TenTec
[Top] [All Lists]

[TenTec] Argo 6

To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Subject: [TenTec] Argo 6
From: "Howell, D. Haney" <howellh@winthrop.edu>
Reply-to: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec@contesting.com>
Date: Tue, 12 May 2015 06:16:52 -0400
List-post: <tentec@contesting.com">mailto:tentec@contesting.com>
I, too, am very impressed and am truly enjoying this radio.  One caution.  When 
the supply voltage from my battery drops to 12 volts, the receive goes dead.  I 
actually sent it back to TT and there were no problems.  Just the low voltage.

Haney
k2xn

> On May 12, 2015, at 5:54 AM, "tentec-request@contesting.com" 
> <tentec-request@contesting.com> wrote:
> 
> Send TenTec mailing list submissions to
>    tentec@contesting.com
> 
> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>    
> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__lists.contesting.com_mailman_listinfo_tentec&d=AwICAg&c=82NFg6qkAwmLf-ElsTDuMzmUibVPgLssK8WcsyJgSiA&r=qLRr3eMSdgHqtZiPnK6NYt_TFH3FwDzD-b4QQg-nAZI&m=xscY19--ywQeNMQt6a1QxidpZywfneyDC-lDttGkbxU&s=kNUhIx9UGXSxTZRjq8qYDuGLytlyx8Db5MmpgJiYXVE&e=
>  
> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>    tentec-request@contesting.com
> 
> You can reach the person managing the list at
>    tentec-owner@contesting.com
> 
> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> than "Re: Contents of TenTec digest..."
> 
> 
> Today's Topics:
> 
>   1. Re: TT Orion 2 and Yaesu CM-500 - RF problem sorted! -
>      classic Pin 1 issue (Steve Ireland)
>   2. Re: TT Orion 2 and Yaesu CM-500 - RF problem sorted! -
>      classic Pin 1 issue (Jim Brown)
>   3. Argonaut VI...first impressions (Lee  WA3FIY)
>   4. Re: Argonaut VI...first impressions (Duane Calvin)
> 
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Message: 1
> Date: Sat, 11 Apr 2015 09:30:19 +0800
> From: "Steve Ireland" <vk6vz@arach.net.au>
> To: <tentec@contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] TT Orion 2 and Yaesu CM-500 - RF problem sorted!
>    -    classic Pin 1 issue
> Message-ID: <17436C481B134801B9AB6F4090FCFE9F@StevesHPpcPC>
> Content-Type: text/plain;    charset="utf-8"
> 
> As Jim K9YC says, a Misconception Alert? here is very important ? and part of 
> the problem is about what we name things. 
> 
> In the TT Orion 2 manual, as per what seems the general convention in 
> electronics today,  the ?ve connection from a mic element is the connection 
> called ?MIC GND (mic signal ground ? pin 7).  
> 
> As checked by my ohmmeter, there is no direct connection between the MIC GND 
> at the rig and the actual rig ground (labelled GND (pin 5).
> 
> The good news is the Orion 2 manual says: ?Keeping the chassis ground and mic 
> signal ground separated are done to reduce the possibility of inducing stray 
> hum or RFI into the transmitted signal? and gives a nice diagram to help 
> ensure you do this.
> 
> What I said in the previous email was what I physically did, but the idea and 
> the end result was to avoid a path for RF current flowing on the shield of 
> the microphone cable (which runs from the TT Orion 2 to the interface box) 
> into the electret microphone element. 
> 
> As K9YC points out, this was achieved by connecting the shield/chassis ground 
> to the interface box, which kept the RF outside the box.  The so called MIC 
> GND (microphone -ve) travels through the interface box without any connection 
> to chassis ground.
> 
> The CM-500 enclosure is made of plastic and so (of course) offers no 
> shielding to the electret element. As one of the antennas I now use ? a 40m 
> Moxon Rectangle ? has feeders which come into the shack, so I can vary the 
> amplitude and phase of the current in the reflector for maximum gain/F to B 
> and its tuning unit currently has no cover, there seems to be a lot more RF 
> in the shack than there used to be...  
> 
> Despite this situation, I was grateful (and a little surprised) that doing 
> the above to the interface worked OK without the need for any further RF 
> suppression.
> 
> Sorry for any confusion caused ? and thanks to all who helped.
