In reality what TenTec should do is take a modular approach where all these
extra options can be added. Even make the front panel modular that uses a
SPI bus to communicate with the main transceiver box. A standard one, one
for mobile operators, one with all the extra knobs for guys who prefer
knobs over digging through the menu. The front panel could then be remote
mounted with the large box transceiver enclosure mounted say below your
desk, or under the seat for the mobile operator. Use a standard RJ-45
connector on the front panel and transceiver enclosure, and then users can
just get a CAT-5 cable of whatever length they need .
On Fri, Jan 8, 2016 at 10:13 AM, Dennis Lintz <dlintz1967@icloud.com> wrote:
> Your spot on rick! I have the eagle in front of me portable at my tn qth
> and a 590 in michigan. Both fine rigs but if I had to make a choice the all
> in one wonder box would go bye bye and the eagle would stay!! Bells and
> whistles aside an entry level radio it is not! Denny wa8nss
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Jan 8, 2016, at 5:52 AM, "rick@dj0ip.de" <Rick@DJ0IP.de> wrote:
> >
> > GM Mike,
> >
> > The Eagle was designed from the get-go to be run completely by software.
> > N4PY Radio Control Software runs it perfectly well and it is sweet!
> >
> > But when I began this thread, I also said that there are a bunch of
> retired Old OM who don't want to have to turn on a computer in order to
> work their radio. Most retired OOM don't have as much money for the hobby
> as they used to.
> >
> > The Eagle is not the only radio produced by Ten-Tec.
> > I suggested making the super Eagle into a radio for old timers which is
> what Jack thought he was doing when he designed it - at least that's what
> he told me face to face last time I had lunch with him. It was to be easy
> to operate and as far as possible, VOID of software menus.
> >
> > I believe there is a huge demand for such a radio and currently nobody
> is building one.
> > It is a niche product.
> >
> > If people want more bells and whistles, then they should choose another
> radio.
> > If we try to make this a one-size fits all, it will only raise the price
> by adding features these Old OM don't want (and don't want to pay for).
> >
> > As I stated earlier, (IMO) Ten-Tec needs to define the market segments,
> define the needs of each of those segments, then build products
> specifically for those segments.
> >
> > The JA OEMs will always produce an "All-in-Wonder Box" cheaper than any
> American company can.
> > The American OEMs will succeed by building best-of-breed nitche products.
> >
> > 73 - Rick, DJ0IP
> > (Nr. Frankfurt, Germany)
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: TenTec [mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Mike
> Newell
> > Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2016 11:00 PM
> > To: tentec@contesting.com
> > Subject: Re: [TenTec] Pimp My Eagle
> >
> > Rick,
> >
> > With regard to encoders, I have read of folks having to replace encoders
> on Orions and OMNI VIIs, and if you run the radio from the software you
> save the wear and tear on the encoders. I operate my OMNI VII 90% of the
> time from software, but there are times when I want to just fire up the
> radio without the computer and operate it from its own front panel.
> >
> > I am hoping that the ability to run the Eagle totally from software is
> already "wired up" to the firmware, and all that is needed is to add the
> command set to bring those functions out to external software. I am hoping
> that the hardware doesn't have to be changed to allow encoder functions
> like AF and RF gain and the things you do with the MULTI knob to be
> controlled through external software. If not, then of course it will take
> more work on Ten Tec's part to revise the Eagle to allow this.
> >
> > The reason that I would like to operate the radio from software most of
> the time is because of the things that other folks have already
> > mentioned: not enough knobs and buttons on the front panel to separate
> out the various controls so that the radio is easier to operate.
> >
> > Of course there are folks out there who don't care to operate a radio
> from the computer at all, and that's what's great about the OMNI VII. It
> works either way, and I'd just like to see the Eagle follow suit.
> >
> > --
> > Mike - WB4HUC
> >
> >
> >> On 1/7/2016 3:29 PM, Barry N1EU wrote:
> >> Isn't the use of analog versus digital controls dictated by the
> >> circuit, whether analog or digital?
