TenTec
[Top] [All Lists]

[TenTec] Delta 580 for Young Ham

To: TenTec@contesting.com
Subject: [TenTec] Delta 580 for Young Ham
From: Darrell Bellerive <drbellerive.va7to@gmail.com>
Reply-to: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec@contesting.com>
Date: Wed, 12 May 2010 10:12:25 -0700
List-post: <mailto:tentec@contesting.com>
My grandson has taken an interest in my ham radio activities and would like to become a ham.

In my search for a good radio for him to listen to the bands, I have decided that a Ten-Tec Delta 580 would be a great starter rig. Coverage of all the bands from 160 to 10, and a simple user interface. So I am in search of one for him.

I am curious as to the standard configuration of the radio, and what options were available. From what I have been able to find with my web searching, it appears the radio was complete except for IF filters. What filters were included in the base radio and what are the optional filters?

Also was there a matching speaker?

I see the model 280 was the power supply. Does this have a fast acting circuit breaker built in? If we use a regular power supply, what circuit breaker should be used?

I see the remote VFO is a model 283. Does this allow dual receive like the Corsairs series?

I will modify the Delta to disable the transmitter until he has his licence, and may also disable 80 and 20 meters, and perhaps 10 meters as well, so that he is not exposed to the few lids and intruders that young ears should not hear. He is only 7 years old, and his brother is 3.

There is a high school ham radio club in his home town of Spokane, and they hold a nightly net on two meters, so I will set up a 2 channel Motorola mobile I have so he can listen to that as well.

Any info on what to look for in a Delta 580 would be appreciated. What are common problems, etc.

Also, being from Canada, I am not well versed in the US licence study materials. What would be a good study manual for a youngster to get his technician licence? I suspect at his age it may take a while until he is ready to take a test. I see that there are some hams in the US licenced at age 8, so perhaps he will also be one of them.

Thanks in advance es 73,
Darrell
VA7TO



--
Darrell Bellerive
Amateur Radio Station VA7TO
Grand Forks BC Canada

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>