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Re: [TenTec] Pimp My Eagle

To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Pimp My Eagle
From: Barry N1EU <barry.n1eu@gmail.com>
Reply-to: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec@contesting.com>
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 2016 21:29:08 +0000
List-post: <tentec@contesting.com">mailto:tentec@contesting.com>
Isn't the use of analog versus digital controls dictated by the circuit,
whether analog or digital?

Barry N1EU

On Thu, Jan 7, 2016 at 9:25 PM, rick@dj0ip.de <Rick@dj0ip.de> wrote:

> "Software controllable"
>
> Mike this is an excellent point but also a point of debate.
>
> Old radios with simple mechanical volume controls just seem to last longer
> than radios with encoders.
>
> On the one hand, in the interest of simplicity, I would like to see just
> two
> encoders, one for the VFO and one for a multi knob for the features that
> will still need to be in a menu.  All else should be old fashion mechanical
> devices like used in the past 100 years.
>
> On the other hand, lack of radio control (i.e. N4PY) might be a good reason
> for many people not to purchase the radio.
>
> I'm pretty sure that feature is a MUST.
>
> 73 - Rick, DJ0IP
> (Nr. Frankfurt, Germany)
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TenTec [mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Mike
> Newell
> Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2016 6:47 PM
> To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Pimp My Eagle
>
> I would like to add one item to Rick's list.
>
> Sometimes I like to operate the radio from the front panel and sometimes I
> like to operate it from software.
>
> I would like to see the Eagle's software command set expanded so that
> pretty
> much every function is available to software, as with the OMNI VII.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Mike - WB4HUC
> Austin, TX
>
>
> On 1/7/2016 10:52 AM, rick@dj0ip.de wrote:
> > PLEASE KEEP THIS THREAD FOCUSED ON THE “EAGLE.”
> >
> > (feel free to start a new thread on O7+ or O3)
> >
> >
> >
> > I agree with Brian . . .  let’s talk about radios again.
> >
> >
> >
> > It seems the current tentative plan is:
> >
> >
> >
> > 1)      OM7(+) gets a new front plate and face plate, but not a lot of
> > changes
> >
> > 2)      (super) Eagle gets new DSP and _ _ _ _ _ _
> >
> > 3)      Argonaut 6 will more or less resume production unchanged
> >
> > 4)      An O3 is in the making, details unknown
> >
> >
> >
> > I want to make a suggestions about the future Eagle.
> >
> >
> >
> > IMO TEN-TEC made a mistake with the Eagle.
> >
> > They tried to address three market segments with one product.
> >
> > 1)      A simple easy to use computer for old folks (including me) who
> > usually prefer not to even turn the computer on, just because we want
> > to get on the radio – but do want high performance.
> >
> > 2)      The mobile hf market
> >
> > 3)      The entry level 100w hf transceiver market
> >
> >
> >
> > Result:  Jack of all trades, master of none.
> >
> >
> >
> > If you read the wish list in the Eagle group, since the beginning
> > there were clearly representatives of all three groups expressing
> > wishes for improvements.  What might benefit one group is often
> > counter-productive for the other.
> >
> >
> >
> > If Ten-Tec is to succeed, they need to identify the market segment for
> > each product and optimize for it.
> >
> >
> >
> > Of the three segments I have listed above, I believe Ten-Tec’s best
> > chance is in no. 1.
> >
> >
> >
> > I don’t think any US based OEM can go big in the entry level segment
> > because it is primarily driven by price.
> >
> >
> >
> > I also believe a mobile rig today MUST have a removable front panel.
> > Sure some people don’t mind having the radio occupy the front
> > passenger space, but I prefer to keep it for my XYL.  (In fact I have
> > no choice ;-)
> >
> >
> >
> > My wish is for the Super Eagle to focus on number 1 above.
> >
> > As such, I can propose some changes:
> >
> >
> >
> > 1)      And most important:  a bigger box.  In all my 15+ years
> > participating in Ten-Tec groups, I can’t recall a single instance of
> anyone
> > asking for a smaller box.   Yet ALL OEMs seem to think that’s what we
> want.
> > Lots of important things suffer when you reduce the size of the box.
> > You have less knobs, more menu adjustable items, smaller loud speaker,
> > smaller S-Meter, coils are smaller (lower Q), heat sinks are smaller
> > and fans are smaller so you have more noise.  Less room for working on
> > the radio, less room for back panel jacks (so we must use plugs with
> > 75 pins!).  DON’T NEED ANY OF THIS.  I NEED THE FOLLOWING…
> >
> > 2)      Larger knobs.  Concentric knobs are only ok if they are large
> > enough.
> >
> > 3)      Larger S-meter.  Prefer a true meter, but if not, then at least a
> > color-coded LED meter.
> >
> > 4)      ¼ inch connections for things like key and headphones;
> >
> > 5)      Separate jacks for paddle and straight key
> >
> > 6)      PTT and AMP KEY should be RCA Phono (again)
> >
> > 7)      Dedicated RIT control (not the multi-knob)
> >
> > 8)      Simplified VFO mode (i.e. getting in and out of split)
> >
> > 9)      Buttons should have a max of dual function.  Push once to enable
> > main function, push twice (quickly) to enable secondary function.  I
> > don’t want to push multiple buttons that may be on opposite sides of
> > the front panel.
> >
> > 10)   Exception to menu handling is allowed but only for things that
> really
> > are “set once and forget”, such as defining filter slots and screen
> color.
> >
> > 11)   Mic gain and CW Speed should be a dedicated knob.  I’m OK with it
> just
> > being one knob, but others might prefer concentric.
> >
> > 12)   Band stacking register.  Don’t understand why it was left out.
> >
> > 13)   [finally] address the keying timing issues when using a non-Ten-Tec
> > linear amplifier.  The Pre-dit and Post-dit (hang) time must be
> adjustable.
> > Pre-dit can be inside the “set once and forget” menu, but Post-dit is
> > a value I change often.  Either make it easy to adjust, OR make it
> > dynamically linked to the keyer speed with user adjustable ratio.
> > There are keyers on the market that have this feature.
> >
> > 14)   IF output to the real panel.  Can be an option, but just plug one
> > cable.
> >
> > 15)   Pre-selector output to the real panel.  Can be an option, but just
> 2
> > cables.
> >
> > 16)   AUX-RX ANT connection.  It’s to the point now that often the low
> bands
> > are only usable with some kind of special small receiving antenna, due
> > to all the noise from consumer products.
> >
> > 17)   NO BAND SCOPE.  (Use the IF connector on the rear panel).  Or use
> an
> > ANT OUT, an external SDR, and Carl’s NP4Y software.
> >
> > 18)   Power Out indicator (not just an ALC LED)
> >
> > 19)   What else?
> >
> > 20)   Bright Red-Orange Dot!  ;-)
> >
> >
> >
> > I’m sure I have forgotten a few points, but mainly  KEEP IT SIMPLE  so
> > that old eyes and old fingers can use it.
> >
> >
> >
> > I intentionally began this thread here rather than in the Eagle group
> > because maybe if we get these changes, some of the people here (and
> > not currently in the Eagle group) will join us.
> >
> >
> >
> > PIMP MY EAGLE!
> >
> >
> >
> > 73 - Rick, DJ0IP
> >
> > (Nr. Frankfurt, Germany)
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > TenTec mailing list
> > TenTec@contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
> >
> >
>
>
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