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

Wed, 4 Jun 2003 09:29:37 -0400

I noticed that if you have a 19" crt, the argo pic on the Tentec web site is
almost exactly "actual size".

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email protected] 
> [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Joel R. Hallas
> Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2003 8:40 AM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] The Argonaut V, a beautiful radio 
> implementing DSP
> 
> 
> According to the specs, the new Argo is 0.25" higher, 1.0" 
> wider and 0.05" less deep than the scout. Pretty close!
> 
> 73, Joel W1ZR
> 
> k6xr wrote:
> 
> > 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
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> >
> > 
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