TS-50S

Specifications    Prices

Compact 160-10m amateur all-mode transceiver. Maximum output is 100 Watts in SSB, CW and FM with 25 Watts in AM mode. Features: DDS with innovative step logic control, high dynamic range 500 kHz to 30 MHz receiver, IF shift, noise blanker, CW reverse mode, 500Hz narrow filter as option, split-frequency operations, 100 memories, easy-to-use scan functions, multi-function microphone, rig-controlled optional external antenna tuner. Ideated in Japan, year of introduction 1993.

Reference market : amateur-radio

TS-50S specifications

General
Frequency coverage
Receive0.5000 ~ 30.0000 MHz [1]
Transmit1.8000 ~ 2.0000 MHz
3.5000 ~ 4.0000 MHz
7.0000 ~ 7.3000 MHz
10.1000 ~ 10.1500 MHz
14.0000 ~ 14.3500 MHz
18.0680 ~ 18.1680 MHz
21.0000 ~ 21.4500 MHz
24.8900 ~ 24.9900 MHz
28.0000 ~ 29.7000 MHz
Mode
CW / LSB / USB / AM / FM
Tuning step
5 / 50 Hz
10 / 100 Hz / 1 / 5 / 9 / 10 kHz (scan/mic step)
0.5 / 1 MHz (UP/DOWN buttons)
Receiver
Sensitivity
SSB / CW<0.25 uV (0.5~1.5 MHz, 10dB S+N/N)
<0.35 uV (1.5~1.7 MHz, 10dB S+N/N)
<0.25 uV (1.7~30 MHz, 10dB S+N/N)
AM<2.5 uV (0.5~1.5 MHz, 10dB S+N/N)
<3.5 uV (1.5~1.7 MHz, 10dB S+N/N)
<2.5 uV (1.7~30 MHz, 10dB S+N/N)
FM<0.5 uV (28~30 MHz, 12dB SINAD)
Selectivity
CW-N [2]500 Hz (-6dB)
CW / SSB>2.2 kHz (-6dB)
<4.8 kHz (-60dB)
AM>5 kHz (-6dB)
<40 kHz (-60dB)
FM>12 kHz (-6dB)
<25 kHz (-50dB)
RF attenuator
20 dB
Image rejection
>70 dB
IF rejection
>80 dB (1°IF)
IF-shift
Yes
NB (Noise Blanker)
Yes
RIT (Receiver Incremental Tuning)
±1.1 KHz (10 Hz step size)
±2.2 KHz (20 Hz step size)
AGC (Automatic Gain Control)
Slow, Fast
Frequency stability
±10ppm with temperature from -10°C to +50°C
Frequency accuracy
±10ppm with temperature 23°C
IF (Intermediate Frequency)
73.045 MHz
10.695 MHz
455 kHz (FM only)
Squelch sensitivity
CW / SSB / AM<2.0 uV (0.5~30 MHz)
FM<0.32 uV (28~30 MHz)
CW features
Semi / Full break-in
Pitch adjust (400~1000Hz with 50Hz step)
BFO reverse L/USB
Transmitter
Output power
CW / SSB / FM10 / 50 / 100 W
AM5.5 / 17 / 25 W
Spurious emission
<-50 dBc
Carrier suppression (SSB)
>40 dB
Unwanted sideband suppression (SSB)
>40 dB (1.5kHz tone)
Maximum deviation (FM)
±5 kHz
Audio response
400~2600 Hz (-6 dB)
Microphone
600Ω
Features
Memory
99 standard memories
1 for scan limits
Display
100 Hz frequency resolution
30-segments signal meter bar
Selective calling
38-tones CCTSS
1750 Hz tone
Antenna
SO239 50Ω
Power supply
13.8 VDC (±15%)
Power consumption
1.45A RX (stand-by)
20.5A TX (max power)
22.5A TX (max power and ext. ATU)
Audio power
2W on 8Ω
Audio output
Jack 3.5 mm (headphone)
Connections
Jack 3.5 mm (external speaker)
Jack 3.5 mm (CW key)
Jack 8-pin (Mic)
RCA (ALC)
RCA (RELAY / linear amplifier)
Jack (ACC / AT-50 or AT-300 tuner)
Mechanical and environmental data
Operating temperature
from -20°C to +60°C
Dimensions
179 (W) x 60 (H) x 233 (D) mm without projections
180 (W) x 69 (H) x 270 (D) mm with projections
Weight
2.9 kg

