Mods - Kenwood TS-950SD / SDX

Kenwood TS-950 SDX / SD Basic Receiver Modifications
See also WZ5Q Extensive Mods for the 950SDX

Disclaimer Notice:
The following modifications were obtained from credible sources and should be done by qualified personnel at the owners risk. I am not responsible for any damage to, or illegal operations of the equipment as a result of mod errors or possible mod misinformation via this page.

GENERAL COVERAGE TRANSMIT MOD (1.8-30MHz Continuous TX):

Remove power and antenna.
Remove the top and bottom covers (18 screws).
Remove the top screw from each side of the front panel assembly.
Loosen the bottom screw on each side of the front panel assembly.
Carefully tilt the front panel forward to expose the Digital Board.
Cut the lead of Diode "D-17" on the Digital Board. (Behind the Front Panel)
Reassemble the transceiver by reversing steps 1-5.
Reset the CPU by pressing and holding the "A=B" button while
powering up the transceiver via the "POWER" button.

SERVICE MENU - 8.83 MHz I.F. TRANSMIT FILTER BANDWIDTH ENABLE MOD:

Note: This mod is not required to achieve the full transmit response of the 950SDX.

Turn off the 950SDX.
Turn on the 950SDX while pressing and holding the
"Scan" and right "M.CH" button simultaneously.
Note the new "OFF/ON" status in the sub menu display.
Menus 0 - 5 are shown below...
Select menu "01" and turn On. This enables the I.F. filter select during transmit.
To remove the secret menu, turn off the 950SDX, then while pressing
the "Menu" key, turn On the 950SDX. Then press the "Menu" key again.
For best fidelity, select the "6k" 8.83MHz filter select during transmit (Factory default). Do NOT bypass the 8.83MHz I.F. during transmit because the frequency response and power output will not be as good! This mod is only handy for selecting narrower transmitter bandwidths (i.e. 2.7k) for DX or other narrow band applications.

##	DEFAULT	NEW	EXPLANATION
00	424b	424b	Product I.D. (Yours may differ)
01	Off	On	Turn On - Enables 8.83 MHz I.F. Filter TX Bandwidth Selection
02	Off	Off	RBK/ABK forced off mode (Test Mode) Keep Off
03	Off	Off	2 Tone On/Off (Test Mode) Keep Off
04	On	On	Transmit notch filter On/Off (Leave ON !)
05	Off	Off	Power On "Hello" Display (Only works once?)

EXTENDED RECEIVER FREQUENCY RESPONSE MOD

Turn off the 950SDX.
Turn on the 950SDX while pressing the "ENT" key.
Set menu number 04 to ON.
Press the "ENT" key to complete this programming.
Turn off the 950SDX.
Turn on the 950SDX while pressing the "MENU" key.
Set menu number 73 ("Fil Sel") to OFF.
Press the "MENU" key to complete this programming.
Press the "455" FILTER button until "250" shows in the window.
Turn off the 950SDX and remove bottom cover.
Locate the optional "YG-455CN" empty CW 455kHz i.f. Filter slot.
Place a jumper wire from pin #2 to pin #2 to make a short across these pins to complete the 950SDX 455kHz 250 i.f. circuit. (Jumper will be a diagonal connection)

Note: You may want to turn on the 950SDX at this point to confirm that you have the correct pins shorted. You will here the receiver come alive if you have the correct pins shorted. Otherwise, you will hear nothing. Make sure you have selected the 455kHz 250 FILTER from the FILTER select on the front panel. Also, the jumper will be a diagonal connection as the pins are in reverse from one side to the other.
Replace cover and turn on the 950SDX and enjoy an extended SSB receiver response of about 7kHz instead of 6kHz while in the 250 FILTER position. In the AM mode, the response will be
considerably wider, about 12kHz as opposed to 6kH.

John M. Anning - NU9N
Phone: 1-815-631-5042
e-Mail: