[TenTec] Ten-Tec, Jupiter, etc.

[Buhyoff, Greg]

 Just wanted to throw in my comments about the Jupiter and Ten-Tec.  First, I've owned a lot of HF transceivers (No Orions yet -- but soon I hope).  I use an FT 1000, Omni VI plus, Argonaut V and a Jupiter. I have had several FT 1000 versions, an FT 990, IC 746, 756, 761, 765, 781 etc. and Kenwoods of all colors.  I guess I've owned about 30 or 35 transceivers along the way. 
 
I love my Omni VI plus.  But, it is odd, with all the radios I have had and have, it is the darn Jupiter that keeps getting the air time.  When I first got it, some folks, with the greatest intentions, told me that is was a good radio but had not been updated (firmware) in a while.  I got lucky after I  bought a new one.  BINGO, two new firmware updates came out and the one that counted the most to me was the new filtering changes.  Strong adjacent signals can be taken care of with the bandwidth control and even when it is tightened down to as low as 1650, the SSB audio is clearly intelligible.  The Jupiter has the nicest receive audio I have heard (and actually, the Argonaut V right there with it).  The new filtering algorithms in the latest version are excellent and the noise floor is outstanding.  I can easily read S1 signals on 40 meters with it -- of course assuming no loud atmospherics, etc.  It simply has an excellent receiver.  I am sure the Orion is much better.  I actually prefer the Jupiter's receiver (with the new upgrades) in some ways to the Omni VI plus --- The VI plus is better in other ways.  But this is not a comment about a comparison of the two but a general comment about Ten-Tec transceivers, from my own experience.  I work both CW (wonderful on CW) and SSB.  I am not a digital mode op.  I wouldn't trade any of the Ten-Tec radios I have.  I have been a Ten-Tec owner for about 18 years with many Icoms, Yaesus and Kenwoods mixed in along the way.  And, the performance of the Ten-Tecs have always been better, in my personal opinion and according to my tastes in operating, than the many other radios I've had and tried side by side with the Ten-Tecs.  The Service folks at Ten-Tec are outstanding.  They answer questions, help you trouble shoot, if you should need it, and give you time on the phone that is above and beyond anything I have ever experienced.  No, I am not a Ten-Tec groupie ....... I just give credit where credit is due.  I could go on as many others on this group could --- but, I'll stop here and simply give my nod to Ten-Tec, their customer assistance and their equipment.  
 
73,
Greg K2UM