| WY1P |
Rating:  |
2023-07-08 | |
| Only radio I need or want. |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I bought this green screen (latest firmware - all features, all bands) Jupiter a few years ago. It had a few minor issues which I repaired. I also changed the power connector to Anderson Power Pole. I saw how-to plans on a site that make it look original. I had chronic trouble with the original Molex power connector. I do all my own repairs on all of my equipment. I rebuilt an Ameritron AL-80A that was given to me (multiple major issues, non functional). I love the Jupiter front panel controls (rarely need to use the menu), and both receive and transmit performance are awesome. Everyone says my audio is superb. I use a TenTec electret mic; there's a photo of it on my QRZ page. The built in speaker is pleasant to listen to also. Having used the Jupiter for several years, I have no desire for any other radio. |
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| AE0Q |
Rating: |
2023-04-18 | |
| Great CW radio with DSP IF (not an SDR) |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I got a used Jupiter a few years ago to have a 100w radio with the DSP IF functions. I also had an Argo-V (20w rig) which I loved. These are not SDR, they have DSP functions (bandpass filtering and noise reduction) in the 12 kHz IF. But they are Superhet radios with 3 IF stages, with fixed filters for receiving and transmitting in the ham bands. A Software Defined Radio has many other functions and capabilities defined in software, not just some DSP processing in one IF. TenTec was WAY ahead of everyone else with IF DSP implementation in HF radios !!
The CW QSK and ability to adjust the IF bandwidth is awesome, but I found it very difficult to get the mic gain and transmit audio processing set for a good SSB signal, even using a nice Heil microphone. Since I wanted a radio that was easier for my wife to use on SSB, I replaced the Jupiter with an Eagle, and have been very happy with that on both modes. |
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| AA1BW |
Rating: |
2023-04-18 | |
| A classic SDR rig |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| This is one of the first SDR architecture radios. Ten-tec was the first to adopt this technology. It has the great Ten-tec design, ergonomy. Very logical front panel. The band scope is useless. It is very good for casual CW and SSB contacts, has digital filtering, no extra crystal filters needed. The noise reduction is Ok, but todays modern chips do much better. The receiver front end is not performing well in crowded contest, this radio is not recommended for that kind of work. But I still love its sound, verxy pleasant AM and SSB reception. A keeper for me, as I have other radios for contesting. |
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| K0OEH |
Rating: |
2023-04-18 | |
| Best CW rig I have ever owned |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
| Picked up a Jupiter on ebay a few months ago. During my 65 years as a licensed ham radio operator I have owned many rigs. Icom, Elecraft, Flex, Kenwood, etc. This Jupiter puts them all to shame on CW. The full break in is second to none. If you like working CW, get a Jupiter. You will not be disappointed. |
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| AC2YW |
Rating: |
2022-01-24 | |
| This rig is a sleeper/keeper |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
The best attributes of this receiver are the terrific sound, large frequency display, variable filter, quiet receiver, and good looks. Tuning around is more fun and signals tend to pop-out more with this radio.
I recently bought a Ten Tec Orion thinking it would be even better, but it's default settings weren't as useful as Jupiter's. In time, I did learn the Orion though. However, the Jupiter's AM reception is better when it comes to handling splatter. Jupiter also has a clearer NR algorithm, though it's only good on strong signals. Although Orion's AGC is adjustable, I prefer Jupiter's AGC as it is, though the audio level isn't constant. It just makes the receiver quieter and easier for tuning around the bands.
Given this is an early SDR with a slow clock, it's amazing how much was packed into this rig and how much Ten Tec got right. With the 6 and 8KHz filters, the Jupiter is great for SWL as well. That said, it's still an entry level up-conversion transceiver with a wide 15KHz IF. You won't see this rig on the Sherwood list. Some complain DSP filter also lacks in sharpness but that may be why it sounds so good. The sharpness is just right for me.
The reason for losing a star is the lack of sensitivity from 15m and up, getting worse as you go. On 10m, I couldn't even hear antenna noise. After investigation, it's due to poor choice in inductors in the preselector and poor RF amp design. Both can be fixed with minimal effort if you're up to it.
