It's kinda funny. While my TT Omni VII was in the shop (a
self-inflicted wound, I toasted a receiver diode hot-swapping an active
receiver antenna... doh!) - I purchased a Kenwood TS-590s, as a backup
rig. Why not an Eagle? Because it does has certain features I really
want, which Eagle does not have, and receiver specs on both are an even
dead heat.
Now, hear me out...don't jump me just yet...
The funny part is, now that my Omni VII has been fixed and returned, I
almost never turn the 590s on. I made my own SO2R mic-headphone-PTT
switch, but I almost never use it, either - I just hook up the Omni VII
and that's it.
Now, the 590s might actually have a better NR than my Omni VII... but
the Omni VII has such a quiet, effective receiver, it has way easier
user interface, its controls are easier to access under fire (come
on... you know how sometimes you are in a big HURRY to make an
adjustment... you wanna adjust bandwidth, use the notch filter, adjust
PBT, add the pre-amp, whatever... come on ... you can be in a hurry
when you wanna catch that fleeting DX station before the band fades or
before the pileup build to a frenzy, or simply when it is your turn in
the weekly roundtable net, and you don't wanna look like a dweeb by
asking for a moment to adjust your radio... come on... we have have all
been there more than once ... AND when I am there, I automatically
turn to the Omni VII, - not that there is anything wrong with the
590s... I just find myself turning the Omni VII more often than not.
And I think that is the point. I like using it. I like having it. I
like the service I have gotten after the sale.
Now, to be fair, Kenwood has been super on the ball about fixing bugs,
and revising hardware specifications in quick response to problems ...
it has a good track record for this being a new radio... but, shoot, as
good as that has been, there is NOTHING like being able to call the
manufacturer and talk directly with the chief service technician, or
talking directly with John Henry, and getting the straight poop directly
from HQ. And, I like buying American and putting my neighbors to work.
My first post on the Omni VII discussion group received two types of
response I will never forget. Some guys flamed and poked fun at me
because I was a rookie ham. Others, some of whom are on this list,
posted helpful, insightful comments.
BUT THE BEST RESPONSE CAME FROM JOHN HENRY, himself, who said I was
RIGHT and nearly OVERNIGHT PRODUCED A NEW FIRMWARE RELEASE addressing
my concern. Yeah...man... that was cool, and not just because my
question was so clearly validated, but because the company cared enough
to address the problem practically overnight.
So, yeah... YOUR TenTec service mileage may vary - but mine has been
pretty darned good. And I like using the radio. I sound good on the
air, it has a great receiver, and when I take it to the contest
station, other guys wanna use it ! We used an identical Omni VII to
place First in a couple of big categories in the CQ WW 160m contest. So,
yeah... I am liking this TT experience. If that makes me a "groupie"
then that is OK. Whatever. I am a happy customer, in any case.
Just My take...
=================== K8JHR =========================
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