  1. Display tune down to 30 kHz.
  2. With YK-107C optional IF filter.
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TS-50S rear panel and connections :

Kenwood TS-50S rear panel and connections
Kenwood TS-50S rear panel and connections

Reference / Description
1ALC. Input for an external ALC signal from a linear amplifier
2RELAY. During transmit, used to key a linear amplifier by providing a switch to ground from a built-in relay
3ANT. Connect to an external antenna or an antenna tuner
4KEY. Connect a key for CW operation, turn the TS-50 power off before inserting a plug
5EXT SP. Connect an optional external speaker
6Power Input DC 13.8V, the TS-50 draws less than 20.5A at maximun transmitter output (22.5A with ATU)
7ACC. Connect the optional antenna tuner AT-50 or AT-300
8Ground

TS-50S price

We have collected for your convenience the Kenwood TS50 sale price (Euro) and its trend over time. Useful to guarantee a cheaper purchase of this radio and to put it for sale in the second-hand market. Of course offers, accessories, warranty terms and conditions can lead to different figures.

Price Date Condition
EUR 395.00 2021-dec Second Hand

Good condition. With power lead, manual and microphone

EUR 355.00
(399USD)
2019-nov Second Hand

This radio has recently been recapped and buttons rejuvenated. Includes the MC-47 hand microphone and DC power cord

EUR 439.00
(489USD)
2015-sep Second Hand

In good condition. Includes the YK-107C CW filter, MC-47 microphone, DC power cord, carry handle, original owner's manual. Boxed

TS-50S review

N2MDV10 December 2023

After having the 6M TS-60 for a number of years, and loving that rig, I didn't really need the TS-50, but wanted it to compliment the TS-60, and to have a good back-up rig. AES had one more AT-50 complimenting auto tuner for this rig, so I bought that out. The only thing that was wrong with the rig when I'd gotten it was a dead Li Memory battery. That was easy enough to replace. Also, I've opened up the rig for 60M operation, which it does well. However, the AT-50 auto tuner will not do 60M. (The auto tuner in my TS-2000X doesn't either). So, I use a manual tuner for that band. I agree that the NB (Noise Blanker), isn't that effective. I never really did understand what that AIP feature was for on RX, but I used it like it was a 10dB attenuator. RX itself is pretty good.

It's got better ears than the TS-2000 and my Icom IC-7000, and way better than the Yaesu FT-857D. AM TX on this rig is quite good, and I've received compliments on it. And that's on the stock mic. What's strange it you have to drop Mic Gain to Low for that. (Same with the TS-60). Only gripes? TX power levels are 10W, 50W, and 100W, non-continuous. Not very effective NB. And not really great for portability since this rig draws over 1A on RX. However, this rig will work in -10deg below Zero F. One big plus is all FM features are included for 10M FM repeater work, splits and CTCSS. Not many HF rigs in the early 1990's had this. 100 Memory channels is nice as well. It's a keeper.

[End post]


Peter VK1XP25 February 2023

Be aware, the TS-50S is now getting 25 - 30 years old.

TS-50's suffer from poor soldering of their DDS circuit boards which causes intermittent Tx/Rx operation, reflow the solder on the DDS boards generally fixes this issue. TS-50s also suffer from leaky electrolytic capacitors, these capacitors were manufactured in the late 1980s with a stolen electrolyte formula (you can Google this to read the full story), the formula was incomplete resulting in an acidic electrolyte which eventually eats through the can of the capacitors, leaks on to the PCBs and destroys the PCB tracks. Kenwood were not the only electronics company to be caught up in this leaky capacitor problem around this time.

Keep in mind that the TS-50S uses surface mount electronics so repairs need some skill and a steady hand. You will also need the PCB card extension kit if you are doing in-depth repairs on this radio and those kits are now hard to find. My TS-50s needed the solder reflow on the DDS boards, it then provided a number of years of good service in my car, eventually the capacitor issue killed the radio.

[End post]


Your opinion on merits, defects, experiences, with this radio set is welcome. Write your review, after a technical evaluation by our staff if found suitable will be published on this page. We thank you for your precious contribution.

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