[TenTec] Jupiter or Omni

[Jery Volpe]

I ran through this question of whether to get a Jupiter or a used 
Omni-6+. Eventually I decided to buy a new Jupiter (with internal 
auto-tuner). I already owned a Ten-Tec RX-350 and really liked the 
audio... and I am heavily into computers so it seems the right thing to 
do.... the forward thinking answer.

The Jupiter is a very fine transceiver and I had a lot of fun with it. 
Even did some contesting. However, I found myself using my old faithful 
Omni-C more. A lot of the desire to use the Omni-C was the it's far 
superior noise blanker (I have a tremendous powerline noise problem). 
But even on days when I didn't need the noise blanker I enjoyed the 
Omni-C for its ability to hear weak signal stations with greater 
clarity. And on CW it was champ. The Jupiter produced a noticeable level 
of high frequency background hiss regardless of how narrow you set the 
bandwidth. The Omni-C's combination 2.4, 1.8, 500 hz crystal filters  
and two stage CW audio filters were champs.

Now my Jupiter was by far my favorite for PSK operation where its 
stability and variable bandwidth/PBT were genuinely appreciated. And the 
Jupiter was a great rag chew rig. Fantastic listenability when 
conditions were good. Nevertheless, I still  had a brochure for the 
Omni-IV+ pinned up on the wall. My plan had been to eventually add an 
Omni-6+ to my Omni-C and Jupiter station (I also have a Scout) but then 
someone advertised that they wanted to arrange a trade... their Omni 6+ 
for someone else's Jupiter. I thought about it for several weeks and 
then said yes. I don't think I got a particularly good monetary value 
(there weren't any optional filters in the Omni-6+ so I had to lay out 
another $600 (ouch) and I spent another $50 buying cosmetic parts to 
clean it up. Now for the truth of it. The Omni-6+ is a class act. It 
simply doesn't have the low-cost feel of the Jupiter. Where the Omni-6+ 
is concerned I love: the smooth, positive feel of the controls; the real 
S-meter;  the spacious front panel; the large, easy to read digital 
display; the stability; the fantastic noise blanker; the features; ... 
and the performance!

I have owned many Ten-Tec's over the years and the Omni-6+ is simply 
great. I do not miss the Jupiter and I may never develop a driving 
desire to spend over $3000 for an Orion. To each their own!

73,
Jerald, KG6TT