I'm on my 2nd TS50. My first TS50, I did not know what to do when the memory kept getting lost. Now on my 2nd TS50, in nearly like-new condition without the infamous "leaky capacitor issue" I had fixed the lost memory issue with simple button battery swap. Now on my second TLC work on my TS50 by adding a BHI NEDSP1901 to clean up all the noise on phone receive. This radio is truly an underrated radio that grows on you.
Such a nice radio and tuner set...i like this old TS50 vy much. The all need love, especially the electrolytics, a good known (Kenwood) problem of this era. They will eat up the traces easy, they all have to go. If done in time, a slight alignment, and this radio can last another 30 years. Great mobile and holiday rig, easy to use. I love the dust inside ;-) You did a nice and patient job here, Peter. Thank you for sharing! 73 de Olaf
Hello Peter..... Your video comes at a good time as I'm laying here recovering from arm surgery drinking a cup of coffee and learning some thing new from you. 73
Great stuff as usual Peter, so glad you decided to come back and keep making video content. I must have watched all of your videos at least twice since Covid began 👍.
Arrrrr My dose of TRX lab ...... it's like my morning coffee....got to have it. Another interesting video Peter. I have owned 4 of these TS50 radios over the years 3 of which I brought new all at the same time one for the car one in the house and one in my camper van...... never had a single issue with any of them...... then the 4th one leaky caps and a few other small problems that were easily fixed. Keep up the great videos...... hands down my favorite youtube channel .... Thank you so much for all the effort you put into your videos...... 73
Greetings from New Zealand, thanks for a Very Informative and Super Interesting vidclip .... Best to You and Yours.... Cheers from ChCh, NZ ..... Keith
you can find the switches in old car radios and such to repurpose them The acid is almost planned to destroy and I seem it working on the regulator and nearby resistors too. Brake clean may remove it all. God Bless from Canada
What is it about TRX LAB videos that hooks me, winds me in and mesmerises me into watching it all even though I only have a vague idea of what’s going on?👍☘️
I was expecting you would say "Hi and welcome back to THE SLINGSHOT CHANNEL!" in the beginning. Voice is pretty similar to Jorg’s) Good video as always!
At digikey in category: "switches - > tact switches" go to filter, set mounting type to "through hole" and outline to "6mm x 3.5mm". Tadaa, lots of nearly identical choices.
Good video on a nice radio, have had a couple of these to repair now, one of them had a failed driver transistor in the PA, 2SC3133 I think, which had got so hot the through hole electrolytics had desoldered and were rolling around in the case. The owner wouldn't pay for me to recap it, just wanted it working :(
When intermittent momentary contact switches on one instrument I work on, the instrument used 10K pull-up resistors. Changing the pull-up resistors to 100K immensely improved switch operation.
I have a TS-50 and it too suffered from leaky capacitors. I was lucky to be able to catch almost all of them before they did any major damage. I went fault finding after noticing the radio was doing "strange things", like the AGC taking a long time to return to normal after transmit. When I found the first capacitor with the tell-tale signs of leakage, I replaced all of them. I also had an issue with the power control circuit that needed some SMD transistors replaced. I use my TS-50 in my workshop as a general purpose test rig. My only gripe with the design is no indication of ALC on the display which makes using it with digital modes a little tricky.
Hi Peter, great video, as per usual. Tell me that my ears didn't deceive me: did you at one stage when talking about the leaking electrolytic cap that you called it a "bastard'? I nearly choked from laughing when I heard that, but I guess you still really don't like those SMD electrolytic caps very much! So funny! Take care and 73 Brian EI8EJB :)
If any tech has ever repaired electrolytic cap leakage damage on any circuit board & spent hours repairing damaged traces which were eaten up, I can't think of a more apt description
Excellent information re: the TS 50S. I have one of these radios and thinking about using it for the digital FT8. Any suggestions regarding an interface Peter?
Hallo Peter, Druckknöpfe sind in allen Formen und Größen auf dem Ali erhältlich, ja ist nicht wirklich bevorzugt, aber in Ermangelung von Originalen ist es eine Lösung
Have you looked on Farnell at the WURTH ELEKTRONIK selection they have one that is really surface ut looks like it woud not be difficult to add 2 bits of wire to make them thru hole .
