Kenwood TS450s This was my first transceiver and I enjoyed it very much, the audio was fantastic and it was reasonably easy to use, the filters were quite effective too, the manufacturers power output stated 100w but mine was nearer 140w output!?. It did not take up too much space on the desk and was recently replaced with my larger TS850s.
my old 430s consistantly gets good audio with standard mike and no extra power, wont be giving it up for a while yet!
this is because the 430 is MUCH BETTER than the 140/440 450/690 stuff.
i have a 690 also a 430 and i'm always with my 430...but i cheat, cause i use a behringer C1 condenser mic with a vacuum tube mic preamplifier...
someone ( local and dx ) told me that's the BBC audio quality.
neway isn't the mic that's working good...it's because the 430 modulator is simply marvellous.
You can expect poor sensitivity after many years...but you will resolve easy:
plug a 13.8V DC into your antenna connector by a 28 Ohm - 10W resistor. Press the 1Mhz switch, keep pressing the "UP" band switch , power up your rig and keep it "switching" for one minute.
