Hi Gang,
I week ago I essentially asked the question, "Should I get rid of my Cubbie
and build a Sierra"?
Well, I recieved lots of very nice replies and here is a summary of the
results. Lots of guys own both and had very good things to say about both
rigs.
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Current wise (battery size), the Sierra consumes less current (2 watts
@ 12.5 VDC on most all of the bands, mileage may very), than the Ten-Tec
556. I don't have much of a problem pulling modules in and out of the
Sierra, the new ones have covers on them with 2 pull areas (tight). The
Sierra is very light weight, the better noise figure still resides with
the Ten-Tec, but just barely (checked with a HP Analyzer). You will spend
(if You are not into SSB) slightly over $300.00 for the 10 - 160 meters
(band modules) version of the Wilderness Sierra vs. over $600 (band
modules) for the 556. I like the patented Jones filter a bit better, in
the Ten-Tec, but You can get used to the variable BW of the Sierra. A dsp
filter would be an asset. All in all, I can hike into the wilderness,
with a Sierra, comfortably (2 watts) & a 4 amp-hr. battery. Nothing
against the Ten-Tec, but Wayne - N6KR has done a very fine job of
constantly improving the radio (KC-2) & numerous mods are published. I
have not seen a published list of mods, other than 2, for the Ten-Tec
555. I am sure that Ten-Tec will improve their designs in the future too.
The Ten-Tec 555/556 suffers from the uProcessor not completing the update
loop, above 28 wpm (cw). I have not hit that boundary with the PIC in the
KC-2. Each has pluses, but I like to have light weight gear, to carry up
the side of a Mountain, here in New Mexico.
Numerous mods & documentation are around for the Sierra. Stability
(freq.) is with the 556, but You don't take either xcvr into extreme
conditions. The Sierra, that I have, had gone together in 1 week & I was
not pushing it.
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I happen to own both rigs, so will venture at least a partial response.
To begin, let me say that I both of them equally. Let me also say that
I did not myself build either of them, meaning that they work [only] as
well as they were constructed.
Frankly, I use them interchangeably, depending on my whims (and
location, I guess). The TenTec is powerful, with a wonderful audio
section. The band modules are *much* easier to change--you don't have
to open a case, etc. And when I am using it I simply operate, almost as
if it is simply a natural extension of what I am trying to do. I always
chase the FOX with it. The quality of construction is flawless, and I
have always found TenTec a pleasures to deal with, since I first
purchased a PM-3a over thirty years ago!
I like its backlighted frequency display, but it adds at least 100ma
current drain (making it practically unavailable for portable use,
despite its fairly compact size andbullte-proof construction).
OTOH, I am equally thrilled with and intrigued by the Sierra, and will
*never* trade mine away. Some guy decided to sell his, in a moment of
indecision, I suspect. I have all modules for it, too. When I go
portable, I take it, along with its smaller brother, the Norcal 40a. It
is very quiet, easy to use, with extremely low current drain. Mine has
the builtin KC-2 keyer/digital display, so it is a real "cadillac"
compared to one with no KC-2 or even the KC-1.
Personally I cannot tell any significant difference between the two rigs
re sensitivity, and selectivity is adequate.
As I look back over the rambling notes above I realise that the ARGO is
my first choice for home QTH and convenience. And the Sierra is more
for portable use in my situation, though it could easily serve as a
main fixed QTH rig.
Perhaps if I had gotten the Sierra first, might have never looked at
the TenTec. But I am glad to own both!
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For what it's worth, I think you need to be comparing 3 radios--the Sierra,
the Argo, and the QRP++. I have all three, so I can give you my thoughts
in
hopes that it might be of some benefit to you.
First of all, let me say that I am an avid Ten-Tec man, and have been so
for
years. However, I think the Argo (and the Scout too) are not a
particularly
good buy. They are darn good radios, but overpriced in my opinion. By the
time you add the band modules for all the bands, the noise blanker, and the
mike, you have almost $900 bucks in the rig. That's really too much I think
for a radio you have to swap band modules in.
The QRP++ has generally the same features (but no noise blanker) with more
convenience for $200 bucks less. The QRP++ also provides general receiver
coverage, has a better variable filter, and works split! Admittedly the
QRP+
and QRP++ have gone through some problems, but I think most of the big
problems are solved now in the ++ and you get a damn fine radio for the
money. I could go into more detail, but I may not need to.
So where does the Sierra fit in? Well, first of all it's about than half
the
price (including the KC2) of an Argo. No SSB though, and I don't have 160
meter or 10 meter modules yet. I'm not sure I can make a really good case
for the Sierra over the QRP++ on a pure dollar/benefit basis, but there's
something really magical about the Sierra that makes it a "must have" in my
book.
The Sierra is a truly top notch performing radio, particularly considering
it's relative simplicity to construct. It's fun to operate (and
smooth--maybe not silky smooth, but smooth) and you will hear anything the
Argo or QRP++ can hear. Maybe more. It's still hard for me to believe
(after building all those old Heathkits for all those years) that you can
build something like the Sierra in two or three evenings that works so
well.
The feeling of accomplishment you get is really worth it.
The coup'de grace' in the Sierra is the addition of a KC2. Now you have a
homebuilt radio with some "gee whiz" add-ons that really work and are fun
to
talk about. The keyer is great, and the display is too.
So, in a nutshell, I guess the last radio I would get rid of is my Sierra.
But the QRP++ (and the Argo) have advanced features plus SSB which make
them
not really comparable. But if you want those type of features, get the
QRP++
and forget the Argo.
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-- Digital hiss: Sierra with digital readout none, 555 Scout -lots, its annoying > >pleasure to use ratioScout has SSB and 5W Sierra has CW only, has 1 to 2W max depending on band Scout has high current drain, Sierra is 30 mA on receive The Scout filtering sucks, yes its 500 Hz, but sounds like its 100 to 600 Hz freq response. I got booming interference from stations on the other side of zero beat. The sierra variable bandpass filter is better than on my $2100 TS-850. In fact I don't use my TS-850 anymore because of it. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----
BOTTOM LINE: Both are very good rigs. Backpacker have an easy choice, the Sierra. I drive my 4x4 to my /P operations so the current drain is not a consideration. For a home rig, the TT is a bit more convenient. And has SSB for those rare treks to insanity; BTW, where did I store the mic?
And lastly, it is clear that I should really be looking at the Index Labs rig. It has all the features and power of the TT. The current thriftyness of the Sierra, and split operations for snagging those DXpeditions. And let's not forget no band modules to pop in and out! For now I am keeping the TT. The 4x4 can surely handle the extra weight of the marine battery for those /P outings -:)
72, Mark N2VPK Member of the Buffalo QRP Connection
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