I have received several emails asking what are my thoughts about the
Jupiter, so here goes. One caveat, these are my ideas based on operating the
radio for two months and a comparison of what's out there in the same price
class, features and performance. I am comparing radios from $1,100 to
$1,400. These are my pet peeves or operating complaints. To some these maybe
petty or trivial, but once more, these are my observations.
1. A lack of readme file explaining new features to those who are unfamiliar
with these features, for example, speech processor. What is it and how does
it function. I should not have to email TT every time to find out how to
operate these new features. TT puts a readme file on how to upgrade the
firmware, why not features.
2. A lack of an up or down button to switch bands. TT says there was no room
on the front panel to put one. Take a look, there is all kinds of places to
put a up/dn button. TT can also place it in the menu as a firmware upgrade.
I finally loaded into memory, the parts of the bands that I want to operate
in. However, I must do this after every firmware upgrade. A bit annoying
after a while.
3. No built in antenna tuner. When comparing for example, an Icom 746 to the
Jupiter, it has a built in tuner. Yes, I know they don't work on 160 or 80
meters, but still would be nice to have one for 40-10 meters. I now use the
LDG AT-11MP.
4. A quirk I have noticed with the memories on the Jupiter. Every so often
the Jupiter wants to place the current frequency and setup into a memory,
without me pushing the V>M button. This is getting annoying.
5. Finally, the frequent need to do a major reset when the Jupiter locks up
for some unknown reason. Yes, I am aware that cpu based radios are
susceptible to rf, but the
Jupiter seems to be overly sensitive.
Well enough for now, may be more latter.
73, Fred N8DV
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