I wonder if you are confident using the R&S CMT with close to 100W power. If your version is not different than my two units (CMT 84 and CMT 94), they say 50W MAX on the front panel.... I know they have temperature protection but wonder if it is a good idea to risk the input load that way. Just curious about ypur thoughts on this. Regarding TS-50S, it is a rig which is showing its age, as the TS-850S did some years ago. I have got 5 or so units in just some weeks, all with leaking capacitors. So far, all have been fixed, but the damage to the vias on the PCB is sometimes hard to spot and fix.
Hi Peter. Someone was kind enough to GIVE me a Kenwood TS-50. There are some problems with leaking Capacitors. A lot of them. I was wondering how your opinion about replacing them with Tantalum capacitors with a slightly higher voltage rating of course.
Those bad pushbuttons...do you have an ultrasonic cleaner? You could dunk that half of the PCB into an ultrasonic bath and maybe get rid of whatever buildup is on their contacts.
Always enjoy your videos. I wonder what the SWR of the owner's antenna was. Also how would you attempt to fix that cracked coupler? I think I would try a very carefully applied drop of super glue.
Cyanoacrylate glues often don't work on that sort of plastic :( Possibly a case for 3D printing - if a suitable plastic filament with good RF properties can be sourced?
Peter how do you fix the plastic couplings on the tuner motor shafts. I have two in my Kenwood TS-180S that are also cracked. I tightened the allen screws a little. How would you fix those since they are not available? Nice video. Thanks.
I was wondering about that too. I was thinking you could use small radiator clamps on them, if if that wouldn't fit, wrap strong wire around them several turns. That would hopefully take the pressure off of the nylon.
@@TRXLab Peter a question.... does the shaft have to be insulated for the drive control? Does the coupler have to be plastic or can it be aluminum? One of the couplers in the radio is metal. Just wondering for the drive control.
The small switch are all bad no good insolation from the elements.Had the same problem with vcr's the all go bad. Have to find a new bach of production then maybe they. Will Las a while.
All kenwood TS 50 s Have to need leaking capacitor problem???🤔. İ have a TS 50..only problem i lived is memory battery finished..neither leaking capacitor nor other problem... What are doing those amateurs with this radio? Cooking omlet on it or sleeping together at nights???🙄
Peter. For the Moment in Time is BAD English. Avoid using this phrase. The phrase is REDUNDANT. At The Moment, or Now, or at some time, is correct English. You find that people that have not learned English well at school pick up this bad phrase from others (flat earth type of people) and you cannot get them to see that this phrase is not clever, because they are thick, dumb and utterly stupid. I hope you can learn not to use THAT HORRID phrase again. Kind regard.
I'm on my 2nd TS50. My first TS50, I did not know what to do when the memory kept getting lost. Now on my 2nd TS50, in nearly like-new condition without the infamous "leaky capacitor issue" I had fixed the lost memory issue with simple button battery swap. Now on my second TLC work on my TS50 by adding a BHI NEDSP1901 to clean up all the noise on phone receive. This radio is truly an underrated radio that grows on you.
They are "old and need love" without s... good video! Like!!
haha ja schönes radio
cup of tea, puppy on lap & TRX video = perfect Sunday morning
appreciated
Hello Peter Good job!!
Such a nice radio and tuner set...i like this old TS50 vy much. The all need love, especially the electrolytics, a good known (Kenwood) problem of this era. They will eat up the traces easy, they all have to go. If done in time, a slight alignment, and this radio can last another 30 years. Great mobile and holiday rig, easy to use. I love the dust inside ;-) You did a nice and patient job here, Peter. Thank you for sharing! 73 de Olaf
Thank you Olaf, yes it is a very nice set up and the TS 50 is after some maintenance still a nice radio. Stay healthy 73
Hello Peter..... Your video comes at a good time as I'm laying here recovering from arm surgery drinking a cup of coffee and learning some thing new from you. 73
Wish you quick and sustainable recovery from the surgery
Another great video and we always learn from your channel. Thank you for sharing your great talent.
Educational and relaxing at the same time. Thanks Pete!
glad that you liked it.
