Annnnnnnnd, then.....there are those of us who avoid computer operations like
the plague!!
I will use a computer and simple logging program like General Logger for
"simple logging" IF I am in a contest where I expect to log > 150 to 200 QSOs;
Sweepstakes, CQ WW WPX or CQ WW 160 events.
For the Pre-Stew 160 meter event this weekend, as a QRP entry, where I tend to
log up to 100 QSOs, maybe, I use paper and pencil and employ a single band rig
(a 160 meter version designed by Steve Weber, KD1JV) with a NEscaf audio filter
to sorta remove the alligators.
I need large knobs as I have severe Neuropathy with resulting zero feeling in
my hands and fingers...
Bt the bye: I finished 2nd last year in the Pre-Stew QRP category and would
have finished fourth in the low power category.
Any how, my story and I'm sticking to it!!!
72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV
> From: Rick@DJ0IP.de
> To: tentec@contesting.com
> Date: Fri, 18 Oct 2013 18:52:25 +0200
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Requirements for a top tier DXing rig
>
> Contesting has changed.
>
> I don't contest at all like I used to 10 or 15 years ago.
> The radios have gotten so good, I typically just crank it down to very narrow
> bandwidth (on CW) and just touch the VFO knob. Rarely need anything else.
> The rest of the operation is done on the keyboard. Occasionally I hit the RF
> gain.
>
> Point and click at the band map. Push a function button and the station is
> worked and logged - as I'm sipping my coffee.
>
> THEREFORE, WHERE'S THE NEED FOR LARGE KNOBS IN A CONTEST?
>
> For day to day operating, I also enjoy large knobs and a large S-Meter.
>
> For contesting, well even the Eagle's VFO knob is large enough for that
> little bit of searching I do with the VFO. Would have been too small back in
> the days when one revelation of the knob was 10kHz, if not more. Now days it
> is just one kHz or whatever you like.
>
> 2nd RX? I guess I am old. Don't want or need it. I still manage around 1M
> points in major contests without it.
> I still hold the all time record for CQWW CW in one European country (class
> HP Assisted).
> That was set with an Omni VI+ without a 2nd RX.
> So for my contesting needs, the Eagle is adequate.
>
> 73
> Rick, DJ0IP
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TenTec [mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Barry N1EU
> Sent: Friday, October 18, 2013 6:33 PM
> To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Requirements for a top tier DXing rig
>
> Interesting comments that generally jibe with my style of operating (big
> radios, dual rx, lotsa knobs).
>
> Just a comment about Flex/SDR. It's easy to interface a set of knobs to
> PowerSDR that are assignable and work extremely well. There are specifically
> designed knobs from Flex and Woodbox Radio as well as Hercules DJ console
> with more knobs (including two big tuning knobs) than you can ever use.
> Also, the PowerSDR implementation of dual watch on a single receiver rig IS
> stereo and you can control how much audio from each vfo goes in each ear.
>
> 73,
> Barry N1EU
>
>
>
>
> On Fri, Oct 18, 2013 at 4:23 PM, <chacuff@cableone.net> wrote:
>
> > I kind of Hijacked an earlier thread thinking it would be a great
> > point for discussion and maybe result in helpful feedback to all involved.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > ------
> >
> >
> >
> > JIm said:
> >
> >
> >
> > We can thank the three major US manufacturers, Ten Tec, Elecraft, and
> > Flex Radio for top quality radios at affordable prices, many of them
> > "best in class."
> >
> > 73, Jim K9YC
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > ------
> >
> >
> >
> > And I agree completely but would carry things a bit further. I think
> > at some point in every DXers life you reach a point where there are
> > some personal minimum requirements for a so called Top Tier DXers radio.
> >
> >
> >
> > I know I certainly have reached that point with the following that I
> > refuse to do without:
> >
> >
> >
> > Dual receivers. Not just dual-watch type of multiplex receive...which
> > gets the job done but doesn’t provide split headphone outputs so one
> > can monitor the DX in one ear and the pileup in the other. It’s nice
> > that the two receivers have the same specs but not completely necessary for
> > me.
