Modifications for the Kenwood TS-820
TS-820 Fix the problem with the display
Here is somthing you can do if your
digital display on the kenwood ts-820
is giving you a problem..............
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Remove the counter assembly unit from the 820.
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Remove both circuit boards from the counter assembly ( upper and lower boards ).
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Scrape away the varnish from the corners of the boards where the
interconnecting screwes and spacers hold the boards into the case.
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Reassemble the counter....
That should take care of the problem..
New Display Tube for DG-1
The original display tube (LD-8109) used in the DG-1 digital display for
the TS-820 and TS-820S has been discontinued by the manufacturer. However,
there is a replacement tube available. This tube is the LD-8135. It is
not a direct replacement for the original tube. The leads come out of both
ends of the display tube instead of just one as in the LD-8109. Therefore,
it will be necessary to replace the complete display unit if the display
tube fails. The part number of the new display unit is X54-1310-00.
Please use this part number when ordering a replacement display unit. The
new display unit is being installed in the current production of the TS-820S
and DG-1.
The new display unit (X54-1310-00) is a little more involved to install
than the old one. The installation is as follows:
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Remove the top cover of the TS-820 (or TS-820S) and set the unit on
the bench so the front panel is facing you.
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Remove the two screws from the original display unit (save them),
unplug the display unit forom the counter assembly and remove the display
unit from the transceiver.
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Run the connector of the new display unit through the left bracket
(from the center).
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Gently (but firmly) push the right side of the display unit throught
the right bracket. ( This is the most difficult part).
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Gently push the left side of the display through the left bracket.
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Install the screws from the old display in the mounting bracket of the
new display unit and plug the connector into the counter assembly.
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Turn on the TS-820 (or TS-820S) and make sure the display tube works
properly.
-
Replace the top cover of the transceiver.
TS-520, TS-820 CW filter select control
In the TS-520SE, the heater switch has been replaced with a CW WIDE/NARROW
select switch. For those operators who desire this type feture for their
transceiver, the following information may be considered as a guideline.
TS-520S series transceivers
-
A minature SPDT switch may be installed at the operators preference,
on the rear side, or bottom panel. Use this to switch the CW or SSB
filters by wiring the BROWN lead, which normally is transferred to the CW
terminal on the IF unit, between the SSB filter, for WIDE , and CW for
NARROW>
-
A Traditional solution has been to use the FIX CH switch, position 3
and 4 for filter switching. This may be donw by completely rewireing the
switch, or by leaving the switch wiring and the filter wiring as for normal
operation, and bridging the following terminals:
A. FIX CH C terminal to IF SSB Terminal
B. FIX CH 4 terminal to IF CW terminal
Placing the FIX CH switch to 4 will operate the SSB filter
in CW mode.
TS-820S Series Transceivers
-
Similar to the TS-520 series, a miniature SPDT toggle switch may be
installed at the operators preference a the rear or on the obttom cover.
-
The FIX CH switch, or Digital Hold switch may be rewired to control
the CW wide/narrow function
On the MODE switch, S6-1, the SSB filter control is GREEN, and the CW
filter control line is GREY. Break the GREY line and connect it from the
MODE switch to the SPDT common terminal. Connect the GREY line to the IF
unit ot one terminal, and bridge tht GREEN SSB line to the other Switch
terminal.
Installing AUX Band in TS-820 (RX only)
Author: Trio-Kenwood Communication, inc.
Service bulletin no. 11 13-1-1977
The following information is for the installation and alignment of the AUX
band inthe TS-820. This extra band will be for receive only. Reference
will be made to schematics and board layouts as shown in the Service Manual.
INSTALLATION
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Remove the top and bottom covers.
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Remove the Connectors from the PLL Assembly.
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Remove the PLL assembly and set it aside.
-
Use the board layout of the Coil Pack to locate thepositions for the
ANT and MIX coils on the Coil Pack.
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Install the ANT and MIX coils on the Coil Pack.
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Remove both covers from the PLL Assembly.
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Remove the 5 Phillips head screws holding the PD Unit in the PLL
assembly and carefully remove the PD unit.
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Use the board layout of the PD unit to locate Q11.
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Install R01, R02, C01, C02 and X01 as needed for the band desired.
