[TenTec] #253

[Ten-Tec, Inc.]

At 04:01 PM 6/9/97 -0700, you wrote:
>I am wondering why Ten Tec discontinued this item?  Not a big seller?
>Problems?   I'd buy one in an instant as it sounds like the solution for
>high power contesters....
>
>Any comments Scott?  
>
>73 de Dave KB6JOX
>

The #253 automatic antenna coupler was discontinued in 1995 due to lack of
sales (which is why it is not an easy item to come by as used equipment, and
we rarely see them come back to us as trade-ins).  We had them in production 
for about 6 years and at slightly over $1000 retail it was not an item in the 
budget of the average ham.  We will continue to service the 253 in the future,
as we do with all equipment we have manufactured.   

Raining in Sevierville again today - that's 16 out of the last 18 days
according to the local newscast.  

73, 
  

>>----------
>>From: 	Brian K. Short[SMTP:KE7GH@primenet.com]
>>Sent: 	Monday, June 09, 1997 2:32 PM
>>To: 	tentec@contesting.com
>>Subject: 	[TenTec] #253 AutoTuner (summary)
>>
>>Marty, et. al.
>>
>>The TenTec #253 is a high power autotuner, capable of roughly full legal
>>limit matching of a wide range of antennas.
>>
>>The tuner is a (reversible) L-Network with a roller inductor controlled
>>by a stepper motor and vacuum relays to switch in/out. It is powered by
>>12vdc and 2a max. It has 4 antenna inputs, the 4th of which can be set 
>>for coax, balanced, or end fed wire. The other 3 are coax only.
>>
>>The tuner tunes fairly quickly (30s max, <5s typical), but is somewhat
>>dependent on inductor position.
>>
>>It can be controlled by Icom equipment automatically and others have
>>built a small control box to select the various internal memories
>>(each antenna selection has a memory for each band, but they can be
>> used however with the custom switch, 32 memories).
>>
>>The firmware requires a little TLC in some unusual situations (perhaps
>>present owners can amplify on this?).
>>
>>It can be manually controlled, also.
>>
>>New, this was an expensive piece of equipment and is presently difficult
>>to find as it is out of production.
>>
>>All of the above is from others' comments as mine will not be here for
>>a week or two. If you have further interest, contact me then.
>>
>>73, Brian ke7gh@primenet.com (now K7ON)
>>
>>>Hi Brian,
>>>I was hoping to see some of the responses as a #253 is on my "want list"
>>>for sometime in the future (after the ham budget recovers from the Omni VI
>>>upgrade to "+" - hi!)
>>>Could you please post a synopsis of what you learned? I expect other list
>>>lurkers would like to see the info besides me...
>>>Marty - W7LEJ
>>
>>
>>Brian ke7gh@primenet.com >or< http://www.primenet.com/~ke7gh
>>
>>
>>--
>>FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/tentecfaq.htm
>>Submissions:              tentec@contesting.com
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>>Problems:                 owner-tentec@contesting.com
>>Search:                   http://www.contesting.com/km9p/search.htm
>>
>
>--
>FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/tentecfaq.htm
>Submissions:              tentec@contesting.com
>Administrative requests:  tentec-REQUEST@contesting.com
>Problems:                 owner-tentec@contesting.com
>Search:                   http://www.contesting.com/km9p/search.htm
>
>
>
Scott Robbins, W4PA
Amateur Radio Sales, Ten-Tec, Inc.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
  Ten-Tec, Inc., 1185 Dolly Parton Pkwy., Sevierville, TN 37862 USA 
  Contact Mon-Fri Eastern time:  Office/Tech (423) 453-7172 9 am-5 pm.  
  Repair (423) 428-0364 8 am-4 pm.  Sales (800) 833-7373 9 am-5:30 pm.
  Fax (423) 428-4483 24 hrs.  E-mail <sales@tentec.com> for sales and
  general product info only.  Visit us at <http://www.tentec.com>
  Please do not e-mail us unsolicited picture files. 

  Ten-Tec manufactures amateur radio equipment, military and commercial 
  use HF radio equipment, custom aluminum and steel enclosures and has an
on-premises, fully equipped tool and die facility supplying the metal and 
  plastic injection mold industries.  Potential tool and die, custom enclosure, 
  or communications electronics customer?  Contact us, we do small quantity
jobs.         


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