, is it correct to say that the problem with these components is attributed to age and not to maybe transmitting into an antenna not tuned properly?
And if the conclusion is with the fact that the components are at their “end of life”, that the rest of the circuits are reaching their end of life dates as well?
Or is the issue with the ALC components being under more operational stress?
Thank you.
Yes, it is an aging issue and yes that is the reason why older devises having more break-downs then new devices.
Any way to adjust the step on the Vfo?
Hi.
I have a TS50 which is low on TX power.
Are you interested in doing a repair on it? The radio is in very good condition otherwise
I hope you replaced the caps on the ALC board with higher voltage ones.
The caps of today always have higher voltages ratings as older ones at the same size...
I know, which is why I would have used higher voltage ones!
What you experienced was a tantalum cap starting to go bad.@@TRXLab
I like working on my own radio's but do not have all that nice test gear. Tim W8RNG
Whoa
Peter what is your callsign?
Good luck on that one.
Don't know how people can afford such a long repair.
Note many of those videos are for training purpose only
Can people pay you to repair radios?
i woul dlike to find a ts60... grrrr none to be fond
very rare...
I really like your videos but there are too many ads that prevent me from staying engaged. Literally every 30 to 30 seconds I get an ad and it it makes it hard to follow what your doing. I have to tap out, sorry…
Sorry, we have no influence on YT, and we even don't know the frequency of ads
Best way avoid problems, dont buy Kenwoods
mox nix we fix it anyway. 73 de W9FS
This is becoming a restoration. Tell the OM to buy a new transceiver.
Hi there sir. I have been watching your videos and I find it very educational. May I ask if you have an email address?
Great Job ! de SV1GGF