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Locate terminals AUX, B1, B2, B3, and B4 on the PD unit.
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Install a jumper from the AUX terminal to the B terminal for the band
desired. B1 is for 1.8 MHz to 9 MHz, B2 is for 10MHz to 18MHz, B3 is for
19MHz to 24MHz and B4 is for 25MHz to 30MHz.
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Replace the PD unit in the PLL Assembly.
-
Use a 3mm nutdriver to remove the 4 hex nuts mounting the VCO unit in
the PLL assembly, then remove the two phillips screws.
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Carefully remove the VCO unit from the PLL assembly.
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Use the board layout of the VCO unit to locate Q11.
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Install C01, C02, C03, C04, C05, and T11 as needed for the band
desired. Install T11 last.
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Replace the VCO unit in the PLL assembly.
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Install the connectors on the PLL assembly.
ALIGNMENT
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Turn on the TS-820.
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Tune VFO to 250.
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Set band switch to AUX.
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Set the TUN/NOR switch on the VCO unit to TUN.
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Connect a frequency counter to terminals TP5 and TP6 on the VCO unit.
(TP6 is ground).
-
Adjust T11 for a frequency of 9.08 MHz plus the lower limit of the
band desired.
-
Connect a frequency counter to TP4 and ground on the PD unit, and
verify the frequency of the reference oscillator. It may vary +/- 500KHz.
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Return the TUN/NOR switch on the VCO Unit to the NOR position.
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Turn off the TS-820S.
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Replace the covers on the PLL assembly and reinstall it in the
transceiver.
-
Replace the top and bottom covers on the TS-820S.
CAUTION
Do no use magnetized tools when working on the PLL assembly. Beryllium
tools would be better than ferrous ones. If the PLL assembly should become
magenetized, use a bulk tape eraser on open core AC transformer to
demagnetize it.
TA7201P Substitution Parts Kit
The Toshiba TA7201P audio amplifier (Q3) used in the TS-820(S) and
R-820 is no longer available. The part has been replaced with a
kit (Part # W05-0257-00). This service bulletin will provide the
correct installation procedures for replacing a defective TA7201P
with the new kit.
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Disconnect the power cord and antenna from the transceiver.
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Remove the covers from the transceiver and disconnect the
speaker wire.
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Remove the AF AVR board from the bottom of the transceiver
(4 screws and 3 connectors).
-
Remove the two nuts that secure the heat sink to the audio
amplifier (Q3) and then remove the heat sink. Figure 1.
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Desolder and remove Q3, C21, C22, C26, C33, R40, R42, and R47
from the AF AVR board. C33 and R47 are mounted on the foil
side of the board, but may not be installed on some models.
Figure 1 and 2.
-
Using the parts from the kit, install a 22 uF capacitor in the
C21 position, a 0.068 uF capacitor (labeled 683K) in the C22
position, a 3.9 ohm resistor in the R40 poisition, and a 470
ohm resistor int he R42 position. Figure 1
-
Solder a 0.1 uF capacitor (labeled 104K) in parallel with C30.
Mount the part on the foils side of the AF AVR board. Figure 1
-
Remove the two nuts from the heat sink mounting srews. Figure 3.
-
Replace the mounting screws with the ones in the kit. If the
original screws have been soldered to the board, remove the
excess solder and while the screws are still hot, turn the
board upside down to allow the screws to fall onto the working
surface. Figure 3.
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Secure the new mounting screws with the two nuts that were
removed in step 8. Figure 3
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Install the heat sink and secure it with the two hexagon
bosses from the kit. Figure 3
-
Insert the wires from the new audio amplifier circuit board as
shown in the diagram. Make sure the pins are firmly seated
and then solder them into place. Figure 4
-
Apply a thin layer of silicon grease to the back of the audio
chip.
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Insert the circuit board into the heat sink and secure it with
the two nuts that were removed in step 4. Avoid pinching the
wires between the board and the bosses as well as the board
and the heat sink.
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Attach the heat sink spring from the kit over the chip. Figure 5
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Assemble the transceiver by reversing steps 1-3.
