Date: Wed, 18 Aug 93 22:14:26 PDT From: dh@deneb.csustan.edu (Doug Hendricks) Message-Id: <9308190514.AA02865@deneb.csustan.edu> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Scout Review As some of you might know, I am the editor of QRPp, the Journal of the Northern California QRP Club. Mike Siegel, KI6PR, one of our members submitted this review for publication. I have not seen anything on it yet, and imagine several of you are interested. Here it is, a pre-publication preview. Contact Mike if you are interested in reprinting. Product Review: Ten-Tec Model 555 Scout HF Transceiver In the Amateur Radio sales market, there has been an increasing trend towards more features in basic rigs. These additional "whips and bells" have also brought much higher prices for most manufacturers' bottom-of-the-line "basic" radios. As we have all discovered in the QRP game, "more ain't better". Ten-Tec proves this with the introduction of their Model 555, which they have named the Scout. The night before Dayton was to open, I had a telephone conversation with a ham about aspects of mobile operation; this ham reported rumors about a new mobile rig from Ten-Tec, that was to be unveiled the next day at Dayton. I was so fascinated by the reports and rumors, that the very next morning, I called Ten-Tec to place my order. The rig arrived August 2, packed in the usual generic boxes that Ten-Tec uses for shipping - no resale value on THEIR cardboard! The Scout is a very unique rig, not only in it's simplicity, but in the design itself, and even moreso, in the way it targets it's sales market. The simplicity of design sticks to Ten-Tec's "less is more" approach to keeping controls and features simple, but effective. No fancy bells and whistles here -- just some basic controls that do exactly what they're labelled for. The design itself is unique, as well. Rather than cluttering up the front panel with band switches, or crowding the interior with other boards, the Scout uses interchangeable plug-in modules, one for each band, 160 though 10 meters (the lower half of 10, 28.0-29.0 MHz). More on this later. Even the market that Ten-Tec is targetting is unique. The rig offers features and specifications that appeal to the experienced mobile operator, such as large-digit display and built-in keyer. But it also offers something for the Novice operator on a budget as well - a low entry-level price. For $495, the Scout comes with one band module (your choice of band), and allows for the addition of other bands at $25 each, as the operator can afford to add them. This rig even allows for those of us that only operate on one or two bands, in that you only purchase the bands you're interested in. To top it off, the Scout is actually SMALLER than Kenwood's TS-50 (see specifica- tions below). Quite a unique package, in all. FRONT PANEL CONTROLS The front panel of the Scout is simple in layout: two concentric knob controls, three miniature bat switches, and a large vfo knob. The digits are a HUGE .56" tall, and accurate to 100 Hz; the MHz digit is actually painted on the front of the band module, and at first glance, appears to be integral to the rig. The bat switches are multi-function. The first switch is simply for power on/off. The second switch activates the RIT, or sets the speed of the built-in keyer. The third switch either activates the optional noise blanker, or activates the TUNE mode. The concentric knobs offer precise controls for volume, mic gain, RIT, and filter bandwidth. A word about the filter: Ten-Tec has included in the Scout their patented Jones filter, a variable-bandwidth 9-pole crystal filter that offers filtering from 2.5 to 0.5 kHz. More on these functions later. The Scout also sports a small meter, indicating signal strength, relative power output, and an SWR function (controlled from the rear panel). REAR PANEL The rear panel offers just as simple a layout: aside from the expected ground lug and SO-239 connectors, there are connectors for DC input, an auxillary 13.8V DC output, TWO 1/8" key plugs -- one for a straight key, one for a set of iambic paddles, and a mini-bat switch for calibrating the SWR function on the front-panel meter. More than half of the rear panel is made up of heat sink, with the remaining connectors and controls all located towards one end of the rear panel. OPERATION For as simple a rig as the Scout appears, it also operates the same way -- simple. The band modules slide in smoothly, yet have a snug fit. To remove a band module, each module has a small lever on the front to "pop" it loose from it's socket. Each module covers a 500-kHz segment, plus 50 kHz overshoot at each end of the band. To cover the entire 1-MHz portion of 10 meters, the 10-meter module has a small sliding switch that toggles between the 28.0-28.5 and the 28.5-29.0 segments. Once powered up, the rig demonstrates some audio hiss; in certain other rigs, I have