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write your own review of the Collins KWM-2/2A.
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ON6ZK
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 29, 2009 06:54
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Great , best radio ever
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Hi , thanks for reading my opinion.
I do not agree with the previous writer.
I'm the happy owner of a model KWM2A built in the early sixties. It has the best receiver ever and the audio is just fine with the SM1 microphone.
When I get on the air with this rig and 40 watts output on 14 mhz SSB , people always ask me what I'm using ..... they say "what a great modulation".
When I first talk with an operator using a Collins KWM2A , I felt in love with the audio. It is so warm sounding . OK it is not a contest machine but I love the simplicity of this transmitter and the great sound it produces.
It is just what you are up to. I like the old rdio's : I have a couple of FT101 Yaesu's , I have a Heatkkit HW101 ( used to have many Heath's ) , and I realy enjoy using these old machines .....
I have also a TS850 , an FT1000MP , an FT897 but I love using the oldies ......
If you find them in great condition , buy them for a reasanable price and you have the time of your live with them !
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KQ6IG
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Rating: 3/5
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Jul 29, 2009 02:34
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Not for Everyone
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The KWM-2A is a wonderful piece of radio nostalgia. However, know what you are buying before paying high prices for this rig. The KWM-2 was designed in the late 50's when transceiver and SSB technology was still relatively new. It performs like the "work in progres" that is was. However, because of the turmoil, selling off and restructuring of the Collins company in the 60's and 70's, the KWM-2/A never really went anywhere. Suggesting that the KWM-2/A performs like a modern Icom or Yaesu is like suggesting a 1951 Cadillac performs like a modern Cadillac STS. Its a rather silly comparison. It's also an insult to those responsible for the last 50 years of advancement in communications engineering. So, what is the KWM-2/A good for? Ragchewing? Definitely! Contesting? Not if you want to be competitive. DX? Not if you want to be competitive. Beginner rig? Too specialized, and expensive. Enjoy the KWM-2/A for it's character, and charm; but keep your Icom Pro nearby for the real serious operating!
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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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