Best antenna for Kenwood ts-520s.

[Cody Dixson]

I recently came across a nice kenwood ts-520s. What is the best antenna to get for this radio? Do they have a single multi band antenna that works better or the same as each band having its own antenna? Any input on the best way to set this radio up is greatly appreciated

 

[sp5it]

TH-11DX for upper bands and fan dipole for 30/40/80m
Mike

 

[BJ radionut]

Cody:
First let me preface by saying, I think you have a great starter rig!
This being said, anything I mention from here after should not be taken as a negative toward your purchase, only offered as information to help you understand your rig and get the best out of it during usage.
I hope this rig has the two 10 meter crystals installed(28.0-28.5/28.5-29.0), and not removed to install crystals for 11 meter usage.
Next Cody a question.
What if any, accessories did you get with your purchase?
I.E. External VFO(VFO-520), Digital readout out (DG-5)?
Then let's move on to you specific question.
Do you have specific bands that you what to operate? What are your interests, DX'ing/Rag chewing...Both?
The next question that comes to mind, is what is your budget for your antennas?
One could literally spend thousands, a few hundred or several hundred dollars.
Do you have any antennas presently? If so identify please.
Whatever you have set aside dollar wise for antennas, will greatly help us understand your given situation, and thus help us what to recommend going forward.
Your antenna "farm", depends also greatly on your lot size, trees, tower availible etc.
Hopefully no HOA, or city building restrictions come to mind.
I will await your reply before I go any further, be honest with your budget and information, this will only help us help you moving forward.
All the Best
Gary/W9FNB

 

[BJ radionut]

Cody: I ran across this again this morning. I thought about this for myself as a back-up. However this would make a excellent purchase if truly still availible. This would be a great long term investment to almost anyone's Ham shack! IMHO
The price is VERY reasonable!!! Including the extra balun's he has!

https://swap.qth.com/view_ad.php?counter=1504344

 

[BJ radionut]

Cody: This is another item, that is almost a necessity when having a rig with Tube Finals. They need to be tuned into a good solid dummy load to resonance first before loading them into even marginal antenna.
If still availible, price is very reasonable again IMHO...
Another good long term investment for most HAM shacks.

https://swap.qth.com/view_photo.php?counter=1500387

 

[BJ radionut]

Cody: I know I am loading you up with info...Do you have an External HF rated Wattmeter?
Should be cable of operating 1.8 thru 30 MHz, and capable of at least 300 watts rated power.

https://swap.qth.com/view_ad.php?counter=1504285

OR:
- FOR SALE DRAKE W-4 WATTMETER W/PEP KIT
HI I HAVE A DRAKE W-4 WATTTMETER IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, COMPLETE WITH NEW IN THE BOX PEP KIT FOR WATTMETER. LOOKS AND OPERATES LIKE NEW. PREFER A LOCAL PICKUP BUT WILL CONSIDER SHIPPING. ASKING $ 150 COMPLETE, THINK I EVEN HAVE THE MANUAL FOR THE METER BUT IF NOT YOU CAN DOWNLOAD A PDF FILE MANUAL. CALL OR EMAIL ME BUT WOULD PREFER A CALL SINCE WE CAN COVER MORE GROUND ON ONE PHONE CALL.
THANKS
CARL
Listing #1497383 - Submitted on 07/17/20 by Callsign WB2PVY -

https://swap.qth.com/search-results.php?startnum=30&keywords=wattmeter&fieldtosearch=titleordesc

 

[Cody Dixson]

Not sure if it comes with any extra equipment or even an antenna ill know more when I go to pick it up but for now here is a picture of this clean little radio

The guy im getting it from is a local licensed ham operator so im assuming its true to 10m and not converted to 11m

 

[Cody Dixson]

View attachment 40608 Not sure if it comes with any extra equipment or even an antenna ill know more when I go to pick it up but for now here is a picture of this clean little radio

I will post more and surely be asking alot more questions once I have it. I still have to get my license so getting on the air will take a little time we all know how lengthy an antenna set up or "farm" can take and i thought i was picky with how perfect i could get an 11m antenna. Looks like my ocd will get some more chances to show itself lol


To answer the specifics.
Im interested in being a true ham operator so all the bands and their ability id eventually love to learn. For now I was thinking 20 and 40. 10 for good sport I hear there's a 10m club sound like a good challenge. I'm new and as green as a sapling to the hobby, I enjoy the challenge of dxing on cb and having the ability to talk around the usa or even the world for fun and in the case of an emergency. I own 43 acres that I will eventually move to and have alot more room to expand and explore the lovely world of towers and massive beams and arrys but for now im sticking to the basics and working my way up from the bottom. I could go out and buy an icom 7300 but whats the fun in that. I could buy just about any anttenna there is. no hoa that rule my town. But again starting from the bottom and working my way up has always worked well and in the end the journey is always worth it. A fair range id be comfortable starting with would be anywhere from $100-$700 on a good antenna and I use this loosely because I feel a person can build a better anttenna than they can buy one imo. I have no antennas for any of the bands the radio operates on. The only antenna I have is a 102 steel on a heavy duty mobile ball mount atop an 8ft section of toprail with 6 ground radials set at as close to 45⁰ as i could due to a lack of anchoring positions. The radials are also cut to 102" length. The current swr im receiving are 1.4:1on ch 1 and 1.6:1 on ch 40. Ive got a fairly big lot in town. Half a city blocks worth with some trees ranging well over 30ft tall. So building g a sky loop isn't out of the question.
@BJ radionut

