[TenTec] Old vs New = crunch time

[David Cuttler]

I owned a Corsair II, and really loved it. I did need to rebuild the PTO, and lubed it with "Phil Grease". IT is used for bicycles, and never gave me any more issues. I had a display problem which I was able to fix with help from The Ten Tec guys in TN. I finally sold it because I could see that as long as I owned it, I would probably be working on it.

Over the last few years, I owned a new ICOM 746 Pro and hated the menus. I also live a few miles from HRO in Oakland CA, and have tried out almost everything that they sell. Most of them just suck. When the dsp is cranked down they all sounded like breaking glass on CW unlike the OMNI VII which has a much softer sound on CW, and is very easy to listen to.

I began to think that I would never be able to enjoy a menu driven rig until  I purchased a used OMNI VII. At first I had buyers remorse, because it was the most expensive radio I ever purchesed, but the more I use it, the more comfortable I am with it. 

I really have come to like it a lot. The DSP is not harsh like the rigs from Japan, and the menus do not have multiple layers. Once set up, it is really easy to run.

It is probably more than you want to pay, but deals are out there, and in my case it could be the last HF rig I will buy.

I was able to buy a complete package including a 708 microphone, 963 Power supply, the black matching speaker, 500 khz, and 300 khz Collins filters all for I think $2,250.00 shipped. 

At that price I knew that I could sell it if I was dissipointed, but It looks like I will keep it.

My other rigs are a Kenwood TS-130SE No QSK, but fantastic and easy to operate.
OHR-500 Qrp rig - so quiet I sometimes think it is broken
Drake 2B matched to a Drake 2NT Oldies but Goodies
Elecraft KX1 which I built many years ago. 
I had an Argo V which I sold because I was underwelmed with the receiver.

With the exception of the ARGO V The others have been on my desk allowing me to switch between all of them. I would be hard pressed to give up on any of them.

I suggest you do not get caught up in receiver specifications, because when you get to the level of the OMNI VII, OMNI VI, K3 and others, the specs are mainly for the engineers. It's the ease of operation and how the receiver sounds in your ears that counts.

Give the OMNI VII a try, and I would bet it will never leave your shack.

David - KE6YX