| Author |
Message |
    
Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 1155
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, February 05, 2006 - 1:25 am: | 
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i am thinking of purchasing one of these babies, and i would like to get a consensus on what their good and bad points are.
has anyone here ever owned/operated one of these?
is there a long list of inherent bugs?
how do they age?
anyone still running one?
i found a list of problems/cures called the TS 830s survival guide, and im not sure what to make of it. is it long and detailed because there is a wealth of info out there on this chassis? or is it long and detailed because there are a million little problems cropping up as the units age?
any and all help/ opinions are appreciated, and if you dont like this chassis, please tell me why, and give your suggestion of a better unit.
thanks for all the help,
matt |
Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 1156
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, February 05, 2006 - 2:01 am: |
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before anyone works too hard on their post; i just found out that this unit does not have a general coverage receiver. that makes a BIG difference in how interested i am.
i guess its still good to have some opinions up on the forum, but i will probably not be purchasing one of these.
i will start a new thread for suggestions on an HF transceiver with a general coverage receiver that uses tubes in the final amp section.
thanks guys for your patience with me,
matt |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 2367
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, February 05, 2006 - 11:55 am: |
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ft 101e would be a better choice, unless you're SSB only. still no general coverage receiver.
both are tube finals & have that oh so awesome sound...my 101e is off the shelf & on my bench for some TLC real soon i hope.
better bet would be late 80's era types...757/767, 735/745, 430/440 or newer 930, yaesu, icom, kenwood. they all have up to 30mHz general coverage receive AND XMIT after you mod 'em!!! and, you could probably get the lower models UNDER $500, or less, warranteed from an amateur store, rather then e*auction. prices on auction aren't much less if any then the ham stores, & i really have no desire to take a chance like that on a higher priced radio. $100 CB i can deal with. don't need trouble with a $800 706mkIIg... |
Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 1162
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, February 05, 2006 - 10:04 pm: |
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good point about where to buy from pat!
i have been going back and forth between the 440 and the 930. i wish for a 940 but still cant swing it.
i guess i was hoping that someone made the best of both worlds. isnt that always the way.
matt |
Rldrake
Member
Username: Rldrake
Post Number: 50
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, February 05, 2006 - 10:05 pm: |
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You are not going to find a tube-hybrid amateur service transceiver with general coverage receive. There is no such animal. You need to find a general coverage receiver or a newer, no tube, HF/HF&MF transceiver. Also, for general coverage receive...you probably should be looking for something that has AM receive in it. Listening to just one sideband of a good AM signal can get old sometimes. There might be marine service HF hybrid x-ceiver or a mil/gov hybrid HF x-ceiver with the general coverage receive...but I really doubt it...or such would be rather rare. I am quite curious why you are specifying both a tube final transmit along with the general coverage receive? There really was never a market for such a beast. |
Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 1164
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, February 05, 2006 - 10:23 pm: |
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i just thought it would be great to have a radio that could receive the entire HF spectrum and also had the tube audio that i enjoy.
i guess not too many others want this or wanted this.
thanks for the answer. i guess i'll be setting my sites elsewhere.
i have heard good things about the Yaesu FT-757GXII.
anyone know what the main differences are between the GX and the GXII?
matt |
Rldrake
Member
Username: Rldrake
Post Number: 52
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 12:03 am: |
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It sounds like maybe what you really want is something from pre-hybrid times (prior to the 70's). Such rigs would have separate receivers and transmitters (not transceivers). Made in America by such folk as Halicrafters, National, and Collins. Transmitters from EF Johnson or Globe. Better yet, the wonder rigs with "perforated" cabinets that really let you enjoy the glow of the tubes...typically Gonset, Heath, and of course R.L. Drake :-) Mix or match receivers and transmitters. Be careful buying equipment like these. I recommend e-Bay and such. NOT. Better way to buy this older stuff is at hamfest and swapmeets...and only if you can see it operate. Even better watch for ads from individuals on the ham websites...buy only from the guys that insist that you pick-up on site...and with "test drive" on site before deal is reached. The guys with the really good stuff pretty much insist on this arrangement. Keep in mind, when buying separate receivers and/or transmitters...pay the most attention to the receiver...they are more complex and critical than the transmitters are. (Note: E.F. Johnson started business by selling amateur Transmitters only...much easier, and less costly, to build transmitters than receivers). GL en hope you are able to find something that you really like. |
Hollowpoint445
Senior Member
Username: Hollowpoint445
Post Number: 1068
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 4:20 pm: |
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Hybrid tansceivers don't generally have tube audio - they have tube RF amplification. All things being equal, there is no difference as long as they are both fully linear.
As far as tube audio goes - you're looking at boat anchors for that. I hope you have a strong back. |
Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 1168
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 10:20 pm: |
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i appreciate all the input guys. as you can probably tell; im one of those that needs to consider every option before deciding on anything.
and good point about the tubes only being for RF amplification hollowpoint.
i guess a TS-440s and an AL-811 would be the same thing eh?
thanks again,
matt |
Hollowpoint445
Senior Member
Username: Hollowpoint445
Post Number: 1071
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 11:00 pm: |
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Yes it would. It would also be about what I have for HF. I have a TS-450SAT and an AL-811H. I never use the amplifier though, and rarely use full output on the TS-450SAT. |
Rldrake
Member
Username: Rldrake
Post Number: 55
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 3:44 am: |
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The main advantage of the typical tube finals in a transmitter, or an amplifier, is the ability to tolerate a wider range of load impedances (high swr) without the need for a tuner. The tubes stand up to the "mismatch"...in other words they stand up better to the additional heat generated by the reflected power...and are able to produce full, or at least higher, output than transistor finals can usually handle. This is why most modern transceivers "foldback" their output power as certain levels of reflected power are detected and/or calculated to protect the finals (PA) from failure due to higher heat than they are able to disipate. Much of the time the great sound, or audio, that people like to hear from tube type receivers and/or transmitters is actually distortion or from not being "processed" or "enhanced" as in newer equipment. I personally, usually but not always, enjoy the "sound" too. |