Originally, there was a problem with faint 2.5KHz birdies but found out it's caused by leaving the NB turned on. My blue screen also needed a replacement, but the radio is old, so no demerit. It's good to know suitable replacements are out there if you know what you're doing. |
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| W0FEN |
Rating: |
2021-07-17 | |
| Great Rig |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| About 2 years ago I purchased the Jupiter for the Club station. It has been a great radio. It is very easy to use and the menu interface is intuitive. We had been using an old IC-720A. The replacement process took a little adjusting since the TTJ does not have an ALC input for an Amplifier. We run an Alpha at the Club Station and it was easily overdriven. Turning back the power output where we had never had to before was a little confusing for some operators. Other than this -which is a cockpit problem- this is an excellent radio. I would buy it again. We got one of the first versions that would copy CW and have used it a few times. The Station is mostly used for SSB Net Control operation. |
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| WJ2L |
Rating: |
2021-04-04 | |
| Still does what others cannot, limit or evade QRM. |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I have had the blue screen Jupiter for 10 years now. Best feature,is bandwidth control. No matter how much qrm is on you usually can find the station you want to work and narrow down the bandwidth till no other station is creating qrm. |
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| WE5GNF |
Rating: |
2020-12-28 | |
| Best transceiver. |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have owned 2 of these Jupiters over the past 10 years or so. I traded the first one off just to see something different on my desk. Later wished I hadn't. The Jupiter has a very low noise floor level which helps me pull out signals that my other rigs could not. Case in point Kenwood ts-570DG not able to hear folks I can with the Jupiter. Icom 746Pro also not able to hear the signals that the Jupiter can.
The rig itself is very easy to operate. The menu easy to access, straight forward. I am in my late 70s and find that I don't have a problem operating this rig. I have had Ten Tec Omni 6s and even they didn't have the same good low noise floor the Jupiter has. I get reports of the good audio this rig has using a inexpensive Electret Condenser Microphone. The Noise Reduction and other features operate top shelf. The overall DSP on this model rig is very hard to beat even with the newer Japanese rigs on the market.
I have another Jupiter and am keeping it. Not going to turn loose of it like the first one. I can always find someone that has parts that can repair this rig if need be. No different than finding someone to work on a Japanese rig that is out of warranty. Of course these statements are just mine. I realize not everyone likes the Ten Tecs. Good deal I say, just leaves me a better chance of buying another Jupiter. |
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| N2ZD |
Rating: |
2019-09-09 | |
| Love them! |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
I have both the Blue screen and Green screen models, beside the limit to the green screens firmware update limits if it hasn’t already been factory or user upgraded, there isn’t much of a difference beside the case and screen color.
Like all rigs, there are some quirks which btw, are not limited to just the Jupiter. Like the encoders for bandwidth, pbt, etc. sometimes they get silly and skip around. I’ve seen this with Yaesu and some other rigs as well. Sometime, you just need to reset the knob, if the radio is shipped with the knobs pressing against the box, the knobs will push in which will place outward tension on the shafts causing the encoders to skip. On TT rigs with the push in knobs to change state, (like the Orion II,)Omni VII) this type of tension will also prevent the knob from being pushed in to change its options. Simply remove the silver trim ring and loosen the knob set screw, pull it out slightly and reset the set screw.
Anyway, enough of that, this rig has a superb RX, very wide transmit RX if you desire and a pleasant audio chain and lots of great features. Dsp, auto-notch, available AT, NR. The only thing lacking is a direct band selector (must scroll thru HF bands to get to desired, same deal with modes and no direct frequency entry. But if you run N4PY software, that’s a moot point. All of those desires are on the screen!!
Anyway, you’re getting a 1000 dollars worth of used radio for between 400 and 600 dollars give or take, there isn’t much out there in that range that can do what this baby does!
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| KG9H |
Rating: |
2019-05-12 | |
| Great Radio |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have had many Jupiters and like the radio. It has great audio on receive, and if you are listening to AM on the ham bands you will be amazed how well the audio sounds with the built-in speaker! The built-in filters are a breeze to use and on CW the radio shines like all Ten Tec radios. Mine is on the desk now just listening to the weekend guys on AM. (The 8kHz filter sounds amazing!) Not a bad radio for the money if you can find one in good condition and working
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Earlier 5-star review posted by KG9H on 2013-06-29
Probably my favorite radio over the years.
Does a great job on all modes, excellent on CW and AM....
Sounds best with a larger speaker, can't say enough about it.
Will get another one some day, now using another radio on remote base for CW.
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Earlier 5-star review posted by KG9H on 2011-07-21
For the past several years, I found that I have found myself moving away from CW because I couldn't listen to CW for hours on end like I used to. In fact the howel that I heard in the receivers drove me away after a half an hour. This was mostly using 250Hz filters, sometimes with 500Hz filters.
Enter the Jupiter.
I purchased this radio because a friend has one and recommended it highly.
I have never been more happy with a CW receiver, now listening all the time to CW with the 150Hz filter on. Yes... I said 150Hz!!! The receive CW signal reminds me of my Triton 4 from days long ago. (For the new hams that is another Ten Tec radio from the 70's) The howel that I heard in the others is not evident at all in the Jupiter! I spend most of my time is on 40 and 30 meters and the noise makes it hard to hear signals but this radio tunes it all out and the signals pop from the speaker!! I would recommend this in a minute to others on CW, have not had time to check it out on SSB yet, will have to do that in a few weeks. (Oh, I beleive that Ten Tec still offers a 30 day money back if you don't like it. How easy is that to place this radio front and center on your desk??) See you on 40 de Frank KG9H |
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