[TenTec] New or Used Decision; Omni VII

[Rick - DJ0IP / NJ0IP]

Well when speculating a new rig...

The biggest drawbacks of the Eagle are:
 <> To small for a nice home station
 <> Lack of a decent S-meter (I can't even read it).
 <> Not enough filter slots to operate all modes efficiently

Let's look at what Ten-Tec did to reduce the cost of the Argonaut VI.
They went to using lower cost filters (about half the price).
This is a wee bit of compromise on the ultimate attenuation and close-in
dynamic range, but after all, the low end is not expected to keep pace.

So how about an Eagle in a Jupiter box with roofing filters for SSB
(default), CW, AM and FM?
Take the cost of the Argonaut 6, slap on their standard 100w final module,
put in a larger box with larger S-meter; we could have a winner for about
$1500 fully loaded. Would blow the socks off of all of the imports except
the TS-590.

It could be positioned as the Cadillac or Mercedes of the low-end radios.

73
Rick, DJ0IP

-----Original Message-----
From: TenTec [mailto:tentec-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Darrell
Bellerive
Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2013 9:47 PM
To: tentec at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TenTec] New or Used Decision; Omni VII

This is always a concern purchasing a radio that has been on the market for
a while. However if it does all that one needs in a radio, is waiting for a
replacement worthwhile? Perhaps a used one is a better value if one thinks a
new improved version is not that far off.

I have no inside knowledge, but have to wonder what Ten-Tec's plans are. 
The Orion design is getting on in years. It does not have six meters, and
its bandscope is not all it could be. There is always lots of churn on top
of the line radios as contesters and DXers are more likely to upgrade more
often than the rest of us. And they always seem to want the latest and
greatest and the utmost in performance.

Ten-Tec did just offer an upgraded sub-receiver for the Orion. I think that
is an attempt to buy a bit more time for the Orion II until a successor is
announced.

This sub-receiver is based on the Eagle receiver design, as is the new
Argonaut VI. The Eagle receiver design is getting accolades, and it looks
like Ten-Tec has a winner. So, going forward I would expect that any new
radios would be based on this receiver design. This would help Ten-Tec to
keep costs down as supporting one design with a few derivative versions, is
easier than supporting a few completely different designs.

If we look at the current line up there is a QRP rig in the Argonaut VI, a
mobile or entry level base in the Eagle, a mid market radio in the Omni VII,
and the ultimate from Ten-Tec for the contester and DXer in the Orion II.

My guess is that we will not see a Jupiter II, I think the Eagle has taken
its place. I think there is also a hole in the general coverage receiver
area, a radio to replace the RX-350.

So my guess, and it is only a guess, is that Ten-Tec will bring out an Orion
III with six meters and a better bandscope, an Omni VIII, and an
RX-350 replacement. All of the above will be derivatives of the Eagle
receiver.

I would also guess that the Orion III will be first as Ten-Tec has the most
to lose to the competition in this segment of the market. Then the Omni VIII
followed by the RX-350 replacement based on the receiver in the Omni VIII.

73, Darrell VA7TO


Darrell Bellerive

On 13-01-21 05:43 AM, Roger Rippy wrote:
The only nagging question is how long
> with TT build and sell the Omni 7 before it gets replaced by the Omni 
> 8???  Do you think they would tell us?  Not....
> 73s  Rip   W7RIP    Bozeman, MT
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