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write your own review of the Collins KWM-2/2A.
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KR5N
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Rating: 5/5
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May 13, 2009 08:29
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Beautiful
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I bought a 1967 model KWM-2 from eBay. I got the 516F-2 power supply in a separate auction also from eBay. Anxious as I was to use the KWM-2, first I had to repair the power supply. One of the bleeder resistors was open. I found a replacement from Digi-Key and I also ordered a capacitor replacement kit from another eBay seller. After all the soldering and testing, the KWM-2 was powered up and nothing much worked at first. The auction said "works good" but they all say that....I have 4 "works good" radios waiting for repair on my shelf. However, I believed that the KWM-2 was a good model and I believed I could get it working. I sprayed De-oxiT liberally, used fader lube on the pots, replaced the pilot lamps....Now after a week or so, it began to work pretty much. I also had to order seven crystals from JAN Crystals to fill up empty spots and get 10M coverage as I wanted it (28.3 - 28.9 in 3 segments). The remaining problem was a squealing noise in the rcvr, sometimes on power up and sometimes after releasing the PTT. Part of the problem was an IF transformer can that was making intermittent contact with the chassis. De-oxiT fixed that. The other problem was a 12AT7 tube with a small chip in the glass envelope. Replacing the tube fixed that. FINALLY! The famed Collins performance was showing itself! Nice stable VFO for an analog rig, good power output, controls are all smooth, making Q's and getting good reports with my old Heathkit / EV 638 mic that I originally bought in the early 70's. Every one I call can hear me, including every DX station I tried. I am so glad I spent the time working on the rig! To go one step further, I replaced the old caps and was rewarded with smoother sounding audio and better AGC. It's been a labor of love and I rushed home every day to fire up the KWM-2 and see how it would behave. I'm sure my friends got tired of hearing about it! Exercise and daily use are good for it, it gets better and better. I think the KWM-2 will become my favorite HF rig, with the FT-990 / FL-7000 and the IC-746PRO in reserve for convenience and "change-of-pace." Don't despair if your KWM-2/2A doesn't work right away, remember that most of them have been sitting on a dusty shelf somewhere, and it's natural to need a little TLC. But you know they are a good design. The only test equipment(s) I have are a transistorized voltmeter, the FT-990 as a signal generator / calibrated receiver, and a PC sound card as an audio generator. Usually the fix will be simple.
I used to laugh about the passion of the Collins Collectors, but now I understand, now I am of the body. Kind of like the Star Trek episode with Landrew and the festival. I am of the body. May the peace of Landrew and the joy of operating your KWM-2 always be with you! --Marcus KR5N dit dit--
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KF4IZE
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Rating: 5/5
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May 8, 2009 19:28
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They don't make 'em like they used to!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have owned several KWM-2/2A radios over the last several years and have had nothing short of positive experiences with them. I’ve owned more than a hundred different radios and always seem to gravitate towards the venerable Collins KWM-2/2A. I am only 38 years old and am a little biased toward these vintage vacuum tube units. There’s just something about their attractive appearance and the way they PLAY. Additionally, I am retired from the Army Signal Corps and know that these radios enjoyed a fine tradition with the U.S. Army. My latest acquisition is the much-sought after Round Emblem KWM-2. The radio is virtually spotless and very appealing for its age. Now, I have owned many solid-state radios, including the ICOM 756 PRO and a Kenwood TS-480HX, just to name a few. I would highly recommend the Collins KWM-2/2A, but be aware that the late cleaner units command top-dollar. If you do get your hands on one, you will be pleasantly satisfied. These radios are, in my opinion, the true epitome of a classic American Amateur Radio transceiver.
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ON6ZK
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 22, 2009 07:29
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Great Transceiver
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I just bought my dream transceiver after been looking for that good old KWM2A for more than 10 years. It needed to be in TOP condition and I finally found one in "brand new" condition ! Top condition actually . I also have the power supply and the power meter / phone patch and the SM2 microphone which comes with it.
Great receiver ! I 'm still looking for a Collins amp 30 L 1 or 30 S1 but seem to be even harder to get. I have an SB200 amp connected to it and in combination with my large optibeam I get outstanding reports ( 500 watts from my SB200). MY optibeam is the OB16-5 .....BIG antenna ! See you on the airwaves with my OLDTIMER but better than anything else !
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KC9MSA
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 2, 2009 09:13
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Great radio!!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Not everyone likes these new, push button solid state digital rigs!! Old rigs are fun to operate from time to time. Big knobs, glowing tubes, a hot case you could fry an egg on keeping your shack warm in the winter, the ultra quiet receive and pleasing audio that only a tube-type boat anchor rig can offer...These are qualities that a lot of people enjoy, myself included.
I am only 28 years old, so these old rigs are way before my time, but I still like them a lot. A lot of guys who were around in the 60's and 70's like these because they have a lot of memories in them. And NO, digital modes are not the way to go in 2009. True, digital modes are very effecient, but not everyone likes those modes. Personally, if I want a chat room atmosphere I use the internet.
Basically, HAM radio is about what you want. If you don't like a radio with personality, but some run-of-the-mill Jap radio that in 15 years will not be serviceable because of all of the microprocessors that you will not be able to find replacements for, then go right ahead, more power to you. Look at all the people still using the old Drake and Collins equipment. 30+ year old equipment. That says a lot.
