Kenwood TS-430 Help

[Ernest T. Bass]

I have installed a Kenwood TS430 in a business jet in order to comply with a requirement that I have and HF radio to fly back-and-forth to Bermuda. The guys at NY Aeronautical Radio say they can hear me, but I can't hear them. I heard them for a few minutes the other day, but it was almost unintelligible. I have turned on the pre-amp and have tried troubleshooting the unit with the steps suggested in the User's Manual with no luck.

We did a test flight on the aircraft today and I was unable to get a valid radio check form any other aircraft or from NY ARINC.

I am transmitting and around 8.933 and 8.918.

Does anyone here have any suggestions? Thanks.

[Ham Man]

Try a different frequency and use a antenna that is resonate for the frequency you desire to transmit and receive on.

Antenna tuners aka transmatch - only matches the impedance of the line, it does nothing to compensate for the wrong sized antenna.

In the USA - you would be out of band for amateur radio, because you would be between the 30 and 40 meters band.

My guess is because the propagation would not support communications on the ground for the frequency you desire to transmit on at that time.

When the bands are closed - all the power in the world doesn't do any good.
You either need a bigger antenna or a different band - one closer matched to the antenna you are using.

[K7KBN]

Where are you located?
Do you have an amateur radio license?
What are you using for an antenna?
Is amateur-grade electronics acceptable in the view of your aeronautical licensing authority?
Many other questions...