Why do I use Ten-Tec rigs? Long story. . .
In 1961 as a kid of 16 I built a Heathkit Apache transmitter and Mohawk
receiver. For antenna switching I could choose between a Dow-Key relay for
$11.95 or a Dow-Key electronic T-R switch for $9.95. I got the cheaper,
built a little power supply for it in a cigar box and operated my fine new
station - always flipping the Transmit toggle switch on the Apache to
transmit. I was very careful to keep the Receiver's mute switch on the
position that would mute it when the transmitter was put into XMIT.
Once I had the receiver's mute switch in the wrong position and transmitted
by accident. I learned that my own signal was about S-7 in my own receiver
if I turned off the AVC. For several years I had a most excellent QSK
setup. Then came some time in the US Army which took me to Africa. There I
got to operate Heath twins (SB-301/401 type), Drake Twins (A and B lines)
and a Heath SB-100. None of these rigs was configured to be QSK. I bought
a Heath HW-100 for myself.
On returning to the US, I used my HW-100 (now modified with hardware for a
HW-101 to switch in a CW crystal filter) and then upgraded to a Heath
SB-102. QSK was still a distant memory for me. When Yaesu came out with
their FT-757GX, it seemed the answer to my prayers. It had QSK, built-in CW
filter, built-in keyer, general coverage receive, digital readout -- I mean
it had everything a man could want so I bought one.
What I learned was this:
A - their built-in keyer strained to reach 25 wpm.
B - their QSK chopped off at least half of each dot's length.
C - the synthesizer hash modulated the received CW note, giving me bad
muscle tension and headaches.
D - the receiver was not as good (sensitive or selective) as my SB-102.
E - the FT-757 was heavy enough to hurt my foot when I drop-kicked it out
the shack window.
I ran into Edith WA4SRD, an old friend, at the Asheville hamfest and was
relating my experiences. She said she used a Ten-Tec rig and it had fine
QSK. Hers was a Triton IV. She helped me find one at the fest and I bought
it.
The joy I felt for operating that I had lost when I left my Apache/Mohawk
setup was back. The rig performed flawlessly in QSK, its receiver was
better than my SB-102 and its audio was so quiet and smooth that it was a
real pleasure to hear -- no more muscle tension and headaches.
Over the years I've also acquired an Omni-C, an Argosy II, a Corsair II and
two 580 Delta rigs. Any one of them is more than adequate for me but I
cannot choose which one to shed myself of any more than I could choose which
of my children to give up.
I have needed service on rigs from time to time, usually when I get a new
(to me) rig. Garland Jenkins at Ten-Tec has never failed to help me. He
seems to have a sixth sense about the rigs he services and can intuit a
problem on the phone in seconds. A few times I've taken or sent a rig for
repair -- Ten-Tec service has always been fast and reasonable. Most of all,
everyone I've dealt with down in Sevierville has been really nice to me.
I'm sold on Ten-Tec because a Dow-Key T-R switch cost $2 less than a Dow-Key
relay.
I don't apologize for being long winded because the above isn't a tenth of
what I could say.
Mike -N4NT-
----- Original Message -----
From: <n5xm@alltel.net>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 12, 2004 10:27 AM
Subject: [TenTec] It just depends...
> I've been into TT gear only about six years, but that is a bit misleading.
In that time, I've owned 11 different TT HF rigs on which I've made over
eleven thousand contacts, 99% CW. I don't say this to pat myself on the
back, but to make a couple of further points, and to ask a question of this
genteel group. Going back to when you were first enamored with TT rigs,
what was it that hooked you?
>
> I am not a benchmaster. I know enough theory to understand what's going
on inside my rigs, in the atmosphere, and on the Sun, and I am not an Extra
Lite. I had read about how many CW ops used TT rigs because of the quiet
reciever and QSK, so I found a nice, used Omni D, series C, and soon I
didn't want to use my FT-920 any more.
>
> We have every right to complain about anything we don't think is right
about our TT rigs. It gives TT feedback for improving things. To think
I've gone from that Omni D, to the Corsair and Corsair II, to the Omni V, to
the VI+, to the Orion in 6 years still amazes me. I'm proud to be a Ten Tec
man. I have some criticisms, but I would also say that if I had a Ferrari,
I would probably be able to find some things I didn't like about it. I love
the elegant simplicity of TT rigs, even though earlier rigs looked like
Russian tractors in a way. Some of my attraction is emotional, and has
nothing to do with specs. I can think of a dozen other non-TT rigs I would
love to have in my shack, but hey, I never met a rig I didn't like. I LIKE
the monochrome screen on my Orion. I like the big knobs. I just wanted to
ask you fine folks to remember your roots and why you liked TT in the first
place. Apologies for being so long-winded, hi. Richard, n5xm
>
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