> 
> Vy 73
> 
> Steve, VK6VZ  
> 
> 
> On Fri,4/10/2015 12:44 AM, Steve Ireland wrote:
>>> Isolating mic ground from the rig ground, along with making sure the 
>>> interface aluminium box was connected to the rig ground, stopped the RF 
>>> from getting into the CM-500 electret element.
> 
>> Misconception Alert!
> 
>> We are not talking about a connection to Mother Earth. That is NOT part
> of a solution to RFI. What we are talking about is avoiding a path for 
> RF current flowing on the shield that goes THROUGH the box. When we 
> connect the shield to the chassis, we keep the RF outside the box.
> 
> 
> 
> ---
> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.avast.com&d=AwICAg&c=82NFg6qkAwmLf-ElsTDuMzmUibVPgLssK8WcsyJgSiA&r=qLRr3eMSdgHqtZiPnK6NYt_TFH3FwDzD-b4QQg-nAZI&m=xscY19--ywQeNMQt6a1QxidpZywfneyDC-lDttGkbxU&s=phJfHdnH5TBEJvqB7v0ZUm9MEZks0NHCmmbBb7-Ij90&e=
>  
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 2
> Date: Fri, 10 Apr 2015 21:43:00 -0700
> From: Jim Brown <k9yc@audiosystemsgroup.com>
> To: tentec@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] TT Orion 2 and Yaesu CM-500 - RF problem sorted!
>    - classic Pin 1 issue
> Message-ID: <5528A654.6070807@audiosystemsgroup.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed
> 
> Steve,
> 
> No matter what the manual says, much of what Ten Tec and other ham mfrs 
> do is WRONG, including much of what you are describing.  CAPS added for 
> emphasis.
> 
> The ONLY proper connection for a cable shield is the CHASSIS at the 
> point where it enters the box. PERIOD. Not "rig ground." What IS OK is 
> for an overall cable shield to go directly to the chassis and a signal 
> pair within that shield to go to Mic and Mic return, but I seriously 
> doubt that's what they're doing.
> 
>> On Fri,4/10/2015 6:30 PM, Steve Ireland wrote:
>> As Jim K9YC says, a Misconception Alert? here is very important ? and part 
>> of the problem is about what we name things.
>> 
>> In the TT Orion 2 manual, as per what seems the general convention in 
>> electronics today,  the ?ve connection from a mic element is the connection 
>> called ?MIC GND (mic signal ground ? pin 7).
> 
> It's a common mistake, called the Pin One Problem.
> 
>> As checked by my ohmmeter, there is no direct connection between the MIC GND 
>> at the rig and the actual rig ground (labelled GND (pin 5).
>> 
>> The good news is the Orion 2 manual says: ?Keeping the chassis ground and 
>> mic signal ground separated are done to reduce the possibility of inducing 
>> stray hum or RFI into the transmitted signal? and gives a nice diagram to 
>> help ensure you do this.
> 
> Again, this is a CAUSE of hum, buzz, and RFI, not a solution to it.
> 
>> What I said in the previous email was what I physically did, but the idea 
>> and the end result was to avoid a path for RF current flowing on the shield 
>> of the microphone cable (which runs from the TT Orion 2 to the interface 
>> box) into the electret microphone element.
>> 
>> As K9YC points out, this was achieved by connecting the shield/chassis 
>> ground to the interface box, which kept the RF outside the box.  The so 
>> called MIC GND (microphone -ve) travels through the interface box without 
>> any connection to chassis ground.
> 
> See above.  The only way that this would be good circuit is if the two 
> mic wires (mic and mic gnd) are a twisted pair inside a braid shield 
> that is bonded to the chassis at the point of entry, and the circuit 
> inside the box is some form of balanced input.
> 
>> The CM-500 enclosure is made of plastic and so (of course) offers no 
>> shielding to the electret element.
> 
> Like most hams, you are fixating on shielding, when the problem is 
> almost never a lack of shielding, but rather improper connection of 
> cable shields.
> 
> Here's a tutorial I've done on proper power, bonding, and audio for ham 
> radio.
