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Kenwood TS-430 11 meter mod?

Lkaskel

Well-Known Member
Aug 4, 2017
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Hi Gang,
I have a TS-430 on the bench in need of the 11 meter mod. The only doc I could find for it was in Secret CB volume 18 and it was sketchy!!!! Does anyone know the proper way to mod this radio for 11 meters?

Thanks as always!!!
 

Here’s what I found. Typically you’re looking for the Mars modification and not an 11 meter mod. Found on the Copper forum and radio mods.



Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero

Post Number: 4293
Registered: 7-2004

81254.gif

Posted on Saturday, June 21, 2008 - 1:17 pm:
Transmit enable for mars/cap frq for the TS-430S

For MARS and CAP transmit capability, a minor change is required:


1.Unplug the DC power cable.
2.Remove the top and bottom covers of the set.
3.Locate the RF unit connector 10. Diode D39 is near the connector (labeled D39 on the circuit board). Take a small pair of diagonal cutters and clip the lead at the top of the bend.
4.Locate IC-2 on the Control Unit, under the IF unit. Resistor R148 is near IC-2, clip the resistor lead.
5.This completes the modification. Reassemble the unit, being careful not to pinch any leads.

or:

General coverage in transmission for the Kenwood TS-430S
Print

1.On the the bottom board of the transceicer find the RF-UNIT (X44-1510-11).


2.Near the two plugs numbered 9 and 10 , you will see two diodes called D39 and D40.


3.Simply cut the two diodes D39 and D40 on the RF-UNIT.



you're on your own as to which mod you need, but if you're careful, it can be undone. best bet is to go to www.mods.dk & go to kenwood the ts430 & look at the mods there
 
Here’s what I found. Typically you’re looking for the Mars modification and not an 11 meter mod. Found on the Copper forum and radio mods.



Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero

Post Number: 4293
Registered: 7-2004

81254.gif

Posted on Saturday, June 21, 2008 - 1:17 pm:
Transmit enable for mars/cap frq for the TS-430S

For MARS and CAP transmit capability, a minor change is required:


1.Unplug the DC power cable.
2.Remove the top and bottom covers of the set.
3.Locate the RF unit connector 10. Diode D39 is near the connector (labeled D39 on the circuit board). Take a small pair of diagonal cutters and clip the lead at the top of the bend.
4.Locate IC-2 on the Control Unit, under the IF unit. Resistor R148 is near IC-2, clip the resistor lead.
5.This completes the modification. Reassemble the unit, being careful not to pinch any leads.

or:

General coverage in transmission for the Kenwood TS-430S
Print

1.On the the bottom board of the transceicer find the RF-UNIT (X44-1510-11).


2.Near the two plugs numbered 9 and 10 , you will see two diodes called D39 and D40.


3.Simply cut the two diodes D39 and D40 on the RF-UNIT.



you're on your own as to which mod you need, but if you're careful, it can be undone. best bet is to go to www.mods.dk & go to kenwood the ts430 & look at the mods there
Thanks!! I already read through that one. The MARS mod is something different. It opens up transmit on some specific military channels. I did find the mod shortly after posting this on here http://g3ynh.info/commercial/TS430.html . It was as simple as unplugging a connector. User will be happy.

Thanks again!
 
Thanks!! I already read through that one. The MARS mod is something different. It opens up transmit on some specific military channels. I did find the mod shortly after posting this on here http://g3ynh.info/commercial/TS430.html . It was as simple as unplugging a connector. User will be happy.

Thanks again!

MARS mod opens everything including 11 meters.There is no such thing as the 11 meter mod.

SIX-SHOOTER
 
Thanks!! I already read through that one. The MARS mod is something different. It opens up transmit on some specific military channels. I did find the mod shortly after posting this on here http://g3ynh.info/commercial/TS430.html . It was as simple as unplugging a connector. User will be happy.

Thanks again!
DO NOT UNPLUG THAT CONNECTOR. While removing that connector does break the TX inhibit line, it also bypasses the radios ability to protect the finals from burning out. Only one of the wires in this connector are the TX inhibit line. I believe it's labeled "TXI" on the schematic. The others are related to the ALC and protection. I've seen more than one TS-430S come into the shop with blown finals and that connector unplugged.
 
DO NOT UNPLUG THAT CONNECTOR. While removing that connector does break the TX inhibit line, it also bypasses the radios ability to protect the finals from burning out. Only one of the wires in this connector are the TX inhibit line. I believe it's labeled "TXI" on the schematic. The others are related to the ALC and protection. I've seen more than one TS-430S come into the shop with blown finals and that connector unplugged.
Gotcha Shockwave. I'll plug it back in. Is it true that the Mars mod opens 11 meters as Six-Shooter suggested?
 
It does open up all TX. If you look at that connector on the schematic, you will see what wire is identified as the "TXI". It also goes to one of those diodes. I did forget what diode is was, 39 or 40 but you can just cut the one TXI wire in that connector to safety allow full TX coverage without defeating any of the protection.
 
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As a general thing, older radios that have a separate band crystal for each band will require some sort of "conversion" for 11 meters. Or for any other band you want to add.

Newer computer-controlled radios substitute a PLL that provides "general" coverage, and can receive from 1.5 to 30 MHz. The transmit will be locked out unless the VFO is set to a legal ham frequency, stored in the radio's computer firmware.

Most any radio that has continuous receiver coverage outside the ham bands can be "unlocked" so it can transmit on 11 meters, and on every other frequency that it can receive.

And yeah, you can try to key on WWV, but it's a waste of time.

As a result the "11-meter" mod comes with bonus frequencies. Since hams can be allowed to use frequencies just above or below a ham band for MARS communications, that's what you'll see the hams call this mod.

The exact method to remove the ham-band transmit lockout will be specific to each radio's computer design. We call it the "Masonic Lodge Handshake".

73
 

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