| K4VNQ |
Rating:  |
2014-10-30 | |
| Improved Tuning |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I built and used the TenTec 1340 QRP kit for years just as it was, then got the idea to change the tuning pot to a ten turn pot. This mod makes a world of difference in tuning. The holes have to be re-drilled about 3/8 of an inch above the original in both panels in order to clear the toroid beneath. This mod is very easy to do. I don't know why I didn't do this years ago. I guess this is the last of the QRP kits from TenTec so maybe I should have got ones for the other bands also.. It seems the trend now is computer chip control, tiny surface mounted stuff that can not even be repaired. |
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| KK4LYQ |
Rating: |
2014-07-15 | |
| S-O-S |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Mine is as dead as a hammer, does anyone have trouble shooting info?
billpaul@ij.net |
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| K4YAB |
Rating: |
2013-11-22 | |
| Correction on previous review |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I found the main large Diagram hard to read .
I just noticed that the diagrams of the same ckts in the assembly book are much better to read.
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| NG9D |
Rating: |
2013-10-21 | |
| Judge for Yourself |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Building one of these Ten-Tec CW transceiver kits is like a course in RF electronics (although much cheaper) and besides the fun of learning, you end up with a quality QRP rig that is an absolute blast to use! I was talking with my friend Ken the other day, impressed with the signal he was producing with his T1340, then Don called me on his T1340! If you wonder what their little low powered signals sounded like, take a listen: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCBB550CC261C5EA6
Judge for yourself - you might be surprised!
73, Lynn/NG9D
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Earlier 5-star review posted by NG9D on 2010-04-11
Well, it has been over four years since I built my first one, a T1340. I think that there is a fairly high FUN/COST ratio with these kits! And the numerator of that equation does not seem to decay with time. One recent FUN experiment with the [T1320/30/40/80] was hooking up an Oak Hills Research DD-1 Digital Dial.
By the way, that DD-1 is a super kit (see product reviews "ham radio kits"). If you want to see a Ten-Tec T1380 connected to a DD-1, for example take a look at
http://www.youtube.com/user/NG9D?feature=mhw5#p/u/6/K06yNSEXtDw
The hams at Ten-Tec were very helpful to me when I was learning about building their kits, and were always quick to reply to a question or supply a part if needed. In my opinion, building any kit and learning how it works contributes to the FUN factor as much as using the completed device! 73 de NG9D . .
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Earlier 5-star review posted by NG9D on 2006-11-21
Built a fifth unit - a second 80m rig for my daughter. As much fun to build as it is to use, and it works great!!!
Like the last T1380, I skipped the intermediate stage testing. $99 and $9 shipping, a day of assembly, a day of alingning & testing and another Ten Tec is on the air.
On this unit, I confirmed that diodes do in-fact conduct electricity in one direction -- plus I had a chance to practice my de-soldering skills. I've learned about the only thing you can do to screw these up is install parts in the wrong place.
In the five T1300 kits I made, there has been only one malfunctioning part. A 10K variable resistor for the VFO went bad (after a LOT of use) causing frequency instability. It was replaced by Ten Tec pronto. They have good service. My T1340 is the oldest of the group, and after > 1 year of use it has never had a problem!
I have two more 80m units on back order at Ten Tec -- for two more prospecive hams. I hope Ten Tec continues producing kits -- but if Ten Tec stops making them then they will become collectors items...
They may still have some of the other bands in stock 20, 30 or 40m. If you don't have one, I recommend getting a hold of one now.
QST had a nice write-up on these a number of years ago.
73
NG9D
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Earlier 5-star review posted by NG9D on 2006-06-13
I completed the 20, 30 and 40m versions faithfully following every step in the Ten Tec instructions manual.
But due to self imposed time restraints (weekend included two graduation parties, mandatory shopping and Saturday night out with the XYL…I gotta get my priorities straight!), I decided to just skip the intermediate stage tests/ adjustments and just assemble parts on the T1380. This allowed the rig to be essentially completed over the weekend. Add two hours Monday evening for simple RX alignment/cementing the VFO coil, peaking TX coils, adjusting sidetone and constructing an 80m “Marconi” antenna and another rig has been added to the station!
Using the handy formula for a quarter wavelength wire, 234/f(MHz), I modified my coax fed/ground mounted Hy-Gain 14AVQ trap vertical (40-10m) by adding both 80m and 30m wire elements.