Note:
Due to the differences in characteristics between the TA7201P
and the new audio chip, the noise level will be increased. The increase
in noise will effect the position of the AF gain control. Should it be
found that the audio is too low, the value of resistor R4 on the AF AVR
board can be reduced from 220 ohms to 82 ohms. The resistor removed
from the R40 position can be used in this situation.
TS-820 Speech Processor Alignment
Author: Trio-Kenwood Communication, inc.
Service bulletin no. 9 17-11-1976
The following alignment procedure may be used in lieu of the one in the
Service Manual.
Test Equipment required:
Audio Signal Generator
Audio VTVM
Oscilloscope or RF VTVM
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Preliminary control settings:
Screen grid switch off.
Mode switch to USB.
Comp Level to USB.
Processor SW to Pull "ON".
Meter switch ot "Comp".
Send/Rec switch to "Send" as required when making adjustments.
-
Apply 1500 Hz audio signal to the mic jack at 10mv level.
Connect RF VTVM or scope to TP-2.
Adjust T-11, 12, 13, for maximum level on the S-meter.
Adjust T-14 for maximum level on scope or VTVM at TP-2.
-
Turn compression level to min, (CCW).
Reduce audio sig at mic jack to 0.3 mv.
Adjust TC-4 (Freq response for speech processor) so that level at
TP-2 is not changed when changing audio gen from 400 Hz to
2000Hz.
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Turn compression level to max, (CW)
Set audio gen to 1500Hz at 0.3 mv.
Adjust TC-3 and VR-6 (carrier bal for speech proc) for maximum level
at TP-2.
-
Set audio gen to 10 mv at 1500Hz
Send/Rec switch to send
Adjust VR-7 (comp level for speech processor) so that the level at
TP-2 is not changed when turning the processor on and off. VR-7
should be adjusted for the particular microphone the customer
will be using with his TS-820.
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Finally check for non distortion of signal, and that comp level of
20db can be obtained at full comp on.
General Notes on TS-820S
Author: Trio-Kenwood Communication, inc.
Service bulletin no. 21 (25-10-1977)
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No output TX: SG switch is "OFF".
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No TX, RX or VFO: There is no 9 Pin plug installed.
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Low RX Sensitivity, no TX: The transverter switch is"ON."
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S Meter full deflection when first turned on: Makesure RF gain is
not fully CCW.
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If digital display does not count: Make sure DH is not"ON."
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If there is no DG display: Make sure you are not inREMOTE VFO with
no remote VFO attached.
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When intermittant in any circuit:
-
Check for loose black jumper from point to pointon circuit
board.
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Check for broken foil path.
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Check for component that has been pulled out or
loosely soldered.
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Check for solder splash across foil path.
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Check for loose pins.
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Check for component leads touching to metal IF
cans.
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Check for wire not soldered at function switch orat any switch
or control.
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When checking FET's, check for excessive voltageat can top
usually source, or same G-1, G-2 voltage.
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Check for loose Molex mini connector or any foreign substance on
pins.
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Complaint of frequency shift when TX-CW: This is
normal. 800 Hz.
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Not proper PLL action: Make sure PLL slide switch isin NOR not
TUNE.
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Receiver audio self oscillation at high level: Make sure audio
board mounting screws are tight.
RECEIVER
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Low audio output receiver sensitivity and no transmit: -6v supply is
bad. Q13 on FIX VOX unit.
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25 kHz calibrator will not zero: Add 3 pf in parallel with TC-1 on
the marker unit.
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Receiver sensitivity down: Q2 on RF unit. +9v on PD unit is shorted.
L-6 shorted to ground.
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Intermittant receive when moving set.: Check for touching terminals
at final relay socket.
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No receiver or digital: 14v wire pinched between DG-1 chassis and
ground.
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Receiver sensitivity 40 db down: Check for shorted L8, 1.8 MHz
antenna coil on coil pack.
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Adjacent signal interferance: See TKC bulletin.
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No receive audio: Check for shorted TA-7201P module at X49-1080-00.
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Poor receive audio: The 100 V AC 120 V taps were miswired.
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Receiver doesnt work 20-40: Check for wafer touch to ground on band
switch.
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No DG1, no RX, no TX, no VCO: Bad D1 5 volt zener on relay unit.
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RIT action seems warbly: See TKC bulletin.
