newbie needs help

[Wekstaz]

I was just given my grandfathers old Kenwood SSB transceiver model TS-820S. I think it is from the early 1980's. My first task is to attach an antenna. I have an old tv antenna on the roof. Will this work? Also I have never seen the type of antenna cable connector. The book says it is an SO-239 coax connector. what do I need to do to connect this transceiver to my antenna? Where do I buy a coax connection that fits and what exactly am I looking for?

[John_D]

I have an old tv antenna on the roof. Will this work
NO NO NO NO NO... a thousand times NO!
The 820 might receive some signals but never never never try to transmit using anything other than a "matched" antenna.
First of all where are you located as this will influence the answer as to what connection you want. e.g. USA is different from UK etc.
For Heavens sake DO NOT TRY TO TRANSMIT!
Finally, is there a HAM RADIO club near you?

[m0bov]

U can't transmit anyway as your unlicensed, what are you hoping to achieve by hooking it up? If you just want to listen, then pop to your local Maplins or Radio Shack and purchase a banana plug and some speaker wire. Chuck the wire out of the window and fix the other end to the 'nan plug and pop that into the socket of the antenna connector on the back of the radio. Have a play and let us know how you get on. :)

[5B4AJB]

Try connecting the outer of the TV coax, to the inner of the SO239 with a bit of wire, you'll be able to hear signals, but don't try to transmit or you'll cause expensive damage to the transmitter part of the radio.

Be sure not to click any 'tune' button as well, because this transmits (albeit very small) signal.

Try listening around 14.250 USB in the daytime, or 3.750 LSB at night.

Try and write down the callsigns you receive, as you hear them, then work out how far away they are!

A good callsign list can be found at:-
http://www.hamradioforum.net/threads/2105-The-best-prefix-list.?highlight=call+list

See if you can find a bandplan for your reigon too, this will show the extents of the frequencies you should be listening on for amateur traffic.

Enjoy!

[Wekstaz]

Thanks and don' t worry. I don't plan on transmitting. I just want to explore whether or not I want to invest in this hobby. Since I know absolutely nothing, I thought I would try listening a while to see what ham radio was all about. Can anyone tell me what quality transceiver I have?

I live in rural Northern MN.

[John_D]

Hi and welcome to the hobby. As far as the radio is concerned, although it is one of the older "hybrid" varieties, e.g. part transistor with tube finals it is certainly very good. The best i can do is refer you to this site where owners have their own views. I would certainly want to own one! :-) Any further help, just ask.
http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/154
Regards
Jon (G4FUT)

[5B4AJB]

I prefer Kenwood personally.
A vaccuum tube set isn't as easy to operate as a solid-state one, but if you don't mind retuning plate/load every time you change frequency it will probably give you a "nicer" sound.

Check http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/154 for reviews.

I think 2E0NSD (Peter) has one and it works quite nicely on a random length dipole & homebrew ATU.