[TenTec] Any update on a replacement for the Orion II?

[K8JHR]

Pshaw - Rick... your argument proves too much:   If your club needs to 
standardize on just one radio to avoid operator error, maybe it needs 
better operators!     ;-)      ;-)      ;-)   Ha!

Besides, it would be easier to standardize on the Eagle than the K3, 
which is more complicated to operate.   I think there is an aura 
surrounding the K3 that transcends it true value.

Moreover, what sort of "operator error" are you worried about?  The guys 
in MY club can set up and run any radio, and most do well enough using 
default settings.  I can read the user manual on the flight to the site. 
  If you really take two years to plan the deal, you should have plenty 
of time to learn how to work more than one radio.

But, if ease of operation is paramount, both the Eagle and Omni VII are 
easier to learn and use than the K3, and the Eagle gives up nothing in 
size, weight, and performance to the K3 - and costs about $1500 less!

But wait... there's more!

You cannot fairly blame the gang in Sevierville for why the Eagle is not 
a popular travel rig.  That decision is made elsewhere, and for various 
reasons - UNLESS the K3 is popular because Elecraft subsidizes the 
venture by providing free or super low-rent gear - which hardly makes it 
the better radio.

You portray these DX-peditions as more difficult than they must be.  I 
have run remote special event stations - which is similar to working a 
DX-pedition, but you don't travel as far,  and besides the greater 
complexities in making travel and shipping arrangements, the operation 
is similar - you sit and run thousands of contacts each hour because THE 
WHOLE WORLD IS CALLING YOU!  It is kinda like fishing at the hatchery. 
  I make way more contacts working a remote special event station, than 
at home.

I suspect success is more dependent on factors excluding the radio, such 
as antenna selection, site selection, propagation, advance publicity, 
and etc., and perhaps it depends as much on money and endurance, than 
operator skill!
                      ________________

BOTTOM LINE -- IF I SPEND $50,000 to go ON A DX-PEDITION - I TAKE ANY 
DING DANG RADIO I WANT.  PERIOD.  After all... if its MY money, then it 
is my choice, and I would take and Omni VII or Eagle long before I would 
take a K3 on such a venture  (unless Elecraft made me an offer I could 
not refuse!)   Why spend $1000 to $1500 more than necessary on a travel 
rig?

Just MY TAKE - if guys don't take the Eagle on DX-peditions, it is their 
mistake and their loss.

---------------------  K8JHR  ----------------------


On 4/5/2014 4:20 PM, Rick - DJ0IP / NJ0IP wrote:
  .
>
> Unfortunately Ten-Tec hasn't much mind share with the boys doing the
> planning.
> Don't hold your breath expecting to see Eagles out there any time soon.



> In a smaller, controlled environment where a handful of guys all know each
> other, then several Eagles would make good sense.
> But when 30 operators from several different countries come together and
> meet for the first time on site, it's better to have equipment that you are
> sure everybody knows.  Currently that is the K3.
>
>__________________________________________________