Kenwood FM-105
The Kenwood FM-105 is a compact FM-only tuner. It does one job on one band. Production years are not documented in the surviving record, but its published service manual and the era's parts availability suggest it was a mainstream offering rather than an exotic flagship.
The spec sheets agree on the basics. It covers 87.5 to 108 MHz, weighs 5.2 kg, and measures 400 x 132 x 276 mm. The front end uses 14 transistors and 11 diodes. The service manual includes a full circuit diagram, which makes restoration feasible even though replacement parts are no longer readily available. The unit runs on 7W and has a voltage selector for international use.
The two surviving spec sources disagree in places. Sensitivity is listed as 2.0 µV (IHF) in one and 1.6 µV (IHF usable) in the other. Signal-to-noise in mono ranges from 60 dB to 70 dB. Fixed output is given as both 300 mV and 700 mV. The wiringall.com figures come from the official service manual appendix, so they are the more authoritative set and the ones to use for restoration work. They show 50 dB quieting sensitivity at 3.0 µV mono / 40 µV stereo, harmonic distortion of 0.2% mono / 0.3% stereo, capture ratio of 1.0 dB, and stereo separation of 45 dB at 1 kHz. Those are respectable numbers for the class. Audio (October 1981, p.63) covered the FM-105 among its receiver roundups of the period, placing it within Kenwood's contemporary lineup.
The FM-105 doesn't have the legend status of some Kenwood tuners. It is well documented and serviceable, with genuine RF performance.
Known specs (from service manual appendix):
- FM tuning range: 87.5–108 MHz
- IHF usable sensitivity: 1.6 µV
- S/N ratio: 70 dB mono / 65 dB stereo
- THD: 0.2% mono / 0.3% stereo
- Selectivity: 80 dB
- Capture ratio: 1.0 dB
- Stereo separation: 45 dB (1 kHz)
- Output: 700 mV fixed / 2V variable
- Power: 7W, AC 120V/220V/240V (voltage selector)
- Dimensions: 400 x 132 x 276 mm; 5.2 kg
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