> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Hmmm
> >
> >On Tue, 27 Jan 1998, Jim and Kate Belt wrote:
> >> I hestitate to bring this up but have things shrunk up a bit in amateur
> >> radio. Back when I started there was Collins, E.F. Johnson, Drake,
> >> Hallicrafters, Hammerlund, Swan, WRL, Allied, and Heathkit who were major
> >> players. Now we have Kenwood, Yaesu, Icom, Ten-Tec and a new one from
> Long
> >> Island. What's happened?
Before anyone decides to flame me for seaming unloyal, let me
say that I love Ten Tec and own a Triton IV model 544 silver face
that is very clean and is a great performer, and just made a deal
to pick up an Argosy II for my car. In short, I love Ten Tec, OK.
Don't forget the infamous Atlas line, the 210x is still floating
around the market place for under $300 and on ssb remains a great
buy for mobile communications.
> >
> >I'll take a stab at it...
> >
> >Collins - hand made high-end (expensive) radios and left to pursue more
> > lucrative military/aviation market. REALLY popular now with the
> > yuppies with more money than brains crowd.
If you know what your doing or have a friend that is from the old
school of ham radio, you will find that the Collins line can be
had if you look in the right places for a very good value in the
$400 to $600 range and is still the ultimate hf ssb radio.
> >
> >
> >Drake - Clobbered by the efficient japanese manufacturing process.
Drake is still in business and still builds the best bang for
lasting value. Dollar per dollar in todays money you can't miss.
They are into commercial primarly, but sell an all mode 2 meter
that even though appears expensive at first, you would do well
not to exclude them in your shopping list.
And for quality and low cost in comparison to other used hf gear,
they still are a great bargin for price and quality. I had a
TR 4 that as far as I can tell, worked from the day it was
built many moons ago to today. There pto's are of great design
and simple and cheap to repair. As a good friend of mine says,
"When you turn it on, it works". There has never been any rice box
built that can make the same claim to fame.
>
Just my 2 bits worth :)
73 de KM5CW Joe
FISTS # 4217
web site http://www.concentric.net/~km5cw
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