[TenTec] TenTec Digest, Vol 156, Issue 4

[Steve Berg]

Fortunately, there are lots of different aspects to our hobby. Having 
been involved with it since 1963, I have a fondness towards boat anchor 
radios.  But, I frequently cringe when I read posts to other lists where 
hams have no idea of the lethality involved with high voltage 
electronics.  I also have similar preferences to Rick's when it comes to 
larger rigs with knobs more suited to large and frequently arthritic 
hands.  For this reason, I bought an Omni VII instead of an Eagle.  But, 
the Corsair II wound up back on the desk as it is easier to use.  When I 
want to change the speed of the CW I send, I much prefer moving a weight 
on a bug, or turning a knob, not paging through the manual to find out 
what menu does this.  I wish that my Argonaut VI was made the same size 
as my Argonaut II, and used the same control layout.  It would be a lot 
easier to use, and not that much bigger.

I have been having a great time with the Argonaut 515 and audio filter 
that I recently purchased from a list member.  The performance of that 
radio is remarkable considering how old it is. But, it is not a contest 
radio.

As I am not a contest operator, I am very happy with what I have and do 
not require the performance level of a SDR radio.  Again, I am glad that 
there are so many aspects of our hobby.  During contests, I tend to 
migrate to the WARC bands.  My QTH renders me uncompetitive, and I get 
tired of 60 WPM computer generated CW.  I do hand out some contacts on 
the phone contests, especially on the higher bands.

I am not totally a troglodyte.  I helped advance the state of the art in 
some areas of microwaves and millimeter waves before defecting to public 
administration.

73,

Steve WA9JML