Equipment / Base transceiver · Kenwood
discontinued

Kenwood TS-440S/AT

$$$··

160m – 10m
Bands
100 W
Output
1986
Introduced
FrequencyTX: 160–10 m (incl WARC), RX: 0.1–30 MHz general coverage
Bands160m, 80m, 40m, 30m, 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, 10m
TX power100 W (100W SSB/CW/FM/FSK. 50W AM. 100% duty cycle in any mode (relatively long durations).)
ModesUSB, LSB, CW, FSK, AM, FM
Weight6.3 kg (13.9 lb) - 6.3 kg per Kenwood/RigReference. Dimensions: 270 × 96 × 313 mm (W×H×D). R-5000 receiver cousin (similar cabinet).
ConnectorSO-239
Year1986
Connectors
antennaSO-239 (through ATU on TS-440SAT)
mic8-pin round with retaining ring (MC-43S/MC-60A compatible)
keykey/paddle
accaccessory connector
transvertertransverter terminal
ext spkrexternal speaker
dc inDC 13.8V
power reqDC 13.8V.
Kenwood's mid-80s all-mode HF, TS-430S successor with 100 memories, slope tuning, 100% duty cycle general coverage receiver: 100 kHz - 30 MHz (improved from TS-430S's 150 kHz start) 100W on all modes including FM and FSK with 100% duty cycle 102 dB dynamic range SSB/CW slope tuning (adjust IF passband shape, unique for the era!) full CW break-in (QSK), rapid TX/RX switching for data communications IF notch filter CW reverse mode dual-mode noise blanker XIT + RIT (both, TS-430S had only RIT!) RF speech processor built-in memory keyer keypad frequency entry 100 memories (up from TS-430S's 8, 12.5× improvement!) front panel tuning dial torque adjustment (customize the feel!) optional YK-88 crystal filters (YK-88CN, YK-88C, YK-88SN, YK-88S) TS-440SAT: built-in AT-440 automatic antenna tuner (3.5-29.7 MHz); adds ~$200 to price IF bandswitch: tailor receiver bandwidth to operating conditions transverter terminal KNOWN ISSUE: dot problem (same as TS-430S; PLL/capacitor failure, fixable) KNOWN ISSUE: keybounce; ALL TS-440S are prone! Direct frequency entry becomes impossible without fix a keybounce repair kit is available (keypad internals replacement) VINTAGE. DISCONTINUED. Replaced by TS-450S.
Strengths

A big step up from the TS-430S: 100% duty cycle on all modes, 100 memories (versus 8), SSB/CW slope tuning, full QSK, and XIT plus RIT. The TS-440SAT adds a built-in ATU. It has a memory keyer, keypad entry, and adjustable tuning torque, and is compact at 6.3 kg, $250-500 used.

Weaknesses

Vintage (1986). Keybounce on essentially all units (direct frequency entry is frustrating without the keybounce fix). The 'dot problem' (VCO1, same as the TS-430S). 102 dB dynamic range (the TS-430S had higher blocking DR). No DSP. No 6m. No color display. Replaced by the TS-450S.

Verdict

An all-mode workhorse with a known flaw. The TS-440S improved on the TS-430S in nearly every way: 100 memories (versus 8), slope tuning, XIT, 100% duty cycle, a memory keyer, and an optional built-in ATU. But the universal keybounce problem makes direct frequency entry frustrating on unrepaired units. Buy one with the keybounce fix applied, or budget for the repair; with that done, it is an excellent vintage HF station.

The Kenwood TS-440S is a much-loved HF transceiver from the mid-1980s, a full-featured base radio that struck an excellent balance of performance, features, and value. It covers 160 through 10 meters including the WARC bands with a general-coverage receiver, delivers up to 100 watts (50 watts on AM), and operates SSB, CW, FSK, AM, and FM. Many were sold with a built-in automatic antenna tuner, an uncommon convenience for its day.

It earned a reputation as a capable, comfortable all-rounder, with dual VFOs, 100 memories, IF shift, a notch filter, a noise blanker, and a clean, pleasant receiver. Affordable, reliable, and well supported, it became one of the most popular HF rigs of its era and a frequent recommendation as a first 'real' station radio. Decades later it remains common on the used market and still gives good service after the routine memory-backup refresh these radios sometimes need.

It is a discontinued classic. Compare it with the earlier TS-430S and the HF/6m TS-690S.