[TenTec] RADIO COMPARISONS

art N4UC n4uc at hotmail.com
Mon Jul 28 14:05:52 EDT 2014 

I agree with your last two statements Ed, and I'd be right there with you. But based on all the comments I've seen here about where Ten Tec is and where it's going, I don't think it's gonna happen, for me anyway.

I'm not a QRP guy or an experimenter, and I don't understand how open 
architecture can help me work more DX or 
increase my scores in my favorite contests. So, as a great philosopher once said, "When you come to a fork in the road, take it". TT is now apparently heading down a different path than the one I am on.  I've kept a close eye on this reflector to try and glean some hint about which market TenTec intends to capture and expand into. I've been hoping it would be to introduce another full-featured Orion-class HF transceiver with a 2nd rcvr, big knobs and display, separate AF/RF gain controls, etc...  so I would have reason to keep repairing my ailing Orion until a replacement became available. But if the latest offerings are any indication, it appears my only hope for staying with a TenTec radio is to look for a good used Orion II. Not a bad option by any means as it would still be the best radio for the money, but at my age (59) it would be nice to purchase a new radio. I haven't had a new radio since I bought my TS-940 in 1988 which, by the way,  is still going strong!

At $500-$600 a pop plus shipping for repairs, it's becoming very hard to justify keeping the Orion going very much longer. Time's a wastin'!

73, Art/N4UC
    

> To: tentec at contesting.com
> From: ed.cienki at verizon.net
> Date: Sun, 27 Jul 2014 19:22:23 +0000
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] RADIO COMPARISONS
> 
> 
> Having read this thread, it seems that we define (with the exception of #1 below purchase criteria should be based on our transceiver allegiance based on one of the following criteria): (1) where it was made (I qualify the foregoing based on the stark reality that the majority of transceivers components are generally made outside of the United States); (2) functional needs of the operator; (3) features of the transceiver(s); (4) price of the transceiver; and (5) interconnectivity/compatibility of the transceiver with the operator's already owned accessories.
> 
> Now, my experiences.  On the HF side, I have owned Japanese built (Icom - IC-7700; IC-7410; IC-706; IC-706mkIIg; IC-736; IC-746; IC-756pro; IC-756proIII..... Kenwood - TS-870s; TS-430s, TS-520, TS-520se...... and Yaesu - FT857D) and American (a fully $4,300 loaded Elecraft built and fully optioned Elecraft K-3 - my comment and my ham friends will agree was full of RF - it sounded like crap).  I would have liked to have owned an Orion (I or II) or Omni VII, but (a) Ten-Tec is not MARS modifiable; (b) the Orion was discontinued; and (c) the Omni VII does not have an continuously operating band scope, which I REALLY like.
> 
> So, in the end, except for Flex (which I believe is not and other American made SDR transceivers (even they have foreign built components), it seems only the likes of Kenwood, Yaesu and ICOM offer a full-featured transceiver.
> 
> I joined this group years ago because, I would LOVE for Ten-Tec to build a top of the line transceiver to compete with/against the ICOM IC-7700/IC-7800, a Yaesu FT-9000/FT-5000, and Kenwood TS-990s.  
> 
> I hope and pray Ten-Tec will build an "Orion" class radio again and I would be one of the 1st in line to buy an Orion III.
> 
> 73, Ed, N2EAC
>   
> 
> 
> 
> Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: "R. Eric Sluder via TenTec" <tentec at contesting.com>
> Sender: "TenTec" <tentec-bounces at contesting.com>
> Date: Sun, 27 Jul 2014 13:24:48 
> To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment<tentec at contesting.com>
> Reply-to: "R. Eric Sluder" <resluder at yahoo.com>,
>  Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec at contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] RADIO COMPARISONS
> 
> I agree about those who want to tout the K3 band wagon... It's tiring, kinda like background noise.  I think Elecraft is a fine company, but I'd belong to their list (which I did for a long time) if I want to hear about their product's virtues.
> 
> We all have different products within our ownership.  However, I don't brag up my other brands on the list because I've assumed nobody wants to hear it in a Ten-Tec list... However, I could be wrong and could start talking about my HW-101!?!?  :-)
> 
> Eric
> W9WLW
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> > On Jul 27, 2014, at 12:40 PM, "Rick - DJ0IP / NJ0IP" <Rick at DJ0IP.de> wrote:
> > 
> > Harry, I think you were a bit harsh on the TS-990.
> > After all, it would make a good
> > boat anchor!
> > ;-)
> > 
> > 73 - Rick, DJ0IP
> > (Nr. Frankfurt am Main)
> > 
> > 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: TenTec [mailto:tentec-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of
> > w4wst at cox.net
> > Sent: Sunday, July 27, 2014 6:28 PM
> > To: tentec at contesting.com
> > Subject: [TenTec] RADIO COMPARISONS
> > 
> > Seems strange to me but every time I get on the web site there is a pissing
> > contest going on about which rig does what better than a TENTEC. If you want
> > to preach the virtues of a K-3 or a TS-590s, why don't you go to that rigs
> > web site and brag all you want.
> > I remember when I got my Jupiter and everyone running a rice box was telling
> > me to be careful when handling the mic or you'll pull that liteweight empty
> > box off the desk. I'm not sure but I think the Jupiter is as heavy as a K-3.
> > I recently was looking at the TS-990 and trying to figure out why I would
> > ever want a rig that has 111 push buttons on the front plus some ridiculous
> > number of knobs.
> > I guess the bottom line is if you want to run a rice box, have at it and
> > enjoy it. Just please don't get on the TENTEC site and try to convince
> > everyone here that your rice box is the best thing since sliced bread cause
> > it's not.
> > HARRY  W4WST
> > _______________________________________________
> > TenTec mailing list
> > TenTec at contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
> > 
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