[TenTec] Another retro question - Argosy-Century

[Al Gulseth]

The one thing that dawned on me as I read your message is whether the 
inexpensive switch they used became problematic after it aged and/or 
developed more contact resistance. (I would think that it would be less of an 
issue at a control signal level as it was used in the later models.)

73, Al

On Sat October 11 2014 4:38:49 am Rick - DJ0IP / NJ0IP wrote:
> AL,
>
> I'm curious as to what those reasons might be.  I'll ask Jack.
>
> Relying on ALC or simply backing off drive is a very inefficient way of
> consuming d.c. power.
> I thought it was rather ingenious how they implemented the "power switch"
> on the analog version.
> Actually I think Elecraft had that option in the K2 as well, but I can't
> remember for certain.
>
> Most people plan their EMCOMM from the aspect of being on the rescuing
> team. I planned mine from the aspect of being the one needing rescued.
> You see things a lot different from that side of the fence.
>
> The rescuing team assumes they will be the first responders with more help
> coming behind them.
> The victim has no idea how long it will be until he is rescued, and needs
> to plan his station for as little power consumption as possible.
>
> Here is one suggestion:
>
> The older Triton radios had a great feature; it could easily be converted
> to a true QRP rig.
>
> ...They had a short piece of RG-142 running from the output of the driver
> stage, to the input of the final 50 or 100w stage - depending on which
> Triton you had.  This cable had an RCA Phono plug on it.
>
> ...The output of the final stage had a similar cable running to the Low
> Pass Filter board.
>
> ...It was a simple task to unplug the two cables and plug the driver's
> cable directly into the LPF board.  You then had a QRP transceiver with 5
> to 10w of output power.  But power consumption was still higher than need
> be.
>
> ...Since the final stage was still connected to the +13v line and it would
> draw a little current as well, even though it was not in use.  Simple
> solution:  Insert an inline fuse in the thick red cable running to the
> finals.
>
> So when you needed to run QRP off of batteries for an extended period of
> time, simply remove the cabinet, plug the driver into the LPF board and
> remove the fuse to the finals.  Voila!  You have an efficient QRP rig.
>
> BTW, this works on the Scout as well, converting it to an Argo with 5w out.
>
> 73 - Rick, DJ0IP
> (Nr. Frankfurt am Main)
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Al Gulseth [mailto:wb5jnc at centurytel.net]
> Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2014 5:07 AM
> To: tentec at contesting.com
> Cc: Rick - DJ0IP / NJ0IP
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Another retro question - Argosy-Century
>
> That only applies to the earlier s/n (I think just analog?) units. The
> later/digital version used ALC and kept the 50W PA in line at all power
> levels. I understand that TT had their reasons for the change but I still
> prefer the PA bypass system, especially as Rick noted for battery
> operation.
>
> 73, Al
>
> On Wed October 8 2014 3:14:37 pm Rick - DJ0IP / NJ0IP wrote:
> > One feature that impressed me with the Argosy was the back panel
> > switch to switch between 50w and 5w.
> > When switched to 5w, the PA was completely turned off, which means it
> > draws current much like any other 5w radio would.
> >
> > This is much better than simply turning the power down on a higher
> > power rig.
> > This really increases batter life.
> >
> > 73 - Rick, DJ0IP
> > (Nr. Frankfurt am Main)
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: TenTec [mailto:tentec-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Al
> > Soto
> > Sent: Monday, October 06, 2014 7:29 PM
> > To: tentec at contesting.com
> > Subject: [TenTec] Another retro question - Argosy-Century
> >
> > I liked reading all the opinions about the Corsair revisited (modern
> > version of corsair).
> >
> > I don't have a long history with ten tec and was not a ham in the 80s,
> > but now own two ten tec rigs and am thinking about another. I've
> > learned a lot just being on this reflector and am glad to be part of this
>
> community.
>
> > I see the Century 21 and Argosy (analog versions) as such different
> > rigs made during the same years. For those that owned or used them
> > (for cw), how would you compare them?
> >
> > 73, Al  kj3q
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > TenTec mailing list
> > TenTec at contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > TenTec mailing list
> > TenTec at contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
>
> _______________________________________________
> TenTec mailing list
> TenTec at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec