Note
QST, Mar 1981, p. 6.
QST, Jan 1982, p, 6.
QST, Mar 1982, p. 194. (TS-130SE)
The TS-130 series is a compact, all-solid-state HF transceiver designed for SSB and CW operation across the 3.5 to 29.7 MHz bands. It is engineered for high performance in mobile, field, and fixed-station environments, featuring a single-conversion system with PLL circuitry for excellent spurious and intermodulation characteristics.
The transceiver was available in a 200 watt PEP model as the TS-130S, or in a 25 watt PEP model as the TS-130V. The two models are identical, except that the low power version does not have a cooling fan.
The TS-130SE is the same as the "S" version, but is supplied without a fan. The consequence of this is not stated precisely on the manual, which says only that when the fan is installed the transceiver can be used "continuously for long hours." The SE also provided only crystal position, as opposed to the four positions on the S and V.
The most obvious change with the SE may have been in the tuning knob assembly. The heavy brass insert was removed, replacing it with a much lighter, all-plastic core. Users often complain that the SE dial feels "cheap" or "feather-light" compared to the original S model because it lacks that satisfying mechanical inertia.
The TS-130S was one of the first "transition" radios produced during the adoption of the 10, 18, and 24 MHz bands (the WARC-79 bands). Because these bands weren't fully authorized for amateur use in every country when the radio was first released, Kenwood shipped the units with the bands disabled for transmission. Owners had to perform a simple modification—snipping a specific wire—to enable transmit capabilities once the bands became legal. And for its time, the IF Shift (Passband Tuning) was a high-end feature.
The 130 gained a reputation for being bulletproof in mobile installations because it lacked the delicate mechanical tuning slugs found in older hybrid rigs, and its solid-state wideband design meant you didn't have to retune while driving.
Features
– PLL-Based Single-Conversion System: Utilizes a unique Phase Locked Loop circuit, FET balanced mixers, and MOS FETs to ensure high-quality signal characteristics.
– Digital Display: Provides operating frequency readings to 100 Hz accuracy for any band or mode.
– IF Shift Circuit (Passband Tuning): Allows for shifting the IF passband to eliminate adjacent channel interference and adjust tone quality.
– Solid-State Wide-Band Final Stage: Eliminates the need for manual peaking controls during transmission.
– Speech Processor: Increases "talk power" during SSB transmissions.
– Receiver Incremental Tuning (RIT): Permits shifting the receive frequency by approximately ±1.5 kHz without affecting the transmit frequency.
– Noise Blanker: Features a balanced-gate noise blanker specifically designed to reduce pulsating ignition noise.
– VOX and Semi-Break-In: Built-in VOX for voice-operated SSB and semi-break-in CW operation with a side-tone circuit.
– Fixed Channel Capability: Supports up to four fixed-frequency channels (one each for the 7, 14, 21, and 28 MHz bands) via user-provided crystals.
– RF Attenuator: Includes a 20 dB attenuator to protect the RF amplifier and mixer from overload by strong signals.
– Cooling System: Features a built-in cooling fan that activates automatically when the heat-sink temperature rises.
Specifications
– Frequency coverage:
80m (3.5–4.0 MHz)
40m (7.0–7.3 MHz)
30m (10.1–10.15 MHz)
20m (14.0–14.35 MHz)
17m (18.068–18.168 MHz)
15m (21.0–21.45 MHz)
12m (24.89–24.99 MHz)
10m (28.0–29.7 MHz)
– Modes: SSB and CW.
– Final Power Input
80–15m: 200W PEP, 160W DC
10m: 160W PEP, 140W DC
– Frequency Stability: Within 100 Hz per 30 mins after warmup; within ±1 kHz during the first hour after 1 min warmup.
– Carrier Suppression: Better than 40 dB.
– Sideband Suppression: Better than 50 dB.
– Spurious Radiation: Better than 40 dB.
– Receiver Sensitivity: 0.25 μV at 10 dB S+N/N.
– Selectivity (Wide): 2.4 kHz (-6 dB), 4.2 kHz (-60 dB).
– Audio Output: 1.5W into 4–16 Ω.
Power Requirements: 13.8V DC; Receive: 0.7A; Transmit: 18A.
Accessories
PS-30 – Regulated power supply
DFC-230 – Digital frequency controller
VFO-120 – External VFO
SP-120 – External speaker
MB-100 – Mobile mount
FA-4 – Fan unit (for TS-130SE)
YK-88C – CW filter
YK-88CN – CW narrow filter
YK-88SN – SSB narrow filter
References
Review. QST, Jul 1981, p. 40.
