I just finished re-capping my old TS520S. Many times I wondered how in the world they wired these things in the original manufacturing process. Your videos have helped me tremendously. Many thanks. WD9ARK
Buddy is awesome, thank you sir, I have restored two TS-820S and two TS-520 based on your videos, I have learned so much from these videos and your teaching.... God bless you good sir....
Very nice! I just picked up a complete TS-520SE station today from a widow. It has been idle for 11 years. The rig fired up and I’m hearing stations, but the mode switch isn’t doing anything. I hear CW thumping and SSB signals are garbled, so it seems like a BFO problem. The audio is also pretty weak. I probably overpaid, but hey, now I have a project! It’s very clean compared to the one in this video. I’m ordering a cap kit. Wish me luck! Videos like yours and TRX bench give me confidence that I can restore this beautiful rig.
Fantastic video Buddy! I really like how in-depth this was ... showing all the soldering and switch repair/cleaning. I don't think these vids are too long, and if some people doesn't have the time, they can simply fast-forward. I'm a novice and am learning LOTS watching you troubleshoot and repair. Thank you so much for all the time and effort that goes into these episodes.
Buddy I have a ts-520 as my main station radio. I love it! Talked to Austria tonight on 80 meters with 100 watts on a wire g5rv, Doesn't get any better, a great classic radio. Great video, thanks and 73, Tom, k2bew
Love these old Kenwood hybrids, and I'm glad you were able to save this one. I have a TS-520 and a TS-830, and love the way the receivers sound. You sure had a ton of work to do to get her to work! I enjoyed watching you work on this one... please keep the videos coming! 73, Brett
When I was a novice in the 80's, so many stations I worked reported "KNWD TS 520". Great repair and patience. Dry here in Denver, I don't see as much corrosion. 73, W0KU.
Ah, the good old days of a straight key singing away and hearing KNWD TS520 coming back was like music. Was really fun in the old days of non cpu controlled radios. A lot of folks do not know what they are missing. The rain was gone today here and was 40 at a high. The week end is to be in the 70's. Thanks for stopping in.
Love the repair I am a Kenwood TS-520 man was my first radio. Hard to destruct,solid state will not withtand the abuse a TS- 520 will Thank You Congratulations on 100 videos
Buddy Your wonderful skill and determination to bring one of these wonderful only radios back to life is outstanding. It is so rare today to find someone who will not give up on some of these beautiful radios. Mel
You know Mel, all it takes is a little desire for this old equipment. With desire the knowledge will come. One of the biggest reason I do these videos is to plant a seed in others and strike a little spark to get a fire burning. Once that desire is fueled in folks wanting to learn more, old rigs like this will come back to life. I cannot tell you how many of 520's I have brought back from the dead over the years. What I can tell you is that every time I get one back working I am just amazed and excited as I was on the first one. Thank you my friend for your kind words and support. Buddy
I'm right there with you on taking a challenge. The first (still unfinished) project I took on is my FT-101 that looked like the transformer caught on fire. Lots of people would have parted it out, but I wanted to learn from it. Thanks to your videos, I've managed to reinstall most of the magic smoke, but still have that issue with the calibrator signal. One of these years I'll get back on that.
Jon, Thanks for watching and thanks for trying to bring a piece of history back to life. It is always good to hear comments like this. We get to learn a lot in the process also. That calibrator should not be too hard. I think one of my five has this problem.
Yeah, I have an old Heathkit O-7 scope that I'm working on right now. Replaced all caps and resistors (most of the resistors were way off). But I don't have any vertical deflection from the test signal (test signal looks good on my leader scope), so I have some troubleshooting to do now.
I have found the cheapies from China work just fine. I get them on ebay, where else. Boy that power supply looks familiar. Nice to see it getting some use. Had become a dust collector here.
The 3M ones are pretty good. I have an old Eraser handle and two extra FybrGlass refills plus stainless and brass brushes which fit in the same handle; the handle's built like a tank!
