[TenTec] Orion in Contests

Sun Nov 16 02:36:05 EST 2003

Actually, if you read the thread back to the beginning you will find the original question was how many DXpeditions use Ten Tec equipment. W5YR asked how many contest and multi-mults used Ten Tec - and I mentioned his question in passing. Strictly in passing and made no attempt to answer it. 

Now, I don't know how substantial an investment 50,000 QSL cards might be, but if DX Magazine can be trusted there have been at least three major DXpeditions whose cards were provided by rig makers. Other comments, both in magazines and on-air, lead me to believe there has been more such help given certain DXpeditions and DXpeditioners. And I don't mind a bit especially if it will put a new one in my log. 

As for contesters - I invite a few over and tell them they can bring their rig or use mine. Invariably they use mine, and are favorably impressed by the Omni's civilized behaviour - and particularly by the Omni's ability to pull the weak one's out from under the loud ones. But they didn't buy an Omni for themselves because, in order of most popular excuses.....

1.) It's not dual recieve and I must have dual recieve. 

2.) I have to have at least 150 Watts to drive my Henry.

3.) (insert name of big gun contester) uses (rig make and model) and it must be the best. 

4.) It does not cost enough. 

5.) I'm a (rig name) man and I will be a (rig name) man until I die. 

The Orion pretty well takes care of excuses 1, and 4. 2 X 3-500 amps with 3KV and up on the plates are becoming less common, taking care of excuse 2. Leaving excuse 3. ON4UN's comments are getting around, more active contesters are being exposed to the Orion, so excuse 3 will most likely fade into the past. And excuse 5? Well - all I can say is a lot of "yellow dog Democrats" have been voting Republican lately. 

And yes, people see and hear what they want to see and hear, and ignore the rest. Usually with the same result as the man who left his rake with the tines up. And wound up with a triply punctured foot and a broken nose. 

73  Pete Allen  AC5E

> Billy,
> 
> The key words are "substantial funding" in the post.  Now exactly how much
> is considered substantial?
> 
> Actually, I think someone could write a good post (or article) explaining
> how certain DXpeditions get the funding and sponsorships that they do, as
> opposed to others that only get token amounts or none at all from the same
> contributors.  BUT, as it should go without saying, THAT is a topic better
> suited for another forum on another day.
> 
> Getting back to the topic, I'll ask the NP2SH guys if their equipment
> included anything from TenTec; I know W3WH has an Orion and an Argonaut V,
> and I know at one point he was considering taking the Argonaut along.  (And
> they didn't get "substantial funding" from anyone, though I know that Force
> 12 loaned them an antenna.  Well, "loan" may be stretching it a bit as one
> of the gang had to back up the loan with his credit card... seems that many
> "loaned" antennas never got returned, but again I digress)
> 
> 73, ron wn3vaw
> 
> "People hear what they want to hear,
> And Disregard the Rest..."
> "The Boxer," Simon & Garfunkel, 1970
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> Wrom: LHPQQWOYIYZUNNYCGPKYLEJGDGVCJVTLB
> To: <tentec at contesting.com>
> Sent: Saturday, November 15, 2003 6:33 PM
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion in Contests
> 
> 
> >While W5YR's question is a good one, reading the "fine print"
> >leads me to believe the major JA companies provide not only
> >equipment but substantial funding to favored DXpeditions.
> 
> I love posts like this ... helps me to understand how urban legions
> get their mysterious beginnings ... "substantial funding" ... WOW.
> 
> Hey ... is it true that TenTec is really owned by Yaesu too?  B-)
> Makes as much sense as some of the other statements on here. B-(
> 
> Or that the top ten contest stations all receive "substantial funding"
> to use anything other than TenTec gear on their desks ... Yea, let's
> start any rumor to justify whatever viewpoint we want.
> 
> Naaa, instead let's go back to some actual points of collected data.
> 
> NCJ did two rather detailed surveys on "what contesters use and
> why" ... as to antennas, rigs, etc. TT never made it any where near
> the top of the ranks ... <Not mere opinion, go read the articles, and
> see for yourself, then flame away.> Repeated Low Band Monitor <a
> primary 160/80/40 magazine> indicated a similar trend, tho TenTec
> was ranked much higher than expected, which is not surprising as to
> owners who want the very best as to ultimate receiver performance.
> 
> That said, once the Orion becomes a stable platform, my prediction
> is that there could be a major shift as to "what's on YOUR desk" with
> the top competitors. In theory, it's all there, the execution is coming ...
> 
> <As in how many NASCAR drivers would run with an engine that
> stops mid-race and has to be restarted ...? Read the posts on here>
> 
> By spring, after a full season of HD contesting with the Orion, and with the
> key capability to make any performance improvements/corrections via
> software updates ... the Orion could be quite the 'desk top' icon of choice!
> 
> I am looking forward to such an opportunity ...
> 
> 73 Billy AA4NU
> 
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