[TenTec] Re: Paragon

[Jim Lowman]

Vic, this message is the reason for the moderation.  You got caught by 
the "eBay" trap.
Any reference to an auction or auction site, especially eBay, is 
strictly prohibited on the list.

73 de Jim - AD6CW

Vic Klein wrote:

>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
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