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You can
write your own review of the Ten Tec Argonaut.
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KB2HSH
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 16, 2004 19:44
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My (Novice) dream come true
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Picked one up off of eBay for $105. No, it's not perfect...and was missing the Owner's Manual and microphone. (No worries...another eBay shopping trip supplied the manual, and I was able to make an adapter to use my ceramic mic from my HW-30). My 505 needed an intense bath, the correct bandswitch knob (which I had already), and a PTO mechanism lube job. Basically, this radio is great. I didn't buy this rig to be a museum piece...and even with the poor atmosphere lately, I always have fun with it.
If there WAS a weakness in the older Argos, I feel it is the lack of filtering. If there were a way to eliminate nearby signals, the rig would be perfect...EVEN for a 1971 vintage radio.
But, nevertheless...a SSB/CW QRP rig of this quality never goes out of style.
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N5IVZ
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 11, 2004 15:57
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Great rig that keeps on going!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Bought a used argonaut 515 last summer. Has been a lot of fun to use. Signal gets out quite easily with great signal reports.
Re-energized my cw and qrp work. Proud to have this fine piece of american engineering in my shack.
Its kind of weird, but i think the technicians at ten tec have devised a better sounding cw signal on the bands. my 515 will get contacts my kenwood 850 sometimes can not work.
if you manage to find one on ebay or at a hamfest buy it!
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AB4QL
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 27, 2004 21:54
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What a great rig!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The Argonaut 515 is an amazing radio. I have been involved with qrp for 25 years now and have
had the opportunity to operate many different types of qrp rigs in that time. This has been in
Field Day and contest enviroments plus every day use. It has been a superb radio ever since I took it home with me 24 years ago. Obviously it is now getting a little "long in the tooth" but it still performs flawlessly. I have had quite a few qrp rigs but this is the one I kept!
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W9HC
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 31, 2003 17:34
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Model 515 = A Classic
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The Argo 515 is a classic that represents the high end of the pre-k1 QRP market. It's early 80's technology, but still offers a lot of performance on both CW and SSB. The matching Ten Tec mike is highly ineffective and should not be used. With a good mike and sensible drive levels, the audio from my 515 gets consistently good reports. The matching outboard audio filter is a collector's item, but is also highly effective in cutting QRM. Though lacking the "new" bands, the Ten Tec 515 is a sweet little radio that, in good condition, still commands a higher price now than it did when new! I must not be the only happy owner.
73
Steve
W9HC QRP-ARCI# 7074
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KG9H
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 24, 2002 13:52
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Argonaut performance still surprises me!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have had about 10 of the Argonauts and the performace it has still surprises me! For a basic radio, it cannot be beat. If you are looking for QRP do look to the Argonaut, it will amaze you! Just make sure the VFO is tight or you can expect to pay 175 to make it right. I operate mine daily on 7.040, or on 20 SSB on a few nets. Other equipment in the shack includes Triton I's and II's. Frank KG9H
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OZ1GIY
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 26, 2002 00:26
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Back to basics
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Way back in 1980 I got a used 509 as my first HF rig after upgrading to a HF licens.
I still remember the thrill while prowling the HF bands late at night trying to bag a few stations on 20M CW.
The QSK feature of the 509 is still one of the best around.
An other nice feature is that you can repair the rig, no fancy stuff execpt the PTO and frontend.
It has got it's quirks - dial and odd connectors - but that's the charm of 25 years old technology.
The 'new' 509 setup here includes a 215 mic, SpeedX straight key, 405 amplifier and a dipole for 20M.
I still looking for a 208 CW filter and a 205 ATU to complete my setup.
Why do I give it a 5 - Pure nostalgia and lots of fun. As the manual says - QRPp is not pushbutton operation.
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KC2FPR
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 27, 2001 09:22
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Get one!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Classic QRP RIg. Feels like your operating a full size QRO transceiver. Yes odd connector types, but a trip to radio shack will change that. It's nice to have all band performance for about $250. Still the rig I travel with!!
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VK3YE
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Rating: 4/5
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May 18, 2000 18:38
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Good home station
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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The Argonaut 509 is a great radio. Audio reports
received have been good and the set receives well.
Low current consumption on receive makes the set
good with battery power (turning off the dial
light makes a big difference here). The optional
50w linear works well as does the AC power supply. The protection circuit in this is very
sensitive, and one needs to wait a while for it
to reset.
The overall performance is good, but attention to
several matters could have made the set better,
especially for portable operation.
These include:
1. Bulk - The set is an odd shape - very wide,
but not very deep. I would have preferred a
more square shape. A smaller overall volume would
have been good also.
2. Dial readout. The resolution of this is poor.
I would have preferred a more conventional circular scale, as seen on the Yaesu FT-7.
3. Tuning rate on the VFO knob. This could have
been a little less, particularly for CW.
4. Construction of the case. This is not perticulary rugged, and needs careful handling
for portable operating. The case style as used
in the HW-8 is much better (though it's heavier).
5. Odd placement of sockets on rear panel. The
mic socket should be on the front panel. The
other sockets are inconveniently located and some
are too close to one another. The use of RCA
sockets is a poor choice (especially for power
and antenna). I would prefer different sockets
to prevent hookup errors (especially when portable).
The Argonaut 509 is recommended as a QRP rig
with good basic performance.
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K7CHY
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Rating: 4/5
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May 18, 2000 00:18
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Excellent SSB/CW QRP rig.
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have an Argonaut 515 which I purchased in 1982. It gets occasional use at the home QTH and mobile, and frequent use at our cabin in Northwestern Montana, where it runs on battery power. With a folded dipole at 25 ft. at the cabin I have worked all over the world with this rig. I've had reports of 40 over S9 on 75 meter daytime phone nets on a 135 ft. end-fed wire antenna. Lots of complements on the audio and the keying. The QSK is first-rate. The only problem I have had is with the CW offset lately; I need to turn on the RIT and set the control at 1:00 in order to be zero beat with stations I hear.
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N2JNZ
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 24, 2000 00:39
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Great DX grabber !!!!!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Have the 509 and always manage to get thru the pileups !!! Gets consistantly good audio
reports and the DX stations often question if I really am QRP !!!! ... Reciever is very sensitive
but my only gripe is the wide filter on CW and SSB. And the Ten Tec service is second to
none !!! Hard to find on the market sometimes but worth the trouble to get it!!! Still a cheap
way to get on 10 - 40. Also use it frequently in major contests , again the only handicap is
the filter width but it holds its own in any contest situation if you work within its limitations.
With the TT 290 step attenuator working the world with milliwatts is GREAT !!! Worked
HA2A in a contest with 35 Mw from northern NY !!! Sooooo .... its a 5 , NO PROBLEM !!!
George , N2JNZ/QRP
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