Great stuff as usual Peter, so glad you decided to come back and keep making video content. I must have watched all of your videos at least twice since Covid began 👍.
Thank you
Arrrrr My dose of TRX lab ...... it's like my morning coffee....got to have it. Another interesting video Peter. I have owned 4 of these TS50 radios over the years 3 of which I brought new all at the same time one for the car one in the house and one in my camper van...... never had a single issue with any of them...... then the 4th one leaky caps and a few other small problems that were easily fixed. Keep up the great videos...... hands down my favorite youtube channel .... Thank you so much for all the effort you put into your videos...... 73
Thank you always glad that you liked it!
Once again great job Peter.
Thanks Joe!
Greetings from New Zealand, thanks for a Very Informative and Super Interesting vidclip .... Best to You and Yours.... Cheers from ChCh, NZ ..... Keith
Thank you Peter, another excellent video
you can find the switches in old car radios and such to repurpose them The acid is almost planned to destroy and I seem it working on the regulator and nearby resistors too. Brake clean may remove it all.
God Bless from Canada
Good to see you as always Peter. 73 from Ireland de EI7KO
Hi George, good to see you!
Great fun. Thanks for another very interesting video. I really enjoyed it. Much appreciated.
Great video, thank you. It makes me miss being on the bench. Nice radio!
What is it about TRX LAB videos that hooks me, winds me in and mesmerises me into watching it all even though I only have a vague idea of what’s going on?👍☘️
tell us lol
Got my combo and have used it for 20 years… still working fb
Good video. Do a bit of repair myself. Kenwood are really good to act funny when the battery is low.
Another great problem analysis and solving video Peter. Thank you for sharing your expertise with us once again :) Keep up the fantastic work.
Thank you
best repairer ... concentrated specialist knowledge with great manual skills ... best lab for radios I know... 73s de DL6RDE / AA1KD, Charlie
let's hope that it always turn out that way
I was expecting you would say "Hi and welcome back to THE SLINGSHOT CHANNEL!" in the beginning. Voice is pretty similar to Jorg’s)
Good video as always!
oh really never heard about Jorg
At digikey in category: "switches - > tact switches" go to filter, set mounting type to "through hole" and outline to "6mm x 3.5mm". Tadaa, lots of nearly identical choices.
Good video on a nice radio, have had a couple of these to repair now, one of them had a failed driver transistor in the PA, 2SC3133 I think, which had got so hot the through hole electrolytics had desoldered and were rolling around in the case. The owner wouldn't pay for me to recap it, just wanted it working :(
yes a very valid point we can only do what the work order include...
When intermittent momentary contact switches on one instrument I work on, the instrument used 10K pull-up resistors. Changing the pull-up resistors to 100K immensely improved switch operation.
I have a TS-50 and it too suffered from leaky capacitors. I was lucky to be able to catch almost all of them before they did any major damage. I went fault finding after noticing the radio was doing "strange things", like the AGC taking a long time to return to normal after transmit. When I found the first capacitor with the tell-tale signs of leakage, I replaced all of them.
I also had an issue with the power control circuit that needed some SMD transistors replaced.
I use my TS-50 in my workshop as a general purpose test rig. My only gripe with the design is no indication of ALC on the display which makes using it with digital modes a little tricky.
yes you are right Michael...
Hallo ich habe mir ein TS50S günstig gekauft ich hoffe er funktioniert wie er soll das Gerät kommt Mitte nächster Woche. Gutes Video sehr Interessant👍
Viel Spaß damit!
Hi Peter, great video, as per usual. Tell me that my ears didn't deceive me: did you at one stage when talking about the leaking electrolytic cap that you called it a "bastard'? I nearly choked from laughing when I heard that, but I guess you still really don't like those SMD electrolytic caps very much! So funny! Take care and 73 Brian EI8EJB :)
Hahaha, same. I'm pretty sure that's what he said.
lol yeah that is what I said ;-)
If any tech has ever repaired electrolytic cap leakage damage on any circuit board & spent hours repairing damaged traces which were eaten up, I can't think of a more apt description
Excellent information re: the TS 50S. I have one of these radios and thinking about using it for the digital FT8. Any suggestions regarding an interface Peter?