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Receiver has bad static and is noisy: Bad C14, C15, tantalum on PD
unit.
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VFO frequency shift: Check for loose tension of VFO tension
spring.
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USB/LSB will not work: Check for loose connection at C18 CAR-1 unit.
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Intermittant audio: Check for loose mounting screws on audio board.
TRANSMITTER
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Mushy audio on transmit: Mic amps Q20 and Q21 on IF unit are bad.
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No 14V supply: Bad bridge diodes D8-D10 on X43-1090- 02.
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Intermittant operation of any one band: Check for loosely soldered
Xtals in PD unit.
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Mic gain down: Cold solder joint at SSB xtal filter IF unit.
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Self oscillation when TX: Bad final tubes. Burned cathode resistors
10 ohms R2, R3 at final unit.
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No VOX operation. No sidetone: Burned resistor R12 220 ohms at key
socket.
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No USB or LSB: Check CAR1 X1-X2 crystal for cold solder joint on CAR-
1 unit.
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No TX: Check for shorted Q1 and Q8 balanced mixer on RF Unit.
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No ALC meter movement: Readjustment of meter amp VR1, VR2 on IF unit.
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Intermittant ALC action after peaking drive: One final tube is bad.
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Fix lite on when in VFO position: Wire shorted terminals on function
switch.
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No loading of TX: Cold solder joint at relay socket RL1 antenna
relay.
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Using Sure 444 speech processor is distorted: See TKC bulletin
regarding 16db pad for mic input.
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No relay closure on TX: Q9 on fix Vox unit is bad.
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Very low RF output only when using RF speech processor: Bad Q30 on IF
unit.
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Low RF output on SSB without RF speech processor: Bad Q20 on X48-
1150-00.
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Large audio difference between USb and LSB: realign carrier unit per
TKC specifications.
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No loading on 40 meters: Foil path is open on RF coil pack.
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No tX when using send switch: Bad R28 1K and Q9 on FIX VOX unit.
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Blows fuse: Check for shorted C21, C22 100uf 500v.
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No drive, no TX or bias: Open screen resistor R6 470 ohm at rectfier
unit.
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VFO intermittant: Check for cold solder at VFO power plug.
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Audio distortion on TX with processor: C96 may be loose on IF board.
-
Faulty LED indications: Check for loose ground screws on LED board.
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Low output on CW: R14 470 Ohm touch to filter case on IF unit.
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VOX operation is intermittant: Solder touch VS terminal oand 14v at
X50-11350-00).
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Intermittant TX: Make sure ground strap for 12BY7 shield is under the shield.
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Insufficient power out to drive linear amplifier: An increase of 5-7 watts can be obtained by paralleling R6 on receiver unit with a 47 ohm 2 watt resistor.
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VFO output level is down: Q2 inside VFO is bad.
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No TX or RX on any band. No VCO output: Q14 on X50-1330-00 is bad.
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No TX or RX: Loose contact VFO output terminal on Fix Vox unit.
TS-820 RIT modification
Author: Trio-Kenwood Communication, inc.
Service bulletin no. 13 (27-1-1977)
We have had a few reports of the TS-820 RIT tuning being "rubbery". The following information will solve this.
How to modify:
- Remove resistor R27 (1Kohm) on AF-AVR unit (X49-1080-00).
- Install a 10Kohm resistor on foil side of AF-AVR unit. See figure 1.
- Install a 1 Kohm resistor on RIT control. See figure 2.
- Install a capacitor (3.3uF - 10uF) between RIT control and ground. See figure 2.
- Adjust VR-2 on AF-AVR unit (X49-1080-00) for the same frequency as the center position of the RIT control.
Microphone input attenuator for TS-820
Author: Trio-Kenwood Communication, inc.
Service bulletin no. 14 (16-2-1977)
When using a high output microphone (i.e. Shure 444), it is very likely that there will be distortion of the transmitted audio if the processor is used. The reason the distortion occurs is because the processor is between the first microphone amplifier and the microphone gain control. The installation of one of the attenuators shown below will reduce the microphone input to a level that will not cause RF speech processor distortion. The attenuator figures are approximate.
General Alignment Procedure for the TS-820(s)
Author: Trio-Kenwood Communication, inc.
