| VE3IKU |
Rating:  |
2024-02-11 | |
| Wonderful radio and still a performer in 2024 |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
The Ten-Tec Pegasus from 1999, developed from Ten-Tec's military radio contracts, is indeed the first true SDR amateur radio transceiver, performing the SDR functions at 12kHz IF frequency for both RX and TX modes. This was quite a revolutionary first at the time, at the price the radio was offered. The DSP processor is an Analog Devices ADSP-2181 running at 40MIPS, more than home PC's were running in 1999. The required host PC is more than a CAT command device; from the Pegasus Programmer's Reference guide: "Complex math operations are performed by the PC to lighten the processing load on the radio. This allows more time for signal processing features such as noise reduction and automatic notch." These PC calculations are actually frequency and mode-corrected BFO offset calculations that must be continually calculated as the tuning knob is turned, reduced to a 6-byte data slice sent over the serial bus. Thus true computer involvement in tuning the radio...SDR! This radio also "....has the ability to hold multiple (7 additional) DSP programs" -- never released, but one can imagine coding anything into firmware including a spread spectrum radio with proprietary digital modulation! These possibilities led to Ten-Tec's RX340 military receiver...
The term SDR means software defined radio and implements by software, what used to be done in hardware, ie. modulation and demodulation, IF filter width and offset, frequency response, noise reduction and heterodyne notching, speech compression, etc. See 2023 ARRL Handbook chapter 8.2 "Introduction to SDR".
The fact this is done at IF and not high RF frequencies is irrelevant to the term. The ANAN and FLEX radios perform this task right after RF amplification and band filtering. The Kenwood TS-890S and Elecraft K3 like many other modern radios, still are a traditional analog superheterodyne receiver with hardware roofing filters, followed by IF DSP operating at a few 10s of kHz. But they are all nonetheless, software defined radios, or SDR's. In fact, there is no conceptual difference between the Ten-Tec Pegasus and Kenwood TS890S or Elecraft K3 in their block diagrams, other than how AGC is derived (pre vs post DSP). This really echoes how relevant the Ten-Tec Pegasus still is to this day in 2024, as a viable radio.
Most Kenwood, Yaesu, and ICOM radios from the 1990s offered audio DSP functions but could not be strictly be termed SDRs, as they had traditional hardware envelope detectors for AM, and crystal post IF filters, for example.
I think people are confused by the bandscope function of ANAN or FLEX being the sign of "SDR". In fact, in radios that use roofing filters like Kenwood TS890S, the bandscope is a separate wideband sampling receiver connected before the roofing filter - which really has nothing to do with the main receiver whatsoever, or its performance. It is only a display. It itself may be an SDR (Kenwood TS-890S) or a sweeping heterodyne type implementation of bandscope.
The Ten-Tec Pegasus may have a bit less dynamic range (90dB) compared to modern radios of 110dB+, and an AGC that is outside the DSP loop and susceptible to reducing RX gain from strong adjacent signals, and lack of roofing filter choices, but for most amateur day to day operations, it would be completely acceptable. Audio quality in both RX and TX modes are superb, due to both bandwidths being programmable by the user.
In summary, as the first true SDR amateur radio transceiver, and from its implementation differing little from many of today's modern radios, other than refinements in dynamic range, agc, and roofing filter selection, it is an amazing SDR radio indeed for day to day hamming! The bonus is you get to browse the internet, check qrz.com, and eham reviews, do weather fax decoding, rtty, sstv, from the same monitor screen you are running the Pegasus radio on! |
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| KT4WO |
Rating: |
2022-08-21 | |
| Nice Rig |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Let me say this first:
This radio is NOT a "SDR"!!....NOT a "SDR"!!
It is a computer/software CONTROLLED radio.
I have seen reviews and sites call it a SDR.
It IS a IF-DSP radio.
It's no different from controlling your *whatever* rig via CAT
control. Now to the review.
I picked up this rig a few years back CHEAP and it works
GREAT. It has the BEST DSP NR I have ever used, no artifacts like most other rigs. Wish my Icom NR worked that well!
Now it is over 20 years old and the specs are
not up to, say, a IC-7300. When new was a mid-range radio at a
Alinco price. Mine has been running HF packet on 40M for almost
2 years and not a single "crash" AND FLRig on Linux can be used
for very basic control although the original software will run on Win10 or under WINE.
I will be honest, I would not want this as my *main* rig, but
not because of its performance, I just like buttons and knobs!