> >
> >
> >
> > Split RX audio. Actually an extension of Dual Receivers. I DX under
> > headphones 90% of the time and the split receive is a must on split
> > frequency operations. I think it makes full use of the processing
> > power our brains have to offer as a DSP filter of sorts...
> >
> >
> >
> > Dual VFO knobs. I can do the toggle thing but why. The Orion system
> > is ideal and even better is having the remote VFO/Keypad set to the
> > sub receiver and next to the CW key. The remote VFO/Keypad is really
> > a nice touch and seems to be catching on as Icom has just introduced
> > one. Again Ten-Tec leading the industry. Not one of my minimums but again
> > a nice touch.
> >
> >
> >
> > Up to this point I have managed to eliminate Icom and probably Kenwood.
> > The IC7800 and the TS-990 are the only current rigs that meets the
> > above spec and Icom is way out of my price range...the Kenwood is on the
> > high
> > side for me as far as pricing. (more on that later)
> >
> >
> >
> > Knobs. I just can’t get excited about my radio being a mouse and a
> > keyboard and a computer screen. Now I don’t have issue with computer
> > control of my conventional rig but that is a bit different in that I
> > use it to tune the rig to spots and to collect data from the rig for
> > population of fields in my logging program. I still drive with the knobs.
> >
> >
> >
> > Sorry Flex...
> >
> >
> >
> > BIG Knobs. As we age it gets harder to see and sometimes dexterity
> > suffers making it difficult to manage tiny knobs placed so close together.
> > Ten-Tec has done a great job on this with the Orion.
> >
> >
> >
> > BIG Radio’s. Front panel real estate is a must to keep from ending up
> > with tiny knobs, concentric knobs and multi layer menus resulting in
> > many multi function buttons and knobs. It’s too difficult to wade
> > through all that in the middle of a pileup or running in a contest.
> > Besides this is a base station rig that never leaves the shack. There
> > is no good reason it shouldn’t be sizable.
> >
> >
> >
> > Elecraft is a bit small for me but...
> >
> >
> >
> > Support. Well what can I say here...the best support is coming from
> > the US manufacturers. I’ve experienced the Japanese level of support
> > and it wasn’t fun so I don't really want to go there again. I can get
> > decent support on Icom because i’m friends with the local Icom dealer
> > and he National sales manager but again I can’t justify $13K for a
> > 7800. That pretty much leaves Elecraft and Ten-Tec and the Elecraft
> > is a bit on the small side for a base radio to my likings but it does
> > perform and is supported well.
> >
> >
> >
> > All this and affordable: Well what about price.... Needs to be under
> > 5 to 6K for a top tier rig for me to begin to justify it with the
> > features mentioned. The sad part is that pretty much eliminates all
> > the current top tier radio’s but probably the Yaesu FT-5000 and
> > Elecraft that meet my personal minimums but I’ve not been happy with
> > Yaesu support and their current product line and direction so I won’t
> > buy their products. Were back to Elecraft and Ten-Tec. I already own
> > an Orion II...the decision based on the above clearly but the Orion
> > has been discontinued. So if I didn't own the Orion and was having to
> > make a purchase decision.... Things would be pretty much the same...I
> > would search out a nice used example of the Orion II. There is really
> > no other choice for the way I operate and the features I’ve deemed a
> > personal minimum.
> >
> >
> >
> > The question is what does the future hold for guys like us?
> >
> >
> >
> > Who knows but I am glad I have the Orion II...it should serve for many
> > years along with the Centurion it’s paired with...till we get a
> > glimpse of what’s to come.
> >
> >
> >
> > Of course this is subjective and YMMV so don’t beat me up too bad....
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Cecil Acuff
> > Gulfport MS
> > K5DL
> > _______________________________________________
> > TenTec mailing list
> > TenTec@contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
> >
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