[TenTec] Orions and the CFO (aka XYL): was Re: Tuner for Centurion to balanced antenna

[Al Gulseth]

Rick and Greg,

Ten-Tec is aware of your dilemma. Consider the following:

It has become obvious to me that the driving force behind the development of 
the IC7800 and the Yaesu FTDX9000 series was in fact none other than Ten-Tec. 
(OK, Scott, "confession time": we're onto your plot, which has paid off 
handsomely as noted below.)

Here's a fictionalized account of the events: Ten-Tec's marketing department, 
when reviewing the Orion (and now Orion II) project, realized that price 
point could be an issue for many hams. After due consideration, a brilliant 
plot was launched. Ten-Tec recruited high level double agents (aka "moles") 
at the "big three" import radio manufacturers. These "moles" were given the 
task of planting the idea of producing "the ultimate" radio (with an 
extremely high price point) in the upper levels of YaeComWood management and 
making it look like the upper management folks were the ones who had come up 
with the idea. (The success of this plan can already be seen in the '7800 and 
the FTDX9Ks; look for the possible appearance of a new TS-$$$$$ [aka "the 
megabux"] in the forseeable future.) With the announcement of the 
'7800/FTDX9Ks, hams who had been desiring to purchase an Orion (or now Orion 
II) but who had been vetoed by the CFO (aka XYL) had a new weapon. A typical 
conversation follows:

OM Joe Ham: Honey, look at this wonderful radio from Icom (Yaesu, Kenwood) -- 
it has all kinds of whistles and bells and it's only about $10,000 or so. 
Wouldn't that be wonderful?

XYL (giving icy stare capable of reversing global warming) What about that fur 
coat I wanted that you said we couldn't afford?

OM (trying to look contrite): You're right, honey. I'm sorry.

(A few days elapse.)

OM: (being careful to catch XYL in good mood): Honey, look at what I found. 
It's a new rig from Ten-Tec. It doesn't have all those fancy gizmos but it 
works just as well or even better than the other rig -- and it's only about a 
third to half of the price. We could buy it AND your fur coat about what that 
other radio costs. What say we splurge and call it an anniversary present?

XYL: (throws arms around OM's neck) Oh honey, you're so wonderful. Yes, that 
sounds like a great idea!

Epilogue: Happy OM places order for Orion (which is what he wanted in the 
first place) and Scott sends another sales spiff to the "moles".

-------------

On an unrelated subject: "Mayodee" would have loved it...

The pictures of the knob-encrusted high-end rigs of today remind me of an 
incident my mom used to chuckle about. Seems as though a ham friend of dad's 
many years ago in the AM days retained the services of a maid/cleaning lady 
named "Mayodee" (I'm guessing at the spelling here.) One day in the course of 
carrying out her duties "Mayodee" concluded that "Mr. Cliff's" radio needed 
dusting. So dust she did, turning every knob in the process. Needless to 
say,"Mr. Cliff" had quite a time getting everything readjusted on his rig. 
His final words to her on the subject were reportedly "If you ever touch my 
radio again I'll come back to 'haint' you!"

Bet she'd have a ball if she could get her hands on a modern "bells and 
whistles" rig to clean....

73, Al

"NJ0IP" Rick wrote:
>To: "'Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment'" <tentec at contesting.com>

>Greg, your problem is not unique.  I suppose most of us have it.

Here's what I did when I wanted to buy my Orion:

Take her out for candlelight dinner in a romantic restaurant (with no TVs
playing), buy a bottle of good wine (and be sure she drinks most of it).
Tell here she is even more lovely than she was the day you married, and then
as you're getting ready to leave, "honey, theirs is one little thing I'd
like to ask you..." :-)

Gud Luk.

Reality.  Well my wife said yes.  I ordered the Orion.  When it came, she
couldn't remember ever agreeing to it.  Perhaps you should use chocolates
instead of wine!

73
Rick