[TenTec] Delta II price, operating impressions? (re-post)

[Caitlyn Martin]

Hi, Al, and everyone else.

> I have run across a Delta II at what I think is a pretty good price
> and wanted to find out what one is worth. It is clean, not mint but
> not bad either: the package is the rig with mike, power cord and
> manual.

Clean ones seem to be going in the $400-$450 range.  The one I bought
has the fan option and was in the lower part of this price range.
> 
> Also, I'd like to hear some operating impressions, especially with
> regard to the QST review "caveats" concerning synthesizer noise,
> sensitivity loss at narrow BW, and "muffled" audio in AM mode.

I have a lot of problems with the QST review.  I feel they unfairly
killed a really nice product.  

First, if you read the "loss of sensitivity" issue closely, you'll see
the complaint really is that if you narrow the bandwidth with the Jones
filter and also shift the passband with PBT you can effectively shut
down the receiver.  If your bandwidth is 500Hz and you shift the PBT
sufficiently that your tuned signal is no longer within the passband,
well... duh!  This same effect can be achieved on any radio with dual
PBT or the ability to shift both the bandwidth and passband by a
significant amount.  Simply reducing the BW, as one can on the Scout as
well, doesn't cause any more loss of sensitivity than you'd expect with
any narrow crystal filter.  It's the combination of the two controls
that can bring the bandwidth down to incredibly narrow levels without a
DSP.  This was a plus, not a caveat.

The Delta II I am getting now will be my third one, and this time I'm
keeping it.  The synthesizer is not particularly noisy when compared to
other midrange general coverage transceivers of the day, i.e.: the
Kenwood TS-850 or Icom IC-751A.  I have done an A/B comparison with the
TS-850, which is considered to have an excellent receiver, and I could
find no discernable difference between the two radios in the ability to
hear weak signals with everything at default settings, and the Delta II
did not have a higher noise floor.  The Delta II is actually better at
pulling out a weak signal next to a strong one becuase of the Jones
filter/PBT combo.

I should point out that ham band only Ten Tec rigs of the same period
*do* have quieter receivers.  That's a trade off you have to decide if
you want to make.

I cannot comment on the AM audio from memory.  I don't remember the rig
as being particularly brilliant for SWLing, and I do believe it's
because I didn't think the AM audio was all that great.  It's
listenable, mind you, but other receivers are better for that.
> 
> My operating style is basically "casual" and my interest in the Delta
> II is due to a desire to have general coverage RX capability as well
> as "decent" ham band performance in a fairly compact package.
> Comments?

The rig should meet your needs, which sound just like mine.  It's
probably not the right rig for contesters, big gun DXers, or anyone who
would seriously consider spending the dollars for an Orion.  For someone
like you or me it's really quite nice and doesn't deserve the bad rap it
has.

73,
Caity
KU4QD