[TenTec] Argonaut VI...first impressions

[Lee WA3FIY]

Argonaut VI first impressions...........

WOW!  :-)

That's my first impression of my new Argonaut VI (A6).  This is without a doubt one 
of the nicest most enjoyable radios I have owned in my 50 years of ham radio, and I 
have owned many.  It has exceeded (nearly) all of my expectations.

It is easy to learn and easy to use and provides top notch receive performance.  I'm 
unable to comment on voice mode operation as I'm nearly deaf and don't do voice, 
but CW and digital operations are absolutely outstanding.  The signal quality on my 
digital signal is the best I have seen from any of my rigs, even at full power output 
which is where I run it most of the time.  More on output power shortly.  All the 
controls have a solid feel.  I especially like the tuning knob.  No cheap plastic here.  
:-)  Although the radio is small, I find it easy to operate each control.  Every function 
I need is available and works well.  The output transistors are very robust and 
should hold up well under most any operation.  The output stage does not fold back 
under high swr conditions from what I can tell.

Ten watts is enough power for most of my operating but there are times when I 
need a little more.  For those times I use a HR50/AT amplifier for fifty watts output 
or a Hercules II for around 200 watts output.  This combination, A6 and Herc II, 
make an extremely low distortion 200 watt station, virtually bullet proof and with a 
little work on my part making an interconnecting cable, the Herc will automatically 
follow the A6 from band to band.

I intended to use the A6 for battery operations since it is rated to operate down to 
9.5 volts, but I am so impressed with this thing that it may well become my primary 
station radio along with the Hercules II. 

It may sound like I have found the perfect radio.  Not quite.  One issue I have is 
zero beating the incoming signal on CW.  I've not yet found a way to do that with 
the radio only.  Currently I use my computer running a spectrum analysis program 
and tune to the frequency setting of my CW offset.  That works well but it's another 
piece of equipment that may not always be available.  If anyone knows how to zero 
beat using some built-in radio function, please speak up.

Well....those are my first impressions.  Ten-Tec has a winner in the Argonaut VI.  I 
hope they keep it in the line-up for many years to come.  There are seven hams in 
my family and we try to have similar rigs.  Maybe the Argonaut will be that rig in the 
future.  

I'll keep you posted on how things go.

73 from a happy camper,

-Lee-

WA3FIY




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