[TenTec] Centurion in the new lineup

[Rob Atkinson, K5UJ]

I don't have a sure answer for this, only hunches which seemed to be wrong.  
My thinking was that the cost of remaking the Centurion might outway the 
sales potential. Also, from a business point of view, it's priced not a 
whole lot less than the Titan II now (about $800?  That sounds like a lot 
but not when thinking about $3K).  I was thinking that since the company 
seems to want to continue to make 100 w. exciters (I don't have a problem 
with that BTW) they might eventually only make linears that can be easily 
driven to 1500 w. by them.  I've been hearing lately about the supply of 
1600bs drying up but not much about why it happened or when.  Is this a 
recent thing?  I'm not sure any tube is a safe bet--I think most 3-500s are 
made by some factory in China for RF Parts.  I would not assume they'll be 
around forever given the instability of international political & economic 
relations. For all I know, the factory owner might discover there's more $$ 
in making curling stones next week, and all of a sudden it's bye bye tubes; 
hello granite, the 3-500 price goes up to $300 and everyone is scrounging 
and detubing old broadcast transmitters.  I bought a couple of spares just 
in case, but this is more of an amp topic so I'll wrap it by saying I'm glad 
TT seems to be planning black boxes for the accessories.  I wish it weren't 
so but I understand the business realities that dictate the need for a 
non-distinctive product line.
73,

Rob
K5UJ

----Original Message Follows----
From: cherry@getnet.net
To: TenTec@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Centurion in the new lineup
Date: Tue,  2 Apr 2002 12:35:20 -0700

Why would they drop the Centurion? It uses the easy to buy 3-500Z's.
The Titan II uses the hard to get 4CX1600B. It would be easy to put
the Centurion in a black box.
Jim W7ANF



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