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Reviews For: Ten-Tec Jupiter

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

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Review Summary For : Ten-Tec Jupiter
Reviews: 161MSRP: 1,189
Description:
Formerly known as the "PegasusFP" now renamed Jupiter
Product is not in production
More Info: https://www.tentec.com/ten-tec-538-jupiter/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
001614.5
W4DKK Rating: 2002-09-24
What I was looking for. Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Like a previous post, I bought a Jupiter not long after they first came out. Did not like it, sold after two months. Recently bought a used one with the 302J remote, latest software upgrade to ver. 1.23 the radio is great. It is what I hoped it to be the first time. Between the first Jupiter and this one main rigs here where Icom 746, Icom 746pro and Yaesu 920. Bottom line the Jupiter just plain sounds better to me on receive, and while the 746pro has adjustable DSP filters, it's just not up to the DSP filters in the Jupiter. I have also been told the audio sounds good on transmit. Add the N4PY software what more could you ask for. I was trying to find some flaw with this radio as not to sound biased, all I can come up with is no 6 meter coverage. While I have a couple of other very good non Ten-Tec HF rigs here, the Jupiter takes the center of the desk!
AA5ET Rating: 2002-09-24
Best Ham Investment I Ever Made! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have a Ten Tec Jupiter and it's the best ham investment I ever made. The Jupiter is not an FT-1000 with all the bells and whistles, but its not meant to be. It has what 99 percent of hams need and not too much more. Still a world-class rig in my opinion. Simple to operate, big knobs, huge frequency display, only one menu that's simple to operate and a great 34-step DSP filter controlled by turning a KNOB. Its up to todays standards (especially for the price) and will be up to tomorrows standards as long as Ten Tec keeps updating the software (they will). It's like getting a new rig, for free, with new features or bugs fixed every few months. Just download the file from their site, plug the serial cable from your computer to the rig and follow the directions... simple.

None of the Japanese rigs I know of do that... thier rigs are designed to be obsolete soon after you plopped down your hard-earned cash. To get new features or bugs fixed, it will cost you. That's how they make the bucks.

Ten Tec has it right. They are a great company to work with, and really do serve the ham community. If you don't like the rig within 30 days, they will take it back and refund your money. They will take payments and send you the rig as soon as they get the first payment. Pretty easy to just call them at the factory for questions, etc.

I put my money on Ten Tec. Another great feature is that they're made in the USA.

73, Marco, W7WIK
KF4DHE Rating: 2002-09-17
Excellent Radio! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is the second Jupiter for me,the first one went back to ten-tec because of an RF problem(turned out to be my fault)so I re-did my station grounding and ordered another one.(BTW: keep your linear power supply far away,the Jupiter does not like it!) This is by far the most fun radio to operate that I have owned to date. Receive audio is the best I've ever heard and the transmit audio is just the same with the right microphone(w2ihy 8 band and Heil Goldline) DSP is far better than any "Jap" radio I've owned and digital filters work great. I really like the feel of the controls and everything is where it needs to be and just plain works. This is a whole different approach to ham radio and flexability is the strong point here. Updates are just a flash away and you have an up-dated radio when new features are added. Just for refrence I have owned: Kenwood TS-430,440,450,520,830,850,870,940,2000
Yaesu FT-990,920,1000MP,1000D
Icom IC-751A,706,746,756,756PRO
The only bad point I have found is that the receiver will overload on very strong signals(S9+45db or higher)and the RF gain has to be reduced to clear it up but the rest of the radio more than makes up for this one weak point. Hopefully Ten-Tec will address this problem in future up-dates. Also Ten-Tec support is second to none. Ten-Tec has a winner with the Jupiter. Can't wait to try out the new Orion!
W1FYI Rating: 2002-07-04
Good, but CAT makes it better Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have owned many radios over the years and currently enjoy my Yaesu FT-1000D, and would never part with it. I decided to buy the Jupiter as a second radio and for ragchewing with my friends on 14.178.

I considered the TS-870S and the IC-756Pro and Pro II, bur decided on the Jupiter based on price and the open architecture provided by it's computerized platform. I like the notion that it is always upgradable when new bands and features are added in the future. It actually can be the last radio you ever need to buy.

So far, the Jupiter meets my expectations, especially for the price, although there are a few improvements needed. The most important thing you can do is to buy the N4PY computer interface software. This extremely well designed CAT makes the Jupiter more versitile and easier to use, answering some of the complaints I've about lack of convenience. Everything is handled with just a mouse click.

I do find the lack of band stacking registers and the cumbersome tuning rate scheme a bother, but not a big deal. The menu system is logical and quite easy to use. I also wished they provided a second antenna input as it would give the radio extreme utility across bands. The digital noise reduction is effective, but I don't love the sound. The transmit audio has a slightly digitized sound, not quite as smooth as analog audio, but recordings I have heard of myself, on the air, have still sounded great.

The major drawback is front end overload by extremely strong signals, however, given the many filter options available, you can overcome this shortcoming with narrow bandwidth for very readable audio at 1.2 KHz and narrower bandpasses.