> 
> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__k9yc.com_GroundingAndAudio.pdf&d=AwICAg&c=82NFg6qkAwmLf-ElsTDuMzmUibVPgLssK8WcsyJgSiA&r=qLRr3eMSdgHqtZiPnK6NYt_TFH3FwDzD-b4QQg-nAZI&m=xscY19--ywQeNMQt6a1QxidpZywfneyDC-lDttGkbxU&s=PTgwar259RYaAUmwCbBnokjmeK8mlrGpUI0GhwzH5Q0&e=
>  
> 
> Soon after I moved to CA, I was invited to guest-op at N6RO, a 
> superstation about 70 miles east of San Francisco. The power there had 
> been very well installed, but lots of dumb stuff had been done with 
> power strips, MOV boxes, and interconnects for computers and other gear, 
> and the buzz from power system leakage currents were absolutely awful on 
> the air.  In an afternoon, I applied the principles outlined in that 
> tutorial to Ken's six legal limit stations, each with its own computer, 
> interface boxes, etc . By the end of the afternoon, buzz had gone from 
> awful to inaudible. And all without a single audio transformer anywhere 
> in the station. Just proper bonding of both power and the gear.
> 
> 73
> 
>> As one of the antennas I now use ? a 40m Moxon Rectangle ? has feeders which 
>> come into the shack, so I can vary the amplitude and phase of the current in 
>> the reflector for maximum gain/F to B and its tuning unit currently has no 
>> cover, there seems to be a lot more RF in the shack than there used to be...
>> 
>> Despite this situation, I was grateful (and a little surprised) that doing 
>> the above to the interface worked OK without the need for any further RF 
>> suppression.
> 
>  Part of it is that you got lucky. :)
> 
> 73, Jim K9YC
>> 
>> Sorry for any confusion caused ? and thanks to all who helped.
>> 
>> Vy 73
>> 
>> Steve, VK6VZ
>> 
>> 
>> On Fri,4/10/2015 12:44 AM, Steve Ireland wrote:
>>>> Isolating mic ground from the rig ground, along with making sure the 
>>>> interface aluminium box was connected to the rig ground, stopped the RF 
>>>> from getting into the CM-500 electret element.
>>> Misconception Alert!
>>> We are not talking about a connection to Mother Earth. That is NOT part
>> of a solution to RFI. What we are talking about is avoiding a path for
>> RF current flowing on the shield that goes THROUGH the box. When we
>> connect the shield to the chassis, we keep the RF outside the box.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> ---
>> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
>> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.avast.com&d=AwICAg&c=82NFg6qkAwmLf-ElsTDuMzmUibVPgLssK8WcsyJgSiA&r=qLRr3eMSdgHqtZiPnK6NYt_TFH3FwDzD-b4QQg-nAZI&m=xscY19--ywQeNMQt6a1QxidpZywfneyDC-lDttGkbxU&s=phJfHdnH5TBEJvqB7v0ZUm9MEZks0NHCmmbBb7-Ij90&e=
>>  
>> _______________________________________________
>> TenTec mailing list
>> TenTec@contesting.com
>> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__lists.contesting.com_mailman_listinfo_tentec&d=AwICAg&c=82NFg6qkAwmLf-ElsTDuMzmUibVPgLssK8WcsyJgSiA&r=qLRr3eMSdgHqtZiPnK6NYt_TFH3FwDzD-b4QQg-nAZI&m=xscY19--ywQeNMQt6a1QxidpZywfneyDC-lDttGkbxU&s=kNUhIx9UGXSxTZRjq8qYDuGLytlyx8Db5MmpgJiYXVE&e=
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 3
> Date: Sat, 11 Apr 2015 10:29:23 -0400
> From: "Lee  WA3FIY" <wa3fiy@radioadv.com>
> To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec@contesting.com>
> Subject: [TenTec] Argonaut VI...first impressions
> Message-ID: <55292FC3.4191.91D8C0F@wa3fiy.radioadv.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
> 
> 
> Argonaut VI first impressions...........
> 
> WOW!  :-)
> 
> That's my first impression of my new Argonaut VI (A6).  This is without a 
> doubt one 
> of the nicest most enjoyable radios I have owned in my 50 years of ham radio, 
> and I 
> have owned many.  It has exceeded (nearly) all of my expectations.