> >>
> >> Barry N1EU
> >>
> >>> On Thu, Jan 7, 2016 at 9:25 PM, rick@dj0ip.de <Rick@dj0ip.de> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> "Software controllable"
> >>>
> >>> Mike this is an excellent point but also a point of debate.
> >>>
> >>> Old radios with simple mechanical volume controls just seem to last
> >>> longer than radios with encoders.
> >>>
> >>> On the one hand, in the interest of simplicity, I would like to see
> >>> just two encoders, one for the VFO and one for a multi knob for the
> >>> features that will still need to be in a menu. All else should be
> >>> old fashion mechanical devices like used in the past 100 years.
> >>>
> >>> On the other hand, lack of radio control (i.e. N4PY) might be a good
> >>> reason for many people not to purchase the radio.
> >>>
> >>> I'm pretty sure that feature is a MUST.
> >>>
> >>> 73 - Rick, DJ0IP
> >>> (Nr. Frankfurt, Germany)
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> -----Original Message-----
> >>> From: TenTec [mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Mike
> >>> Newell
> >>> Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2016 6:47 PM
> >>> To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
> >>> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Pimp My Eagle
> >>>
> >>> I would like to add one item to Rick's list.
> >>>
> >>> Sometimes I like to operate the radio from the front panel and
> >>> sometimes I like to operate it from software.
> >>>
> >>> I would like to see the Eagle's software command set expanded so that
> >>> pretty much every function is available to software, as with the OMNI
> >>> VII.
> >>>
> >>> Thanks,
> >>>
> >>> Mike - WB4HUC
> >>> Austin, TX
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>> On 1/7/2016 10:52 AM, rick@dj0ip.de wrote:
> >>>> PLEASE KEEP THIS THREAD FOCUSED ON THE “EAGLE.”
> >>>>
> >>>> (feel free to start a new thread on O7+ or O3)
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> I agree with Brian . . . let’s talk about radios again.
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> It seems the current tentative plan is:
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> 1) OM7(+) gets a new front plate and face plate, but not a lot of
> >>>> changes
> >>>>
> >>>> 2) (super) Eagle gets new DSP and _ _ _ _ _ _
> >>>>
> >>>> 3) Argonaut 6 will more or less resume production unchanged
> >>>>
> >>>> 4) An O3 is in the making, details unknown
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> I want to make a suggestions about the future Eagle.
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> IMO TEN-TEC made a mistake with the Eagle.
> >>>>
> >>>> They tried to address three market segments with one product.
> >>>>
> >>>> 1) A simple easy to use computer for old folks (including me) who
> >>>> usually prefer not to even turn the computer on, just because we
> >>>> want to get on the radio – but do want high performance.
> >>>>
> >>>> 2) The mobile hf market
> >>>>
> >>>> 3) The entry level 100w hf transceiver market
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> Result: Jack of all trades, master of none.
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> If you read the wish list in the Eagle group, since the beginning
> >>>> there were clearly representatives of all three groups expressing
> >>>> wishes for improvements. What might benefit one group is often
> >>>> counter-productive for the other.
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> If Ten-Tec is to succeed, they need to identify the market segment
> >>>> for each product and optimize for it.
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> Of the three segments I have listed above, I believe Ten-Tec’s best
> >>>> chance is in no. 1.
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> I don’t think any US based OEM can go big in the entry level segment
> >>>> because it is primarily driven by price.
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> I also believe a mobile rig today MUST have a removable front panel.
> >>>> Sure some people don’t mind having the radio occupy the front
> >>>> passenger space, but I prefer to keep it for my XYL. (In fact I
> >>>> have no choice ;-)
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> My wish is for the Super Eagle to focus on number 1 above.
> >>>>
> >>>> As such, I can propose some changes:
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> 1) And most important: a bigger box. In all my 15+ years
> >>>> participating in Ten-Tec groups, I can’t recall a single instance of
> >>> anyone
> >>>> asking for a smaller box. Yet ALL OEMs seem to think that’s what we
> >>> want.
