[TenTec] DZkit HF Transceiver

[Rick at dj0ip.de]

Yaesu pulled the wool over everyone's eyes.
There's a fool born every minute!

What most people are not aware of is, at the same time Yaesu began this mascaraed, beginning with the FT-900 in about 1993 or so, they also offered an upgrade filter, a 455 kHz Xtal filter.  It was physically about 6x larger than the Collins filter, and had much sharper/steeper flanks.  It was a great help in fighting weekend splatter from the sides; much better than the tired old Collins filter, but very few people knew about it.  But it cost over almost 300 DM over here , which at the time was about $180 or so.

I now have my second FT-900, and both had the optional Xtal filter.  Really improved the radio.
Even though I was an avid Ten-Tec fan in 1993, I bought the FT-900 to use as a mobile rig in my RV.
I wanted it specifically because this optional 455 kHz Xtal filter was available.

All that is history now.  The Xtal filter marked is dying rapidly.  Future radios won't be using them anymore.
Oh, and the future began with FLEXradio, about 10 years ago.

73
Rick, DJ0IP




-----Original Message-----
From: TenTec [mailto:tentec-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of John Geiger
Sent: 14 November 2017 18:23
To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TenTec] DZkit HF Transceiver

I agree about the mechanical filters-I think people get excited because it has the name Collins in it.  I never understood why Yaesu went back to mechanical filters in many of their new radios like the FT897, FT857 and such after using crystal filters in many of their rigs.  Yaesu hyped it by using the term "Collins filters inside" on some of their marketing.  You are right, the mechanical filters just don't have near as good as shape factor as the crystal filters do.

73 John AF5CC

On Tue, Nov 14, 2017 at 11:15 AM, <Rick at dj0ip.de> wrote:

> Well Kim, reading eham is, like almost always, a total joke.
> Guys giving it a 5 are hyping the fact that it has Collins mechanical 
> filters.
> These are basically "CR at P" by today's standards.
>
> They are 1960's technology, and were great for the money, considering 
> the cost of crystal filters back then.
> Crystal filters are much better, have steeper slopes, deeper ultimate 
> attenuation, etc.
>
> Modern DSP filters are as much better than crystal filters than 
> crystal filters were better than mechanical filters.
>
> Using filters with wide flanks will always sound better than using 
> filters with steep flanks.
>
> These guys should try the radios in a big contest like CQWW DX.
> I'm sure they will sing a different song after that.
>
> I am not down on the DZ radio, I am just stating what I believe to be 
> facts.
> I think it is great that this radio kit is offered and if I had the 
> time and spare change, I would enjoy building one.
> It would be interesting to learn how its front-end performs here in Europe.
> I also like the ergonomics of the DZ.
> And for a non-contester or rag chewer, it may be the bee's knees.
> But the price is over the top.
>
> I would dearly love to try one.  Have wanted to for over 10 years, but 
> unfortunately that is price prohibitive for me.
>
> 73
> Rick, DJ0IP
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TenTec [mailto:tentec-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of 
> Kimberly Elmore
> Sent: 14 November 2017 17:54
> To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec at contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] DZkit HF Transceiver
>
> There are reviews of the SIenna transceiver, but none from QST or 
> Sherwood Engineering. Simply google "dzkit sienna review" and you'll 
> find some. From what I've read, it's a nice rig and has many admirable 
> features. You certainly won't save any money buying a fully decked out 
> kit, but if you enjoy kit building you'll probably be happy with it. 
> Kim N5OP
>
>       From: Dry Martini Holding Company😎 <qrp at kg4kgl.net>
>  To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec at contesting.com>
>  Sent: Tuesday, November 14, 2017 6:36 AM
>  Subject: [TenTec] DZkit HF Transceiver
>
> I see others talk about various brands other than ten-tec from time to 
> time. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with the DZ 
> Transceiver our of Colorado?
>
> Tnx,
>
> Robert
> KG4KGL
>
>
> > On Nov 13, 2017, at 12:08, Katz Ajamas <ajamas.rn at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > I'm looking for the manufacturer and PN for the band data connector 
> > on the Hercules 2. (Tentec 420). PN in manual does not appear in 
> > Molex catalog. I do not know if it is a Molex connector. I can work 
> > around it but prefer to find a source for the connector.
> >
> > Thanks, 73 -Bob ah7i/w4
> > --
> > -do not look into LASER with remaining eye!
> > _______________________________________________
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> > TenTec at contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
> >
>
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