[TenTec] Requirements for a top tier DXing rig

Fri Oct 18 13:56:12 EDT 2013

Agree with that other perspective, Rick....I'm 70 and hanging in there!  Hi Hi

> From: Rick at DJ0IP.de
> To: tentec at contesting.com
> Date: Fri, 18 Oct 2013 19:32:12 +0200
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Requirements for a top tier DXing rig
> 
> Here's the other side, Jim.
> 
> When you get older, and your short term memory has run off with your
> eyesight, AND you work something like 1000+ QSOs per contest like I do, how
> do you avoid duplicates if you do not use a computer?
> 
> With my lousy short term memory, I can't even keep track of that for short
> contests, let alone 48 hours.
> 
> Example:  In IARU contest in July, I was testing a new antenna up on the
> hill, running my Eagle.  I did not have a computer up there with me.  It was
> a 4-band wire antenna.  I started out on 10, then went to 15, then 20 and
> then finished after a few hours on 40m.  Couple hundred contacts.
> 
> WHEN DID I KNOW IT WAS TIME TO CHANGE BANDS?
> 
> ANSWER:  When it got to the point I was working nearly as many Dupes as new
> stations, I changed bands. :(
> Had to change bands to save face!
> 
> You get your score up the ladder by watching the Band Map (where you see the
> call signs and see by color code who is a new multiplier) and by clicking on
> the multies and having your transceiver follow.  You don't get anywhere by
> watching a band scope and clicking on unknown blips.
> 
> Having said all that, I must admit I enjoy contests the most running a
> humble QRP station, simple wire antenna, and logging by paper.  Even once
> took first place overall in Europe in Field Day when working that mode.
> Couldn't do it today, with my lousy memory.
> 
> The MOST important thing in a contest is to have fun.  (IMHO)
> We all have our own definition of that.
> For some, that may even mean turning the radio OFF.
> Different strokes for different folks.
> 
> Congrats on your Stew Perry.
> 
> 73
> Rick, DJ0IP
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TenTec [mailto:tentec-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of James
> Rodenkirch
> Sent: Friday, October 18, 2013 7:05 PM
> To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Requirements for a top tier DXing rig
> 
> Annnnnnnnd, then.....there are those of us who avoid computer operations
> like the plague!!
> I will use a computer and simple logging program like General Logger for
> "simple logging" IF I am in a contest where I expect to log > 150 to 200
> QSOs; Sweepstakes, CQ WW WPX or CQ WW 160 events.  
> For the Pre-Stew 160 meter event this weekend, as a QRP entry, where I tend
> to log up to 100 QSOs, maybe, I use paper and pencil and employ a single
> band rig (a 160 meter version designed by Steve Weber, KD1JV) with a NEscaf
> audio filter to sorta remove the alligators.
> I need large knobs as I have severe Neuropathy with resulting zero feeling
> in my hands and fingers...
> Bt the bye: I finished 2nd last year in the Pre-Stew QRP category and would
> have finished fourth in the low power category.
> Any how, my story and I'm sticking to it!!!
> 72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV 
> 
> 
> > From: Rick at DJ0IP.de
> > To: tentec at contesting.com
> > Date: Fri, 18 Oct 2013 18:52:25 +0200
> > Subject: Re: [TenTec] Requirements for a top tier DXing rig
> > 
> > Contesting has changed.
> > 
> > I don't contest at all like I used to 10 or 15 years ago.
> > The radios have gotten so good, I typically just crank it down to very
> narrow bandwidth (on CW) and just touch the VFO knob.  Rarely need anything
> else.  The rest of the operation is done on the keyboard.  Occasionally I
> hit the RF gain.  
> > 
> > Point and click at the band map.  Push a function button and the station
> is worked and logged - as I'm sipping my coffee.
> > 
> > THEREFORE, WHERE'S THE NEED FOR LARGE KNOBS IN A CONTEST?
> > 
> > For day to day operating, I also enjoy large knobs and a large S-Meter.  
> > 
> > For contesting, well even the Eagle's VFO knob is large enough for that
> little bit of searching I do with the VFO.  Would have been too small back
> in the days when one revelation of the knob was 10kHz, if not more.  Now
> days it is just one kHz or whatever you like.
> > 
> > 2nd RX?  I guess I am old.  Don't want or need it.  I still manage around
> 1M points in major contests without it.
> > I still hold the all time record for CQWW CW in one European country
> (class HP Assisted).
> > That was set with an Omni VI+ without a 2nd RX.
> > So for my contesting needs, the Eagle is adequate.
> > 
> > 73
> > Rick, DJ0IP
> > 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: TenTec [mailto:tentec-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Barry 
> > N1EU
> > Sent: Friday, October 18, 2013 6:33 PM
> > To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
> > Subject: Re: [TenTec] Requirements for a top tier DXing rig
> > 
> > Interesting comments that generally jibe with my style of operating (big
> radios, dual rx, lotsa knobs).
> > 
> > Just a comment about Flex/SDR.  It's easy to interface a set of knobs to
> PowerSDR that are assignable and work extremely well.  There are
> specifically designed knobs from Flex and Woodbox Radio as well as Hercules
> DJ console with more knobs (including two big tuning knobs) than you can
> ever use.  Also, the PowerSDR implementation of dual watch on a single
> receiver rig IS stereo and you can control how much audio from each vfo goes
> in each ear.
> > 
> > 73,
> > Barry N1EU
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > On Fri, Oct 18, 2013 at 4:23 PM, <chacuff at cableone.net> wrote:
> > 
> > > I kind of Hijacked an earlier thread thinking it would be a great 
> > > point for discussion and maybe result in helpful feedback to all
> involved.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --------------------------------------------------------------------
> > > --
> > > ------
