From owner-qrp-l@Lehigh.EDU Thu Mar 18 18:50:34 1999 Received: from fidoii.CC.lehigh.EDU (fidoii.CC.lehigh.EDU [128.180.1.4]) by oucsace.cs.ohiou.edu (8.8.5/8.8.5) with ESMTP id SAA23696 for ; Thu, 18 Mar 1999 18:50:32 -0500 (EST) Received: from LOCALHOST ([127.0.0.1]:2784 "HELO Lehigh.EDU" ident: "IDENT-NOT-QUERIED") by fidoii.cc.Lehigh.EDU with SMTP id <54317-41998>; Thu, 18 Mar 1999 18:47:52 -0500 Received: from nss4.CC.Lehigh.EDU ([128.180.1.13]:3055 "EHLO nss4.cc.Lehigh.EDU" ident: "IDENT-NOT-QUERIED") by fidoii.cc.Lehigh.EDU with ESMTP id <54104-60684>; Thu, 18 Mar 1999 18:44:58 -0500 Received: from lima.epix.net (lima.epix.net [199.224.64.56]) by nss4.cc.Lehigh.EDU (8.9.1a/8.9.1) with ESMTP id SAA37234 for ; Thu, 18 Mar 1999 18:44:55 -0500 Received: from epix.net (svcr-247ppp60.epix.net [205.238.247.60]) by lima.epix.net (8.9.3/8.9.0/1998093001/Philippe Levan) with ESMTP id SAA09907; Thu, 18 Mar 1999 18:43:31 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <36F19058.EA35D6F6@epix.net> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 18:46:32 -0500 Reply-To: k7sz@epix.net Sender: owner-qrp-l@Lehigh.EDU Precedence: bulk From: Richard Arland To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: Re: Question on the the Argonaut series References: <01be713a$de2a2b60$8c68f326@hybiske.generalatronics.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-To: hybiske@generalatronics.com, qrp-l@lehigh.edu X-Sender: "Richard Arland" (Unverified) X-Mailer: Mozilla 4.04 [en]C-NECCK (Win95; U) X-Orcpt: rfc822;qrp-l@fidoii.CC.Lehigh.EDU X-Listprocessor-Version: 8.1 beta -- ListProcessor(tm) by CREN Status: RO Hi Tom: The analog Argo series (Models 505, 509, 515) are pretty good performers, but they are NOT an FT-1000D! They could all use help in the IF, and T-T sells an 8 pole 2.4 khz xtal filter that will go on the IF board with a small mod (these filters are made for the OMNI series and the Argosy series in reality but they work fine in the Argonauts, too). There are two main problems: First the PTO tends to get real sticky due to hardening of the lubricant that T-T used in the 1970s. I have rebuilt about 5 of the PTOs and it is not a hard job, just time consuming. T-T sells a rebuild kit for about $20 plus postage. Second: the elastic portion of the dial cord becomes stretched out and looses its elasticity. If you are going to do a PTO rebuild, do the dial cord too. The digital Argonauts (Models 535 and 556) have their following, but I have seen only ONE 535 (Argonaut-II) that performs well and that made three trips down to Sevierville, TN before they got it right! IMHO the 535 was overpriced, over hyped and did not live up the the excellent reputation of it's little brothers. The 556 is a T-T Scout without the 50 watt RF deck. Before you bought one, might I suggest you query the group to get feelings on how they perform. I did this about a year ago and found that there was a split...some really liked the 556 while others who bought them would never buy another one! Lastly: Dayton is the LAST place to look for a used Argo. Prices (thanks to "collectors") have driven the cost of these rigs right through the roof. I picked up a 509 with xtal calibrator, AF filter, 251 M metered power supply, and 405 50 watt amp plus mic at the York (PA) hamfest about 4 years ago for $280! I coud get that for just the Argo along, now! Look at local swapmeets and hamfests, chances are you can find one there at a fraction of the cost of one at Dayton. Hope this helps. 73 Rich K7SZ Tom Hybiske wrote: > > Hi list members, > > I new to the list having heard about it through a news list. I'd like to > get an idea on what the list members think of the Ten-Tec Argonaut series. > I'm going to Dayton this year, and was think of looking for one. Which of > the series was considered the best, and what's a fair price to pay for it? > > Thanks, > Tom, K3GM