[TenTec] RE: 516... or why the Orion is more exciting

Reginald Mackey k6xr@bak.rr.com
Sun, 27 Jan 2002 11:15:08 -0800


I for one, am still excited about the 516 and anticipate it' arrival. I am
saving for the little rig....can't wait@
Reggie k6xr

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Clifford" <johnclif@ix.netcom.com>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Saturday, January 26, 2002 8:34 PM
Subject: [TenTec] RE: 516... or why the Orion is more exciting


> I think it's fair to say that more people will be interested in the Orion
> versus the new 516 QRP rig.  Why?  Well... here's why from my point of
view.
>
> The 516 doesn't excite me because there's nothing that it offers that I
> can't get from someone else.  The Icom IC-718 costs less and gives me QRO
> power (makes a better rig for a new General licensee).  The SGC 2020 seems
> 'neater'.  The Elecraft K2 offers superior performance and has the benefit
> (to me) / drawback (to others) of being a kit.  I think the market for the
> 516 is pretty small... mainly confirmed Ten-Tec fans who are QRP addicts.
> Now... if it had been designed with performance and features equivalent to
> the K2 but was built already, then I think it would be more popular.
> Personally, I'd rather have a Jupiter.
>
> The Orion, on the other hand, has the potential to appeal to everyone who
is
> in the market for a top-of-the-line HF rig.  This means a tremendous
amount
> of upgrades from previous Omni VI and VI+ owners, as well as those people
> who have a 756 Pro, a FT-1000 MkV, or a Kenwood TS-870 who want the latest
> and greatest.  Whether this rig does well for Ten-Tec depends primarily on
> two things... its receiver specs MUST be at the top of the charts in all
> categories, and it must offer the best of the features that the other top
> rigs have (dual multi-band receive, great IF DSP, great graphical
> UI/display/panel layout, appealing to the eye, maximum ability to be
> controlled by a computer, must work well with amps, etc.).  Oh... it also
> must be upgradable, unlike the Japanese competitors who require you to buy
a
> new radio every couple of years to be "on top".
>
> Let's face it... most people who are going to buy the best don't care
about
> price if it's reasonable, and $300 to $500 one way or the other isn't
going
> to make or break a sale if you can get the ultimate radio.  I think the
> decision to make the main rcvr ham band only is critical as it indicates
(to
> me) that Ten-Tec is going to pull out all of the stops to ensure that they
> have the best receiver on the market.
>
> I'm looking forward with great anticipation to the introduction of the
> Orion.  I'm thinking about getting rid of my Drake R8A and picking up a
> Jupiter.  The 516?  Yawn....
>
>  - jgc
>
> John Clifford KD7KGX
>
> Heathkit HW-9 WARC/HFT-9/HM-9
> Elecraft K2 #1678 /KSB2/KIO2/KBT2/KAT2/KNB2/KAF2
>                   ...waiting _eagerly_ for KPA2!
> Ten-Tec Omni VI/Opt1
>
> email: kd7kgx@arrl.net
>
>
>
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