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > JIm said:
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > We can thank the three major US manufacturers, Ten Tec, Elecraft, 
> > > and Flex Radio for top quality radios at affordable prices, many of 
> > > them "best in class."
> > >
> > > 73, Jim K9YC
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --------------------------------------------------------------------
> > > --
> > > ------
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > And I agree completely but would carry things a bit further.  I 
> > > think at some point in every DXers life you reach a point where 
> > > there are some personal minimum requirements for a so called Top Tier
> DXers radio.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > I know I certainly have reached that point with the following that I 
> > > refuse to do without:
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Dual receivers.  Not just dual-watch type of multiplex 
> > > receive...which gets the job done but doesn't provide split 
> > > headphone outputs so one can monitor the DX in one ear and the 
> > > pileup in the other. It's nice that the two receivers have the same
> specs but not completely necessary for me.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Split RX audio. Actually an extension of Dual Receivers.  I DX under 
> > > headphones 90% of the time and the split receive is a must on split 
> > > frequency operations.  I think it makes full use of the processing 
> > > power our brains have to offer as a DSP filter of sorts...
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Dual VFO knobs.  I can do the toggle thing but why. The Orion system 
> > > is ideal and even better is having the remote VFO/Keypad set to the 
> > > sub receiver and next to the CW key.  The remote VFO/Keypad is 
> > > really a nice touch and seems to be catching on as Icom has just 
> > > introduced one.  Again Ten-Tec leading the industry. Not one of my
> minimums but again a nice touch.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Up to this point I have managed to eliminate Icom and probably Kenwood.
> > >  The IC7800 and the TS-990 are the only current rigs that meets the 
> > > above spec and Icom is way out of my price range...the Kenwood is on the
> high
> > > side for me as far as pricing.   (more on that later)
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Knobs.  I just can't get excited about my radio being a mouse and a 
> > > keyboard and a computer screen.  Now I don't have issue with 
> > > computer control of my conventional rig but that is a bit different 
> > > in that I use it to tune the rig to spots and to collect data from 
> > > the rig for population of fields in my logging program. I still drive
> with the knobs.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Sorry Flex...
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > BIG Knobs.  As we age it gets harder to see and sometimes dexterity 
> > > suffers making it difficult to manage tiny knobs placed so close
> together.
> > >  Ten-Tec has done a great job on this with the Orion.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > BIG Radio's.  Front panel real estate is a must to keep from ending 
> > > up with tiny knobs, concentric knobs and multi layer menus resulting 
> > > in many multi function buttons and knobs.  It's too difficult to 
> > > wade through all that in the middle of a pileup or running in a contest.
> > > Besides this is a base station rig that never leaves the shack. 
> > > There is no good reason it shouldn't be sizable.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Elecraft is a bit small for me but...
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Support. Well what can I say here...the best support is coming from 
> > > the US manufacturers.  I've experienced the Japanese level of 
> > > support and it wasn't fun so I don't really want to go there again.  
> > > I can get decent support on Icom because i'm friends with the local 
> > > Icom dealer and he National sales manager but again I can't justify 
> > > $13K for a 7800.  That pretty much leaves Elecraft and Ten-Tec and 
> > > the Elecraft is a bit on the small side for a base radio to my 
> > > likings but it does perform and is supported well.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > All this and affordable:  Well what about price....  Needs to be 
> > > under
> > > 5 to 6K for a top tier rig for me to begin to justify it with the 
> > > features mentioned.  The sad part is that pretty much eliminates all 
> > > the current top tier radio's but probably the Yaesu FT-5000 and 
> > > Elecraft that meet my personal minimums but I've not been happy with 
> > > Yaesu support and their current product line and direction so I 
> > > won't buy their products.  Were back to Elecraft and Ten-Tec.  I 
> > > already own an Orion II...the decision based on the above clearly 
> > > but the Orion has been discontinued.  So if I didn't own the Orion 
> > > and was having to make a purchase decision....  Things would be 
> > > pretty much the same...I would search out a nice used example of the 
> > > Orion II.  There is really no other choice for the way I operate and the
> features I've deemed a personal minimum.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > The question is what does the future hold for guys like us?
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Who knows but I am glad I have the Orion II...it should serve for 
> > > many years along with the Centurion it's paired with...till we get a 
> > > glimpse of what's to come.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Of course this is subjective and YMMV so don't beat me up too bad....
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Cecil Acuff
> > > Gulfport MS
> > > K5DL
> > > _______________________________________________
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> > >
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