Kenwood TS-440s - OLD, but still GOOD? 

I’ve had mine since 1988. It’s been a great radio in the house, in the car, at a State Park, at the Beach rental, at relatives…. I did have to replace the Lithium battery lately. The tuner works very well.

I have 3 of them. They are easy to repair, modify and are a workhorse. No they don't have a waterfall, but they are a radio...not a TV.

This reminds me so much of the Kenwood R-5000 general coverage receiver I used to own for shortwave listening back in the late 1980s. My receiver had had the filters replaced with optional narrower ones, and between the time I paid for it and the ham in Atlanta, Georgia who sold it to me shipped it he had attended a swap meet, found the optional voice synthesizer module for the radio, bought it and installed it at no extra charge. So at the push of a button a nice Japanese lady told me what frequency I was on. I heard a lot of great DX on that radio (with a strip of aluminum foil thumbtacked to the wall above my apartment windows as an antenna.)

I had the chance to get one of those for about 2 years ago here in Norway, but i did go for a Yaesu ft 897d and love it :) 73 from Fredrikstad. Im in hospital right now, but i was allowed to get one of my radios today 😂

i Have a Trio TS440s-at. İ have bought it from a marine surplus shop last year.. i guess it has been produced for japan market.i have never seen a trio brand 440s before...this radio has been used in a marine vessel long years as a spare receiver .Cover ,screws metal buttons were oxidated due to sea humidity. And it is still working without problem.😮.like a military product.i admired its durability after 30 years

Kenwood makes a solid rig. My first HF rig was a Kenwood TS930. I still have it. I understand the light in the back of those units fails quite often. I heard a friend of mine put a LED in behind the meter. It might be a simple mod. I will find out more for you on it. 73

You mentioned that your 440S' AutoTuner is not working. The 440S models don't come with one (yours probably doesn't have it) The 440AT model does comes with one installed from factory. However they AT's sell used & is an easy install on the 440S model. You questioned the T-F SET function. This is used for split frequency operation. I have the same model as this. I purchased it new in '89. The price was $999.00 at a discount from $1295.00. Still looks and functions like new. Never did have the auto tuner installed. Always used an external one when needed. 73 & thanks for the review.

Nice rig. It has all the features you really need, nothing complex, and right at hand.I do prefer tactile switches and knobs to menus and touch screens. Thanks for the overview.

This was my very first rig ever. It was used, but it was great.!

This was kind of the 80s equivalent of the 7300, there were huge numbers of them on the bands but they mostly seem to have vanished. Backup rigs in people's cupboards? T-F Set is for working split, while it's held you will RX on whatever your TX frequency is set to. Really nice rig, usual excellent Kenwood ergonomics.

Nothing wrong with simplicity, and nothing wrong with those old Kenwoods. I've got a 680s, and it just works. No fuss, no bother, just key up and go.

Hello Morten, I love the looks of that radio and was considering one myself but then I leatned of the "dot problem" with the ts-440's. Have you heard of it? If not google it. I really want a 440 but that problem has made me back away.

T-F SET switch Depressing this switch will allow you to rapidly set ore check the transmit frequency, curing SPLIT operations, without the need of actually transmitting. Pg 15 para (d) of the manual.

Hey Morten. Your new Purchase looks in a nice cosmetic Shape. As much as I loved the older Kenwood Radios but the TS-440s was not really the Radio for me. I prefered the TS-140s over the 440's. I hate Radios who do not have a official variable RF-Power Function. Just for this One Reason me and the TS-440s never became Friends on long Terms. TX and RX Audio of the TS-440s is just marvellous as we know Kenwood. Tnx for your neat Video. Happy Weekend & 73 de YFUG 🙋‍♂

I do like the look of that radio!

just add a 12v LED wired to the battery input for the back light of the S Meter. You can even choose a coloured LED for fun.

the voice switch is not for VOX: @ VOICE switch When the optional VS-1 voice synthesizer unit is installed the operating frequency will announced whenever the VOICE switch is depressed. For a dial frequency of 14.200.0 the frequency will be announced as; "one", "four", "point", "two", "zero", "zero", "zero", "zero". Please refer to page 28 for installation instructions concerning the VS-1 Voice Synthesizer

I just love the simplicity of old hf radios even I haven't had one and still hoping of owning one. My question is, a ts 680s is being sold in very good working condition with its all original electrolytic capacitors. With your expert opinion, how long do you think will it work, 1, 2 5 or maybe 10 years more?

do you have a tuner internally ? you have to open to find out you also have to hit the auto and at-tune to make it work ... The Carrier myst be aroud 2.5 to 3 to activate the tuner ..

I'm booked in to take my UK foundation licence soon and only have HTs I'm looking at one of these as my first home base, unless you can suggest something else

My 440 has one digit less. As wxample I see on this one 14.265.00 on my 440 it displays 14.265.0 . Not the last zero. How can I display the last zero?

I need a 440s. Anybody have one for sale

That guy was clearly 5 and 6.8, not 5 and 7! 😡