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Reviews For: Ten-Tec RX-340/Pegasus System

Category: Transceivers: HF Amateur HF+6M+VHF+UHF models - non QRP <5W

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Review Summary For : Ten-Tec RX-340/Pegasus System
Reviews: 2MSRP: 3,950.00
Description:
Ten-Tec's high performance commercial-grade DSP HF Receiver integrated with the Pegasus and controled with N4PY software.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.tentec.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0025
WIREADDICT Rating: 2020-02-02
Great Receiver, but... Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I agree that the RX-340 is an excellent receiver but there are two things I think could be better. First, if the tuning step control is set for 10 KHz. & the radio is turned off, the next time it's turned on the tuning steps always change to 9 KHz. This only happens for 10 KHz. steps, not on any of the others. I contacted Ten-Tec service (before they closed) & was told this was normal.

I also discovered a great way to improve RF gain for weak signals: hold the "DUMP" button in. This apparently discharges the AGC capacitor. I considered replacing the pushbutton switch with an illuminated mini toggle switch to hold it in this condition & also show the AGC state (either red for off or green for on) but, unfortunately, while "dumped" all the receive functions such as tuning, BFO & PBT are disabled.

Because the '340 uses digital signal processing neither of these issues appear to be DIY hardware mods; I couldn't find any clues on the schematics about how to fix these issues, Ten Tec's out of business & the firm that bought them, Diushtronics, doesn't seem interested so for now the only course of action seems to be enjoy the way is is & search for mods for it.
W9AC Rating: 2001-05-10
Most advanced communications system in amateur radio today! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
When Carl, N4PY, sent a message on the Ten-Tec reflector that he had successfully integrated his Pegasus with the Ten-Tec RX-331 commercial receiver, it became immediately apparent that Carl had synergistically transformed two successful Ten-Tec products into the most powerful and advanced communications system available today. Carl's N4PY control software is the nerve center of the system that precisely manages and synchronizes every interfacing detail.

The RX-340 is a world-class receiver. In its class, it is joined by the likes of the Collins 2050 and the Watkins-Johnson line of high-performance DSP receivers. What makes the RX-340 so unique is that every operating detail can be controlled by software like its RX-331 brother and works in harmony with the Pegasus. When combined, the Pegasus becomes the sub-receiver, VFO-B, and transmitter. The RX-340 becomes the primary receiver. Full frequency management is incorporated into the N4PY software to allow for any complex split, reverse, dual receive, memory loading combination one could think of that is required in today's demanding contesting and DX operating environment. While the intricacies of the actual operation are quite complex, the N4PY software makes it all painless.

The RX-340 utilizes razor-sharp DSP filters and offers 50+ filter settings from 100 Hz to 16 kHz in any mode. You have not experienced hi-fi audio until you've listened to your favorite shortwave broadcast in the Synchronized AM mode (SAM) with a filter setting of 12 kHz or higher. The DSP filter shape factor is so sharp that the difference between 1.8 kHz and 2.4 kHz is now immediately apparent. Small differences in this setting can make a huge difference in rejecting QRM, unlike anything I've ever experienced including the best INRAD crystal filters.

What about CW QSK? You've got your choice of two FAST QSK styles. In the first mode, The Pegasus receiver takes over only during keying and "hangs" until a user-defined timeout occurs...typically 400 mS. In the second mode, no hang time occurs and the Pegasus receiver switches its monitor tone between each dit and dah. In either choice, QSK is clean and ultra-fast.

In my configuration, I output both the Pegasus and RX-340 receive audio into a high-quality Kenwood Integrated Stereo Hi-Fi amplifier. By utilizing the amp's balance control and MONO button, I can fade between receivers in the "dual" mode into both ear pieces, or assign each receiver to one ear and fade between the two ears. The flexibility is incredible.

The RX-340 is absolutely bullet-proof. The only way you can overload the front end is to take the output of a transmitter and feed it into the antenna input. This receiver will not overload or desense no matter how many multi-station ops you're running. Typical IP3 is +30 dBm.

Visual signal monitoring on the RX-340 is a breeze. Several IF output options appear on the rear panel. I take the DSP I.F. output into channel 1 on a dual-trace scope. Channel 2 is used for monitoring my transmitted signal. By alternating scope traces between channels 1 & 2, I can automatically view my transmitted and received signals. It's great to be in a fast CW QSO while simultaneously observing your keyed waveform and that of the other station.

The integrated package is not cheap between the RX-340 and Pegasus. The N4PY software is a steal and is a must even if you only operate the Pegasus or RX-340 alone. If you're looking for the absolute best of the best in the 21st century, this is it. What were recently leading-edge transceivers like the FT-1000MP MKV and the ICOM 765PRO are now displaced by the RX-340/Pegasus.
For futher information on Carl's software or any questions relating to the integration of this system please contact him directly, not Ten-Tec. His e-mail address is n4py@earthlink.net

73,

-Paul, W9AC