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write your own review of the Ten-Tec RX-340.
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K7FD
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 1, 2004 15:01
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Whole new ball game...K7FD
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Even before plugging the Ten Tec RX-340 into power, you'll recognize this is no toy! Quality commercial-grade construction and cosmetics throughout. Yes, you'll feel like one of the big boys at a government monitoring station when you hook this one up!
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but you'd be hard pressed to find any radio nut that doesn't agree this is one of the most beautiful receivers they've ever seen. From the rack mount handles down to the cool ice blue frequency readout, the RX-340's design lines will make your heart race. And the BIG analog S-meter just caps off what is one gorgeous piece of equipment.
After reading N2JSG's review, I totally agree with the capabilities of this receiver, especially when performing A/B tests against other modern radios here at the listening post. Comparing reception against the Drake R8, Palstar R30C, and even Icom's DSP '756 Pro II, the Ten Tec RX-340 easily blows them away. DSP-based selectivity brings on a whole new meaning with this radio; weak signals that used to do battle with adjacent station interference are basically a thing of the past. I detected no coloration of the audio that sometimes accompanies digital signal processing; AM reception was extremely clear and rich sounding. SSB and CW reception was close to 'hi-fi' as you could wish for...
The RX-340's synchronous AM combined with ability to choose sidebands and then dial in your filter bandwidth of choice virtually guarantee's a big smile on your face. Example: with WYFR on 17.795MHz at 30db over S9, RAI in Italy at S4 on 17.800MHz was totally clobbered beyond recognition. While listening on the Drake, Palstar, and Icom rigs, copy was unreadable. On the Ten Tec however, easy copy. No adjacent channel interference. With the S.A.M. mode kicked in and USB chosen, not even a whisper of WYFR interference on the Italian station. The RX-340 was the hands down winner. If Lance Armstrong was a radio, he'd be an RX-340. Case closed.
In sensitivity comparisons, only Icom's Pro II could keep pace with the Ten Tec. However, that didn't last long when the going got rough. Like a Formula One car in the corners, adjacent station interference made the Icom wipe out and hit the wall as the RX-340 sped by untouched. Basically it was no race at all...the '340's far-superior use of DSP makes it the Ferrari of radios.
During a AM BCBDX evening, the sensitivity and selectivity offered by the RX-340 made the competition pale in comparison. In the end, it was basically this: you could hear the weak ones on the '340 and you couldn't on the others.
As far as service, I haven't had to use what is sorta defacto 'legendary' service from Ten Tec. I do know I was treated in a very professional manner by Stan Brock when I inquired about purchasing the radio. There's something to be said for talking directly 'with the factory'. I told him flat out & up front I was picky and didn't want a radio to arrive that didn't work or had any scratches on it. It's happened too many times to me. He assured me all is throughly tested and quality checked before shipment. No demo's or returns are sold 'as new'. Mine arrived as promised: pristine.
In closing, I would say if you are a seasoned radio operator, ham or swl, you'll be very pleased with the Ten Tec RX-340. If you're a bit timid or new at the radio game, give yourself a chance to grow with a less expensive rig...and smell the roses along the way. There's a LOT of great listening to be had with a $1000 radio. But when you feel you've mastered the listening hobby and think you've done all there is to do, treat yourself to the best. You'll appreciate the Ten Tec RX-340.
73 John K7FD, WPE7COH
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NL11346SDZ
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 28, 2003 13:05
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This is real good!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Wow, this is a very good shortwave receiver! Both for real dx-ing and programm listening.
Audio recovery in AM is superb, selectivity also very good.
Digging weak signals out of the mud is a pleasure, operation is very smooth!
Before, I have owned a Drake R8b, also a very nice receiver, and the JRC-NRD545 but non of them is as good!
It costs a lot of money, special if your home is in Europe/Netherlands. But it is worth all that money.
Its the very best receiver I ever owned.
Hans.
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WHFITE
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 23, 2003 12:54
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As good as it gets
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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It took over a year of scrimping and saving as well as untold squabbles with the War Department to buy this receiver. It replaced a Drake R8B which, up to that time, was my choice for the best all-round HF receiver currently in production.
It is better. Lots better.
Admittedly, this is more receiver than most people want or need. It requires a substantial investment in an antenna system if you want to realize its full potential. If you're just going to hang a piece of wire on the arse of this machine, save your money. But given a really fine, well installed antenna, it exceeds the capacity of all but those receivers that the DOD and spy agencies won't let us buy.
It also requires a substantial commitment to learning and practice. Although its performance right out of the box will astound you, tweaking and peaking adds much more. But you'll have to spend hours (not an hour or so...HOURS) with the manual and on the headphones to really learn to extract all its capability. Facility in making fine adjustments "in real time" takes lots of practice.
It does sound digital. Some people say that is a downside but I suspect that is what the sound is really like and our older analog gear has just been filing the edges off of it. I point that out because somebody with a 390 is doubtless going to write and say that their Collins works just as well and sounds soooooooooo much better.
It doesn't. Been there, done that.
I hate reviews in which reviews make all sorts of superlative claims in a ponderous "if you don't agree you must be an idiot" tone and I'm afraid I'm beginning to sound like that here.
So go listen for yourself. It really is the very best HF receiver you can buy anywhere in the world, at any price.
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