Service bulletin no. 30 (14-3-1978)
The purpose of this bulletin is to give a simplified alignment procedure for the TS-820 and TS-820S transceivers. We have tried to combine some of the step and rearranged the sequence of step so the alignment may be done quicker. This may be used in lieu of the alignment procedure in the Service Manual.
- Adjustment, A.V.R. unit (X49-1080-00)
- Adjust VR1 for 3.3V
- Adjust VR4 for 9V.
- Adjustment, V.C.O unit (X50-1330-00)
- PLace ST to TONE and connect a frequency counter tp TP5.
- Adjust T1-T11 for proper frequency. (See table)
Note from www.mods.dk: I'm not sure about the data in the table are correct, because the drawing i read from was very bad. Have you a better drawing, or can you verify that the frequency are correct then please mail to me.
Band | Coil | Frequency |
WWV | T1 | 24.08 MHz |
1.5 | T2 | 10.88 MHz |
3.5 | T3 | 12.88 MHz |
7 | T4 | 16.08 MHz |
14 | T5 | 23.08 MHz |
21 | T6 | 30.08 MHz |
28 | T7 | 37.08 MHz |
28.5 | T8 | 37.58 MHz |
29 | T9 | 28.08 MHz |
29.5 | T10 | 28.58 MHz |
AUX | T11 | Received signal + 0.03 MHz |
- Adjustment of coil pack (X44-1140-00)
- Turn screen grid (S.G.) switch (rear panel) OFF, heater switch ON.
- Center DRIVER control.
- Peak coil pack all bands for max. reading on panel meter in TX and RX (except WWV in TX).
Adjustment sequency | Band | VFO meate |
1 | 1.8 | 100 |
2 | 3.5 | 250 |
3 | 7 | 150 |
4 | 14 | 175 |
5 | WWV | 0 : 15.0 MHz |
6 | 21 | 225 |
7 | 28.5 | 500 |
- Carrier point (X50-1310-00)
- Peak TX power in CW mode. Then switch to LSB and modulate with Audio Gen. (A.G.) @ 5 mv 1500Hz while reducing mic. gain to 500 Watts outputs.
- In the CW mode connect a frequency counter to TP5 on the IF unit (X48-1150-00) and adjust TC1 on the CAR-2 Unit (X50-1320-00) for 8.830.7 MHz.
- Adjust VR1 o the CAR-1 Unit (X50-1310-00) for equal output freq. on USB and LSB.
- In LSB mode, check the RX and TX frequency at TP5 on the IF Unit. It should not change.
- With mode switch in LSB position Audio Gen. input @ 5mv, vary input frequency from 400Hz to 2600Hz and check for BALANCED output while monitoring on scope LSB to USB and vice versa.
- Speech processor (X48-1150-00)
- Tune TX for maximum output power at 14.175 MHz.
- Set mic. gain in center and S.G. off, comp meter ON.
- Place scope on TP2 and counter on TP3.
- Set A.G. for 10mv @ 1500Hz and modulate unit.
- Turn processor max. "ON" position, and adjust TC4 to 451.9 ± 200 Hz.
Adjust T11, T12, T13 for peak indication on COMP. meter.
- Peak T14 by scope on TP2.
- Turn processor full C.C.W.. and reduce A.G. gain to 1mv @ 400Hz.
- Adjust TC4 for max. level n scope but at proper frequency. (451.9 ± 200Hz) (May adjust slightly off frequency if higher peak can be obtained.)
- Sweep A.G. frequency from 400Hz to 2000Hz and check for balanced output on LSB and USB.
- COMP. full clockwise and @ 1500Hz adjust TC3 and VR6 for min. reading on COMP. meter.
- At 1500Hz @ 10mv adjust VR7 to balance processor in "ON" and "OFF" positions (same level).
- Balance mod. adjustment (X48-1150-00)
- In CW position adjust TX for max. output. Key unit with mode switch in SSB position (no Mod.).
- Adjust VR5 and TC2 for min. output level on scope.
- Check BALANCED output LSB and USB.
- Neutralization
- S.G. switch turned off after TX has been tuned in CW mode at 21.3MHz.
- Adjust neutralization cap in final cage for min. output as seen on scope.
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