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You can
write your own review of the Ten-Tec Argonaut V.
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W6YDE
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 3, 2009 16:51
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Almost Perfect
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I purchased mine used in very good condition, with PA fans and mic. Is easy to use, one does not need the manual to op. Very simple controls and layout. Compaired it to my FT1000D... abt 5db below on receive and a little noisy due to no RF gain control. But a great little rig.
I also op a FT817nd and IC7000, both are a little hard to run compaired to the Argonaut V which has a nice large readout and bigger knobs and buttons plus no hidden menus, to open and run through.
Its not a IC756ProIII or a TS950SDX, but it is a great rig if you can find one used at a great price.
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KB1QEU
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 8, 2009 17:39
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Great little rig
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I purchased my Argonaut V a year ago as my first HF rig, from the factory as a demo. I looked at the comparably priced models from Icom and Yeasu and ultimately purchased the Ten-Tec based on 1) Other reviews, 2) Operator interface, 3)firmware implemented DSP and 4) US made.
After a year of use and learning on my part, I feel I made good choice. As opposed to most Argo users I run mostly SSB. With a dipole at 30 feet and 20 watts, today I worked every DX station I could hear in the ARRL DX contest.
All functions are no more than 2 keystrokes away and their are no nested menus to navigate. DSP bandwidth, bandpass tuning, RIT, XIT and Split functions work flawlessly. The much maligned band slect function is easily gotten used to and use of the band stack and vfo a/b make it moot. My only want after a year of use would be a variable rf gain control in addition to the attenuator and a audio monitor to help set the speech processor without an external receiver.
I highly reccomend the Argo as a small, low power rig.
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WA6MOW
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 23, 2008 21:57
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I like this rig!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I'm updating my recent review of this rig. I sold my FT-450 and my IC-703. I have a Kenwood TS-480 sitting next to the Argo which I really enjoy, yet the Argo is the rig I turn on and use. The receiver in the Argo is excellent. Don't look at the s meter and the Argo is as quiet as the Kenwood. Use Argo's attenuator and it really quiets down. Adjust the filter -bandwith combinations and you have one slick little rig. I only work cw so my opinion is biased. I would not hesitate to buy an Argo used in the $500.00 price range since they recently discontinued the rig.
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K4IA
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Rating: 4/5
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Sep 13, 2008 19:39
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Perfect PSK radio
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I had one for a year or so. I thought they were overpriced at over $800 new, but buying a used one around $600 made sense. As a QRP CW rig, it worked really well with very nice filtering and great QSK. As a PSK rig, it was outstanding. 20 watts is perfect and all you need are a couple of audio cables to plug in the back. The serial interface integrated well with Winwarbler and DXLab.
Shortcomings? No internal antenna tuner. High current draw on receive would be an issue if you are running on battery.
This and the K2 are the premium QRP rigs. Slight advantage to the Argo on PSK because the audio interface is easier.
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WX4O
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Rating: 4/5
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Sep 13, 2008 13:13
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Good QRP rig
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Discontinued now. The reason for the noisy receive
(IMHO) is the lack of a RF gain control. It's wide open all the time. Variable passband is good if you learn to slightly retune it to keep the desired signal within the passband as you narrow it. Overpriced new. Sold mine.
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WA6MOW
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Rating: 4/5
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Sep 13, 2008 12:30
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Compact , with good cw performance.
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Ham gear is interesting to use and review. I have owned numerous rigs over the last few years. My conclusion is that there is no one peice of gear that is perfect for everyone. The Argonaut is a good compact rig for someone who wants an inexpensive(used) QSK cw rig. It is a little unusual compared to the Icom, Kenwood, and Yaesu gear, with its odd band stacking and high current drain. I like using this lttle rig as its simple limited menue is kind of refreshing. Try and FT-950 to see what I mean. I like the looks of the Argo and I think the performance is quite good for the cw operator. I wasn't thrilled with my K2 as I found that it was way over rated. I'm using my Argo with a Z100 tuner and a doublet and it is a lot of fun. Before you buy a used Argo, look at a used FT-450 and a used Icom IC-703. Both rigs are also a lot of fun but lack the famous Ten Tec QSK. Before you buy any radio, "spin the knobs" to see if it blends with your personality. Hams are like rigs, all a little diferent and all unique in their own way.
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N7AF
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Rating: 3/5
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Jul 17, 2008 09:08
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Less than impressive.
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Have owned mine five years and had approximately 100 contacts, mostly CW, before the RF PA failed.
