[Icom] Icom vs. Ten Tec

[Chris BONDE]

TANX,  Caity KU4QD
I think that your comments are a keeper (for awhile).  To me sage and good

Chris opr VE7HCB


At 12:57 PM 2002-03-10 -0500, you wrote:
>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
>
>----
>Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan W6OLD, icom-owner@mailman.qth.net
>Icom FAQ: http://www.qsl.net/icom/