> >>>> Lots of important things suffer when you reduce the size of the box.
> >>>> You have less knobs, more menu adjustable items, smaller loud
> >>>> speaker, smaller S-Meter, coils are smaller (lower Q), heat sinks
> >>>> are smaller and fans are smaller so you have more noise. Less room
> >>>> for working on the radio, less room for back panel jacks (so we must
> >>>> use plugs with
> >>>> 75 pins!). DON’T NEED ANY OF THIS. I NEED THE FOLLOWING…
> >>>>
> >>>> 2) Larger knobs. Concentric knobs are only ok if they are large
> >>>> enough.
> >>>>
> >>>> 3) Larger S-meter. Prefer a true meter, but if not, then at
> least a
> >>>> color-coded LED meter.
> >>>>
> >>>> 4) ¼ inch connections for things like key and headphones;
> >>>>
> >>>> 5) Separate jacks for paddle and straight key
> >>>>
> >>>> 6) PTT and AMP KEY should be RCA Phono (again)
> >>>>
> >>>> 7) Dedicated RIT control (not the multi-knob)
> >>>>
> >>>> 8) Simplified VFO mode (i.e. getting in and out of split)
> >>>>
> >>>> 9) Buttons should have a max of dual function. Push once to
> enable
> >>>> main function, push twice (quickly) to enable secondary function. I
> >>>> don’t want to push multiple buttons that may be on opposite sides of
> >>>> the front panel.
> >>>>
> >>>> 10) Exception to menu handling is allowed but only for things that
> >>> really
> >>>> are “set once and forget”, such as defining filter slots and screen
> >>> color.
> >>>> 11) Mic gain and CW Speed should be a dedicated knob. I’m OK with
> it
> >>> just
> >>>> being one knob, but others might prefer concentric.
> >>>>
> >>>> 12) Band stacking register. Don’t understand why it was left out.
> >>>>
> >>>> 13) [finally] address the keying timing issues when using a
> non-Ten-Tec
> >>>> linear amplifier. The Pre-dit and Post-dit (hang) time must be
> >>> adjustable.
> >>>> Pre-dit can be inside the “set once and forget” menu, but Post-dit
> >>>> is a value I change often. Either make it easy to adjust, OR make
> >>>> it dynamically linked to the keyer speed with user adjustable ratio.
> >>>> There are keyers on the market that have this feature.
> >>>>
> >>>> 14) IF output to the real panel. Can be an option, but just plug
> one
> >>>> cable.
> >>>>
> >>>> 15) Pre-selector output to the real panel. Can be an option, but
> just
> >>> 2
> >>>> cables.
> >>>>
> >>>> 16) AUX-RX ANT connection. It’s to the point now that often the low
> >>> bands
> >>>> are only usable with some kind of special small receiving antenna,
> >>>> due to all the noise from consumer products.
> >>>>
> >>>> 17) NO BAND SCOPE. (Use the IF connector on the rear panel). Or
> use
> >>> an
> >>>> ANT OUT, an external SDR, and Carl’s NP4Y software.
> >>>>
> >>>> 18) Power Out indicator (not just an ALC LED)
> >>>>
> >>>> 19) What else?
> >>>>
> >>>> 20) Bright Red-Orange Dot! ;-)
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> I’m sure I have forgotten a few points, but mainly KEEP IT SIMPLE
> >>>> so that old eyes and old fingers can use it.
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> I intentionally began this thread here rather than in the Eagle
> >>>> group because maybe if we get these changes, some of the people here
> >>>> (and not currently in the Eagle group) will join us.
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> PIMP MY EAGLE!
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> 73 - Rick, DJ0IP
> >>>>
> >>>> (Nr. Frankfurt, Germany)
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> _______________________________________________
> >>>> TenTec mailing list
> >>>> TenTec@contesting.com
> >>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>> _______________________________________________
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> >>> TenTec@contesting.com
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> >>>
> >>> _______________________________________________
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> >>> TenTec@contesting.com
> >>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
> >>>
> >> _______________________________________________
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> >
> >
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