Yes, now that I think about it, I recall that the QST review was unduly
harsh. I think QST has been biased in favor of the big-3 import brands,
just like Consumer Reports favors Japanese cars and doesn't like
truck-based SUV's. QST seems more interested in the bells and whistles
these days rather than solid performance, and CR says, "Why would you
want a 4X4 when you can buy a minivan? QST reviews many years ago
focused more on how the radio works and its design, even including block
diagrams and partial schematics.
However, I thought that the prices of the Delta/Argonaut II were high,
relative to the competition. On the other hand, competitive rigs were
not all that great in their performance. I used a TS-680 and thought it
was awful.
But, as you say, time marches on, and the Argo V is a newer, better
design for less money. Although I already have a Scout, there may be an
Argonaut V in my future.
73,
Bob WB2VUF
Caitlyn M. Martin wrote:
> Hi, Bob, and everyone else,
>
>
>>The Ten Tec Delta II and Argonaut II were not
>>panned, but they did not get stellar reviews.
>>
>
> I personally thought they were harshly panned. I
> talked to Scott from Ten Tec at Dayton and he blamed
> the poor sales and ultimate demise of that radio on
> the review.
>
> What galled me most was what the reviewer was most
> upset about. He noted (correctly) that between the
> PBT and the Jones filter you could completely shutdown
> the receiver. That irked him to no end. Yet you
> could do the same with the dual PBT on an IC-781 and
> that did get a stellar review. Basically the reviewer
> didn't understand the functionality of the radio and
> panned it as a result.
>
> At the time it was new I loved the Delta II/Argonaut
> II for just what the reviewer hated: the ability to
> tightly control and adjust the receiver passband with
> the PBT and Jones filter. I could pull out weak SSB
> stations from under the shadow of broadcasters on 40m
> and leave pretty much just the signal I wanted. Even
> a Kenwood TS-850 (also new at the time) couldn't do
> that. I was impressed.
>
> Of course today I use the IF DSP bandpass filter in my
> Argonaut V combined with the PBT and get similar
> results with a better, quieter receiver. Time and
> technology march on.
>
> 73,
> Caity
> K7VO/8
>
> Caitlyn M. Martin - K7VO
> http://www.mizuhoradio.com/personal/k7vo
> Blog: http://k7vo.blogspot.com
> ARRL QRP-ARCI #11018 ARS #445 G-QRP #11577 AK QRP #637
>
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