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| W5GNB |
Rating: |
2018-12-22 | |
| Ahead of its Time ~~ |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I got my Pegasus Brand New, I am the First and Only owner. It has worked Flawlessly for the past 20 years or so. However, I recently started getting Bad CW Tone reports, AC hum on the carrier. After some hunting around, I finally discovered that after setting the radio on Top of the desktop computer, I was getting power supply noise induced into the radio from the computer power supply. Apparently, the cabinet shielding on the radio and the computer are not sufficient to shield this induction. I re-arranged the desk and separated the two enemies and all is well again ....LOL !! The rig is still working 100% and I sure wish Ten Tec still produced them .....OH Well, By the way, I use the N4PY software package and it is Absolutely EXCELLENT for the Pegasus ~~~~ |
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| VE3TMT |
Rating: |
2018-08-16 | |
| Great for casual operating |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I recently had the misfortune of the transmitter in my PROIII dying on me. I ended up making a deal for a pretty much mint Pegasus. I remembered reading about these radios, along with the Kachina years ago, but had my doubts as to their performance in the real world.
First of all, it is not a software defined radio, but more a software "controlled" radio. Aside from that it is a pleasure to operate. As stated, the radio arrived in mint condition, and had the optional cooling fan on the rear panel. I have since added a 302R remote and purchased Carl, N4PY's Pegasus Plus software package. It really makes the Pegasus shine.
I didn't expect the Pegasus to compare to my PROIII and it doesn't. What I do like about the Pegasus is the ability to change the RX bandwidth on the fly from 8KHz down to 330Hz. You can listen to shortwave broadcast at 6KHz and it sounds great. RX audio from the Pegasus is fed to my Logitech 5.1 system which really makes the radio sing. Sounds better than the old TS870 from years ago. I would have preferred filters down to 100Hz for CW work. The 330Hz filter doesn't really cut it in crowded band conditions. You can also vary the TX bandwidth out to I believe 6KHz.
The Pegasus features a band sweep feature, but I have mine operating in conjunction with SDR Console V3 so I get a full time bandscope to watch band conditions. I don't get on the radio as much as I used to, or spend as much time contesting, so I wasn't looking for a contest caliber radio. I certainly have not been disappointed.
I'd like to see a black case version and maybe a little flashier software package, something like the Flex radio programs, but all in all I am very satisfied.
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| KG4FET |
Rating: |
2016-05-28 | |
| Typical Ten Tec! |
Time Owned: N.A. |
This is my first foray into SDR, and granted it's older tech, I have not been disappointed.
First and foremost, the receiver is quiet, very quiet. You hit that Noise button and signals pop right out. Take the RF Gain back a tad and all you hear are signals and the occasional static pop. You will NOT get the watery sound or flutter associated with "modern" DSP's. Filtering is superb with 9 filters showing in the TT software and 12 in N4PY's. All of these can be changed to suit your style and mode. They go from 8KHz to 300hz, IF shift is incredible. I can take stations out on 7284 completely and still hear whats going on on 85. A word on the software. I used the TT software and I BOUGHT N4PY's. I was looking at Hamstation Ultra but one email convinced me that guy was not worth sending my money too, what an a**. I did do side by sides with 2 other hf(+) radios on the bench and hands down the Peg was the better rig. First was a TS2K. What the 2K couldn't hear the Peg had no issues with. Noise in the RX'er of 2K is what got it moved to V/UHF in the first place. Next it went against the Yaesu FT 920. Here it was a little closer. The 920 has able to hear nearly every thing the PEG was BUT the background noise was still there. Add in the NR on the 920 and in comes the flutter. Over all this is a great rig, and with a 302 remote all the better. Man you can program some stuff into that thing! Older yes but what a great way to go. One thing hard for me though was I keep reaching for knobs...lol |
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| W3ATT |
Rating: |
2016-01-24 | |
| A great radio - Will Keep |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Picked up a nice Peg at a good price. Came with remote tuning pod which I love, full paperwork - including full schematics! I have been using this radio for about 2 months and have logged about 125 qsos (mostly cw, then digital, very few SSB..) The CW note is very nice and the QSK very smooth (ten tec.) And the received SSB is fabulous.
Relays can go bad, just the nature of the beast - as in any relay application. Many industrial applications that I work with use relays - and guess what? they go bad. Just replace them. And if you can't replace relays, you'll just have to pay someone else to do it.
Just to note: I do use N4PY software which opened up many, many new features of the radio like SWR fold back, K1EL WinKeyer USB integration, many more CW settings, amp tune, etc.. This is not a review of N4PY software, so I won't get into all that. However, the N4PY software completes the Pegasus and is what makes it more functional (and Fun!) to operate.
Great reports of my CW note on the receive end and also great audio SSB reports (limited, however because I don't do much SSB...)
Small little computer tower-like thing that tucks away with just the tuning pod up on the desk with all control on the PC and tuning pod (which can be custom tailored with functions that you use the most.) I also just used it with an amp for the first time, and it worked excellent. EXT/TR output on the rear of the radio is a simple female RCA so hooking to amps is a breeze.
