Launch year

Radios launched 1980 to 1999

The years when transistors took over. Kenwood's TS-830S from 1980 still used 6146B tubes in its final, while the TS-130S of the same year was solid state on 13.8 volts. The TS-940S from 1985 has an AC supply inside, and Heathkit's HW-9 kit arrived in 1984, near the end of its kit business. Ask for output into a dummy load on every band, and check dials, lamps and any optional filters.

4 models we cover.