> 
> It is easy to learn and easy to use and provides top notch receive 
> performance.  I'm 
> unable to comment on voice mode operation as I'm nearly deaf and don't do 
> voice, 
> but CW and digital operations are absolutely outstanding.  The signal quality 
> on my 
> digital signal is the best I have seen from any of my rigs, even at full 
> power output 
> which is where I run it most of the time.  More on output power shortly.  All 
> the 
> controls have a solid feel.  I especially like the tuning knob.  No cheap 
> plastic here.  
> :-)  Although the radio is small, I find it easy to operate each control.  
> Every function 
> I need is available and works well.  The output transistors are very robust 
> and 
> should hold up well under most any operation.  The output stage does not fold 
> back 
> under high swr conditions from what I can tell.
> 
> Ten watts is enough power for most of my operating but there are times when I 
> need a little more.  For those times I use a HR50/AT amplifier for fifty 
> watts output 
> or a Hercules II for around 200 watts output.  This combination, A6 and Herc 
> II, 
> make an extremely low distortion 200 watt station, virtually bullet proof and 
> with a 
> little work on my part making an interconnecting cable, the Herc will 
> automatically 
> follow the A6 from band to band.
> 
> I intended to use the A6 for battery operations since it is rated to operate 
> down to 
> 9.5 volts, but I am so impressed with this thing that it may well become my 
> primary 
> station radio along with the Hercules II. 
> 
> It may sound like I have found the perfect radio.  Not quite.  One issue I 
> have is 
> zero beating the incoming signal on CW.  I've not yet found a way to do that 
> with 
> the radio only.  Currently I use my computer running a spectrum analysis 
> program 
> and tune to the frequency setting of my CW offset.  That works well but it's 
> another 
> piece of equipment that may not always be available.  If anyone knows how to 
> zero 
> beat using some built-in radio function, please speak up.
> 
> Well....those are my first impressions.  Ten-Tec has a winner in the Argonaut 
> VI.  I 
> hope they keep it in the line-up for many years to come.  There are seven 
> hams in 
> my family and we try to have similar rigs.  Maybe the Argonaut will be that 
> rig in the 
> future.  
> 
> I'll keep you posted on how things go.
> 
> 73 from a happy camper,
> 
> -Lee-
> 
> WA3FIY
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ---
> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.avast.com&d=AwICAg&c=82NFg6qkAwmLf-ElsTDuMzmUibVPgLssK8WcsyJgSiA&r=qLRr3eMSdgHqtZiPnK6NYt_TFH3FwDzD-b4QQg-nAZI&m=xscY19--ywQeNMQt6a1QxidpZywfneyDC-lDttGkbxU&s=phJfHdnH5TBEJvqB7v0ZUm9MEZks0NHCmmbBb7-Ij90&e=
>  
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 4
> Date: Sat, 11 Apr 2015 10:30:18 -0500
> From: "Duane Calvin" <ac5aa1@gmail.com>
> To: <wa3fiy@radioadv.com>,    "'Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment'"
>    <tentec@contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Argonaut VI...first impressions
> Message-ID: <027d01d0746c$6b789920$4269cb60$@gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain;    charset="iso-8859-1"
> 
> Thanks for the positive review, Lee.  I purchased one, used, last year and
> have not had much opportunity to use it yet.  What little I have done really
> surprised me on how well it operated, and the strength of the receiver.  I'm
> setting mine up for portable use.  Many of your comments captured what I had
> discovered too.
> 
>    73, Duane
> 
> Duane Calvin, AC5AA
> Austin, Texas
> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.ac5aa.com&d=AwICAg&c=82NFg6qkAwmLf-ElsTDuMzmUibVPgLssK8WcsyJgSiA&r=qLRr3eMSdgHqtZiPnK6NYt_TFH3FwDzD-b4QQg-nAZI&m=xscY19--ywQeNMQt6a1QxidpZywfneyDC-lDttGkbxU&s=LWsazZpT8Dqp7z8laRiUjGKTYvcCLaY2cjrBoKZUFhg&e=
>  ??
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TenTec [mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Lee WA3FIY
> Sent: Saturday, April 11, 2015 9:29 AM
> To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
> Subject: [TenTec] Argonaut VI...first impressions
> 
> 
> Argonaut VI first impressions...........
