Getting to Know You: The Ten-Tec Argonaut V Transceiver--my thoughts and a POTA activation!

qrper.com/2023/09/getting-to-...
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Thanks for watching!
73,
Thomas
K4SWL
Chapters
Intro: 0:00:00
Antenna and Throw Line: 0:02:38
Antenna Deployment: 0:05:18
Setting up the Argo V: 0:10:46
Ten-Tec Argonaut V - Getting To Know You: 0:12:45
POTA Activation: 0:26:54
QRT & Summary: 0:57:00
Packing Up and Thank you!: 1:03:57

[@ThomasK4SWL]

qrper.com/2023/09/getting-to-know-you-series-the-ten-tec-argonaut-v-model-516-my-thoughts-notes-and-a-pota-activation/ Click the link above to read full details about this activation, including all equipment links, at QRPer.com.

[@rst5nn]

What a beautiful radio! Big freq indicator, analogue S meter, ergonomics. Thank you for sharing this.

[@N4GW]

I have this radio and it is awesome. Thanks for posting

[@propagating-radio]

Love Ten-Tec rigs. I’ve been using a new to me TT OMNI 6 Plus on CW. Fantastic CW rig, like every TT I’ve tried. Thanks for sharing this video Thomas. Great content, as always!

[@CharlesHarpolek4vud]

I took several different cradle squeeze keys from Orlando to Kathmandu. When i unpacked all of the others had to be serviced and adjusted what I found my WH NYE brand made by Mr. Nye a solid at some rock and ready to run NSB with my jiggling hand. Pack the others inside see you plastic bags but my Nye was in it's shipping box that I received it via. Nes are really well made

[@k4rsp]

my thoughts also, love this radio

[@phildurall7466]

LOL .... that trademarked "Thomas JUMP"! Watching your activations Thomas just melts any stress away! A great way to start the day with a cup of coffee! Love the content as well Sir! Ten-Tecs are great older radios. Tnx! 72, KF6IF

[@JayN4GO]

Something about that rig sounded great. Not sure if it was the rise time or what but it sends as good as it rx om. My era of cool radios for sure 😁

[@ThomasK4SWL]

100%. The audio is simply amazing.

[@DAVIDGREGORYKERR]

That transceiver was made in Sevierville Tennessee.

[@binder098]

I have an Argonaut VI, it has such a fantastic receiver on it with the filtering that even at my noisy New Orleans location I can pull out weak signals. For sitting down to just sweep the dial and have fun I actually prefer it over my IC-7300 and KX3.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

The Argo VI has an exceptional receiver!

[@georgeosier5459]

I've had several Ten Tec rigs and could kick myself for selling them off ... SUPERB CW operation !! .... my fav was the Century 22 (kinda rare today) .. the DC receiver was top notch and quiet .... DC receivers have quirks but once you learn them they are worth it !!! ... thanks for the great videos !!!! .... de N2JNZ

[@XP100Guy]

Thomas great video as always, you mentioned about having a different version of that radio I have the VI and tonight I finally got it working correctly after 6 and 1/2 years of fighting it with intermittent issues so here's hoping I can do a Pota or a Sota with this dang thing, the absolute most troublesome radio I have ever owned! But I stuck with it because it does have an awesome receiver!

[@ThomasK4SWL]

The Argo VI has an exceptional receiver. I was lucky enough to Alpha and Beta test that radio for T-T. Hold onto it!

[@XP100Guy]

How does it compare to the KX2 or the TX500 do you think?@@ThomasK4SWL

[@dnel83]

After Aaron W4ARB did a similar video on this model last week I'm considering this the Armageddon to his Deep Impact 😂 No complaints here though, the Argonaut V looks right up my street

[@Nicktgrief]

I've still got my Argo 515 although it needs some work on it now to get it back to full working order ( the band tuning has seized) . I used it to drive a transverter for the 70mhz and 50mhz bands when we we given access to them here (I'm a class B but now I'm classed as full, we used to be limited to VHF and above) the receiver on it is super and I agree about the QSK - yes back then I did resort to CW to get my 5w out when SSB was failing . Nick G8SYE

[@spencerhochstetler]

Good tip on moving a bit off frequency - I'm pretty sure it's the only reason I got through in your pileup. I usually bump it down by about 70 Hz and it was interesting to here how that stood out just enough to let your ears pick it up. Thanks for the video yet again! (also, I LOVE my Omni VII !!!) de WD4AWD

[@ThomasK4SWL]

It makes a huge difference in non-split pileups! Well done!

[@Sky1]

I am going to buy one if I find a working one

[@Steven_VE9SY]

Next time you go to Canada go to Manitoba. The mosquitoes there can carry off a small animal! And there sting feels like they used a meat thermometer!! Lots of people love it there, but I did 3 years with the military there, and I looked like Swiss cheese when I got back to New Brunswick!! Only issue here is we has a ton of mosquitoes, but most times it take a minute to realize you are getting stung!!!!!!

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Ha ha ha! I've heard stories about Manitoba mozzies!

[@qrplife]

Tangentially, have you ever done or considered doing a “shack tour” video? Your home shack gets occasional mention in your field activation videos and would be fun to get a peek inside.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I'll definitely consider this after I get through the re-painting of the shack this year. :)

[@qrplife]

Yeah, I heard you mention the repainting in a more recent video and figured that we’d have to for any such peek inside the K4SWL shack. 73.

[@oe5pop320]

Hello From Austria ! 73 de Oe5pop

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Howdy, OM! de K4SWL

[@georgeosier5459]

I plan on going out with my Kenwood TS-130SE ... looking at a 50ah battery ..... and want to run the rig at 50 watts CW ... not sure how long it will last ... de N2JNZ

[@ThomasK4SWL]

That TS-130 will serve you well!

[@haddourabah2689]

Hello I am Algerian it is with great honor that I write you this message which I hope I will find the answer with you I just bought a ten tec Argonaut 509 the problem I can't read the frequency on the dial if you can help me thank you

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I wish I could help you, but it sounds you'll need to do some proper trouble shooting here to see if the frequency display needs to be replaced or if there's another solder point, etc, that's causing the problem. You may need to take this to someone with repair experience.

[@CharlesHarpolek4vud]

How much RF output Max?

[@ThomasK4SWL]

20W if memory serves.

[@rabbit6914]

So what happened to Ten-Tec, the company? It sold elite products, had a great reputation, and people spoke so highly of the people at the company. Then it seemed to fade and disappear. The Ten-Tec "ghost" web page responds on the internet even today, last updated in 2016. Must be a story here, perhaps tragic, but nonetheless fascinating.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

They are still incorporated, I believe. Mike Dishop had a Ten-Ten booth at the 2023 Hamvention. I'm not sure if they're doing repairs or manufacturing at present, though.