Best CW transceiver for $2,000

[KF7IPW]

I have about two thousand to spend on a transceiver.
I have it down to a couple of choices  and was hoping
to get a little input from you guys.

I want the rig primarily for CW, but of course SSB/digital on
occasion.  It will be used with a 43' vertical or a 135' OCFD.
I currently use a FT-950 and really like it but want a dedicated
CW rig that will hopefully be better at QSK.  I'm keeping the 950.

The radios I like:
 - Ten-Tec Orion (used 565)
 - Ten-Tec Jupiter or Eagle, I could buy them new
 - K2 (used)
 - Kenwood TS-590S (new)

If you think I'm missing a better option please let me know.
Thanks for any help you can be.

Stan


   

[N3PDT]

1. Kenwood TS 590s
2. Ten Tec Eagle
3. Orion
4. K2
5. Jupiter

I own the Jupiter and think they are a bargain used. Can pick them up $850 with tuner. Great step up rig, great CW rig, but really on the same level as your FT 950. 590s and Eagle both have better receivers, and the roofing filters on the Orion make it easier on the ears and the between-ears decoder for me. I want to like the Eagle #1, but the TS 590s seems to have a small edge in my mind. 

Elecraft die hards will probably list the K2 over the Orion, and it is a good choice for CW. The K2 is an ambitious build, especially if you're not a builder already.

As for your list, I have no quibbles or suggestions that would blow any of your picks away.

[N5XM]

I would go with the Orion.  I've had one for about 6 years and love it.  You can't forget about that great Ten Tec service.  If you call them with a question you get to talk to somone who deals with your specific rig every day.  The Jupiter would be my next choice.  The software is upgradable via TT, and my experience with the Orion is that once you get the adjustable AGC(!) set right, you can hear signals UNDER the noise floor, which is very low.  Go to the Sherwood site and look at the numbers!

[WX7G]

K3 (not the K2)

[N3QE]

The radios I like:
 - Ten-Tec Orion (used 565)
 - Ten-Tec Jupiter or Eagle, I could buy them new
 - K2 (used)
 - Kenwood TS-590S (new)

If you think I'm missing a better option please let me know.
Thanks for any help you can be.

One you left out: The K3 with 100 watt option, new, clocks in just under $2000.

Also in the same ballpark would be a used Omni VII.

A used Jupiter would be your cheapest option and IMHO the Jupiter is not really in the same league as the other newer radios. Don't take that as anything bad about the Jupiter, it represented a real advance in DSP technology at the time; just not the latest generation DSP, and DSP has progressed a lot in the past 10 years.

I got an Eagle several months ago and am very happy with it.

Tim.

[WB0FDJ]

I've been recently thinking along the same lines as you: good CW rig from under $2K. I think your list is pretty much what I came up with plus or minus. For the money the question for me is: do I need the added features of a (used) Orion or do I really need the simplicity of something like the Eagle?

Two things I did: went to Sherwood Engineering website where he's done rigorous testing of the receivers and publishes the results. Thats a start. I also was lucky enough to hear him speak at a ham convention a couple of years ago and even he says the numbers are not the only story. And he has a lot of good info on receiver issues that may help you in your search
.
Two: if you are an ARRL member you can go pull up the product reviews for the radios in question. I've generally found them helpful in spotting issues that go beyond "the numbers". Probably worth a look.

Personal observation: I own a Jupiter. It's a great "all around" radio and, as others have observed, a bargain used. But I've run across several other Jupiter owners who have Eagles and they all say that the Eagle has noticeably better receiver. For not much more money than the cost of a new Jupiter I would buy the Eagle if you go Ten Tec.  FWIW.

Good luck. DOC

[N5RWJ]

I agree, look at tentec.com.

[KF7IPW]

Thanks for all the replies.
It really does help solidify my ideas.

I would like a "portable" rig that I can use for Field Day.
I want to be able to run it with emergency power.
I'm going to get the auto-tuner and noise blanker.

For those who have one do you suggest any of the filters?

Thanks again for your help.

Stan KF7IPW

[K3XI]

Tentec

[KQ6Q]

If this rig will be primarily for CW, TenTec is the way to go.

[AK7V]

I'm very happy with my IC-756 pro 3 for CW.  Never used a TenTec, though.

[K8AC]

Based on the requirements you've described, you should rule out the Orion.  It has one of the largest footprints of modern rigs and isn't suitable for portable operation.  A second-hand K2 would appear to meet all your requirements very well and a used one could be had at a price that would leave some cash for other station gear even if you bought all the accessories with it.  It's an excellent CW rig with very good QSK, although I think that QSK is vastly over-rated as a CW requirement.  Unless you do a lot of the type of CW operating that would benefit from full break-in (traffic handling for example), QSK is not a necessity.  There are no separate filters required for the K2 - all the filtering is built-in and you can tailor the filter bandwidth selections to your taste.  The K2 has been around a long time, and all the shortcomings are well-known or have been corrected.  The current draw on receive is extremely low, making it a good match for portable operation where the power source might be limited.  Technical support through the forums is exceptional. 

I currently use an Orion II and am quite satisfied with it, but would never recommend an Orion as an answer to the requirements you stated. 

73, K8AC

[K8AG]

I vote the Elecraft K3 kit with a 400Hz and 200Hz filters.

73, JP, K8AG

[KF7IPW]

Thanks for all the replies.
You guys really are great.

It came down in my mind to the K2 and Eagle.
I chose the Eagle after I had a QSO with an owner.
I also spoke with a couple Ten-Tec owners on the air.
I was converted, renounced all other brands and then they said something about cool-aid.

I'll let you know what I think.... Heck it's only money hi hi

Stan

[N9AOP]

The one thing that TenTec will let you do is to try the radio of your choice for a month with no strings attached.
Just try to do that with Elecraft or any of the Kenwoods or Yaesus--Ha, Ha.
Art