[Icom] Icom vs. Ten Tec

[icom@mailman.qth.net]

Hi,

> AND you collect ICOM and back rigs? 

I collect the Icom bookshelf portables only at this point.

> What part of Ten-Tec do you like over 
> ICOM.

The big thing is the level of support and service:  fast turn around,
techs you can really talk to to get things solved without returning a
rig, etc...  This isn't to say Icom is bad.  I just think Ten Tec sets
the standard in this area.  Ten Tecy also still supports and repair all
their old equipment, going right back to the late '60s.  Try and get
help from Icom on a 30+ year old rig and see how far you get.

Also, as a general rule (and there are big exceptions) Ten Tec has
skipped some bells and whistles in favor of plain old rock-solid
performance.  Historically (pre-IF DSP) Ten Tec always had a better
array of filter selections on their lower and mid priced rigs.  You had
to go top of the line (i.e.: IC-761, IC-781, etc...) to have the ability
to install narrow SSB and CW filters and have the ability to select them
independently of mode.  I could do that with a Ten Tec Argosy (bottom of
the line in the 80s) but could not with an Icom IC-735 or even an
IC-740, which was top of the line in 1983.  I simply had better QRM
fighting tools with Ten Tec rigs that were in a comparable space to an
Icom product.

Also, it's nice to support the American economy (and in my case, the
regional economy) once in a while.

> BUt almost went to TEN-TEC, no one here knew 
> anything about it.

Ten Tec has a 30 day no matter what money back policy.  If you buy a Ten
Tec and don't like it you just send it back.  That strikes me as supreme
confidence in their products.

I should point out that none of this in any way bashes Icom.  Icom is my
favorite among the Japanese "big three".  At one time they had the best
VHF/UHF equipment bar none (i.e.:  IC-575/275/375/475/1275 and IC-970H).
 Ten Tec only recently entered the VHF weak signal market, and their
first effort, the 526, has had mixed reviews at best.

Icom HF gear was relatively weak at first (i.e.: IC-701 and IC-720), but
by the early 80s was *mostly* equal to or better than the competition. 
I still say, all these years later, that you can't go wrong with an
IC-751A or an IC-740.  Having said that, there are Ten Tec models (i.e.:
the two versions of the Corsair) that I like even better and I think had
more communications features (not bells and whistles) during the same
time period.

Having said all of that, I agree with the person who called the Orion
"vaporware".  Ten Tec has a history of delays in bringing products to
market.  If you need a top line rig right this minute, I'd say you are
better off with an Icom IC-756ProII.  If you can wait, then get an Orion
to evaluate and decide for yourself.  No radio is "one size fits all".

Oh, and Ten Tec has had their duds, as has Icom.  Does anyone here
really want an Icom IC-720 or the original Ten Tec Delta?  I think not.

73,
Caity
KU4QD