The bandsweep display is very handy and a nice feature for a radio in this price range.

I have updated the firmware already and incorporated improvements with great ease. The Ten-Tec website makes it very easy.

A side-by-side comparison of receiver with my FT-1000D shows the Jupiter to be almost as sensitive and the receiver is pretty quiet, although the FT-1000D is better in that area. Just about every signal I could tune in on the FT-1000D I could still hear on the Jupiter, even on 10 meters, although the Yaesu is still a bit more sensitive. Only signals barely above the noise are "touch and go" with the Jupiter.

A big advantage is the wide range of filters for both transmit and receive bandpass. They offer tremendous utility.

On CW, especally QSK, I find the Jupiter to be flawless, as I would have expected of Ten-Tec.

Ten-Tec service has been very responsive to my questions and a 30 day money back guarantee makes the radio all the more attractive.

I can operate with bandpass filters as wide as 8KHz on both receive and transmit! It makes a tremendous difference it you are listening to hi hi SSB, which does exist. I use the Jupiter with a Behringer MX-602 mic preamp and Behringer 1124 parametric equalizer and the Jupiter achieves an excellent audio product.

The 963 power supply is very light, well filtered and works well with the radio.

The matching microphone is also a good investment as it really sounds very smooth and punchy with the Jupiter, although I prefer my EV RE-20 studio microphone.

I use the Jupiter in different locations around the house and its light weight, especially that of the power supply, makes it easy to move, although it's a bit boxey to use in the car.

Bottom line, for $1,189, with a small investment in the N4PY CAT program, makes Jupiter is a very good investment.

It's not a 756PRO-II, but it's not $2,900 either. Even with its few shortcomings, I highly recommend the Jupiter within its price range.

Dick, W1FYI
K1ZW Rating: 2002-06-21
a great radio for the price Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
The Jupiter is the best rig I have ever had for the price.The built in keyer and cw filters plus the varible output power and dsp noise reduction makes it a great buy.
W7QQ Rating: 2002-06-11
Good rig -- taught me a lot! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I'm not an experienced user, but I really like the idea that American radios can compete with anything from the rest of the world. I heard all the gripes about being deaf on 10M, but I had great success with my Jupiter. I consistently hear stations that others in my area don't hear; and my antennas are not the best.

The only other transceiver I have operated recently is the FT 1000D at my club station. The "D" has a great receiver, but the Jupiter receiver is much quieter.

I really like the auto notch for zapping the tuners on the working frequency, and the Ten Tec noise reduction algorithm works like a champ.

I really miss an analog meter for power, ALC, SWR and received signal strength, but I can't quibble about the performance.

Every time I become annoyed with the funky controls, I'm reminded about the flexibility of a new software download, and I'm convinced that this is the future of ham radio. This radio just works perfectly! I have to admit that I do not use ALL the filter positions, but I do use the passband tuning, and it works great for QRM.

I have the optional antenna tuner installed. and it does a great job of tuning my all band wire antennas. I have used it mobile with a screwdriver antenna, and it works great!

I operated this radio for several months on a 12 volt Astron supply and found that the output power was 85 watts. When I upgraded to a switching supply at 13.8 volts, the radio delivered 100 watts on all bands as advertised.

The Jupiter works fine at full output on RTTY and PSK-31 without overheating, and doesn't require an auxilliary fan. This is a terrific PSK-31 radio, and it's possible to work PSK without an external interface box using the serial interface control.

I recommend using a good station ground because there is a possibility of serial bus upset with stray RF. A good station ground solves this problem.

The accessory microphones have a tendency of breaking wires in the connectors due to poor strain relief, so some attention there will be rewarded in increased reliability.

I have NEVER had one problem with my radio, so I never had occasion to take advantage of the legendary customer support that Ten Tec offers.

A fine example of American ingenuity and production! This radio is a keeper!

Bill, W7QQ
KJ4GY Rating: 2002-05-25
Keep going back to a Jupiter! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have had two IC756 pro's,Omni 6 Plus,Paragon
FT100, and I still go back to the Jupiter.
Excellant all around Radio for S/W,Ham Radio,
also many will be surprized but I prefer it on CW.
I work more CW than any mode.The Menu is the best on the market very easy to use.
The software used on my computer makes going from Shortwave Station to Station a snap.
NOTE!!!!!!
The new matching Ext. Speaker 307 has excellant audio and has a very nice front Grillcloth on it.
Excellant work on a speaker.You may want to purchase one for your Rig,no matter what you have.

