VintageDutch
Active Member
Hi Kenwood lovers.
I picked-up a nice looking KR-44SL.. Yes yes the one with 4 Shortwave Bands, LW and Regular AM and FM.
It was for sale in a Thrift shop and Cost me €35,-- Can't argue over the price.
Tested it.. AM and SW where great...
FM... very insensitive... no Stereo, no movement of the Signal meter..
After the usual Signal path recap and some Supply recap including replacemnet of some Supply resistors It still wasn't getting any better...
Replaced to two Input FET's ... That really did help!...It slowly is getting a bit better.. but still no signal meter movement nor Stereo..
After some measurements, reading, delving and remeasuring I came to the conclusion that RF/IF Amplifier IC Should be half defect... Hence.. AM was working fine including the Signal Meter..
In there is a SL-20575....Forget it... can't find it anymore.. It is a a round 6 pin transistor like Plastic IC. In the Circuit diagram it is ICb1
Found out that the UA 703 IS almost the same and will work in that application.
Ran it by a HF Radar tech friend I have and he confirmed my findings... Problem is.... There is Only 1 UA703 in Europe that I could find and it is in Spain and it is GOLD!
SO the search got a just a Little Deeper...and I found that The LM 703 (8 pin DILL) should work also. But would not fit 1 on 1.
Since they are available for small change I bought a few and "Wired one"in...
Switched on.... And YES!!!!!!!! There is everything Back where It should be!!! Stereo, Signal Meter... ALL!
SO I guess these little Kenwoods are worth fighting for to get them back in working order.
This one Will get a nice little PCB with the new LM 703 on it Wired in so it sits nice an reliable... ANd then Give it a go in my new home...
Yes I'm moving house...... Getting a nice house for me and my soon to bee Wife.. with Garden and Vintage Audio Garage!! (man cave)
And those who are wondering if I'm a young man.... Yes I am... young at 60 yrs. of age...
I picked-up a nice looking KR-44SL.. Yes yes the one with 4 Shortwave Bands, LW and Regular AM and FM.
It was for sale in a Thrift shop and Cost me €35,-- Can't argue over the price.
Tested it.. AM and SW where great...
FM... very insensitive... no Stereo, no movement of the Signal meter..
After the usual Signal path recap and some Supply recap including replacemnet of some Supply resistors It still wasn't getting any better...
Replaced to two Input FET's ... That really did help!...It slowly is getting a bit better.. but still no signal meter movement nor Stereo..
After some measurements, reading, delving and remeasuring I came to the conclusion that RF/IF Amplifier IC Should be half defect... Hence.. AM was working fine including the Signal Meter..
In there is a SL-20575....Forget it... can't find it anymore.. It is a a round 6 pin transistor like Plastic IC. In the Circuit diagram it is ICb1
Found out that the UA 703 IS almost the same and will work in that application.
Ran it by a HF Radar tech friend I have and he confirmed my findings... Problem is.... There is Only 1 UA703 in Europe that I could find and it is in Spain and it is GOLD!
SO the search got a just a Little Deeper...and I found that The LM 703 (8 pin DILL) should work also. But would not fit 1 on 1.
Since they are available for small change I bought a few and "Wired one"in...
Switched on.... And YES!!!!!!!! There is everything Back where It should be!!! Stereo, Signal Meter... ALL!
SO I guess these little Kenwoods are worth fighting for to get them back in working order.
This one Will get a nice little PCB with the new LM 703 on it Wired in so it sits nice an reliable... ANd then Give it a go in my new home...
Yes I'm moving house...... Getting a nice house for me and my soon to bee Wife.. with Garden and Vintage Audio Garage!! (man cave)
And those who are wondering if I'm a young man.... Yes I am... young at 60 yrs. of age...