Great video! Back in '78 I was going to get a TS-520, but the FT-101 was being discontinued and was cheaper so I wound up getting a EE model. Lot of patience in repair/restore one of these but you did a good job of showing what to troubleshoot and what to look for. 73, Harvey KM4JA
It does my heart good to see a radio that seemed to be a goner brought back to life. I started on my "pile" last week. I've got a Silvertone 1484 guitar amp on the bench and my Yaesu FTdx-560 is calling me back. It's being patient with me nut I need to get it to the power up point so I can figure out what else might be wrong with it. It was a "parts radio" and it needs a lot of TLC.
The Silvertone is an interesting amp. It's got two channels with independent volume, treble, and bass. Each channel feeds 1/2 of a 12AX7, then that feeds another 12AX7, also split between the channels, followed by a 6CG7 / 6FQ7 phase inverter (each channel uses 1/2), into a pair of 6L6's in push pull. AND it has a reverb circuit with a 12AX7 (1/2 for each channel), a 6CG7 (1/2 for each channel) that feeds a very cheesy looking reverb tank. Then that feeds another 12AX7 (1/2 for each channel) and a "light operated tremolo unit". No rectifier tube. It uses 1N3194 diodes. It's very different. The best part is that it was given to me. Here's what it looked like when I got it wildlightimagingstudio.com/img/s/v-2/p1755277281-5.jpg The Tolex cleaned up real nice. The chassis took some work but it's got some shine and "age" to it. Me and the 560 are buddies :)
I think that crystal set was from an old Expo Kit, which I remember from years ago. They published a paperback book on CB mods as well, which they sold. That's remembering things from back in 1983-84. I can't recall correctly, but I think they called the company J-Tronics, and they made crystals. I had them to cut crystals back then that were no longer available for amateur use.
what a great video buddy its nice to see problem solving right up close like that. i dont think people realise just how much work there is in refurbing a switch and how complicated it can be. thanks for sharing that buddy.
Your patience to do detailed PITA work never ceases to amaze me Buddy! That's going to be a beautiful complete station once you are done. Congrats on #100! 73 - Dino KL0S
Thanks Dino. I have a lot of patience. Only way I can do these type of repairs. I think this will turn out nice. When it is all finish I may even do a live video and try and make some contacts with some of the viewers.
Great job on that switch repair Buddy. That's not only repairing at the component level it's repairing the component itself. Even a factory service tech back in the day would never have done that. He would have ordered a new function switch from Kenwood and cursed his luck at having to unsolder and resolder all those wires. That is assuming that he was smart enough to troubleshoot that switch problem in the first place. Well done my friend. 73 Doug.
Thank you very much Doug for that wonderful comment. Repairing switches like this is a pain, but also rewarding. like you said not many folks these days would even attempt to repair it let alone unsolder all those wires. The techs had it made back then where they could get a replacement part. We just do not have that option. Thanks again my friend.
Congratulations on video #100. That is a great milestone. I'm looking forward to the next 100.Buddy, your skill, knowledge and tenacity are simply amazing. Thank you for posting these videos. You have taught this old dog a number of new tricks!73 DE K7RMJ Frank
Thank you for the kind words Frank. I cannot believe I have one hundred videos on line already. Radio is my passion and keeping them alive is my goal. This helps teach the others how easy it can be. As you saw very little test gear was used to bring this old girl back to life.
Buddy, at 36:50 you said you had to put an insulator in it. Not sure what you were really doing though. So, was this a wired you stripped enough to cross two layers of the switch, but needed to insulate between the layers? Or if not please describe what you were doing. Also Buddy, question 2 - you mentioned you'd get a capacitor kit for the rig. Where do you get the kits, specific to the radio? Ok, final question - prior to 00:45 you were testing (I think) the RIT switch - and you did find that something didn't have connectivity - but then at 00:45 you jumped to the rectifier unit and you ultimately replaced diodes there. So, question - what drove you to suspect the rectifier unit in the first place? It seemed a random "jump" from the RIT switch... hi hi.You probably had some troubleshooting in between. Any help there? 73, KM5L
Good work, Buddy! I was smiling when you tuned in the signal generator the first time. I'm not sure I would have had the confidence to disassemble the function switch and I certainly don't have a deep enough junk box to find a wafer switch contact! In your opinion, why do you think the 14 VDC rectifier diodes failed? BTW, I too would like to see what was causing the VFO to be stuck. I did watch your videos on the TS-520 VFO removal and I suspect that is in my future as my SE was jumping a bit when I put it on the desk again about a month ago after not using it for about a year. I left it powered for a few days in a row and that may have warmed and allowed the grease to soften as the issue is not near as pronounced. I did notice that when you were testing the microphone and transmit audio that the meter switch was in the RF position and not the ALC position. For anyone reading this comment, the meter switch needs to be in the ALC position to read ALC. Also, for reference, on these hybrids with a Kenwood MC-50 microphone, the MIC GAIN will seldom need to be higher that about the #4 mark, or with the white knob marker in about the 9 O'clock position.
