[TenTec] The Eagle

[Paul Christensen]

> I want the best darn radio I can get for the lowest possible price.
> I don't want to pay for options which I will NEVER use, like a Pan 
> adapter.

That's the single-most reason for the I.F. output.  You don't pay for 
something you don't need as you would with an internal panadapter.   The 
addition of the I.F. jack adds extremely little production cost to add a BNC 
or RCA jack and an RF source-follower.  I did it on another transceiver for 
under USD $5.00 at my cost.  As a manufacturer, TT could leverage that for 
even less.  But just having that port pays huge dividends to those who want 
it.  Everyone wins: those who don't want a panadapter, those who do, and TT 
who puts in little effort and cost to get it.  And, with enough interest, TT 
could offer an external panadapter later on (like the Elecraft P3).  That 
fulfills your concept of getting the product to market in a hurry.  Then, 
worry about the add-ons later.  TT already has some experience with that 
concept :-)

BTW, agree with you on the spare set of RCA jacks.  Even that would be 
better than no port at all.  Although easy enough to add, I think many folks 
will be apprehensive about drilling a hole in a new $2K rig as well as 
potential concerns for voiding the factory warranty.

Paul, W9AC