I connected 20 gauge insulated wire (66’-5” and 23’-1”) with crimped terminal connectors by screwing to base of antenna mast and suspended the wire elements from a close tree. A similar length of ground level counterpoise wire was added to achieve a match with the transmission line. On 30m I had to trim counterpoise a bit. On 80m I lucked out and got SWR 1.1:1 without pruning.
The wire is the kind used for “invisible” electric dog fence. The wire is light, strong and UV resistant HDPE insulation. Pretty tough for single strand wire plus 500 ft roll is cheap and simple knot at end tied to light nylon cord holds it adequately without insulator. The antenna mod now allows each of the four TKits to use the same and RG8/U coax transmission line and antenna.
Results: Monday evening first contact RST reports from 559 to 579 during extended round table QSO with WI, MN and IL. Frequency is stable, the warmed up unit required no adjustment of VFO over the hour plus contact. Break-in keying, QSK, is excellent.
Of the four units, only the 20m version required Ten Tec technical support. They provided replacement capacitors for the VFO section that improved stability. Ordering on-line $99 + $9 UPS ground is a bargain, in my opinion. Each of the four units was delivered within two or three days of ordering. The T1380 is simple to make and fun to use.
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Earlier 5-star review posted by NG9D on 2006-04-30
I can now report on the 30m version of this TEN TEC QRP transceiver, model T1330.
Ordered it on-line, still $99 and $9 for shipping UPS ground, and was delivered in less than 48 hours. Like the 20m and 40m models before, assembly took me about a weekend, plus a half-day or so of testing and adjustment.
Bottom line probably summed up by the first two contacts:
1) N0EK/North Dakota (also QRP, 5W; vertical antenna) who reported RST 569 during 40 minute chat.
2) EA1VB/Spain reported RST 339.
Since I don’t have a dedicated 30m antenna yet, the above contacts were made with a temporary end fed wire antenna (my current SWL antenna) and an MFJ 941C tuner. The wire length was about 150 feet, maximum height above ground 12-14 feet and fed against a water pipe ground. Good enough results for a 3 watt transceiver.
I need the 80m version to round-out my collection of T1300s. (Note that the 15m version is no longer offered for sale by TEN TEC.)
I would also like to mention that when assembling the 20m version, I had several technical questions that were promptly answered in a friendly manner by the TEN TEC service department. I was able to learn a little more about RF circuits and assembly techniques. I found the learning process to be worth as much as the finished product.
Technical review of T1340 found on-line http://hamradio.online.ru/ftp/pr9809.pdf This ARRL review of the 40m version concluded that “test-as-you-build assembly procedure puts this project within the capabilities of almost anyone with a moderate amount of kit building experience”. Based on my experience making three of the kits, I agree with them.
Therefore, I rate the 30m version 5 of 5, and recommend the purchase of this kit to anyone that enjoys building radios and operating CW. The receiver and full break-in keying are superb.
73
NG9D
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Earlier 5-star review posted by NG9D on 2006-01-03
I really do like the T-Kit transceivers. After being so pleasantly surprised by the model 1340 I ordered the 1320 and put it together over the holidays. It took four days to assemble and align, working at a leisurely pace under my new illuminated magnifier (thanks Owen!).
The 1320, assembled per Ten Tec instructions, works as specified. Power output is just under 3W (my 1340 runs a bit over 3W). Several first day QSOs included compliments on the transmitter tone. I like the Ten-Tec QSK a lot. The single conversion superhet receiver with 4-pole crystal ladder filter sensitive and selective. IF passband is adjusted during receiver alignment. The rig is essentially drift-free on 20m after a brief warm-up. I found that the 40m version was a little less touchy during receiver alignment as could be expected – but neither were too difficult.
I can’t say these are the best QRP kits only because I need more reference points! I’ve made only four QRP transmitters and they all have their special attributes! And they are all fun! I do agree that these T-Kit CW transceivers are very inexpensive and high quality.
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| KU4UV |
Rating:  |
2013-07-11 | |
| Do not purchase a QRP kit from Ten Tec! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Folks, do not buy this kit. Save yourself the frustration and headache and spend a few more bucks and go with something like the Oak Hills Research kits that will actually work after they are assembled and not have nearly the problems during assembly or alignment that the Ten Tec series kits have.