Great job...love those old radios....have a TS-830S and a TS-940S here too that need a little TLC., Also a few FT-101E's that I use at least once a week. I really like the detail that you go into and it makes me do the same here to my old radios. Please keep up the good work. Lyle VE5EE
Thanks for the video, I really enjoy watching skilled people like yourself work on these old radios. I have some old gear and prefer it to the modern stuff I have. Perhaps I am getting old regards Mike G4VQH
Excellent video. So nice to see you tackle the tough ones. Really good stuff. Do you happen to have any videos where you do a major cleaning on a rig. I hear all the stories but would love to see someone have the courage to put these in water and see them work again. Thanks for your videos. A+++++
Thanks Kevin for the comment. I only have a few showing hit and miss cleaning. None that is devoted to just cleaning. So sounds lie a new future video is needed.
*SO* much work to tear down dial selectors! question: would a '58 hifi tuner/record player combo have a selector that's a bit less prone to become carbonated (sic) like that all on its sweeper contacts? I suspect these are copper switches on this Magnavox. The volume pot was nonfunctional when I bought this thing, -sprayed it a bunch w/ the D5.. not really gotten it back together yet to see..
Years of learning. Been working on electronics since I was 12. Been collecting broken equipment for a long time also. Plus members donate test gear to the channel. Thanks for the comment.
I'am not sure but was tuner not turning when you first checked it out? If so what did you do to correct the problem?My dad got me into hamming about 20 years ago.After he retired he moved away and I had alot if health provlems and ended up losing everthing.20 yrs ago. we both had no code tech licenses.Mine has lasped and now he has the highest,Between him moving up up in his license and your vidoes and now to my physical limits I have revived my electronics hobbie intrest.He was telling me at the ham fleas you can pick up old tube or hybreds cheap..I am going to look into it.My main challenges are my low fixed income and in the mid-90s I was in my early 30s and joined the local ham club(Broward Amateur Radio) here in Broward Florida , saposed to be one of the biggest in the contry.But because of my young age early 30s I was shunned by litterly all 500+ members.I talked to the President of the club at the time and he told me that this was the clubs biggest problem, that current members didn't believe youngsters belonged in the club ,sigh..Now that I'am almost 50 and I have heard that membership has dropped to a quarter of what it was( people dieing off and the few newer members in thier 60s and 70s) and that club is rapidity about to disappear ,maybe they are no longer chasing people off that are below age 60 anymore..I only said hi once to a few dozen people back then and was ignored and at the fleas I would ask about a peice of equipment and would be ignore( I would send my dad in and he not once had trouble buying anything ,we would be standing next to each other the whole time).Right now I need to see what it would take to get my license back KE4WJZ I need to see if they will inter act with someone in there late 40s.My dad had 5 other friends and thier sons had the same problem as me and gave up also..Now disabled and on a very small fixed income.. Iam hoping things have changed and can find some cheap parts radios to fix.The newer radio's prices are about 2 or 3 decimal places too much for me to afford.At the very least I wanted to thank you for sharing you great depth of wisdom with the world.Even if I can't afford to get back into being a Ham I still have learned a great deal from you. P.S. you mentioned while you were restoring the switch you might be boring us, but during those saposed boring times you still pass on extremely great tips and knowledge, I wouldn't want you to stop. Thank you for what you have done, what your doing now and what you are going to do next.I am very greatful.Thank you for sharing you vastly deep knowledge and taking your time and energy to make these Video's !