> 
> WOW!  :-)
> 
> That's my first impression of my new Argonaut VI (A6).  This is without a
> doubt one 
> of the nicest most enjoyable radios I have owned in my 50 years of ham
> radio, and I 
> have owned many.  It has exceeded (nearly) all of my expectations.
> 
> It is easy to learn and easy to use and provides top notch receive
> performance.  I'm 
> unable to comment on voice mode operation as I'm nearly deaf and don't do
> voice, 
> but CW and digital operations are absolutely outstanding.  The signal
> quality on my 
> digital signal is the best I have seen from any of my rigs, even at full
> power output 
> which is where I run it most of the time.  More on output power shortly.
> All the 
> controls have a solid feel.  I especially like the tuning knob.  No cheap
> plastic here.  
> :-)  Although the radio is small, I find it easy to operate each control.
> Every function 
> I need is available and works well.  The output transistors are very robust
> and 
> should hold up well under most any operation.  The output stage does not
> fold back 
> under high swr conditions from what I can tell.
> 
> Ten watts is enough power for most of my operating but there are times when
> I 
> need a little more.  For those times I use a HR50/AT amplifier for fifty
> watts output 
> or a Hercules II for around 200 watts output.  This combination, A6 and Herc
> II, 
> make an extremely low distortion 200 watt station, virtually bullet proof
> and with a 
> little work on my part making an interconnecting cable, the Herc will
> automatically 
> follow the A6 from band to band.
> 
> I intended to use the A6 for battery operations since it is rated to operate
> down to 
> 9.5 volts, but I am so impressed with this thing that it may well become my
> primary 
> station radio along with the Hercules II. 
> 
> It may sound like I have found the perfect radio.  Not quite.  One issue I
> have is 
> zero beating the incoming signal on CW.  I've not yet found a way to do that
> with 
> the radio only.  Currently I use my computer running a spectrum analysis
> program 
> and tune to the frequency setting of my CW offset.  That works well but it's
> another 
> piece of equipment that may not always be available.  If anyone knows how to
> zero 
> beat using some built-in radio function, please speak up.
> 
> Well....those are my first impressions.  Ten-Tec has a winner in the
> Argonaut VI.  I 
> hope they keep it in the line-up for many years to come.  There are seven
> hams in 
> my family and we try to have similar rigs.  Maybe the Argonaut will be that
> rig in the 
> future.  
> 
> I'll keep you posted on how things go.
> 
> 73 from a happy camper,
> 
> -Lee-
> 
> WA3FIY
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ---
> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.avast.com&d=AwICAg&c=82NFg6qkAwmLf-ElsTDuMzmUibVPgLssK8WcsyJgSiA&r=qLRr3eMSdgHqtZiPnK6NYt_TFH3FwDzD-b4QQg-nAZI&m=xscY19--ywQeNMQt6a1QxidpZywfneyDC-lDttGkbxU&s=phJfHdnH5TBEJvqB7v0ZUm9MEZks0NHCmmbBb7-Ij90&e=
>  
> _______________________________________________
> TenTec mailing list
> TenTec@contesting.com
> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__lists.contesting.com_mailman_listinfo_tentec&d=AwICAg&c=82NFg6qkAwmLf-ElsTDuMzmUibVPgLssK8WcsyJgSiA&r=qLRr3eMSdgHqtZiPnK6NYt_TFH3FwDzD-b4QQg-nAZI&m=xscY19--ywQeNMQt6a1QxidpZywfneyDC-lDttGkbxU&s=kNUhIx9UGXSxTZRjq8qYDuGLytlyx8Db5MmpgJiYXVE&e=
>  
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Subject: Digest Footer
> 
> _______________________________________________
> TenTec mailing list
> TenTec@contesting.com
> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__lists.contesting.com_mailman_listinfo_tentec&d=AwICAg&c=82NFg6qkAwmLf-ElsTDuMzmUibVPgLssK8WcsyJgSiA&r=qLRr3eMSdgHqtZiPnK6NYt_TFH3FwDzD-b4QQg-nAZI&m=xscY19--ywQeNMQt6a1QxidpZywfneyDC-lDttGkbxU&s=kNUhIx9UGXSxTZRjq8qYDuGLytlyx8Db5MmpgJiYXVE&e=
>  
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> End of TenTec Digest, Vol 148, Issue 14
> ***************************************
_______________________________________________
TenTec mailing list
TenTec@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>