associated this hiss with excessive RF gain. In this case, however, the hiss is audible only when the Jones filter is wide open. The audio that one hears is definitely affected by the Jones filter - when the filter is wide open, one tends to hear more highs in the audio, and as the filter is tightened, the audio becomes a very pleasant, mellow, almost broadcast-quality. In the CW mode, the filter can be cranked all the way down to 500 Hz, with no detectable ringing or attenuation of target signals. Needless to say, I am VERY impressed with this new filtering system. The mic gain is still something of a minor mystery to me; I can't seem to deliberately over-drive the audio. Like most other Ten-Tecs, the Scout uses an LED indicator for proper ALC adjustment - the LED lights up on audio peaks. I deliberately adjusted the mic gain so that the LED was constantly lit, and was told by other stations that the audio was not at all objection- able. With the mic gain properly adjusted, however, and using the optional 700C hand mic, I received glowing reports of truly high-fidelity audio; one station even remarked that the audio reminded him of the best audio from the days of AM! The 700C hand mic, by the way, while appearing clunky and cheap, is actually very light and solid, and demonstrates no pop or creak in the audio. Rather than a conventional VFO, the Scout uses a PTO (permeable-tuned- oscillator), using a large variable inductor. While I would not call the tuning knob stiff, it does require a small effort to turn it. I would con- sider this something of an advantage to a mobile rig, since it forces you to make deliberate tuning adjustments. The tuning is relatively slow and positive, both also mobile advantages. The knob turns smoothly, with no discernable backlash. The RIT gives a solid 3-kHz spread, 1.5 kHz on either side of the VFO frequency, and the variances are reflected in the large LED display. The display is also used to indicate the iambic keyer speed, when the mini-bat switch is activated. The keyer operates from 5-50 wpm, but will automatically default to 25 wpm, each time the rig is turned on. Keyer speed is actually controlled from the iambic paddles; while in the speed-display mode, if the dit paddle is struck, the speed increases, and in turn, decreases each time the dah paddle is hit. The optional noise blanker is of a standard type, focused primarily on ignition and pulse-type noise. Unlike many other factory noise blankers, however, the Scout's NB does not appear to be prone to incurring buckshotting of received signals, as is common in some other rigs. On the air, there is no mode-switching; simply hit the paddles if you want CW, or key the mic if you want SSB. The sideband selection is also automatic, dependant on the band you're operating; unfortunately, this does not allow for running the opposite sideband, but one can't have everything. In the CW mode, Ten-Tec's famous full (REAL) QSK is flawless and fast. No chirps or other anomolies can be heard while operating (sorry, I only took it to 42 wpm), and the keying and shaping are quite comparable to the Omni-V - smooth on both make and break, and steady in between. All in all, the rig has received nothing but compliments on the air, even though I went out of my way to deliberately elicit any negative comments from my transmitted signals. The most interesting part is that nobody even realized that I was running only 50 watts! As the rig comes out of the box, it is factory pre-set at 50 watts, but is externally accessble for adjustment down to the 5-watt area. There is a trick to this, however; when Ten-Tec was field-testing the Scout, they found that the tune mode could cause fuses to blow. So before shipping, they re-configured the rig so that the output in the tune mode was limited. In making this change, however, they restricted the amount of adjustment possible for operating power output. Ten-Tec has promised to put out a mods sheet for moving a jumper to defeat this restric- tion. MISCELLANEOUS COMMENTS The fit and finish of the rig is on a par with virtually all the other manufacturers, providing clean lines and a tight fit. Ten-Tec is still using the heavy glass-epoxy boards in their construction; most of the rig is built on a single, large board, with several smaller sub-assemblies (NB, etc.) mounted in areas set aside especially for such mounting. The interior of the rig still has lots of room in it, presumably to allow for owner servicing or modification, both of which Ten-Tec still highly encourages. The manual is very complete, including operating instructions, service instructions, and even schematic diagrams of the plug-in band modules. There is even a list of connectors, giving the Radio Shack stock numbers! Ten-Tec has always had an outstanding reputation for customer service and support, and this is also borne out by inclusion of fax and modem phone numbers in