[TenTec] Re: Paragon

[Vic Klein]

Hello, Kurt. I think the Paragon may be the best value in premium HF rigs on the used market. I have
a 585 Paragon and absolutely love it! The RF section is virtually the same as the Omni V, but it
uses a PLL frequency generation scheme that allows a general coverage receiver. A side benefit is
that you have general coverage transmit by clipping one well-identified jumper and that means you
are on 60m right now, quite a benefit that even some newer radios don't offer. The Paragon provides
over 60 memories and allows you to identify them with an alphanumeric label, which is also only seen
otherwise on the newest of rigs. The radio provides true FSK, QSK keying, a really nice audio filter
setup with variable bandwidth, and ability to copy in really rough conditions. I often note how I
can hear stations with nearby interference while others are complaining that they just can't hear
anything. Finally, I think the Paragon and Omni V-VI rigs are among the best looking radios ever
made. Some things to watch for:

1. The original production runs had some problems with soldering on the PLL boards. Many have had
the repair done to essentially resolder the components, but you are ahead if you can confirm that
has been done or that you have a late model.

2. Filters (6.0 and 2.4Khz are standard, provision is made for plugging in 1.8, 0.5, and 0.25kHz)
are readily available and frequently listed for sale here, on eBay, and QTH.com. They are the same
as used in many other Ten Tec radios and add $50-$80 each.

3. Other accessory boards are a bit harder to come by, but include a voice board that announces the
frequency and other information on demand, a very sought-after RS-232 interface board that allows
computer control and interfacing with logging programs, and a seldom seen FM board for adding that
mode. Any included with the radio add value similar to the filters.

4. Very desirable and still available is the Giehl chip upgrade. This plug-in replacement for the
standard ROM chip provides additional memories and a single-touch bandswitching system with
band-stacking registers for each band that makes using the Paragon virtually identical to the
Paragon II. This is not a very expensive change, maybe $40-60.

5. The Paragon II was an upgrade to the original that provided nice bandswitching (duplicated by the
Giehl chip), the ability to transmit AM, inclusion of some of the accessories as standard equipment,
and a processor that used a more common command language and is more likely to be supported by
third-party software. However, the Paragon II tends to be significantly more expensive on the used
market.

Good luck, I think you'll be pleased with Paragon.

=Vic=
WA4THR