[CQ-Contest] TS930s

[Chris Burbanks]

Sorry, I keep forgetting to state the exact fault. I thought it was well known. Many
UK owners have experienced this problem and I am aware some Stateside guys
have as well.

The problem is on the digital board and manifests itself in various ways. The display
sometimes doesn't read correctly or the radio doesn't work at all. They are the ones
I remember. Switching various switches sometimes brings it back to life.

It results from the multi-layer PCB flexing and breaking the through plating, as
mentioned by other contributors.

Some people have soldered the board and got (gotten, for the US guys) it working
again. Kenwood produced a batch of digitral boards about 4 years ago, these were
snapped up quickly. In the UK the fault is well known with ham radio outlets and the
trade-in price of a 930 is low, in fact they just don't want to know.

I am aware of tooling up, low quantity etc charges, but I feel this is a manufacturing
problem and therefore some onus on Kenwood to rectify the problem.


The quantity of 100 I mentioned was pessimistic. (I was not on e-maiil at that time) I am sure
the quantity woukld be greater now. The last batch was about $160 each. About 100 pounds
UK for a fully populated and working board.  I would certainly be happy to pay that.

I bought my 930 new in about 1985. The design was just a year old and the serial number is in
the 4M region.

Chris G3SJJ



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