[TenTec] re: TT (Orion) Future improvements!!

[Steve Baron - KB3MM]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Farler" <jfarler at peoplepc.com>
To: <tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, February 14, 2005 18:52
Subject: [TenTec] re: TT (Orion) Future improvements!!


> I don't presently have an Orion...it's always a consideration
> should my trusty Omni V give up the ghost, or the temptation
> to spend more money take over.  It's not altogether
> a matter of price, but I could just as well use one without the
> extra rx or the band monitor.  The question of the color display
> panel makes me laugh.
>
> My newest Ten-Tec is an Argo V, which is a nice little rig -
> not up to the Omni V, of course, but the DSP filtering is
> impressive.  I traded in a "jumpy" scout for it.
>
> Anyhow, I just have a gripe about the overall physical design...
> the Ten-Tecs
> are starting to look like the Jap black boxes.  Would like an
> aluninum face like the Omni or different colors like the older
> rigs.  Someone lately said a certain rig looked like "a VCR on
> steroids," which I find to be a very accurate description of the
> looks of  present ham gear.  Put one in a Best Buy or other
> consumer electronics store among what's available,and you might
> not notice it's ham gear without a close examination.
>
> The lettering on the controls on the black boxes is hard to see, but
> it may be because my eyesight is worse, and I have to look
> closely to see the lettering. But it could be done better.
> The entire ham population is getting older, you know.

Yes had a ctaract removed about 2 weeks ago !

>
> I'm kinda waiting for the first Chinese build rig, since ham
> gear appears to be merging with consumer stuff, replete with
> bells and whistles, some signifying not much in improving
> actual radio operation.  Wouldn't it be great to get a ham
> transceiver, say at the level of a TS-570 or a Jupiter
> for $99.95, with a throw-away warranty?
>
> Yeah, this is a little tongue-in-cheek, but look what happened
> to TV's, VCR's, computers, and DVD players, etc.  If the exams
> get any easier, our Chinese friends may find ham radio a profitable
> market to take over when there are mobs of hams cruising the
> local Wal-Mart.
>
> Excuse me for not including the source of the two posts below,
> which set me off.  I've noticed the inclusion of gimmicky, likely
> little used, "features" on HT's to keep the price inflated above
> what one is actually worth, less than $100.  Just don't try to
> operate any of these wide-rx wonders where there's the slightest
> chance for intermod. HF rigs seem to have picked up on the same
> idea of new features to jack up the price........
>
> I think it's another chance for TT to differentiate their gear
> from the pack, by getting away from the black box syndrone, and
> concentrating on making the best performing gear at a reasonable
> price.  They have been doing the second, and it's probably a
> miracle they can compete with the "level playing field" brought
> about by our trade agreements around the world.  Wait 'til slave
> labor hits the ham market.
>
> Back in my hole....maybe I'll get that Orion soon.  Wouldn't want any
> other new black box, anyway.
>
> 73, John, K4AVX
> jfarler at peoplepc.com
>
> >The IKY's have always used more of a "mass consumer" product
> >design and marketing philosophy where things like compactness
> >and trinketry, (but not always useful bell's and whistles)
> >are supreme. This unfortunately has lead to an overall RF
> >performance mediocrity for most of those radios from them in
> >the $750-2000 market space for years now.
> >
> >* YaeComWood have the marketing thing down very well (Icom especially).
> >Their ads are very attractive, their radios have obviously been designed
by
> >someone who has extensive experience working on consumer electronics
> >devices, and they tend to look the way many hams expect an HF radio to
look.
> >The Orion is a definite step in the right direction here (although I find
> >the Paragon/Omni V/Omni VI line to be very attractive rigs).
> >
>
>
>
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