[TenTec] Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment

[Glenn]

Hi Don,


One thing I am setting up for, in particular, is logic board work for the Omni 6 and the Paragon series.
I have built 4 test beds with special adapters that I fabricated to raise components above the surface of the board, once removed for testing.
I am using a logic analyzer and have stored all of the state transitions that occur on the processor busses once functions are invoked on the front panel or during encoder rotation,
The schematic for the Omni 6 had a number of errors and I have redraw an over sized version for my lab.
Finally, I have procured at least 30 pieces of every IC on the Omni 6 logic board as well as the zeners, diodes and transistors. 
At the customers request, I can replace any removed IC's with good quality machined IC sockets so future replacement of that part will be easy. 
I have discovered a number of reoccurring faults and in my opinion those IC's should go into sockets once failed. 


On one of my Omni 6+ here, I replaced every IC with a machined socket, 24 total, and  new IC's,  I did extensive testing to make sure 
I saw no extra racket on the spectrum analyzer with the small addition of lead lengths that the sockets would possibly generate. Absolutely nothing negative was realized. 
I do have a number of fixes to reduce the racket that the processor board generates and some of those are listed on the Internet.


Bottom line, is personally, I think the Omni 6 and Corsair have two of the best receivers for Ham bands ever offered. 
Both are a little different and both have advantages and weaknesses, this is why my shack has 2 Omni 6+'s, 2 Corsair II's, 2 Paragon II's a Drake C line with Sherwood/DSM mods
and several of my R 390A receivers that I have restored. I had several K3's and although they performed very well, I could never get used to it's RASPY audio.
I also had an Omni 7 and just sold it after waiting nearly 5 years for the real time band scope that never materialized. I will replace it with the small Flex just for the band scope.


Many areas of technology have certainly improved with digital technology. And the Orion, in my opinion, is a very good example of this. However, the only DSP derived IF that I have been able to tolerate so far
has been the Orion. Out side of it they all give me a headache to listen too. The other rigs I have are the ones I use because they don't. 


At this point of my life, I can afford anything I want to occupy space in my shack. I have had Kenwood, Yaesu, Icom, AOR and other rigs. Personally, for one reason or another, 
Ten Tec and modified Drake C lines are what I prefer and is where my dollars are invested. Your mileage may vary.. hi hi


73,
Glenn WA4AOS
DSM Labs



-----Original Message-----
From: Don Rasmussen <wb8yqj at yahoo.com>
To: Glenn <wa4aos at aol.com>
Sent: Tue, Sep 27, 2011 9:04 pm
Subject: Re: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment




You should see what they are consuming around here Glen!


I am so glad I asked. I have a pair of Corsair II, an OMNI 6+, a pair of C lines and a B line. 


Some of this gear will need work beyond what I can do at some point, and I really enjoy using it. 


I have a bunch of capacitors from Hayseed Hamfest, kits for all of the receivers and the B line needs it first. 


Will be saving your info - especially for parts solutions on that 6+, and for possible help with the Corsairs - I have had instances in the past where TenTec refused to work on even lightly modified gear!!!


73,
Don
;-)

--- On Tue, 9/27/11, Glenn <wa4aos at aol.com> wrote:


From: Glenn <wa4aos at aol.com>
Subject: Re: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
To: wb8yqj at yahoo.com
Date: Tuesday, September 27, 2011, 8:34 PM


Don,


"personal consumption"????? I didn't know they were to be eaten???
You guys in CA??????


I have a business, DSM Labs, where I service and restore certain radio equipment.

Primary  R 390, R 390A and R 392 receivers. However, I do restore Corsairs,
Corsair II's, Paragon's and Omni 6 transceivers.  I would like to do more with Drake C line work but have not had time recently.
Oh....., I have a about 12 or so pairs of those too... 


How do you cook a Corsair in California   ! ! ! !  Lot's of pepper I bet..


Oh, I actually have 18 Corsair's including both models..  You could have more Corsairs too if only you didn't consume them.. hi



Glenn WA4AOS
DSM Labs





-----Original Message-----
From: Don Rasmussen <wb8yqj at yahoo.com>
To: wa4aos <wa4aos at aol.com>
Sent: Tue, Sep 27, 2011 7:05 pm
Subject: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment


Glenn, please tell me what you are doing with so many Corsair II's?

I only have two. ;-) 

But that is still under the acceptable count for "personal consumption".

Don in Carlsbad, Ca.



Glenn <wa4aos at aol.com>
Reply-to:	 Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec at contesting.com>
Date:	 Sat, 24 Sep 2011 16:59:12 -0400 (EDT)
List-post:	 <tentec at contesting.com">mailto:tentec at contesting.com>
Hi Jerry,


I received the (10 ) display clock replacement  boards for the Corsair II.
I am very impressed with the layout, silk screening and general machining of 
the board. 
This is truly a first class effort and Thanks for you part of getting this done.


Shame the other boards in the Corsairs are not as nice as this one Hi Hi.


Now I can start refurbishing the 20 or so Corsairs I have in stock..


73,
Glenn WA4AOS
DSM Labs