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Re: [TenTec] Ten Tec model R4020 arrived. First impressions

To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Ten Tec model R4020 arrived. First impressions
From: wmgoins@gmail.com
Reply-to: wmgoins@gmail.com, Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec@contesting.com>
Date: Thu, 3 Jun 2010 16:23:43 +0000
List-post: <tentec@contesting.com">mailto:tentec@contesting.com>
I have the he 1 and they all come with the battery holder like that. I use an i 
pod powered speaker with mine. Audio is a actor of phones. Try several as some 
of mine are very loud. Would like to change knobs. Solid little radio.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

-----Original Message-----
From: mike bryce <prosolar@sssnet.com>
Date: Thu, 3 Jun 2010 12:15:28 
To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment<tentec@contesting.com>
Subject: [TenTec] Ten Tec model R4020 arrived. First impressions

Hello Gang!

The R4020 I ordered at dayton arrived yesterday. I was unable to get it fired 
up last night, but you know what they say about first impressions.

For a brand new radio, the packaging looked like it was used. The bubble wrap 
bag the radio came in was all popped. I know this is a mute point, but there 
was no 'wow' from me when I opened the box. 

I should have read the instructions first, for when I picked up the radio, it 
rattled like it had loose parts inside. As a matter of fact, it really did have 
loose parts inside—the battery holders, plug and rubber feet.

Number one nit to pick! Those radio shack knobs have got to go!

In keeping with Ten Tec tradition, the AF gain knob was smashed down onto the 
front panel. A quick fix with a small screwdriver. The knob wiggles back and 
forth now on the control shaft.


Popping the case, only two screws hold it together, the pcb is silk screened 
and appears to be of decent quality. Although the pcb is stuffed with surface 
mount parts, they are the larger 1206 types and although still quite small, joe 
ham could repair this radio. HB-1A5 is silk screened in one corner.

There are provisions for installing 8- AA batteries, basically two plastic four 
AA battery holders. You solder the wires together and then to a supplied plug 
that plugs into the pcb assembly.

The instructions are six single sided sheets. There's a schematic, but no parts 
location overlay. The pcb silk screen is readable so, in a pinch you could in 
fact locate a suspect part by the screen alone. 

Other than the fact the radio uses a DDS vfo, the radio is quite basic. NE602 
mixers are used and a classic LM386 is the output for the audio chain. 

Speaking of audio, it's mentioned several times in the manual you MUST use 
stereo head phones. DO NOT use a mono plug in the audio output jack. There is 
NO internal speaker.

I'll get some power and an antenna hooked up to is shortly....as soon as I can 
locate some better knobs!

Mike, wb8vge

Mike, WB8VGE
SunLight Energy Systems
The Heathkit Shop
http://www.theheathkitshop.com/
J e e p
o|||||||o 
If it wasn't for great distances, we would all live a lot closer!






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