Kenwood R-2000 with VHF converter owners question

[midwestsw]

I've finally acquired a nice example of the 2000. While I certainly didn't expect VHF
reception equal to my scanners, I was a little surprised I'm unable to pull in any
traffic in the air band, or anywhere else with the exception of the NOAA frequency
which is loud and clear. Can anyone offer their experiences with a converter equipped
R ? Sure do love the receiver otherwise.
Happy listening,
midwestsw

 

[midwestsw]

Duh, should had added the obvious, antenna is a basic little VHF bow tie that works well
with my scanners....

 

[iMONITOR]

Duh, should had added the obvious, antenna is a basic little VHF bow tie that works well
with my scanners....

Worse choice you could possibly make for an aircraft antenna. Try using a vertical wire about 22" long for starters. How far are you from any airports? Most likely you'll need to get an antenna outside and up high. Your receiver maybe getting overwhelmed by strong FM broadcast stations in your area and you might want to get a FM-Notch filter which will block that from happening.

 

[midwestsw]

Thanks imonitor,
Do You own an R-2000 ?
I know I need a dedicated aircraft antenna for that band, which is what I have
mounted outside of the shack (out in the shop). I am playing with the Kenwood in the house,
stormy day, so just doing some experimenting in here, I've not owned the radio very long.
As I said, the antenna I am using works fairly well with my handheld scanners...
I just would have thought wheeling up and down through the bands the converter
is designed for I'd have heard more than the NOAA station. I receive plenty of air traffic
local fire, state highway patrol etc.,at my QTH.
Again I'd appreciate any input from owners and their experiences with the VHF option.

midwestsw

 

[iMONITOR]

I found this that doesn't sound promising. Added to that the radio is what, 30+ years old? Solder joints going bad, capacitors failing, ETC

"Hi,

I've owned one of these receivers since they were new. Mine has the VC-10 VHF converter.
I have to rate it as a poor receiver, especially the VC-10 converter which is fairly deaf and produces loud pops as it automatically switches during tuning between the three oscillators used to cover the VHF band. On VHF it overloads very easily and pager transmitters in this area break through all over the VHF band.
On HF it suffers from quite a few internally generated spurious signals and by comparison with other receivers I use here, it's a poor performer. It cost a lot of money here in the UK for what is really a very mediocre radio.
The older, cheaper and simpler R600 is a better performer. Ditto the ancient Yaesu FGR-7.
Although I've owned this radio for many years, I'm reluctant to pass it on, because I rate it so poorly. It just gets used as a medium wave bedside radio, all it's really good for IMHO.
Not one of Trio/Kenwood's better efforts.
73 Al.
GM1SXX"

[source]

https://www.eham.net/reviews/view-product?id=467&page=1&per-page=10

 

[midwestsw]

I've read all of those before purchase, and upon review, the radio received a 4.2 overall rating,
granted, the newest review is 2020. The majority of ratings are 4 stars, this
was one of the few most negative. I like the radio, and not looking to debate
it's age and other shortcomings. It certainly performs as well in all the other facets.
Just looking for other owners opinions that is all.

 

[majoco]

I have owned and used daily an R2000 since new in 1983 without the VHF converter and other than "Routine Maintenance" it's never gone wrong. I have also repaired, aligned and tidied up R2000's for others and some that I bought cheaply for sale, some with and some without the VHF converter. Most receiver defects were the attenuator switch, the antenna fuse, power supply and other capacitors failed, coaxial plugs and sockets, dirty pots and other tricky things but not spread across all receivers - BUT the VHF converters gave more trouble than anything else. Most often the DIN style plug either corrosion or the sockets expanded, but sometimes the thing just refused to be fixed. There was VHF-style noise but just couldn't blast a signal through from a signal generator so in the end I usually contacted the owner and asked if they actually used the converter and mostly they said "no - I have a scanner". Problem solved.

I don't get many to fix now. I've either fixed 'em all (yeah, right!) or they've been consigned to the deep.

I would recommend shorting out the BC band attenuator unless you're right next door to 500kW. Leave the attenuator on "0" then carry out the RF gain mod. (R2000 RF gain modification of M0MLM in the R2000 group of Groups.io.) This means you can reduce the RF gain to knock back the HF noise on an SSB signal then increase the AF Gain a little - the audio just pops out of the noise very clearly. I just used the tone control - it was always on max treble anyway. If you can find the DC power lead then use a 12VDC regulated power supply (not switch-mode) to reduce the heat generated by the transformer and regulator transistors.

I certainly think my R2000 is as sensitive as my JRC NRD515 and has better audio but the bandwidth is better on SSB on the 515 - my FRG7 is not as sensitive but has great BC band audio. I run five VLF/HF receivers from a multicoupler so they all get the same signal.

 

[VK3RX]

I have owned two R2000 units and both had the VHF converter. I regretted selling the first so I eventually bought a second, and right now that is on loan to someone.

I only ever used a telescopic whip to the VHF antenna socket because I have scanners for airband and VHF High. There are a number of airband VHF outlets on a mountaintop about 5 miles away, and they came in fine with the converter as expected.

Measurements compared to typical scanners here indicated the converter sensitivity was down from them a bit, and the audio somewhat muddy.

The converter works, but .....

Stating the obvious, but ensure the attenuation switch adjacent to the VHF socket is in the "0" position and switch it up and down a few times in case its contacts are dirty.

 

[midwestsw]

Thank You Majoco and VK3RX,
Sorry I haven't checked back in until tonight, been a long work week. Wow ! Thank You for taking the
time to type all of that very knowledgeable information. The R was a radio I lusted after when they first
came out, but the price being what they were when new there was no way.
A few years later I settled for a Yaesu FRG-8800, that I still have and I find mine
to be a respectable performer, (always wanted the converter for it too, rare as rocking horse poop !)
In my opinion, both the FRG and the R-2000 were both very handsome in design.
But time endly time was on my side, and a couple of months ago I found a very nice example and I could afford it.
It is what I had hoped, very clean, and all the functions work properly, it also has a new memory back
up battery. I read an owners review on eham; "this one will be in my estate sale after I'm gone," true for me as well,
considering how long I've wanted one.
I sure didn't expect the VHF converter to perform as well as my scanners, just hoped to hear
other owners input. I appreciate all the tips and Your time guys. Have a great weekend.
Happy listening
midwestsw

 

[midwestsw]

All apologies, I meant to ask, my serial number is 8050017, any idea if this would be considered early or late ?