I have appreciated the banter and theories on the Eagle that has
appeared here over the last few days. It's good to see folks getting
excited about a new product from TenTec!
We're all hams, which means we're all friends; we just haven't met
everyone yet. In that spirit I offer this opinion: over the last five
years or so there is a trend where many radio hams are overbuying on
receiver performance. This has become an almost cult like abberation
where each new rig hits the market and everyone waits to see if it gets
the Sherwood blessing... I suppose that began with the Orion and the K3,
both of which have excellent receivers and lots-o-bells and whistles.
It seems to me that if you're eyeing the top of the Honor Roll or are
looking for a top ten finish in the big contests then you are probably a
big gun and have need of receivers with "world class" performance and
filters so razor sharp you can shave with them. But the typical ham is a
bit more casual and could no more tell the difference between a rig
with impressive third-order intercepts and one just slightly less
impressive.
I see the Eagle as a simple to use, small footprint 100 watt rig that
looks like it will have a very good receiver in it. The combination of
roofing filters and DSP has already proven itself in the trenches.
The fact that it has no second receiver option, etc. is of no
consequence to me or other casual ops like me.
The fact that its made by friendly folks in Tennessee who have always
made good on their word to me and a lot of other folks is just icing on
the cake.
My shack for the next decade is going to be smaller. Gone are the days
when I had musty old gear stacked from the floor to the ceiling. I'm
looking for a smaller footprint rig that doesn't require me to purchase
a third party book to help me understand how to use it. The Eagle looks
like the hot setup for me, and I suspect it will be another runaway hit
for TenTec.
73,
--
Jeff, KE9V
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