[TenTec] Tentec Audio fidelity doubt

Thu Jul 23 11:25:11 EDT 2020

Thank you for all the useful comments, Carlos and Bob.

Actually I read the manual thoroughly when I started using the unit.
So RF is not at max at all, PBT always in the middle, and BW 2.7Khz (max) for SSB.
NB works really well, but NR is just so bad both for CW and SSB.
So i don’t think there’s any problem with the unit.

although
I don’t find any change in CW and SSB (with MODE change at all).
With IC7300, I find much lower noise floor for CW when in CW mode.
But with Tentec, CW / SSB mode does not change in audio / noise level.

I actually tried powered speaker last night, and it turns out that huge improvement in mushiness in SSB. I do find that Tentec has lower noise floor than IC7300.
But still clearer audio from IC7300 (looks like there’s an emphasis in bass more and less treble/high frequency in audio tuning) - this tuning probably works better for music, but for clear voice communication, it needs EQ change.

so I will try to do something with this powered speaker setting that allows EQ setting.
I will also try rerouting the audio circuit.

But once you used the waterfall spectroscope, you can never go back (I never thought I got hooked), so I will try to set up SDR for Tentec.

thanks a lot folks.. 

Sent from my iPad

> On Jul 23, 2020, at 10:44 AM, Carlos PECO BERROCAL <carlos.peco at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi,
> 
> Fully agree with Bob's comments. Start with some good settings first
> because your radio might be perfectly fine.
> 
> You can analyze the audio coming from the radio with a computer and a sound
> card. Lots of free software options around, the one I use is Spectrum Lab:
> 
> https://www.qsl.net/dl4yhf/spectra1.html
> 
> Bob's comments about the use of the RF gain are spot on. I normally set the
> volume to a comfortable level and then ride the RF gain up and down.
> 
> The cable I have for the external panadapter has a TMP connector in one end
> (for the PCB) and a female SMA (bulkhead type) for the back panel. I
> assembled that by myself but I think you can source it online. The IF
> output is good for you to use an external panadapter and have a close
> (narrow) view of the band.
> As I mentioned yesterday, the spectrum you have there is not flat (full
> sensitivity at 9 MHz but drops towards the sides) but perfectly good to see
> the spectrum of your counterpart as well as a couple of "nets" up and down.
> In my case I want to see at least 300 kHz of real-time bandwidth, so I
> rather have the SDR panadapter in the antenna side rather than the first IF
> side.
> 
> Next in my list is wiring the panadapter output for the Eagle. That radio
> can provide you an RF output (after the RX preselector) that you split
> externally in two (one for your SDR panadapter and the other one to feed
> back into the transceiver for receive purposes). I think it is better than
> using the 9 MHz output (at least in my case).
> 
> I tested several external SDR receivers in conjunction with the Argonaut VI
> and Eagle. The combination I like the most allows you to tune the Ten-Tec
> radio up and down (using the front panel knob) while the SDR radio (as
> panadapter) follows you. Additionally, if you see some interesting activity
> in the waterfall, you can click on it with your mouse and the Eagle/A6 goes
> there straight away.
> 
> I like the 7300 concept (HF transceiver with spectral and waterfall
> display) but I don't like the size of the display (too small when you want
> to see large chunks of spectrum) and the fact that you are constrained to
> whatever the radio's firmware does (while, if you use an external SDR
> receiver as panadapter, you can try a multitude of different software
> options and features). If I was going to buy a new radio, I would like it
> to have "legacy" control knobs and switches as well as a recessed area in
> the front panel to fit an optional COTS tablet PC.
> 
> 73,
> Carlos VK1EA
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>> On Wed, Jul 22, 2020 at 11:52 PM Bob McGraw K4TAX <rmcgraw at blomand.net>
>> wrote:
>> 
>> Chang:
>> 
>> Unless there is a fault with your radio, typically the Argonaut VI has
>> excellent receive audio.   At the same time, I will emphasize that
>> Tentec radios DO NOT operate like other brand radios.    In fact one
>> will find there is a learning curve which must be attained and
>> understood and applied accordingly.
>> 
>> As to mushy audio, I would speculate the PBT and BW are not adjusted
>> optimally.   Additionally, if you are using the NR function, turn it OFF
>> as it is best used for CW mode and not SSB mode.  For SSB mode, a
>> combination of RF Gain and BW values give better results.  The PRE
>> should be used for higher bands as needed.   Best noise reduction for
>> SSB is attained using the RF Gain control.   Rarely will you find RF
>> Gain should be at maximum except for perhaps 15M and 10M.
>> 
>> Again if you try to set the values on the Argonaut VI like you would on
>> a ICOM, Kenwood, or Yaesu you will not attain optimum performance.
>> Tentec radios use a very different architecture and will not operate as
>> one uses for non Tentec radios.
>> 
>> As to a spectrum scope, where did you read in the information it has
>> one?    Fact is, it never did and never will have one.
>> 
>> I suggest you spend some time reading the manual cover to cover a couple
>> of times and apply the suggestions in the manual to the radio operation.
>> 
>> Quick suggestions:
>> 
>> Set BW to the wider value starting with 2.7 kHz for SSB
>> 
>> Set PBT to center value and adjust to reduce QRM in the passband.
>> 
>> Reduce the RF Gain
>> 
>> Turn OFF the NR function except for CW mode.
>> 
>> Set the AF Gain to a comfortable listening level
>> 
>> And read the manual at least twice.
>> 
>> Unless there is a fault with your radio, these suggestions work. You
>> will need to learn to use the radio as it is different than ICOM,
>> Kenwood, and Yaesu radios.
>> 
>> 73
>> 
>> Bob, K4TAX
>> 
>> 
>>> On 7/22/2020 12:22 AM, Chang Song wrote:
>>> Hello, folks.
>>> 
>>> I have heard so much about Tentec's legendary audio fidelity, I decided
>> to
>>> purchase a Tentec Argonaut VI.    I mostly use SSB.
>>> 
>>> I also have an IC7300.
>>> 
>>> From the moment I started using it, I realized that the voice came out
>> from
>>> the speaker
>>> and the headphone jack on the Argonat VI is very very mushy.
>>> Adding to the fact that it does not have spectrum scope.
>>> I can hardly understand voice with moderate signal level while on IC7300,
>>> even weaker signal, I can clearly understand voices.
>>> 
>>> Is this normal for TenTec?   Or the audio fidelity applied only to CW..
>>> although
>>> I don't think it is better than IC7300 either.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>> 
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