In 30+ years, it will be a miracle if you ever hear a IC-7800 or a FT-9000 on the air. But I will bet in another 30 years from now you will still hear old Collins and Drakes on the air.
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KC8MZW
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Rating: 3/5
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Jan 26, 2009 13:34
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2/5
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Let's get real guys. This is a 40+ year old tube rig. I used it last in 1973 in Germany with the military. That was a long time ago and you would have to be a highly qualified bench-technician with an elaborate amount of test equipment to keep it operational. Digital operations are the way to go in 2009 and this rig just won't do the job. It's ok for SSB voice and maybe ok for CW but it is not the wonder-weapon that most Hams seek. Get over it and move on to something more modern.
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KK9H
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Rating: 4/5
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Jan 26, 2009 12:58
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Fun to use, even today
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have a KWM-2A that I bought from a local ham's estate over 15 years ago. He was the original owner and he kept it in a beautifully maintained state. A few years ago I updated the power supply with some solid state components which replaced the tubes, but the radio itself is unchanged. I love putting this rig on the air because it just sounds great and works well. I have received many unsolicited compliments on how good it sounds. Now, being a tube rig, you have to know how to tune it up before you can use it. You also have to retune it when you change bands or significantly move up or down in frequency, but that is part of the mystique of operating a vintage rig. The KWM-2's tune up procedure is simple and straight forward. Would I recommend this as a primary station rig, no, but when I was first licensed in 1967 these rigs were the "cat's meow." The KWM-2 is truly an example of a good, solid design that can still hold it's own over 40 years later. If evaluated as a nostalgia rig it is an easy 5, if evaluated based on comparisons of performance with more current rigs, which is what I think these reviews are really all about, then I would have to give it a solid 4. Putting it on the air, however, is just plain fun to do.
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W4LTD
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 17, 2008 23:00
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WORTH THE ENTIRE CROP OF BEANS!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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After having owned MANY newer rigs and a few older ones, I finally came across my 2nd Collins station this past May. I purchased this as a complete station, the KWM2-A, 516F-2, 312B-5, 312-B-3 and 30L-1. from the original owner (Thank you, Sam!). The KWM2-A is equal to better than my 756ProII as far as receive sensitivity and on par with transmit of my former 756ProIII. I use this station as my primary now simply because IT IS FUN to use and, in my personal opinion, you cannot beat that tube audio! I have had many over-inflated cash offers for my current "Museum Quality" Collins gear but I plan on keeping this one until they pry it from my cold, dead hands. =)
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K9FON
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Rating: 0/5
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Nov 8, 2008 12:33
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Not worth a hill of beans!!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Great on SSB not worth a s**t on CW at all.
I dont understand why some hams will pay big $$$ for this mediocre rig. Most Collins stuf is great but this rig isnt one of them. Never again.
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WA0IIH
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Rating: 5/5
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May 9, 2008 15:09
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The best Collins rig!!!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Got my first KWM-2/A in 1973 after getting my general license. I worked all summer to pay mom and dad back for the funds they loaned me. To this day I still consider it to be the finest transceiver ever built and own five of them, two KWM-2 and three 2A models. I do repair and restoration work on vintage tube gear for myself and fellow hams and have serviced just about all makes and models in 35+ years in the hobby. Art Collins radios are in a class by themselves, the quality is not to be found in any other rig. I operate my radios on a daily basis, the only "new" radio at my qth is a Drake R-7A general coverage receiver I bought new back in 1981. I dont need computer control, or a speech processor, auto memories or automatic tuning. I have been peaking the grid, dipping the plate all my life in ham radio and have no complaints!! My KWM-2/A rigs along with a D-104 give great audio reports and a couple of 30L-1 amps give plenty of RF into the antenna. Find a nice one and have the time of your life!!! These radios with their warm glow will be all that I will ever use in the hobby. By the way, I saw my first one back in the early 60s as a youngster when the ham radio bug bit me!!! Real radios glow in the dark!!!! 73s WA0IIH
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WA0ZZG
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 3, 2008 09:05
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Historical
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Time owned: months
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It's interesting to see this radio still alive. My first job, out of school in 1969, was Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids. I then had a Tech. Collins encouraged me to get at least a General and an Elmer found me a KWM-2/516F-2. It didn't completely work and needed aligned. I think he planned it that way. I was also given two copies of the service manual(new and old) and a little book on the basics of SSB. Parts were always available as was answers to my questions, but it was my job to finish it. Once it was on the air, a equipment pass was given to me and a time set for me to take it to the final assembly line to have it evaluated. I'm still not sure if the radio was graded or me. A couple of tubes were changed and the I.F. was touched up and it (or me) were given a clean bill. I also worked the assembly line on 20M, but no QSL was allowed. I used it for 18 years, along with a 30L-1 before upgrading. The 30L is another story. My Elmer is still around(K0QKR) he had KWM-2 s/n 5. There is no finer way to learn the art of SSB HF comunications. To those that still use these, keep those trimmer caps clean. They will go intermittant otherwise. Use it on the air.
Dave
WA0ZZG
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