 

[BJ radionut]

Cody: Like your style. There are many options when it comes to antennas.
First off: No Single antenna will be best on all bands. There truly is not a "Do all" antenna that optimizes all bands.
There are some ground mounted vertical antennas, that can be made to do an excellent job. I sense from your comments that you are willing to put forth the extra effort to optimize what ever system you decide on.
The tuner which I posted before 4 sale. will do a good job for many of these antennas.
http://www.palstar.com/en/bt1500a/ This is one Tuner that I presently use A+++

Antenna Examples:
http://webclass.org/k5ijb/antennas/All-Band-Doublet.htm

http://www.hamuniverse.com/hfdoublet.html

http://hamuniverse.com/kl7jr80loop.html

https://www.dj0ip.de/my-favorite-antennas/my-favorite-all-band/
http://www.n1su.com/loop.html

http://www.pc5e.nl/downloads/antennes/backyard wire antennaes.pdf

See figure #8 The 8JK version is what I presently have up. I love it @45 ft.
The "Phased" array is 125 ft. end to end (62.5 ft. each side of Center) w/ 34 ft. spacing.
80 thru 17 meters works VERY well for me!


Below are links to and optimized rotatable version for bands 20 thru 10 meters

http://www.af6sa.com/Download/CompactW8JKBeam-K5LJ.pdf

http://www.af6sa.com/projects/W8JKbeam.html

Ok enough material for you to study for now, may help you get your thoughts headed in a direction or two.

AC6V's HOMEBREW ANTENNAS LINKS INCLUDING ANTENNA THEORY
http://ac6v.com/antprojects.php

All the Best
Gary/W9FNB

 

[oldtymer]

Buy or better build a good sturdy ladderline fed doublet. invest in a quality manual
tuner, I recommend Palstar. Add a Balun Designs or other quality 1-1 current balun.
I operated a 520S for many years with this setup and it worked fine.
You stated you have a large property. Hopefully there are some trees that you can
hang antennas from.Other than the doublet a full wave loop for 160 meters would
also work well and have some gain on the upper frequencies.
Even if you upgrade to a newer radio this set-up will still serve you well.

 

[BJ radionut]

https://swap.qth.com/view_photo.php?counter=1508099

https://swap.qth.com/view_photo.php?counter=1505676

Still Listed...Good Price
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[Cody Dixson]

@BJ radionut ill definitely inquire!

What do you think about the Dentron mt 3000a

These two pieces are from a local ham. He wants about $930 for both any opinions?

They sure don't beat the price of the one you showed @BJ radionut

 

[BJ radionut]

The MT-3000A is a good old tuner...They have a switch issue...Has seen in the add I posted/ updated switches installed...
IMHO the prices being ask by local are to High!
That Yaesu amp at best w/ new tubes around $450-500...seen them at Hamfest and 4 sale for $350 w/ used good tubes.
The tuner $200-300 in very good condition...I also have the MT-2000A (same tuner/ no meter) Paid $125 for it...
That said I personally feel he is way to High.

What is he asking for the TS-520S? Going rate for Very good Condition 100 watts all bands with 10 meter crystals...Should be around $300 or less...
Reason saying you can buy newer models like the Yaesu FT-450 which is All bands and 6 meters Used for around $500 +/-
I know a Kenwood collector of those models he will not pay greater that $250...so that said...Your call Cody

GOOD Example: https://swap.qth.com/view_ad.php?counter=1508166

https://swap.qth.com/view_photo.php?counter=1505261

Another good example: I own also FT-950 Great radio All bands /tuner $595 shipped

 

[BJ radionut]

https://swap.qth.com/view_ad.php?counter=1505770

dentron mt 3000a

nice tuner, meters works switches good ,no arcs. 350.00 shipped lower 48

Those Heathkit Tuners a very nice also

That DENTRON/MT3000A ...
I listed before did not realize METERS were NOT WORKING for $215 shipped

 

[Cody Dixson]

The kenwood ts-520s is a steal no doubt..... 150.00 in working order from the original owner.

I also ran across this locally

The guy is asking $700 but I'm more interested in 20 and 40 meters 2m is really popular around my area from what I hear on 11m and 6m would be fun to get into not to familiar with 440 so for me the kenwood was obvious.