Thank you for sharing that story. Most interesting. I have heard similar stories over the years on how some clubs are. They need to understand with out new folks it will never survive. Believe it or not that is how I always buy my radio gear. Broken then fix it myself. Yes the video was getting very long and I removed some of it. Along with the VFO repair. It will be covered in another video along with a lot more items. Thanks for stopping in and for your nice comments.
Just curious , the DG-5 according to the manual reads to 40 mhz., how is it able to read to 90 mhz? Scratching my head on this one. All your videos are great to watch, learned a lot from you TNX.
Hi George, No need to scratch your head on that. It is not reading a frequency of 90 MHz. When you see 90.XXX that means it is an error code. Missing one of the necessary signals or voltages required to decode. Hope that helps.
Great video Buddy. I have a TS520SE that I bought new in 1980. It works very well but I am currently going through it and giving it a good cleaning and recapping. Can you please provide a source for the LED's with the blueish tint? Thank you, Jim KA4HLT
Thanks Steve. I have downloaded about 5 different versions of the manuals. Some are decent while others are very poor. If you happen to see a great copy let me know. Thanks again
Hi Angelo. Well bypass caps do different things in many circuits. In the 520 the cap simple lets a DC signal pass and removes AC noise. This keeps unwanted signals off the line that could cause noises. Thanks for the question and hope it answers it for you.
I never understood this. What is there to down vote? The video was great and really helpful to those interested in restoring old radios. Thank you Buddy.
Big thumbs up to you Brad. I know I have a few haters. Sometimes as soon as I upload a video I get a down vote. That tells me they have not even watched the video. Some do not like it also that I did not post a particular video subject. It is crazy. Thanks for your nice comment.
My TS520se has very scratchy/distorted audio when I increase the AF gain control knob. I cleaned up the AF/RF pot, checked all connections on the AF board but it still sounds pretty bad when increasing AF output. Any idea what way to resolve this ? thankyou
I'm trying to hunt an intermittent ssb audio fault with 520s where I lose most ssb output without warning during transmit. I only then can only get output with processor on and mic gain wound to full. Initial thoughts is gen board component fault. Have tried different mics to eliminate this. CW tunes up 100w. Can be on any band. Any guidance, suggestions of likely culprit? I always learn from your clips but it takes time & hard work to build the knowledge you have!
Would you mind pointing me in the right direction on my TS520? After I unkey the mic, there is a delay in hearing the audio. Same in tune or CW mode using the mic or the send switch. No carrier is being thrown, just a delay in the audio receive. Maybe in the RF gain? thanks for any help you are willing to offer.
@@TheRadioShop I'll find it on the schematic. The VOX relay was the only one that popped out when I glanced at it. I've learned a lot from watching your videos. Really appreciate them
Thanks for the great videos, I am a new ham and just picked one of these radios up. when I plug the coax in the center pin gives a good signal however when the shield is screwed on the receiver loses the signal. any ideas?
Have you checked your antenna and coax? That would be my first inspection. Other than that something in the RF part could be shorted, tube, capacitor or resistor.
Always love your videos. Just wanna know if you can help me to fix my Kenwood TM-3530A. Let me know the address to send the Radio. Thanks and more power to you, 73! Jojo
If you mean the V08J rectifiers last time I check they are still available from East Coast Parts. You could also use 1N5408. They're rated at 3A, 1000V.
ok ill pick up some the avr board diodes are bad in this one also i tested it with a external supply and she works great but for the love of god i cant get the s meter working i read that it will only work in agc fast or slow but it will not show any signal strength at all very strong station it dosent move at all transmitt works shows power out and so forth but no s signal back to the service manual lol i love your videos keep up the great work and 73's kg4vdz
Techs now days don't have the patience we old timers have. It is not a repair but rather a replace technology everywhere from electronics to cars and everywhere. We had no replacement parts and had to be inventive.
You got that so right Robert. I call it a fast food world we live in now. Knowing this is a dying art is why I do these videos. In hope others will learn that you can repair things instead of replacing it. Thanks for your comment.
I learned auto mechanics and electronics back when all that was available was "discrete components". You fixed things, not replace them. And the repairs lasted. Keep up the good work. There are loads of us out here who do appreciate the time you put in.
