[TenTec] The Argonaut V, a beautiful radio implementing DSP

Tue, 3 Jun 2003 17:31:43 -0700

Stuart, You say the argo V is slightly smaller than the scout? I had a scout
and it looks much larger than the scout in the picture. That would be a
perfect size for my former case I used for my scout if that is true!

Reggie K6XR
K1-4  #1512
nc  2306
qrp 8701
ex-kn9akl, wa6lpx, wa6jmw
48 years hamming

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Stuart Rohre
Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2003 11:04 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [TenTec] The Argonaut V, a beautiful radio implementing DSP

Last Fri. I received my Argonaut V.  What a nice successor to the Scout and
much more!

First of all, it is actually slightly smaller than the Scout, so was a nice
fit in my Wal Mart Plastic clam shell case that I used to carry my Scout to
Field Day, etc.
It uses a similar hand mike, thus my four pin mikes will all fit.

The radio was surprisingly intuitive.   At first, as I read the manual, I
wondered how I was going to remember how to get to various alternate button
functions and menus.  (I am one of the rare ones who attempt to read the
manual first!)

However, once grasping the basics of the Function button invoking the
alternate legends above the buttons, I was soon switching bandwidths with
the various filter positions.  The SSB filtering seems more effective than
the Jones filter which I usually ran rather open on the Scout during SSB
work.  You can really hear the difference in selectivity between the 3kHz
setting of the Argonaut V and the 2.4 setting. I was amazed that voice was
very intelligible on good signals even at 1.8 kHz setting.

The CW filter comes up at the 1 kHz position, which is a good starting
point.  I find 200 Hz narrow filters too tight for my ears, but it is there
if you want it.

Having added features like Pass Band Tuning, and a several step noise
reduction circuit; are welcome additions to a rig.  For those who have been
long time Scout users, you will enjoy the new added bells and whistles which
do not unduly complicate use of the rig.

There is one knob to the right of the finger dimple main tuning knob that
controls the menu settings once a function is selected.  It appears like the
dual knobs of several of the other controls, with which Scout users will be
familiar, but it is a single control.  I realize they made it appear dual as
a symmetry thing, but I would have been just as happy to have it a single
color knob.   The only thing I am having to get used to is that when the
attenuator, (RF gain) is invoked, it is a step function and if you are not
watching the S meter or listening to the audio, you do not know after it is
invoked that it is "on".  There is no annunciator led that it is on.
However, it is a simple matter to punch Function, then the Attenuator
button, and see if the gain changes.   On a dead band such as some of the
solar flares have caused, it is not as obvious when it is active as on open
bands.

I love spinning that dimpled knob.  It is very fast even though there are
only two steps of tuning rate.

As some have noted the Band control steps the bands up in frequency, ie if
the rig comes up on 20m, and you hit Band you go up one band.   That means
you wrap around the bands to get to a lower band.   I have not yet played
with Band Stacking but I understand that is a way to take care of moving
down.  Out of long term habit, I usually start out on 20m, and see if it is
open, and if not, step to the next lower band and so on.

With the Scout, I simply reached over and grabbed the next lower band plug
in, with one hand while starting to unplug the band in use, (power off of
course).  I never thought about band order.   Yet, my less used other end of
the world radio does have up and down buttons for the bands.  Oh well,
already, I find I am used to the quick action of the V and its architecture.

Since the Scout did not have RF gain, the step RF attenuator is a welcome
addition.  I do not miss an RF gain control.   My philosophy of radios is to
keep it simple and allow more people at Field Days to be comfortable with
operation of a radio not their own.
The Argonaut is going to be a great competitor in this regard.

The multifunction analog meter is also my favored way of handling S meter,
power output, and other functions.  On the Argonaut, the SWR is done as
forward and reflected power which is more meaningful anyway.

Hopefully, the bands will quickly improve and contact evaluations can be
made.
But, I am already happy to have a general coverage receiver in the ham
shack.

One of the greatest things is how quiet 80m sounds even tho it is summer!
What I mean is that there is not the extra hash that many Yaecomwoods suffer
on the lower bands, even if you invoke their RF attenuation.  The Argonaut
receiver is sensitive but without the spurious.  I may find my self
investigating 160m what with the AM mode on this radio!

Anyway, good job Ten Tec, this is a Radio Amateur's Radio, with enough DSP
bells and whistles, and remote control and updates of firmware to keep the
computer types happy.  Yet, it looks as a radio should look IMHO.
73,
Stuart K5KVH

_______________________________________________
Tentec mailing list
[email protected]
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/tentec