kenwood: My TS-520 S needs new pilot lamps and maybe new finals

My first post is my everyday work horse, the Kenwood TS-520S. I traded a surfboard for it some 15 years ago and I still love it. It may need some love soon. Pilot lamps have failed and the output about 75 watts to my Hustler Vertical.

How big a job is it going to be to replace the two lamps? I think there is two?

 

When do I think about the finals? It still get out and I can still work the world.

 

Pretty much an old guy here and this radio is next in line. I have recaped my two oldest shortwave radios I have had for some 50 years. Halicrafters S-77A and a Lafayette HA-63 plus five all american five am radios I picked up for cheap. I have been using them for gifts!

 

So I know what end of the soldering iron to grab and my technical ability is slowly coming back.

 

Thank you,

justin-

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Hi Justin,

wecome on board! I like the swap (surfboard for TS-520S), very nice!

For example KE4AA offers the appropriate lamps -> k4eaa.com/parts.htm

Replacing the PA tubes should be easy. But maybe it's also a problem with a weak driver 12BY7A? However, in practice it doesn't matter whether you have 100 or only 70 watts output. No qso partner will notice the difference.

Otherwise, it's not broken, don't fix it.

73, Eilert

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Eilert,

Yep I did enjoy the swap as well, thank you for the comments on the 520. Yep that is what I was thinking but if I had the cabinet open, should I think about the tube replacements and you gave me the answer.

OK I will reach out and get the appropreate pilot lamps and at least learn how to get the cover off and get the lights back on.

Thank you very much for your valuable input.

j-

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