1. Receiver is noisy and there seem to be DSP "artifacts" compounding the problem.
2. Excellent QSK, as in all Ten Tec rigs, though the noisy receiver makes it a bit unnerving until you get used to it.
3. Awkward user interface as noted by others but usable once you get used to it.
4. Variable selectivity is very nice.
5. RF PA consumes a lot of power and generates a lot of heat for the power output.
6. RF PA failed during antenna tune-up at half power about a year ago. Trying to decide whether it's worth the investment to fix.
7. Comparing reception of a given signal on the Argonaut V, an Elecraft K2, and a Yaesu FT-450, the Argonaut comes out at the bottom.
8. A lot of money for a QRP rig with a "so-so" receiver, IMHO.
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WA4JM
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 20, 2008 16:51
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One Year Later...Very Happy!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought this rig for FD 2007 to run PSK-32. I am listening to it now as I am typing this. I just checked in to the Georgia SSB Net running 15 watts on 3975.
It runs PSK as advertised.
If you want a cool rig for this price, you are a fool to not buy one!
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K7FD
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 16, 2008 23:10
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Analog feel in a DSP world...
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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When my xyl asked for birthday gift ideas, it didn't take me long to jot down 'Argonaut V' for her...
I've always liked the way this radio looks; it made a first good impression when I spotted it some years back. But somehow, it eluded me...until now.
My main interest in any transceiver is the receiver; not so much how it sounds during a contest but how does it sound day in and day out. This one is easy on the ears...low noise, no hiss, no hum...
The IF DSP variable bandwidth works like a charm; I like the way you can dial it in on the fly. And the Argonaut V has a 'hot receiver'; don't be shy to turn on some attenuation on the low bands...it's got plenty of stuff to hear the weak ones!
Ease of operation and ergonomics fit my style of operating...buttons, knobs...what you see is what you get with most of them handling a couple of functions each...
Remember analog S meters? This rig's got a BIG one! It's backlit in green to match the BIG LED frequency readout. Have you looked at the picture of this rig on Ten Tec's website? It's even better in person...
On CW I get a full 20w out as measured on my digital watt meter. This is with a 1.6:1 SWR...and no built-in tuner. The QSK keying can't be any better...
I'll give this rig a full five stars. It's got that 'analog' kinda feel in a DSP world...
73 John K7FD
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KC7YTK
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 19, 2008 13:24
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Fun & Nifty!!!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Ok, I purchased this radio last year as I was looking for something a little more modern than my beloved Ten-Tec Scout (full featured rx, multi-mode, more filter options, ect...). I looked at all the HF+6 models from the big 3, even considered an FT2000D (oh baby!) but had to be realistic-living in an apartment complex, not able to put out a permanent antenna, no designated place for a radio shack, don't have much time to get on HF anyway-so I kept my choice to something small and practical. I do not like how the big 3 build -in my opinion- inferiority into their rigs. Many features designed to be costly add-ons ie, features designed OUT of the radio so you can pay MORE to add them back in-things like IF filters?!?!? Since Ten-Tec's rigs have everything included, and my excellent experience with their equipment in the past, I opted to give Made In The USA another go.
No Disappointment Here!
The Argo is small and solid, I like the feel of the tuning knob, solid. The receiver audio is great, even for AM on the broadcast and shortwave bands. All the controls are easy to use and the menus are simple to navigate-intuitively designed in my opinion. The memories are convenient. I programmed in the 60m channels, WWV, 10m repeaters, local broadcast channels, and more, band changing is fine just as it is-some complained about only being able to go up. I have never found it to be a problem. I guess it could be programmed in a firmware update to activate the multi-knob when you hit the band button, but then others would probably gripe about that too. On my Scout I use a D104 mic, but have found on the Argo that the stock hand mic has clear, strong audio and the D104 was reported as to sensitive/overdriving. Oh well. 20 watts seems puny, but when the bands are open, I have no problem making contacts and filling the pages of my log. Others are at times surprised when I tell them I am running 20 to a portable whip mounted on my balcony. With the massive heat sink on the back, I have not yet been able to get the rig to run at anything beyond slightly warm. Bravo Ten Tec! I also have a 50,000 watt station just a few miles down the road from me, and the Argo does a great job rejecting interference from it. Not bad for a low price rig!
This rig has been a joy to use, and I find I turn to it more than the venerable Scout. I am also glad I purchased it over the more inexpensive 100 watt rigs from the big 3. 36 filter options included vs. 2-3 filter options you have to pay for, better performance numbers, solid construction and plenty of room on the front panel (yes, I have seen and used some of the other not to be mentioned rigs in the same price class, and I was not impressed. I am not a elf, I need some space for my fingers to work).
My only suggestion to make it better would be for Ten-Tec to come out with an Argo V 2.0, with 6 and 2m added (like an Argo/526 hybrid). I would buy that!
73's! de KC7YTK
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