"Software controllable"
Mike this is an excellent point but also a point of debate.
Old radios with simple mechanical volume controls just seem to last longer
than radios with encoders.
On the one hand, in the interest of simplicity, I would like to see just two
encoders, one for the VFO and one for a multi knob for the features that
will still need to be in a menu. All else should be old fashion mechanical
devices like used in the past 100 years.
On the other hand, lack of radio control (i.e. N4PY) might be a good reason
for many people not to purchase the radio.
I'm pretty sure that feature is a MUST.
73 - Rick, DJ0IP
(Nr. Frankfurt, Germany)
-----Original Message-----
From: TenTec [mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Mike Newell
Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2016 6:47 PM
To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Pimp My Eagle
I would like to add one item to Rick's list.
Sometimes I like to operate the radio from the front panel and sometimes I
like to operate it from software.
I would like to see the Eagle's software command set expanded so that pretty
much every function is available to software, as with the OMNI VII.
Thanks,
Mike - WB4HUC
Austin, TX
On 1/7/2016 10:52 AM, rick@dj0ip.de wrote:
> PLEASE KEEP THIS THREAD FOCUSED ON THE ?EAGLE.?
>
> (feel free to start a new thread on O7+ or O3)
>
>
>
> I agree with Brian . . . let?s talk about radios again.
>
>
>
> It seems the current tentative plan is:
>
>
>
> 1) OM7(+) gets a new front plate and face plate, but not a lot of
> changes
>
> 2) (super) Eagle gets new DSP and _ _ _ _ _ _
>
> 3) Argonaut 6 will more or less resume production unchanged
>
> 4) An O3 is in the making, details unknown
>
>
>
> I want to make a suggestions about the future Eagle.
>
>
>
> IMO TEN-TEC made a mistake with the Eagle.
>
> They tried to address three market segments with one product.
>
> 1) A simple easy to use computer for old folks (including me) who
> usually prefer not to even turn the computer on, just because we want
> to get on the radio ? but do want high performance.
>
> 2) The mobile hf market
>
> 3) The entry level 100w hf transceiver market
>
>
>
> Result: Jack of all trades, master of none.
>
>
>
> If you read the wish list in the Eagle group, since the beginning
> there were clearly representatives of all three groups expressing
> wishes for improvements. What might benefit one group is often
> counter-productive for the other.
>
>
>
> If Ten-Tec is to succeed, they need to identify the market segment for
> each product and optimize for it.
>
>
>
> Of the three segments I have listed above, I believe Ten-Tec?s best
> chance is in no. 1.
>
>
>
> I don?t think any US based OEM can go big in the entry level segment
> because it is primarily driven by price.
>
>
>
> I also believe a mobile rig today MUST have a removable front panel.
> Sure some people don?t mind having the radio occupy the front
> passenger space, but I prefer to keep it for my XYL. (In fact I have
> no choice ;-)
>
>
>
> My wish is for the Super Eagle to focus on number 1 above.
>
> As such, I can propose some changes:
>
>
>
> 1) And most important: a bigger box. In all my 15+ years
> participating in Ten-Tec groups, I can?t recall a single instance of
anyone
> asking for a smaller box. Yet ALL OEMs seem to think that?s what we
want.
> Lots of important things suffer when you reduce the size of the box.
> You have less knobs, more menu adjustable items, smaller loud speaker,
> smaller S-Meter, coils are smaller (lower Q), heat sinks are smaller
> and fans are smaller so you have more noise. Less room for working on
> the radio, less room for back panel jacks (so we must use plugs with
> 75 pins!). DON?T NEED ANY OF THIS. I NEED THE FOLLOWING?
>
> 2) Larger knobs. Concentric knobs are only ok if they are large
> enough.
>
> 3) Larger S-meter. Prefer a true meter, but if not, then at least a
> color-coded LED meter.
>
> 4) ¼ inch connections for things like key and headphones;
>
> 5) Separate jacks for paddle and straight key
>
> 6) PTT and AMP KEY should be RCA Phono (again)
>
> 7) Dedicated RIT control (not the multi-knob)
>
> 8) Simplified VFO mode (i.e. getting in and out of split)
>
> 9) Buttons should have a max of dual function. Push once to enable
> main function, push twice (quickly) to enable secondary function. I
> don?t want to push multiple buttons that may be on opposite sides of
> the front panel.
>
> 10) Exception to menu handling is allowed but only for things that
really
> are ?set once and forget?, such as defining filter slots and screen color.
>
> 11) Mic gain and CW Speed should be a dedicated knob. I?m OK with it
just
> being one knob, but others might prefer concentric.
>
> 12) Band stacking register. Don?t understand why it was left out.
>
> 13) [finally] address the keying timing issues when using a non-Ten-Tec
> linear amplifier. The Pre-dit and Post-dit (hang) time must be
adjustable.
> Pre-dit can be inside the ?set once and forget? menu, but Post-dit is
> a value I change often. Either make it easy to adjust, OR make it
> dynamically linked to the keyer speed with user adjustable ratio.
> There are keyers on the market that have this feature.
>
> 14) IF output to the real panel. Can be an option, but just plug one
> cable.
>
> 15) Pre-selector output to the real panel. Can be an option, but just 2
> cables.
>
> 16) AUX-RX ANT connection. It?s to the point now that often the low
bands
> are only usable with some kind of special small receiving antenna, due
> to all the noise from consumer products.
>
> 17) NO BAND SCOPE. (Use the IF connector on the rear panel). Or use an
> ANT OUT, an external SDR, and Carl?s NP4Y software.
>
> 18) Power Out indicator (not just an ALC LED)
>
> 19) What else?
>
> 20) Bright Red-Orange Dot! ;-)
>
>
>
> I?m sure I have forgotten a few points, but mainly KEEP IT SIMPLE so
> that old eyes and old fingers can use it.
>
>
>
> I intentionally began this thread here rather than in the Eagle group
> because maybe if we get these changes, some of the people here (and
> not currently in the Eagle group) will join us.
>
>
>
> PIMP MY EAGLE!
>
>
>
> 73 - Rick, DJ0IP
>
> (Nr. Frankfurt, Germany)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TenTec mailing list
> TenTec@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
>
>
_______________________________________________
TenTec mailing list
TenTec@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
_______________________________________________
TenTec mailing list
TenTec@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
|