Old rigs never die - chapter 5

Most hams should be acquainted with the Sherwood Engineering Inc's Receiver Test Data Table found here, with an update stamp of 2 July 2009. This table can prove useful and helpful to most hams who are out shopping for a first, second or third rig. It could also set up some of us older hams for a little peer pressure. When we acquired that rig which is now down at number 45 in the Receiver Test Data table, we were unaware of the existence of this table, so we should not take it personal, nor should we let our ham buddies give us any unnecessary static.

In days gone by the average ham could strive to buy the 'the top of the line' rig of the day for 2K, 3k or 4k uncle sam, sometimes with a mild stretch. It is a whole different story in 2009, and some hams may not be in a position to stretch, even though some of the eBay rig prices may seem quite reasonable to some of us. The 'new' top of the line ham rigs may now be well above 10k, and I would expect all of them to be in the top 5 on the Sherwood Inc Receiver Test Data Table.

Some hams will be affected by the global economic situation, some hams will NOT, and some hams will NEVER. However, irrespective of the 'impact' most hams are not expected to quit the hobby, even if they are now only able to hang out on VHF, UHF and the Internet. Most hams may not part with their ham radio gear either, unless it is absolutely necessary, and of course for some of us it can sometimes come to that. As human beings we know that 'nothing last forever' and 'that too will pass', but these days it can call for a new strain of 'stamina', hitherto uncalled for. Ham radio is a hobby, a pastime, for relaxation, which could be critical to one's longevity, given the stress and pressures riding along with these 'alleged' global economic conditions.

I note that some old rigs are still selling rather well on eBay. That is, the old rigs that are in the top ten [10] of the Receiver Test Data Table. I am seriously resisting the temptation to chase down a Kenwood TS-830S. That transceiver is at position number seven [7] on the RTD table. I am only counting devices with integrated transmitter and receiver. In V4 land there are some four [4] or five [5] Kenwood TS-830S rigs, and nobody is willing to part with them. The rigs making the top twelve [12] on the RTD table at this time are, Elecraft K3, Flex 5000a, Ten-Tec Orion 2, Ten-Tec Orion, Icom IC-765, Atlas 350XL, Kenwood TS-830S, Ten-Tec Omni 7, Icom IC-7800, Elecraft K2, Ten-Tec Omni 6+, Yaesu 901-DM. All these rigs meet or exceed the Dynamic Range Narrow Spaced [DRNS] spec of 80dB at 2 kHz. This is the accepted minimum spec for a good ham radio communications receiver today.

It is great to see that the US rig manufacturers have listened to the hams and given them what they want, while keeping the price tag down, and without driving themselves out of business. Some of us have to tangle with 'currency exchange', but if a ham needs to be on the cutting edge of his ham radio operating and DXing, there is no option or alternative. Elecraft may be on the right track with the kits and affordable factory assembly. However, I am leaning towards the Flex Radio, maybe because it fills the need for my portable mobile operation, from a briefcase or satchel on the front seat of my car.

For hams who must get on the air, and are unable to stretch for the newest Elecraft, Flex Radio or Ten-Tec, all is not lost, if you can win a bid on eBay for a Kenwood TS-830S or an Icom IC-765. I personally prefer the TS-830s, because the Icom IC-765 have some quirks. A quick google search can put you in contact with some great hams who are the expert at putting the Kenwood TS-830s into the big league with those 10k plus rigs.

I have a very soft spot for certain Kenwood rigs, but being a realist, I would really drop my dough on any reasonably priced old Ten-Tec rig making it into the top 12. I do not believe that the Ten Tec rigs [and any US made rig for that matter] are built with any 'disposable concepts' in mind, and after my dialog with Icom JP some years ago over my 'disposable' IC-745, I vowed never to buy another rig assembled over there. Nothing personal, strictly ham radio business. I am thankful to have lived long enough to see the USA rig makers reclaim their glory.

Some old rigs will ultimately die, but some will NOT. For those of us who must put something else on the operating table there is only one clear option, given the 'economics' of the day. The RTD table should be our guide, and our choice should be from among the top 12 rigs that meet or exceed the minimum receiver spec. If you must go with a rig just below the 80db@2kHz spec, an INRAD filter may help to carry you over the 80db@2kHz hurdle.

At the end of the day I will say, just buy the rig if it is "Made in USA", whether it meets the 80dB@2kHz specs or not. It is time that we appreciate the value, BUY LOCAL.