Ten Tec RX340 kicking ass and taking names, again

[@Aco747lyte]

On my retirement from 30 years in the Royal Navy back in 2015, I bought this magnificent Ten Tec RX340 as an indulgent present to myself. I then built a wooden rack to hold it, plus a Yaesu transceiver since I am a licenced radio ham. Over the years I tweaked the Ten Tec a few times to improve its already amazing sensitivity. Recently I bout the Icon second-hand; to my delight it was rarely used by the previous owner.

[@duanetrivett750]

What a collection ! I live about 80 miles from where TEN TECs are made . i have never been to their facility but thought about checking it out sometime . they used to be made in Tennessee . i guess they still are ? Thanks for the video . 73

[@dannyshortwave]

I love that Ten Tec RX 340. Nice demonstration. It blows the others away. Have a great day my friend. 73

[@dieselten01]

Yes the 340 is awesome, but if you read down in the comments, I realized that the 8600 and the R8B were going through an extra antenna splitter and it was loosing signal. I removed that splitter and all 3 radios are awesome and on par with each other as far as sensitivity goes.

[@wa4aos]

Well Sir, based on your well done videos, I have been looking for a clean RX340 and finally found one and it's on the way. This will add to my arsenal of Racal 6790, Harris 690, R390 and R390A.. 73

[@dieselten01]

I want to see a video of your new 340 kicking some ass!

[@ivanlubashev1101]

Тоже мечтаю о таком аппарате! Но редкий, и дорогой

[@Team-fabulous]

I have a few Drakes and Ten Tec rigs. Just love the Yank od ball gear.

[@TheShaunksread]

You'll find the operation of the 7030 similar to the Elad FDM DUO R you tested recently against another top quality receiver, becomes really simple and intuitive after a bit of messing around so lack of buttons and knobs can be worth putting up with

[@Kw1161]

If you ever get a chance to buy a Drake R7 or TR7 I believe it would give the TenTec receiver a run for it’s money. The only negative thing that I can say about it is the drift factor. Great video 73.

[@dieselten01]

I have a Drake R8B, I did a video on it a month or 2 back. It is awesome but not quite as good as the 340 in my opinion. Thanks for your comments!

[@Aco747lyte]

Yes I agree; the Drake R7 is quite the little beast and very good value for money. Must go now as I'm a paramedic about to log in to my shift. I'll be back!

[@TheShaunksread]

Love to see a shootout for sync detection between all your receivers that have the ability against a Lowe HF 225 or and an aor 7030+3

[@nsat5165]

The Icom and Drake feed of the same switch but the TenTec appears not to be. Are they all using the same antenna and feed? To test maybe just unplug the antenna from the TenTec and plug directly into the 8600.

[@nsat5165]

Unless the feed for the 8600 switch splits to the TenTec too?

[@dieselten01]

Excellent observation. They are all on The Wellbrook or I would never have even made the video. But the 8600 and Drake are going through 1 extra switch. Maybe that switch is loosing some signal. I will test that. Thanks!

[@dieselten01]

NSAT you were right! I just finished removing the extra signal splitter that the 8600 and the R8B had to go through. There was considerable signal loss from it. I threw it away and now the R8B and the 8600 are back to superior performance and mirror the 340

[@dxace1]

A question: what kind of tables/desks are you using for your receivers? I am looking for something that will support a number of premium sets...thanks. Also -- there must be something going on for a R8B not to be able to hear that signal that's coming in so well on a 340?

[@mattottie6410]

Hi dan what is 340, and i am using a three teir shelf, but its hard to switch coax not much room in back, what types of receivers u using, thx matt

[@dieselten01]

Dan, I am using some computer tables I got from Amazon. They are all identical and come in different lengths so I can fit a whole wall or whatever. They are heavy duty too, prolly hold 250-300 lbs plus. Let me know and I will do a close up of the tables during my next video if you want. This R8B has always been an excellent performer, that’s why I put it where the 890 used to be. I think that signal is too close to me like Matt said. That and the 340 is just an excellent receiver. Next week I will try my 8711 and EB200, oh and the 505 too, that thing is incredible.

[@dieselten01]

The table is called a “CubiCubi Study Computer Desk” on Amazon, I can’t figure out how to attach a link

[@dieselten01]

I just finished removing the extra signal splitter that the 8600 and the R8B had to go through. There was considerable signal loss from it. I threw it away and now the R8B and the 8600 are back to superior performance and mirror the 340

[@mattottie6410]

I will try for that 9395khz on the r9500. What time and were is that show broadcast from? Thx matt

[@dieselten01]

It starts at 5:00 pm Central, 22:00 UTC on 9395. I dont know where it comes from. There have been a couple articles on SWLing.com about this show

[@IU3EVR]

not a surprise for me, totally digital DDC receivers like Icom are noisy. Anyway, that signal is almost unusable on all the radios

[@dieselten01]

Correct. But if it was cw or some other top secret stuff like this thing was originally used for…

[@mattottie6410]

Nick i get WRMI IN FLA. with music and religious talk at 23.02 UTC, S1 TO S3 with really bad static crashes, Icom R 9500. Alpha delta inverted v at 32 ft..

[@dieselten01]

Where are you located Matt? Apparently that show is not making it to Texas very well. As you know all my stuff is on a Wellbrook outdoors at 15or so feet

[@mattottie6410]

@@dieselten01 paulden, az.

[@dieselten01]

@@mattottie6410 interesting, maybe the signal is hopping over Texas?? Or maybe your antenna is way better than mine

[@mattottie6410]

@@dieselten01 you are to close, but that station not targeting USA, aimed overseas. The r 8600 receives about the same, now listing to 15.720 good signal, i think radio N Z, not sure, matt

[@myradiovideos]

The Ten Tec does live up to its reputation as ultra sensitive and relatively a Quiet Receiver. Always important that the engineers use the best possible components when designing radios.. SO!!! Now it is time to put down the AR-15, dont waste bullets on the 890S radio, LOL,,, and show us how the RX340 stacks up against say the Harris 505 receiver, also one of you most sensitive Who will win that battle??? I realize they are in different rooms,, but you can do it for all your fans!! 🙂 Robert

[@dieselten01]

That will take some motivation on my part…

[@myradiovideos]

@@dieselten01 Well, we DO APPRECIATE whatever you can do for all of us... 🙂

[@Kibwunga]

Yeah but the RX340 is almost at the bottom of the Sherwood list for blocking dynamic range. It won't fare well with a strong adjacent signal. The 9600 is near the top. I don't think the 8600 is set up right. And even on the 340, the signal isn't really useable. Sensitivity is the the cheapest thing to engineer. And Ten Tec has made some fine receivers.

[@dieselten01]

@@Kibwunga you are blinded by the Sherwood hype. You need to open your mind. The Sherwood ratings are ONLY based on very close SSB signals in a Ham situation. I am not a Ham. And listening as a SWL or DXer or Beacon chaser is way way different from being a Ham.

[@Kibwunga]

@@dieselten01 Oh I agree with you but I am still wondering how TT missed that number on their top of the line. But you make a fair statement. At 6KHZ plus spacing, it's fine. Have you ever had a Watkins Johnson? How do you think the TT stacks up to WJ?

[@dieselten01]

@@Kibwunga you need to look through my video list. There is a shootout between the 340 and 8711 and many others. I have also had a Yaesu ftdx101 and couldn’t get rid of it fast enough

[@Kibwunga]

@@dieselten01 What is your criteria, in a few sentences?