I for one do not put a whole lot of faith in Product reviews. I know they
are suppose to tell us all the techno-gizzy stuff about a radio or piece of
equipment. But, I think they need to be seen as nothing more than
information. Not neccessarily the bottom line.
There just isn't any one radio or piece of equipment that will fill the
needs or wants of everyone that is in the market for some kind of gear. We
must face it, everyone is willing to sacrifice something to justify buying a
particular piece of gear. Not everyone needs silky smooth QSK, although I
don't see any reason to buy a radio that doesn't offer it.....oops, I
goofed, the FT897 is terrible in QSK....a relay, they still haven't figured
it out!
Those little summary boxes in the ARRL reviews....most often appears to be
the new version of speaking out of both sides of your mouth.....doesn't
make me feel good about the value of a Review!
As for the Argonaut V, I believe it is a great radio...it is designed to
meet the needs/wants of a particular group of hams. It was not designed to
compete with the Elecraft K2 (which I have). Both are very good radios,
which one you choose is up to you. If for portable use, the Argonaut V can
be used portable, just not easily. The K2 can...easily, but a a substantial
investment. You can own 2 Argonaut V's for the price of one K2 w/options.
Ouch! I knew I should not have figured up what I have spent on the K2, but
I don't regret it! But, at the same time, I'm going to the TenTec Hamfest
in October, and I will buy the Argonaut V.....need...no, want....yes.
Now, look at the ARRL reviews on both radios mention in the above paragraph.
The reviews tell me to buy the K2.....but, not necessarily the Argonaut
V......they didn't do any favors with the Argonaut V review. But, after
playin'
with one, and following what others have said here on this reflector, I
will still buy an Argonaut V.
Reviews are not the final word on any amateur radio product, I'll balance my
purchasing based on part of what is said in a review, but I'll put a lot
more faith into what user's of that equipment say about it.
Mike - KC8WR
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Rippey" <w3uls@3n.net>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Friday, July 04, 2003 7:32 PM
Subject: [TenTec] Product Reviews
> I've been waiting for someone to note the horrid results of ARRL Lab tests
> in a couple of recent QST reviews, and Al has. The two radios do seem to
> specialize in xmitting junk along with their CW and SSB signals. If
either
> of them is a low-power rig, the damage is not as bad. If they put out 50+
> watts, then we all will har the results.
>
> I noticed that the little summary boxes that appeared with the QST
reviews
> of these rigs are couched in positive language in spite of the Lab's
> reports. Oh, well . . .
>
> As to the Argonaut V, there's nothing close to it in the low-power arena,
> and would be my choice in a heartbeat. But I've got one already.
>
> 73,
> John, W3ULS
>
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