[TenTec] Paragon Finals and other woes

[Phil Erickson]

Hi all,

Every Omni VI I've picked up over the past few years, all five of them,
> have had issues... some subtle, some major. I will eventually just keep the
> best two on the operating bench, and keep two for spares. The earlier VI
> will get sold. I think almost any vintage TenTec should be approached with
> the expectation that there will be a problem in the rig if you look hard
> enough, or there will be one soon.


  Speaking as a person still in the middle of several very puzzling
problems on a VI+ (which have been detailed here and which have received a
great amount of help - thanks), I can definitely amplify Pete's statement.
If you look at these rigs as a great RF troubleshooting and learning tool,
you'll be happy.  Sometimes, the problems even morph and change shape on
you as you repair one of them.  However, if you want something that just
works, I would suggest an IC-7300 and move on with life.

73
Phil W1PJE


On Tue, Jan 29, 2019 at 8:43 AM Peter Bertini <radioconnection at gmail.com>
wrote:

> If the PL issues are resolved, I'd fix the radio, or sell it for parts.
>
> The Paragon rigs are aging beasts, and even buying another Paragon may mean
> you end up with TWO parts radios in short order!
>
> But, back to this unit. My only experience is with my Paragon II, which is
> a more reliable radio.
>
> The TenTen power supply should be repaired and used with the radio. It
> provides high current limiting which protects the expensive finals from low
> impedance loads. The Astron would be  poor choice.
>
> Regarding the MRF-458 transistors, it is my understanding that the MRF-454
> devices have similar gain, but are rated for higher collector currents. You
> may want to check around with someone with more knowledge to see if the
> MRF-454 would be more reliable.
>
> The short on the DC bus could be related to other work, a pinched wire,
> etc.  I'd want to prove that the PA was the cause of the short before
> taking any drastic action, or needlessly replacing expensive PA
> transistors.
>
> Every Omni VI I've picked up over the past few years, all five of them,
> have had issues... some subtle, some major. I will eventually just keep the
> best two on the operating bench, and keep two for spares. The earlier VI
> will get sold. I think almost any vintage TenTec should be approached with
> the expectation that there will be a problem in the rig if you look hard
> enough, or there will be one soon.
>
> regards
>
> Pete  k1zjh
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>


-- 
----
Phil Erickson
phil.erickson at gmail.com