Also worth mentioning is that is a GREAT radio for the Digital modes.. I have logged about 40 JT-65, PSK-31, and RTTY qso's combined and the radio has rock solid stability, and low noise. This is a casual operators rig - not a contesting radio (which is why the 4 stars instead of 5.) But then, If you're a contester, you probably already have a contesting rig.
The receiver is good, and if you know how to use a RF gain knob to bring down some noise, use the filtering, RIT, and adjustable pass band tuning, the weak sigs can easily be heard. I have been working some weak signal SOTA QRP guys with ease with the Peg..
Overall, a great, fun radio - and certainly a good back up. Easy to use and figure out with full PC control. Latest (and final) firmware update opens up 60 meter operation - and AM transmit operation is great. And general receive of AM Broadcast band is wonderful. DSP filters from 8.0 kHz for AM down to 300 Hz for CW blocks unwanted signals.
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|
| K0CRX |
Rating: |
2015-12-08 | |
| Another unreliable TT nightmare |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I acquired my Pegasus from the original owner in absolutely pristine condition. It did what I expected of it for some time. Then, one day, it wouldn't even power on.
I sent to TT service for repair. To my utter shock, the bill came to $440. They replaced every relay in the radio, among some other stuff. There is only one reason why all of the relays required replacement. That is, the radio was built with substandard components. Interestingly, TT was happy to let me, the consumer, pay for their manufacturing shortcoming.
I sold the repaired Pegasus immediately and will NEVER have another TT radio in my shack.
My rating of "2" is generous.
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Earlier 5-star review posted by K0CRX on 2008-08-12
I bought mine used on eBay about 8 years ago. Later, I added the big knob (ya gotta have at least one knob or it just is not a radio!!). I use it regularly, zero problems, I love it. BTW, I love my ol' Paragon, too!
73,
Mike
K 0 Collects Radios eXclusively |
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| OD5ZZ |
Rating: |
2013-07-06 | |
| Ten-Tec Pegasus |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
After reading so many reports on eHam I wanted to test the Pegasus.
I was happy to find one in pretty good shape on eBay , I downloaded the N4PY software , which is a nice piece of software.
At first I was confused how to hook it up to my Amplifier since the Pegasus does not have an ALC jack but that did not prove to be a problem , after hooking it and going on the air I can tell you I have been getting reports about the audio quality and signal strength that I did not get before, plus the reception is perfect with the filters you can eliminate most QRM due to adjacent stations calling, if there is any you can use the filter and you can only hear the station you want on the freq and no QRM , stations with S1 is not a problem to copy.
If you find one in good shape do not let it get away, you will be glad you have it in your shack , just wonder why Ten-Tec discontinued this great rig in the meantime I am enjoying using it.
73 de OD5ZZ |
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| KC5GWU |
Rating: |
2013-02-25 | |
| It just works! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Purchased 3 weeks ago on Ebay - talked with Ten Tec Service (they define customer service!) and installed new transmit relays. Rig now as new.
I effortlessly tune from Am broadcast through SW, join a ssb net on 20 meters, then rag chew on cw 30 meters, the autotuner keeping pace. Selection of DSP filters, RIT, XIT, PSB are all a touchpad click away. Control of the radio via the computer is intuitive, requiring no external knobs, wheels or buttons. Ten Tec GUI addresses everything the radio can do. I operate mostly casual CW with a few SSB nets, evening AM, and maybe BBC or Radio Australia thrown in. Moving through the bands, tuning, setting preferences, using memories, all are intuitive. I will read the manual! Line out to small 10 w amp, 2 4.5" acoustical suspension speakers gives broadcast quality AM, super clear SSB and pleasant CW; filters and pass band remove hiss/roar. Most contacts comment on clear cw tone or "fabulous,remarkable, broadcast" ssb transmission. My best investment in 18 years of amateur radio. if radio is about how you are heard and what you hear, the Pegasus is the right stuff. |
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| N3OD |
Rating: |
2012-06-19 | |
| Excellent especially considering price and age |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| My Pegasus is a very early model 2001.I am strictly an SSB operator, so I can't comment on its CW performance. That said, I know that TT's reputation is excellent for both CW and SSB. I operate mostly casual rag-chewing so I can not comment on its contest performance. I really like the many different bandwidths available both on transmit and receive. I also like that it always right on frequency unlike some other TT rigs I have owned. I did have some problems with relays on the BP filter. I guess TT had a bad bunch of relays. That was all taken care of by the TT service department and it has been trouble free since.All in all I am sorry I didn't buy 2 of these great radios.They are hard to find on the used market. |
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