B&B Tech: Full Monte TS-850S/AT

"FULL MONTY" TREATMENT FOR THE TS-850SAT

UPDATE 12/26/2007: Our "full Monty" for the TS-850SAT has increased in price. We have added "lubricate the AT unit", "replace all SMD electrolytic capacitors (total 11) on the carrier unit board", and "CW sidetone level mod" to our services. The CAR unit capacitor replacement MUST be done to prevent damaging the CAR unit board beyond repairable scope. Please contact us here if you have any questions about the full Monte that are not answered here. Thanks!

The TS-850SAT is probably the best value for used Kenwood HF solid-state rigs these days, selling used for less than... well, $750 in most cases! For under $1000 you can have a contest-grade radio that will serve you well for years. And we can still get parts for them. As with nearly all ham rigs, the 850 benefits from some routine maintenance and modifications to make it even better. Here's what we do:

	Replace one or two memory batteries (main CPU and DRU-2, if installed).
	DC-DC converter mod: prevents or fixes ALC "dumping" problem.
	Noise blanker mod: Simple removal of two capacitors, near where the DC-DC converter mod is done; we do them both together to save time and money.
	Replace the surge arrestor tube at the antenna lead-in and add a pi-wound choke in parallel with the arrestor. The choke bleeds DC off the antenna lead-in, helping to preserve the surge arrestor tube (which will still "fire" on fast-rise-time stuff such as lightning and static hits). Long wire antennas can cause a significant DC charge to build up from wind and precipitation; this will blow the surge tube and may cause damage "down the line" to the receiver bandpass filter diodes (not to mention removing your protection for later "hits").

	R&R* the RF unit and replace D35 if needed. This is the diode that gets "punched out" by the aforementioned DC surge. If D35 is leaky, all sorts of wierd things happen to the 850.
	R&R the IF unit and replace the audio output blocking cap. These get dried out and short, blowing the audio amp chip.
	R&R the front display unit and replace C17. This cap likes to leak on the board and eat up the trace that feeds 8V to the display power supply unit. If you have a dark display or one that likes to cut out, this is the culprit; if not, it will eventually be a problem.
	Clean controls as needed.
	R&R the AT unit, lubricate metal bearing points.
	Set final and driver bias (200mA each).
	R&R the IF unit, add the CW sidetone LEVEL mod. This brings the sidetone LEVEL (not pitch) adjustment to the front panel MON control; a real plus for any CW operator. SSB MON function is unaffected.
	Replace C1 (47uF/16V/SMD) on the Carrier unit; this cap leaks and causes PC board damage.
	R&R the CAR unit and replace ALL the SMD electrolytic capacitors on the board (total of 11 caps)
	60M transmit mod, if needed.
	Lube the VFO main- and sub-encoder shafts (we use Mobil One synthetic oil).
	align RF and IF stages as needed
	Adjust power output min and max; MIN goes from ten watts down to 4.5 watts; this makes you "legal" for the QRP contests and much easier to shoot for a QRP QSO, just turn the POWER control full CCW and you are under 5 watts! MAX can go to 100-115 watts, depending on the rig. We can also set MAX to a lower value if you want to avoid overdriving an amp. Please note that we cannot exceed a level that would make ALC ineffective on any band.
	any other minor repairs needed
	on-air check, receive and transmit

*"R&R" is "remove and replace"

All this for a Flat Rate of only $239, including all small parts and labor (major parts and shipping extra).

IMPORTANT NOTE: FOLLOW OUR SHIPPING ADVICE! Some front panel controls are unavailable for the TS-850S. If yours becomes damaged in shipping, we may not be able to replace it. See the SHIPPING PAGE for packing instructions. Use of the original box(es) for shipping is not recommended.