[TenTec] Century 21 PTO Repair
Walter S Delesandri
walt@jove.acs.unt.edu
Thu, 9 Jul 1998 13:17:20 -0500 (Central Daylight Time)
As a ham of 25 years, 75% CW on HF, I have mixed emotions about this
discussion. I *LOVE* the RF and QSK performance of T-T gear. Best I've
ever used, BY FAR.
However, as a technician by day (NOT ham radio), I have to admit that
the longevity of the T-T dial drive is deplorable, as is the quality
of their enclosures, particularly on the older gear. I also use Collins,
Drake, Atlas (!!- I love 'em) and some other boatanchor gear from time to
time. The various VFO drives/dial assemblies have their plusses and minusses,
but Ten-Tec-- give me a break!!
All the other gear I named, as well as some I haven't, either has NO
VFO drive problems, ever, or can be cured by cleaning/lube--NO NEW PARTS.
Tentec is to be praised for their support. However, I believe that this
support is NECESSARY for them to continue selling gear. Also, T-T gear
was (is?) NOT CHEAP. When the tritons were new, they were expensive compared
to gear of the poor construction quality that they exhibited. The
company is wonderful, their RF/user interface performance second to none.
But how difficult is it to design a dial drive? Look at Collins, Heath, or
even a Swan 240 or Hammarlund. Two chamfered(SP) washers, and a spring. NOT
rocket science. Even the Atlas piece of crap with it's string OUTLASTS A T-T!!
WE LOVE TenTec. Just let them quit selling replacements for these crappy
VFO drives and see how much you like them in a few years. Can you NOT see
your Corsair II as a paperweight?? We need to let 'em know that they
BETTER continue their support of these rigs, because unlike Collins/Drake/etc.
you MUST have their support to keep the damn things on the air.
Thanks for the space, just had to vent after seeing ANOTHER bad PTO drive
last week......
73, Walt
On Thu, 09 Jul 1998 13:02:04 -0400 Chester Alderman
<chestert@pressroom.com> wrote:h
>
> Isn't it a treat to Monday morning quarterback? What's the typical life of
> a PTO ? Do you know or do you just love to bitch? TenTec supports their
> gear for a VERY long time. What kind of warranty do you get when you buy a
> Eimac tube and it crashes at the 366th day? What they do for you is send
> you their price list so you can buy a new one!
> Gosh folks, we have one group complaining that part of ham radio is
> supposed to be somewhat technical...the other half of the group want
> everything to last forever...get a life!
> Maybe you guys should go buy some of the good foreign rigs with sythesizers
> so you wont have to contend with a PTO that gets sticky from lack of
> use...you will not hear weak signals on the ham bands with those rigs and
> you will lose you ability to cry too.
>
>
>
> At 08:53 AM 7/9/98 -0700, you wrote:
> >
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: Bill_Ames@hysoft.com <Bill_Ames@hysoft.com>
> >To: COL Richard Knox <knoxr@cc.tacom.army.mil>
> >Cc: tentec@contesting.com <tentec@contesting.com>
> >Date: Thursday, July 09, 1998 8:31 AM
> >Subject: Re: [TenTec] Century 21 PTO Repair
> >
> >
> >>
> >>I wonder what kept TT from using better materials in building their PTOs?
> >>Heck, we have had Teflon for years and I don't see where the wear is coming
> >>from on these components. What do they do, use sand for a lubricant!
> >
> >Very good point. I've never seen such a terrible reliability history with a
> >PTO/VFO. Look at all the old Heathkits and Collins rigs that are still going
> >strong on their original components. I wonder what they did wrong.
> >
> >
> >>
> >>
> >>Bill Ames
> >>KB1LG
> >>
> >>
> >
> >Lane
> >KM3G
> >San Diego
> >
> >
> >>
> >>--
> >>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
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >--
> >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
> >
> Chester Alderman
> * Tom - - W4BQF*
> chestert@pressroom.com
>
>
> --
> 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
--
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Problems: owner-tentec@contesting.com
Search: http://www.contesting.com/km9p/search.htm