the owners' manual. Ten-Tec also offers a line of optional accessories, including a mobile mounting bracket, a 200-watt antenna tuner, and a weighted iambic paddle. SUMMARY While this report is somewhat UN-technical, I personally don't feel that bench tests mean a whole lot. I prefer instead to see just what the rig does and sounds like on the air. And quite frankly I'm impressed with the Scout. I expected a bare-bones rig, and instead, got a radio that I'm going to have a lot of fun with for a long, long time. Would I change anything on this rig? Maybe. I think I would actually prefer a separate RF gain control, independant of the other controls and functions; I find this feature useful in even the most sophisticated radios. And I would prefer to see the Scout use 1/4" CW jacks, just to facilitate some standardization and swapping around of keys and paddles. But for the price, I can't honestly think of another single thing I would change. While this review has been centered solely on the 50-watt version of the Scout, Ten-Tec says that they will be producing QRP version, rated from 5 watts down. I look forward to hearing this rig on the air. I really think Ten-Tec is going to get a LOT of attention in the next year. And for all the right reasons. GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS MODEL: 555 Scout PRICE: $495, plus shipping FREQUENCY RANGE: All ham bands, 160-10 (28.0-29.0) meters DISPLAY: 4-digit, 100 Hz resolution, .56" LED FREQUENCY CONTROL: Permaeability-Tuned-Oscillator (PTO), mixed with a crystal oscillator for each band. POWER REQUIRED: 12-14 VDC,600 mA receive, 10 A transmit @ 50 watts out; 4.5 A @ 5 watts out DIMENSTIONS: HWD: 2.5" x 7.25" x 9.75" WEIGHT: 5 lbs., 3 oz. RF OUTPUT: 50 watts, factory set, ALC controlled; 15 watts nominal in TUNE T/R SWITCHING: PTT on SSB; QSK on CW IAMBIC KEYER: 1-50 wpm; Curtis type B, 15% fixed weighting CARRIER SUPPRESION: -45 dB typical UNWANTED SIDEBAND: -45 dB typical @ 1.5 kHz tone THIRD ORDER INTERMOD: 30 dB below two tone @ 50 watts PEP SENSITIVITY: .35 uV typical for 10 dB @ 2.5 kHz bandwidth SELECTIVITY: "Jones" 9-pole xtal filter, front panel adjustable, 500 Hz to 2.5 kHz DYBNAMIC RANGE: 85 dB @ 2.5 kHz bandwidth, at 20-kHz spacing THIRD-ORDER INTERCEPT: +1 dbm NOISE FLOOR: -126 dbm typical I-F FREQUENCY: 6.144 MHz AUDIO: 1 watt @ 4 ohms with less than 2% distortion This arrived too late for the 2nd issue of QRPp, but will certainly be printed in the 3rd issue. My thanks to Mike for an outstanding job! 72, Doug ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 19 Aug 93 07:45:07 EDT From: Greg Buhyoff Subject: Echo of review of Ten Tec Scout To: qrp@Think.COM I would just like to echo exactly the review comments of the Ten Tec Scout provided in the message from Doug Hendricks. I have now used mine intensively for almost three weeks and it is an outstanding radio. I cannot criticize anything but the minor items noted in the review. The receiver is excellent and it is a joy on CW. It held it's own in the contest last weekend as I hunted and pounced for kicks. I used it portable and used a 7 amp/hr gell cell with no problems of clicks or chirps. I also have received glowing audio reports on ssb. I consider the radio an absolute bargain for the money. Am I pleased with it -- that should be obvious -- Would I buy another? -- You bet. 73 Greg Buhyoff KN4FR -- Buhyoff@vtvm1.cc.vt.edu ====================================================================== From: "William (W.D.) Redfearn" Sender: "William (W.D.) Redfearn" Message-Id: <"7530 Wed Oct 6 13:21:53 1993"@nt.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: TEN-TEC Scout Review (long) TEN-TEC 555 Scout review Basic Description The Scout is single conversion SSB/CW transceiver. Power output is 50 Watts (adjustable). Plug in modules allow coverage of all the amateur bands from 160 - 10 meters. Only one band module is installed at a time. The band modules are installed into a slot in the front of the radio and can be changed while the radio is on. The Scout features: 4 digit frequency display, Power/SWR meter, Permeability tuned oscillator (PTO), RIT, Jones crystal filter (variable from 5 Hz to 2.4 Khz), Full break keying on CW, 750 Hz CW sidetone, Curtis type B iambic keyer, and a Frequency Lock System. The Scout is 2.5" X 7.25" X 9.75" and weighs about 5 lbs. It requires 12-14 VDC; 600 ma receive, 10 A transmit @ 50 watts out, 4.5 A transmit @ 5 watts out. Included with the Scout are: one band module (your choice), Operator's manual, DC power cable with fuse, mike and paddle connectors, and an Allen wrench. The Operator's manual lists these optional accessories for the Scout: Band modules for 160 - 10 meters, Dummy load, 200 watt antenna tuner, Mobile mount, Noise blanker, Key paddle, Handheld mike, Desk mike, AC power Supply, Mike connector, DC adaptor, and DC connector. Review I purchased my Scout with the following