----------------------
Earlier 4-star review posted by KJ4GY on 2001-11-02

The Ten Tec Jupiter Menu is the most friendly menu out there.Very easy to use.Most all settings on one Page.Wrks great on PSK-31.
N2WF Rating: 2002-05-25
I'm a believer!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I can’t believe the 0/5 reviews??? This is one awesome rig!!! I have owned a few top-of-the line radios, just ask the guys in my local radio club (TCRA). The Jupiter is one nice radio. I won’t try to tell you it’s the best radio made, but if you are looking for the best mid priced radio this is it. The receiver is super quiet (no not deaf like some would lead you to believe) I did some A/B comparisons with my trusty FT990 and on all bands the signal strengths were equal (S7 was S7 on both), but the Jupiter was quiet no audio or IF noise. I could listen all day and not get tired. The filters while not the narrowest or most selective I have heard are more than adequate for the casual contesting, Dxing and rag chewing I like to do. I love the way CW sounds on the Jupiter and the CW TX is also fantastic. I have heard about some operators who have had RF feedback problems with the Jupiter and maybe it is more susceptible to RF feedback, but I run 500 watts into a 2-element yagi and 2 wire dipoles with not a hint of RF problems. My ground system consists of (2) ground rods linked together by heavy #2 THHN wire that is just outside my first floor shack. I use 2” copper flashing to connect the ground rods to my Ten Tec 229B tuner and the Jupiter.
This is one FUN radio to operate, and the more I use it the more I like it!!!
Besides who gives you a 30-day money back guarantee???
Ten Tec that’s who!
K4CGY Rating: 2002-04-29
Excellent Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
As a background reference let me say up front that I also have currently a Kenwood TS-830S, TS820S, TT Corsair II, Scout and A Yaesu FT-817. I have also owned and used many others during the years including several Drake C lines, Heathkit SB's and others. All were good in their era but none were perfect and some functions would drive me to distraction. Like the VOX on the TS-830S is the worse I have used for several reasons and the VOX on the 820S is great.
I bought the Jupiter used after reading all the negatives as well as talking to those that owned them. I was almost sure that after using it for a couple of months I would want to get rid of it. It turns out that overall this is the best rig I have had in almost 44 years. All of the others except the FT-817 and the Scout are on the shelf now.
The Jupiter receive audio is the smoothest I have ever had and much better than the Corsair II and a little better than the 830S. Everyone told me how you could wipe out almost all QRM with the DSP and they are right, it amazing how much better it is than all the others. In all rigs in the past on SSB when you got to 1.8Khz BW the audio was getting distorted and at 1.5Khz (Drake) almost unusable. The Jupiter can go as low as 900 Hz and still give good quality, narrow audio. The autonotch is the best I have ever heard and much better than that on the Corsair and TS-830s. The noise reduction does impart some digital artifacts on the signal and will remove a very weak station but it will take out quite a bit of loud static crashes. I usually leave it off. The front panel is laid out properly and easy to use and the menu is usable without the manual. In fact everything is easy to do without the manual not like the FT-817 where you better carry a copy. It is possible to overload on very strong signals within the roofing filter bandwidth but this is mainly on 75 & 40 meters and turning on the Attuenator takes care of it. During the ARRL DX contest I tried to see if I could make it fail and I couldn't. I have a very famous contester about 10 miles away that runs stacked beams and the legal limit and I found I could copy an S5 station when he was 40 over if he was at least 4 Khz away. In my opinion this is very good and as good at the Corsair II or the 830s will do. The real test will come Field Day when I will be on 40M SSB with the 40M CW station 100 Khz and 200 feet away. The Corsair II has had some problems with this in the past. I am still running the old software version 1.09 and will someday get time to upgrade. AM works just fine on 10 where I have used it and I was told the quality was excellent. All in all I think this is a great rig but like any has it's shortcomings. I would like to be able to turn the AGC off for one.

73 Jim K4CGY
W2RBA Rating: 2002-04-27
Keeps getting better! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I note that some have criticised the Jupiter for having only an external tuner available. Well, that's not true and hasn't been true since sometime last November or December: you can get an LDG-made tuner installed by Ten-Tec or you can install it yourself (I chose to install it myself, the kit is Ten-Tec number JT-11K). Internally. I noted that it was coming in a review of the Jupiter some time ago.

The Jupiter does not have "up/down" buttons; however, if their absence is a severe lack for you, you can now program the multi-use knob to your choice (some or all) of ham bands, both cw and phone, if you wish. In the meantime, Ten-Tec has added an option to move from band to band in the opposite direction as before, at the push of a button, so now you are able to go in either direction. It's an update to the firmware, i.e., software that allows you choice.

No digital voice recorder on the Jupiter and I, for one, am very glad it doesn't have one: has anyone used one that doesn't make your voice souund so obviously pre-recorded, tinny and compressed?

Contrast on the screen is quite adjustable, from too light to see to too dark.

IF-DSP: emminently adjustable and now with a transmit roll-off for sideband TX (it defaults to 400 cycles, but you can change that setting either up or down; you can choose exactly how much of a signal you want with the high end response as well).

There is an extra-cost option of direct keypad entry; don't believe the nay-sayers when they claim otherwise. Again, if the lack of a keypad is significant for you, you can have it.

The RX is plenty sensitive on the higher bands -- of course, you need an antenna for those bands! I have a G5RV and the rig is plenty sensitive. And I can always use my Elecraft K2 if conditions warrant (they haven't yet, by the way, I just switch between rigs as suits my fancy).

In short, the rig is just what it should be: it is positioned, in terms of price, at the intermediate level -- and it does a heck of a lot for the money. You can color me very satisfied with the purchase.