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Re: [TenTec] ARRL Review of FT9000

To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TenTec] ARRL Review of FT9000
From: "Joseph Trombino Jr" <w2kj@bellsouth.net>
Reply-to: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec@contesting.com>
Date: Wed, 6 Jul 2005 11:49:24 -0400
List-post: <mailto:tentec@contesting.com>
Fellow Ten Tec'ers:

I rarely post to this list but I do have some thoughts I'd like to air 
publicly.

Numbers in themselves don't mean much when equipment performance rises to 
previously unheard levels of capability.  A 3rd OIP with numbers higher than 
+20 dbm probably couldn't be noticed in a well designed receiver.

What disturbs me are that some QST reviews clearly avoid making negative 
comments on some very poor numbers I have seen over the years on some major 
manufacturers products.

I recall the Argonaut II receiving much less than glowing reports when 
reviewed in QST....perhaps the reviewer was more critical than ther present 
day QST reviewers.

I have use an Argo II for over ten years now and it's performance has been 
outstanding.

I have seen 3rd OIP numbers at the closer 5Khz spacing now used that would 
indicate hefty performance shortfalls....believe it is on the IC756 Pro III 
if I recall correctly...but no mention is made of that.  Some of the smaller 
radios like the FT857 and FT 897 come to mind when I reviewed their specs on 
receiver performance that didn't appear to be great.

The Orion pretty much holds its own in terms of 3rd order intercept per the 
review when measured at 20khz and 5khz.

I have seen less than spectacular spectrum analyzer plots of 3rd IMD 
products being overlooked or at least not commented on.

I don't want to think that the ARRL is showing favoritism to major 
manufacturers who spend lots of advertising dollars in QST by overlooking 
bad numbers or by making seemingly flattering remarks that don't match up 
with the numbers cited in the review.

I have seen too many remarks that would indicate that this particular radio 
is simply great....but a look at the numbers makes you wonder what the 
reviewers based these favoring remarks upon.

I am a Life Member of the ARRL and eagerly look forward to receiving QST 
each month.....but......the folks who write the reviews have to look past 
the bells and whistles and advertising money and call a spade a spade when 
confronted by dismal number there own tests reveal.

Please, no more excuses for "overlooked" performance shortfalls.

OK...that's my story and I am sticking to it (grin)

Back into my hole and back to Ten Tec gear and QRP.

                                    73, Joe W2KJ
                                    I QRP, therefore, I am
                                    Orion owner and lover 


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