Red Wave Radio

I've read many postings and the online reviews about the Ten-Tec RX-320.

However, I've not seen comments (positive or negative) about the receiver
when used for very demanding DXing (i.e. foreign mediumwave or tough
tropical band targets).

Has anyone tried this receiver on a DXpedition? I've experienced what a
Dymek DR-333 receiver ("black box" PC-controlled non-DSP rig) can do on the
good end of a Beverage, but how about the RX-320? Images all over the place,
or...?

The DR-333 does a creditable job, especially in the hands of mediumwave DXer
Nick Hall-Patch of Victoria, BC Canada. He's written some impressive
software that causes the DR-333 to mathematically reduce the effects of
10-kHz domestics when scanning for trans-Pacific mediumwave splits. It was a
great signal-finding tool during this summer's "1999 Grayland Beach
DXpedition" in Washington State. His software ran unattended on a DR-333 and
the results of "hits" were displayed on a notebook PC.

I mention the DR-333 because it is perhaps (??) similar in construction and
performance to the RX-320, except for the latter's DSP I.F. filtering.

I've owned Drake, JRC, Lowe, ICOM, and AOR communications receivers before,
and I'm familiar with what they can accomplish on foreign MW and tropical
band DX. The current rig here is a Yaesu FT-920, with upgraded, cascaded
crystal filters from International Radio Co. in Oregon USA. It performs
admirably and has some unique features for DXing. However, I'm curious if
anyone has really *pushed* the RX-320 for DXing, especially with Beverage
antennas? I'm getting the itch for the proverbial "backup" receiver, and the
little Ten-Tec appears to have a high value-to-price ratio.

I don't expect the RX-320 to dig out every signal that my FT-920 can, but if
it hears as well 75% of the time, I'm tempted...

So... please respond if you have tried any down-and-dirty DXing with the
RX-320, particularly in a DXpedition situation. Also, if you have experience
with Ten-Tec's new Pegasus transceiver, please share your comments; I
suspect its receiver is the same as the RX-320.

Thanks!
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Guy Atkins
Bonney Lake, WA USA

http://surf.to/grayland99  Grayland WA DXpedition logs/photos/audio
http://www.wm7d.net/hamradio/ft920/comments/swlreview.html   Review: FT-920
as a SWBC DX Rcvr.

Quote:>Hello All:

>I've read many postings and the online reviews about the Ten-Tec RX-320.

>However, I've not seen comments (positive or negative) about the receiver
>when used for very demanding DXing (i.e. foreign mediumwave or tough
>tropical band targets).

The RX-320's  not very impressive for BCB and below, and forget
about using the supplied whip for any sort of DXing. This radio's
quiet front-end fairly  begs for a big, quiiet  outdoor antenna to be
connected to it.  Luckily at my location, I can do just that, and the
results have been impressive.

With a 90' T2FD antenna in my backyard I was
able to hear *three* outlets of ABC (Australian Broadcasting Company
ABC, not the Corporate Mouse ABC!) starting at 2.390 Mhz or
thereabouts just fine on the RX-320.  These are difficult signals,
because of the frequency, and the RX-320 did more or less as well
jas the Kenwood 570 did during a little informal A/B testing one
pre-sunrise morning. (The Kenwood did a lot better on SSB, and
pulling out extremely weak signals using the DSP controls, but
this is only noticeable with a very marginal signal.)

Same with NBC Port Moresby on 4.890 Mhz.  Nice, strong signal,
good signal-to-noise ratio on the 320, maybe a tad better on the
Kenwood, but not enough to strongly prefer one over the other.

So, it's a near-DX machine for $300.  Next step up is closer to $1000!

Just my thoughts.

-- Ross