options: Noise blanker and band modules for 80, 40 30, 20, and 17 meters. The 20 meter module was bad and was sent back for a replacement. The tuning rate is about 20 KHz per turn. The radio operates normal SSB and CW, no opposite sideband. There is no RF gain or RF attenuator control. The RIT is switchable and covers about +/- 1 KHz. The AGC time constant seems to favor the SSB signals. The Jones crystal filter seems to work well. The front panel IF BW control allows continuous adjustment from wide (2.4 KHz) to narrow (500 Hz). There is more than enough audio output. I run the volume about 1/4 turn open (9 o'clock). There is no attenuation on the headphone jack so the audio can get very loud, very quickly. The band modules are easy to change, just pull out the old one and push in the new one. From the factory, the transmitter puts out 50 watts. There is a power adjustment (accessible through the bottom cover) to set the ALC level. I set min for 4.5 watts out. The QSK seems smooth. The keyer works well. It defaults to 25 wpm and is reset when the power is turned on. A front panel switch lets you display the keyer speed and adjust it using the paddles, pressing the dit paddle increases and pressing the dah paddle decreases the speed. The transmit sidetone frequency is about 750 Hz and the sidetone level is adjustable (accessible through the bottom cover). I have gotten good audio reports on SSB. The manual says the mike can be 200 - 500,000 ohms impedance and there is a front panel mike gain control to set the level. The FWD/REV switch for the SWR/power bridge is on the back and the levels are set for a 50 watt signal. The Scout requires a 12-14 Vdc 10 Amp power source. On my Scout (@ 13.5 Vdc), RX current was 450 Ma, 4.5 watts TX @ 4.5 Amps, 50 watts TX @ about 10 Amps. This seems about normal for the newer rigs. The TEN-TEC Delta II and Kenwood TS-50S require about the same current for the same power output levels. Problem areas The first 20 meter module had a problem in the TX bandpass filter and was replaced. With the Jones filter in the narrow position, I had trouble tuning in weaker signals (S3 - S5) at the 750 Hz offset. The transmit offset is 750 Hz and sidetone oscillator is 750 Hz so I expected to be able to tune in a CW signal at Hz. The Jones filter seems to be peaking low, from my best measurements the filt seems to peak around 400 Hz and the -3db points are 76 Hz and 666 Hz. This gives a filter bandwidth of 590 Hz and 750 Hz is way down on the skirt. I returned the Scout for alignment, but after receiving it, TEN-TEC says that it meets their sp for the filter even though it obviously will not pass a 750 Hz tone. When I got Scout back, I found I could adjust the BFO frequency to get the 750 Hz tone though but that messed up the frequency response for a SSB signal when the filter was in the wide position. I re-set the BFO, padded the sidetone oscillato 600 HZ, and re-set the TX offset to 600 HZ. Now I can tune a CW signal at a 600 Hz tone, the TX offset is 600 Hz, and the sidetone is 600 Hz. There is no attenuation for the headphone jack. With phones on, the volume adjustment is touchy, it is easy to get too much volume. If the sidetone level is set for comfortable phone operation, it is too low for speaker use. If sidetone is set for speaker use, it is much too loud on the headphones. An attenuator pad could be built into the headphone plug but I use my headphones on several different rigs. I installed a 120 ohm resistor on the rear of the headphone jack, in series with the jack. That evened the audio out quite a bit, now one sidetone setting works for both phones and speaker. The manual does not provide very detailed technical information. The schematics are almost too small to read. There are pictures of the circuit board but no parts layout pictorials. There are no overall pictures of the rig showing circuit board mounting or front and rear panel layouts. There are no instruction for dis-assembling the radio. Conclusion The Scout seems to be a good basic SSB/CW HF rig. It is inexpensive for a new rig but still has some nice features. 50 watts is enough power to make lots of contacts and I've been having good success with mine set to 4.5 watts. The receiver seems to hear everything that my Paragon can. Generally, the Scout operates a lot like the Argosy 525D but at half the size. Even with the glitches I found on mine, I would recommend the Scout to a new ham looking for a starter rig or an experienced op looking for a second rig. Disclaimer: I am not employed or compensated by TEN-TEC, I am just a customer. 73 - Dave, N4ELM. ==================================================================== Dave Redfearn, SR PC LAN Analyst Northern Telecom RTP, NC. ph.(919) 992-3925 email: cmwdr01@nt.com qrl? de N4ELM/qrp All opinions are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer, co-workers or any other person, real or imaginary.