I've been running the Pegasus almost exclusively for the past two weeks and
it has certainly been an absolute pleasure to use. The software almost
installs itself. I have already upgraded the software to v1.57 from
Ten-tec's web site and is by far the easiest I have ever installed on my
computers, including the Kachina 505DSP.
I'm still amazed at CW performance, particularly for a computer-based
transceiver. QSK is fast, although I detect a slightly audible T/R "click"
in my sidetone. The CW waveform is more accurate and symmetrical than ANY
other Ten-tec model I've had.
Receiver performance has been excellent and I have not encountered any
overload problems, even while operating on 40-meters in the evening when
using a half-wave elevated vertical. The DSP filters are excellent and
exhibit no "blow-by." I especially like the fact that I can fine tune each
of the filter's center frequencies.
My wish list:
1) Allow the software's audio volume control to vary the "LINE OUT" front
panel audio jack. Presently, I have to vary the external volume control on
my PC's SoundBlaster card. The logical "pick-off" point is just prior to
the audio power amp that feeds the speaker.
2) Add a keyer weighting control.
3) Add CW spotting. This could be accomplished by depressing either 1) the
keyboard space bar, or 2) clicking the mouse pointer on the CW mode button,
just like the Omni six.
4) A DSP-based mic processor with a maximum of 10 dB of compression would be
nice.
5) Add +8VDC to the microphone connector as a microphone "phantom voltage"
for mics requiring a transistor battery. I power an FET impedance
transformer on my D-104 mics. Other mics require similar power.
These are all items that would not significantly raise the production cost
of the $895.00 retail price of the Pegasus. I can't think of much more to
change. The GUI ergonomics are great and I wouldn't change a thing.
-Paul, W9AC
----- Original Message -----
From: David Ward <wa1rd@home.com>
To: John L Merrill <jmerril1@twcny.rr.com>; <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Saturday, October 02, 1999 12:56 PM
Subject: RE: [TenTec] Pegasus
>
>
> Hi John and Everyone else,
> I, too, am somewhat puzzled by the lack of attention Pegasus is receiving.
I
> have been singing its praises from the mountain tops. I love it. It has
> become my #1 radio, beating out my beloved FT-990 and IC-706. As it is for
> each of us, my reasons are tailored for me and my needs. So, from my
> perspective, here it goes...
>
> I mostly rag chew. My transmit audio must be very clean and have good
> presence. According to reports from (yes, the group I hang out with) all
> different 80 and 40 groups, the Pegasus transmit audio meets and exceeds
> those requirements. There is no "Proc" switch either. My ham friends who
> know my real voice like what they hear from this $895 radio.
>
> Receiving with the noise reduction algorithm is a pleasure. I don't think
> any manufacturer has yet marketed the "perfect" noise reduction system.
What
> I like you may not. But I will tell you this -those noisy summer evenings
on
> 80 are now workable for me when I use to give up. The plethora of filters
> (both transmit and receive) have given the amateur tailor made audio. The
> pass band tuning helps me ignore bothersome adjacent signals.
>
> Being able to make my faceplate as large as I want helps me to see what I
am
> doing, i.e. the frequency I am on! My vision is deteriorating rapidly so
> this feature is now high on my priority list. I suspect others with
similar
> eyesight problems are happy over this new breed of "virtual" radios. Other
> programmers may invent/create more form versus function solutions now that
> Ten Tec is opening up the source code. With its downloadable software and
> firmware bios, Pegasus will be recreated over and over again. This very
well
> may lead to a new era in how amateur radio is executed.
>
> I did have to purchase a strong 25 amp continuous power supply. A 30 amp
(25
> cont.) switcher from Astron for $119 did the trick. When I used lesser
> supplies all sorts of weird things happened. I also run an AL-1500 and
> resonant coax fed dipoles. I don't have any switcher, computer or monitor
> noise in the Pegasus. I was careful about not having ground loops.
>
> Check back with me in six months to see if I am still as enthusiastic as I
> am today over the Pegasus. The radio certainly seems to fit many of my
needs
> in an economical fashion. By the way, I first used an old Pentium 75
laptop
> which worked fine. I would think most computers up to ten years old would
> work.
>
> Good luck and best wishes. I hope I answered enough of your questions.
>
> 73,
> David Wa1rd
>
>
> --
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>
--
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