The Radio Information Board

Hello, all...

I have a TK-630H that I have been using on 6m with pretty good success. As long as I'm within range of a repeater, it's not bad. However, the sensitivity isn't that great. The problem is, I have no way to inject a signal into the radio for preselector alignment.

Another issue is the TX output power has dropped to 85w in the 50-54 MHz band. Is there any kind of mod I can do to get my TX power back to 110w, or better?

Which bandsplit radio are you using?

The below info is posted here on the board. I pasted it here for your convenience.

by radioman1890 » Sun Mar 28, 2004 10:46 am

Hi,

The Tk-630H only comes in one power split. THey are all 110watts. It is divided into three splits 29.7-37 35-43 41-50. This radio has many options. You can use a standard KCH-3 which is the control head and it has built in speaker. You can use a KCH-4 which allows alphanumeric display but you are required to have an external speaker. This radio was also made so that you can very simply convert it to a remote mount. A regular KCH-3 can hold and scan up to 32 channels and a KCH-4 can hold and scan up to 32 channels. You can upgrade the KCH-3 to 99channels and the KCH-4 to 160 channels with a semi simple mod for people with experience in soldering and removing boards. These radios are very durable and they are rated at 110w but if you play around with the power board you can get anywhere from 150-200 or more. I have found that the Kenwood Tk-630H-1 have the most power. -2 are next and -3 is last. These radios are very flexible and have many configurations you can use them with. If you want to program a -3 in the ham band its very simple. You jus remove the bottom cover and put your voltmeter on TP 302 and assuming you are holding the radio with the front part facing you, adjust the first contol to your left inside the metal box. Then with the radio keyed adjust the other one. Try to adjust it at leats to 2.75 but it will work anywhere between 1.5-5VDC. To adjust the reciever ,again assuming you have the radio facing you put a 1khzsignal using your service monitor or a signal generator and turn the mon button on and adjust the four coils in your upper right hand corner. These are L301-305once you get a good signal, turn off the 1 khz signal. Now take off the metal cover that covers you power board. Play around with VR2 with the radio keyed. Put VR1 at maximum. (These directinons are to get the most power) Now you got your self a nice little ham radio.


The Tk-730 is divided into two radios. Tk-730 and Tk-730H The tk-730 is rated at 45w. The 730H is rated at 110W. The tk-730 is divided into two ranges -1 and -2. The -1 is 150-174 and -2 136-156. These radios can also be made remote mount dual mount dual control head so many options. You can take a day playing around with these radios.

The TK-830 like the 730 has teh TK-830 and 830H. This one is broken into four ranges. -1 403-433 -2 450-470 -3 470-490 -4 490-512 Again this raido has many cool features.


I hope this info helps. I have many years of experience with these radios and i deal with them on a day to day bases especialy the Tk-630's. I know every trick to em. If you have any more question i would be glad to help.
radioman1890 Posts: 11

I have the -3 model, 41-50 MHz. I made sure of that before I bought it. I have VR1, and VR2 cranked to max. As for the 1khz signal, that's going to be tricky for me.

On the getting 150-200 watts output ,why waste the radio? it has an output circuit that has inductors in it and at 6 meters if you dont spread those coils OR remove a turn or so from each coil they will get very hot??? do you want that? I have several 630H radios on 6M and have doe this so if you want your radio to last , how about spreading your coils in this circuit for max out with minimum current draw and run less that 110 watts and have a radio that last a loooong time and wont get as hot. Just my opinion. Davie n-3-c-h-u-at atlanticbb dot net

I would be happy just to have the rated 110w output. That's fine with me. I just obviously need to invest in some equipment!!

Okay. I think I know which coils to spread. However, if anyone has a copy of the service manual in .pdf, that would be sweet!

.....Or not.

just a note..I have several tk-630h on the low split [29-37]..trade for high split or vhf~uhf
if anyone is working on a 10 meter conversion ..these are good working radios..mwq

Well, never mind the TX output... Apparently the meter I used was crap.... I put it on a Bird meter, and the thing is TX'ing with 120w out.... Still haven't aligned the front end.... That is soon to follow.

Sent the radio to a buddy of mine who has the bench, and equipment to alighn the front end. If I remember correctly, he got it down to .5 microvolts. Reception is WAY better than before.

What modifications to the programming software do you need to do to put a 630 on 6 m?? I know someone looking .. I have a TK 690 H that I thought about running on 6 m but I have plenty of Midlands XTR/STIIs already.. So if anybody's interested let me know. My call sign at att.net

Chris WB5ITT

Better 2 months late than never. Select SPTUNE in the software. That will allow out of band. I have a hi split TK-630 on 6 meters and it worked great.

Better 2 months late than never. Select SPTUNE in the software. That will allow out of band. I have a hi split TK-630 on 6 meters and it worked great.