[TenTec] Eagle in SS

[Rick - NJ0IP / DJ0IP]

This post is in response to several people who asked for more “subjective feedback” on how the Eagle performs.

 

This weekend was an excellent opportunity to see how well the Eagle works in an SSB contest.

 

We are in the middle of packing for our move back to Germany and all of my antennas were taken down last week.

I hurriedly put up a make-shift antenna for 40m.

I erected a Par-Electronic Endfedz halfwave wire, with the base attached to the rain gutter of the house, and a Spiderbeam 40’ fiberglass telescoping pole to support the middle.

The far end was attached to a tree, about 15 ft. off the ground.

So basically it is an inverted Vee but fed at one end.

>From my understanding, the radiation pattern should be identical to a center-fed inverted vee.

At that height, it probably isn’t very directional.

 

The major part of my tests was receive-only.

I just wanted to see how well the Eagle copes with the crowded band condx.

I only worked SSB.

I made several contacts, but 100w is 100w.  Not much difference to any other 100w rig in a contest.

How is the RX?

I spent about 4 hours just listening.

 

My opinion is, it was outstanding.

I operated it typically at about 1500 Hz bandwidth with the 1,8 kHz roofing filter.

Whenever I was unable to copy a signal due to QRM or splatter, I tuned to the offending signal and usually found it was basically on top of the signal I was trying to copy (inside the bandpass of the 1,8 kHz filter).

 

Now the subjective part.

I have probably used every transceiver ever built in contests, except for the newest and most expensive Icom and Yaesu rigs.

I have owned/used the Orion I and Omni VII

I have operated every CQWW CW since 1972, except for one.

I believe I have a pretty good gut feeling for what is a good radio.

The Eagle is a very good radio.

 

I know this is not scientific, but Rob already did the scientific part.

I did not have a second transceiver to compare it to because my 2nd transceiver is already packed and in the garage, ready for shipping.

 

I ran the contest without preamp.

The AGC was set and left in “Slow”.

 

Many times in the past I have purchased something new and wished I had my old transceiver back.

Having just recently parted with an OMNI VI+ and K3, I did not have that feeling with the Eagle.

I’m glad I have the radio that I have.

 

73

Rick