Hallo Peter,
Druckknöpfe sind in allen Formen und Größen auf dem Ali erhältlich, ja ist nicht wirklich bevorzugt, aber in Ermangelung von Originalen ist es eine Lösung
Good video.. What sort of black magic happens at 40:30 to adjust the crystal back to within 1hz of 20Mhz?
I was wondering the same thing.
That's always a snapshot when it comes to standard crystals which are not controlled in any way.
@@TRXLab Did you replace the crystals then?
I'm sure somebody would be able to 3D print those shaft couplings.
The cracked coupler can be recreated on our lathe
We break it - Peter will fix it !
LOL yeah looks like! ;-)
Have you looked on Farnell at the
WURTH ELEKTRONIK selection they have one that is really surface ut looks like it woud not be difficult to add 2 bits of wire to make them thru hole .
do you have a link?
I wonder if you are confident using the R&S CMT with close to 100W power. If your version is not different than my two units (CMT 84 and CMT 94), they say 50W MAX on the front panel.... I know they have temperature protection but wonder if it is a good idea to risk the input load that way. Just curious about ypur thoughts on this.
Regarding TS-50S, it is a rig which is showing its age, as the TS-850S did some years ago. I have got 5 or so units in just some weeks, all with leaking capacitors. So far, all have been fixed, but the damage to the vias on the PCB is sometimes hard to spot and fix.
I would not do it without a power attenuator in front of the input
Hi Peter. Someone was kind enough to GIVE me a Kenwood TS-50. There are some problems with leaking Capacitors. A lot of them. I was wondering how your opinion about replacing them with Tantalum capacitors with a slightly higher voltage rating of course.
No Problem as Long you use modern tantalum Caps.
Those bad pushbuttons...do you have an ultrasonic cleaner? You could dunk that half of the PCB into an ultrasonic bath and maybe get rid of whatever buildup is on their contacts.
Always enjoy your videos. I wonder what the SWR of the owner's antenna was. Also how would you attempt to fix that cracked coupler? I think I would try a very carefully applied drop of super glue.
Cyanoacrylate glues often don't work on that sort of plastic :(
Possibly a case for 3D printing - if a suitable plastic filament with good RF properties can be sourced?
Yeah I'm as well waiting for the SWR...The cracked coupler can be recreated on the lathe
Peter how do you fix the plastic couplings on the tuner motor shafts. I have two in my Kenwood TS-180S that are also cracked. I tightened the allen screws a little. How would you fix those since they are not available? Nice video. Thanks.
I was wondering about that too. I was thinking you could use small radiator clamps on them, if if that wouldn't fit, wrap strong wire around them several turns. That would hopefully take the pressure off of the nylon.
If needed we can do it on our lathe
@@TRXLab Peter a question.... does the shaft have to be insulated for the drive control? Does the coupler have to be plastic or can it be aluminum? One of the couplers in the radio is metal. Just wondering for the drive control.
The small switch are all bad no good insolation from the elements.Had the same problem with vcr's the all go bad.
Have to find a new bach of production then maybe they. Will Las a while.
It's been a little while, Peter.
well time is short
In the 90’s those style were the Cats Pyjamas 😂
what does that mean`?
@@TRXLab .......”The dogs bollocks!!”
“The cats meow”......all mean fantastic.... great ....
I have one TS50 Very good best 73 de su3mb
All kenwood TS 50 s Have to need leaking capacitor problem???🤔. İ have a TS 50..only problem i lived is memory battery finished..neither leaking capacitor nor other problem... What are doing those amateurs with this radio? Cooking omlet on it or sleeping together at nights???🙄
Maybe your radio is a later batch.
Peter. For the Moment in Time is BAD English. Avoid using this phrase. The phrase is REDUNDANT.
At The Moment, or Now, or at some time, is correct English. You find that people that have not learned English well at school pick up this bad phrase from others (flat earth type of people) and you cannot get them to see that this phrase is not clever, because they are thick, dumb and utterly stupid. I hope you can learn not to use THAT HORRID phrase again. Kind regard.
got it
Good job my friend Peter, 73s de IW0HEX Pasquale
Thanks Pasquale