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Earlier 2-star review posted by KU4UV on 2013-06-15
I recently purchased a Ten Tec 1320 kit directly at the Ten Tec store in Tennessee. The kit itself isn't all that easy to assemble, and there isn't a whole lot of room on the circuit board for errors should you make a mistake. This definitely isn't a kit for a first-time kit builder. At a bare minimum, you need a good VOM meter, and a frequency counter to properly assembly the kit. I found there were several places on the board where there is the possibility for component leads to touch. This caused me to have to use heat shrink wrap on several component leads. The kits also are known for having problems until you perform the proper modifications on them. This includes such as things as hiss in the audio output, popping in the sidetone, and having to rearrange the outpout coils to prevent having problems. I found I had to go to N5ESE's webpage to correct some of the problems on a 1340 transceiver that I had purchased already assembled on Ebay.
Now for another issue. It seems that Ten Tec is currently out of the PCB boards for the 1300 series kits. There is a part number listed in the assembly manual for the kit, but Ten Tec informed me that they are in the process of redesigning the circuit boards to support SMD components, so who know when, or more likely IF the circuit boards for the 1300 series kits will ever be produced again. I found that Ten Tec parts department was slow to answer e-mails when I asked about ordering a replacement circuit board that I needed for one my 1320 kits. I simply received a response stating that they were currently out of the circuit boards for the 1300 kits, no other explanation given, even I called the parts department directly. So, keep in mind that if you ever need a replacement circuit board for one of the QRP kits, you are basically S.O.L. and will have to order a whole new kit. I don't feel that this kit is worth the $130 price tag, especially when you can order one of the OHR kits for the basically the same price, and probably not have nearly as many problems during assembly and testing. If Ten Tec ever closes out the kits for around $80, I might considering taking another gamble with one, but most likely not. For these reasons, I can't and won't recommend that any purchase this kit. |
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| W8GND |
Rating: |
2013-01-06 | |
| Dandy |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I built one of these about 7 or 8 years ago, and then foolishly gave it away.
Got the itch again, and just ordered the kit.
Only comment is that you have to be very careful about positioning the final section toroids.
73 Jerry W8GND (jwodell@comcast.net) |
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| KA8YRV |
Rating: |
2012-08-08 | |
| Outstanding! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| Bought the 40 meter kit early on and no problems whatsoever. Went together beautifully, receives like a rig should and in short, I love it. I work only QRP CW and get great reports, enjoy the stability, and use it more than any of my other rigs. Thank you TEN TEC ! |
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| VE3GNU |
Rating: |
2012-02-14 | |
| Wonderful 1340 |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
This was only the second kit-radio I built after a long hiatus since the days of Heathkit and it came together without a hitch! The manual supplied at the time was a spiral-bound copy---which I found to be complete, instructive, and clear-to-understand. I concur with what others have said about the 'hot' receiver, but it is the famous Ten Tec QSK that 'takes the cake' for me---pretty well confirming what has generally been said/written---a real joy to experience! The receiver-sound is pure analog, a nice treat for the ears! I've removed the speaker and use the Sony MDR-7605 instead. I also might add that I've not experienced any of the issues that have irked some others. In short---a highly recommended quality kit, and affordable. Good job Ten Tec.
73---Ernie |
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| N5KIG |
Rating: |
2012-02-05 | |
| Good experience building / operating Ten Tec 1340 |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I recently finished building a T-Kit model 1340.. It was fun to build, but as I am 66 years old, I had some difficulty verifying the part numbers, etc. I triple checked each step before soldering. I made only one mistake that was easily corrected.. All of the progress tests were done successfully. I would not reccommend this kit to a beginner, unless you can find an Elmer that can work with you.
This may not happen again in a hundred years, but I kid you not, I connected the rig to a dipole and called "CQ" and was answered on the very first call.
Similiar radios from other manufacturers are listed for about twice the price .. Have some fun,, Go for it!
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| EX_W3UT |
Rating: |
2011-11-14 | |
| Excellent QRP Rig |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I've built many of the Ten Tec qrp rigs and they are excellent performers and fun to build. The supplied instruction manual and schematics could be improved, but really not a major issue. Quality parts and a fun to build. Just take your time and carefully follow the instructions. Ten Tec is an outstanding company and the 1300 series QRP kits are nice radios for the money. |
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