Re: [TenTec] Omni VI+ classic

[Clark Savage Turner <csturner@kcbx.net>]

>    For lack of a better example, I can say this.. As a young and silly 
> ham I hadnt a clue what a good radio was.. I was more interested in 
> bells and whistles and not what TT

This is an interesting statement:  I don't know what a "good radio" is 
for you.  I don't believe you know what a "good radio" is for me.  As 
far as I enjoy "free market" economics, that is my mantra :-)   What you 
call "bells and whistles" may define a "good radio" for someone else, 
and that is just as valid as your definition (unless someone has THE 
objective definition of a "good radio" - and I've not ever seen one. )

>   Holy $%it, it sounded like I was mixing cement with my 850 when 
> compared to the rx on the Omni V. I was sold!! I then went and bought 
> my first TT, it was an Omni VI which

I own the 850, the OMNI VI, let my Corsair II and OMNI-C go after many 
years.  I keep the 850 and OMNI VI because neither one sounds like a 
cement mixer in any way.  I personally thought the Corsair II sounded 
like a cement mixer, but after adding some audio filtering it was fine 
(on a quiet band).  Sounds like your 850 had a defect to me.  There are 
service bulletins to address similar problems.  I've made a few simple 
mods to each rig, nothing big (modified AGC in OMNI VI, added filters in 
main IF to both rigs, opened audio chain in OMNI VI, stuff like that.)
.......
> has spoiled me and "tuned" my brain to listen a certain way. Anyone who 
> owns an
												^^^^^^^
> OMNI V,VI or Corsair series knows what I speak of.  There are a few 
> radios (ie. FT1000)which match the rx quality of the TT but most others 
> cant hold a candle to it.

Anyone?  Not me!  The TS-850 stays in my shack (over the FT-1000 by 
personal preference) because of the fine receiver characteristics (it 
"equals" the OMNI VI ability to pull in weak stations in every situation 
I've ever encountered), smooth audio, non fatiguing SSB reception.  The 
audio amp contains many more "highs" than most of my Ten Tec rigs, but 
the tone control, AGC and RF gain may be used to get it just right.  The 
"effective" MDS (I use wire antennas, I'm not near any contest stations) 
is the same for both rigs.   My OMNI VI  is just better for me for CW, 
because of its "bells and whistles" (audio DSP, the PBT arrangement, 
tuning speed).   But the 850 is no slouch for CW and the OMNI VI is no 
slouch for SSB.  As long as I don't have to dig up a quick $1K, I'm 
going to have them both!

> > <<<While its always nice to hear another Omni VI on the air whose owner
> > loves it, I've never quite understood why they didn't outsell 
> > everything
> > made by the import radio companies.>>>
That was a good question.  I believe I understand it, knowing as many 
other hams who own other rigs as I do.  The reasons show up frequently 
on this list, but these reasons are the precise reasons Ten Tec prefer 
Ten Tec.  The reasoning for buying another radio don't play well here on 
this list :-)  These guys truly find the other rigs to be "better 
radios" in a way that is significant to them.  I don't pretend to know 
what's best for them, they (mostly) don't pretend to know what's best 
for me.  We all get along just fine in the end.

I choose Ten Tec because it works for me under the conditions and 
circumstances I expect.  I choose Ten Tec because they've made 
engineering tradeoffs that match my expectations.  Sometimes I do not 
choose Ten Tec and that does not reflect badly on Ten Tec, they have not 
solved all problems for all radio users (yet).

Clark
WA3JPG

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