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Reviews For: Ten Tec Argonaut

Category: QRP Radios (5 watts or less)

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Review Summary For : Ten Tec Argonaut
Reviews: 29MSRP: 250 (approx.)
Description:
The Classic: SSB/CW transceiver; all bands but WARC
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.tentec.com/Amateur.htm
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00294.8
KG9H Rating: 2002-10-24
Argonaut performance still surprises me! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
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
OZ1GIY Rating: 2002-07-26
Back to basics Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
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.
KC2FPR Rating: 2001-08-27
Get one! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
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!!
VK3YE Rating: 2000-05-18
Good home station Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
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.
K7CHY Rating: 2000-05-18
Excellent SSB/CW QRP rig. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
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.
N2JNZ Rating: 2000-04-24
Great DX grabber !!!!! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
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
W2RBA Rating: 2000-01-15
Argonaut 509 is wonderful! Time Owned: unknown months.
I'd like to agree with what has been said on behalf of the Argonaut. It is an excellent rig -- great receiver sensitivity, great QSK and excellent audio on sideband. I acquired this one used, but in 1980, when it was only a few years old and cost just $170 with CW filter, calibrator and antenna tuner. I won't be parting with this rig even though technology marches on. Great all-around vacation rig, only wish it had 30, 17 and 12 meter coverage too.
KE8LF Rating: 2000-01-15
Ten Tec 509 Review Time Owned: unknown months.
I own a Argonaut 509, and, have had very good results from it. I like the fact that it is multi band. To transport to my weekend campsite is a breeze. I use the 509 with a long wire antenna and the MFJ 971 tuner.
VE1CBF Rating: 1999-12-26
An excellent all around radio to operate and a ver Time Owned: unknown months.
The Argonaut (505/509/515) are much alike in capabilities. I own a 509 and have operated both 505's and 515's. The radio has an excellent receiver and performs well on transmit with 5 watts output on CW and PEP on SSB. Audio reports have been excellent using both the TenTec mic and an Astatic D104. The outboard CW filters perform well for filters of their type. The accessory 50 watt linear amplifier can be added for those wishing a bit of a boost in bad band conditions. While possessing an analogue scale for frequency display, a minor modification will permit the addition of the outboard digital display for a TenTec Triton. With a good antenna this radio can hold its own against 100W class radios under all but the most adverse conditions. Service from the company is excellent. A definite "best buy" for those wishing to get into QRP, or wanting a small 12v second rig for the car or cottage. (Mine has been in almost daily use since 1976 and the first maintenance it required was this past month when I rebuilt the PTO to relubricate and replace worn bearing parts.)