Ten Tec Jupiter, IC-7200 or FT-950

[KO6WB]

Out of the numerous possibilities out there these are the three you're considering? Okay, the Ten Tec Jupiter is easy to operate and easy yo interface with anything in your shack. The FT-950 and IC-7200 are a bit more of a pain but not much.
The best idea so far is the one where you try each unit out and see which one fits your operating style. Getting a Jupiter together at the same time as the FT-950 and IC-7200 could be a problem though. If HRO in Phoenix has a used one in their store then you would do well. At the least they will have the FT-950 and IC-7200 so you can compare them one on one. You could also checkout some of the other offerings and perhaps make it even more difficult of a decision.
Hope you do well and have fun.
73
Gary

[N6MEJ]

I hope you are having great fun as you narrow your search. I agree with the other OP's who suggest trying the radios out if you can. By doing the research like you are and sitting at the bench with the radio(s), you can be better assured of buying the rig that will give you the most enjoyment.

I can't speak to the Ten Tec or the Icom, but I have the FT-950 and it is quite the radio. I've had mine about seven months now and I am still learning all of its nuances. It has an excellent receiver and a remarkable equalizer that will allow you to optimize your transmitted audio to any precise setting you like. I've not worked a great deal of CW with it as yet so I'll not comment. Yes, the radio has many menu driven features, some you will use more than others...and as you learn the workings of the radio you will find that you are again fine tuning a feature you didn't realize was available to you (I find new ways to use different features all of the time). As well, you will learn the menu quickly as you experiment with the FT-950 and use it on the air As others have stated, I too keep the reference book handy. I usually keep an enlarged digital copy of the manual open on my computer and regularly refer to it as well, less though as I learn the radio. You will find as you spend time with the radio that it is not at all difficult to use and that it is quite enjoyable as you put it through its paces working all those signals that you may have had difficulty with in the past. I likely drove the guys at HRO Denver crazy sitting at the bench playing with various radios until I narrowed to the FT-950.

Which ever radio you eventually choose, have fun.

73

N6MEJ/Jerry

[N0AZZ]

Yeah, try that. And if you do, make sure they've downloaded the latest software, as the Jupiter (and the other current TT rigs) are very much software defined. The D/Ls are free and only take about 30 seconds.

As is the Yaesu FT-950 and of those 3 you listed the 950 would be my choice for a base station plus 6m is hot and a band that I love this time of year. The IC-7200 is really a entry level rig and you see many of them only a few weeks old for sale hundreds less than what they paid for them and they for sale a lot longer if that tells you anything. From what I hear the receivers aren't that great either and the filtering leaves something to be desired.

If I was even considering a Ten Tec it might be there very basic entry level model now but with an excellent receiver the "Eagle". Many don't care for them after seeing them they are a step down from there regular lineup.

If you could operate all 3 of these radios side by side I'm almost certain that the 950 would be most operators choice for a base station. Features and build quality show up quickly in radios in all brands with use. The FT-950 has a better receiver than the FT-2000 IMHO and I owned 2 FT-2000 and have had several 950's on my bench to compare them is is a newer radio also.

[N0AZZ]

CW Personality can decode and also allow you to send code via a standard keyboard.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
<<<< STANDARD RADIO PERSONALITY >>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Ver 1.330 - Dec 15, 2010
Fixed bug that caused NR, AN, NB to crash the audio

Ver 1.320 - Nov 18, 2008
Fixed bug that caused NT to become disabled
Fixed bug that made LCD Reverse stop working (Blue Displays only)

Ver 1.310 - November 3, 2008
Fixed bug that caused loss of audio when NR, AN and NB were all on at the same time
Fixed bug that caused periodic serial communication drop-outs when in Pegasus mode.
Added MENU option to disable CW Keyboard.

Ver 1.30 - August 28, 2008
The version 1.29 firmware has been modified to support the new multiple-personality memory structure of the enhanced Jupiter
and to add support for the new Blue LCD screen.


<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
<<<< CW PERSONALITY >>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Ver 1.031 - Dec 15, 2010
Fixed bug that caused NR, AN, NB to crash teh audio

Version 1.03 Nov 18, 2008
Fixed bug that caused NR to be disabled

Version 1.02 Nov 3, 2008
Fixed bug that caused periodic serial communication drop-outs when in Pegasus mode.
Added MENU option to disable CW Keyboard.
Pegasus emulation support removed for CW personality

Version 1.01 - August 28, 2008
First production release of the CW personality

Boy they go years between updates Yaesu has many more than that last they had 17 for mine better every time and my K2/K3/P3 have several a month and always have.

[N0AZZ]

I have both the 7200 and the Ten Tec Jupiter. Jupiter is by far the easiest to navigate the menus and superb QSK. Ten Tec is the only one that has a 30 day return policy.
I purchase the 7200 for outdoors use, that hasn't happen. I can be persuaded to sell if interested. Comes with a new AH-4. See a photo on my QRZ. Fernando N2FQ/6

As my earlier statement those that do have them most are for sale they can answer best as to why but there are a lot of them and new sales are weak.

[K1FBI]

Yes, Ten Tec tries a little harder than the others to get things right the first time.
(If you like updates, anything Microsoft makes gets you plenty.)

Boy they go years between updates Yaesu has many more than that last they had 17 for mine better every time and my K2/K3/P3 have several a month and always have.

[WB2WIK]

Boy they go years between updates Yaesu has many more than that last they had 17 for mine better every time and my K2/K3/P3 have several a month and always have.

I don't consider frequent software updates a feature. It's usually a sign that the original S/W was loaded with bugs and they're slowly fixing them, one by one.

The Jupiter "base" software was developed for the Pegasus a long time ago and over the years it's become so bug-free that updates at this point shouldn't be required, at all.

[K1FBI]

I don't consider frequent software updates a feature. It's usually a sign that the original S/W was loaded with bugs and they're slowly fixing them, one by one.

The Jupiter "base" software was developed for the Pegasus a long time ago and over the years it's become so bug-free that updates at this point shouldn't be required, at all.

What he said!

[N0AZZ]

What he said!

No what it means is that don'i care enough about older rigs and seldom do any work to make them better pure and simple. It costs money to keep updates coming and adding new features all the time and overall improvement,,,,, Which they need at this time they are well behind the curve compared to the rest of the market. Many of there customers left them and moved to another US based company that does keep pace and a much better preformer Elecraft.

[K1FBI]

Originally Posted by K1FBI
What he said!

No what it means is that don'i care enough about older rigs and seldom do any work to make them better pure and simple. It costs money to keep updates coming and adding new features all the time and overall improvement,,,,, Which they need at this time they are well behind the curve compared to the rest of the market. Many of there customers left them and moved to another US based company that does keep pace and a much better preformer Elecraft.

Why would you single me out for agreeing with another poster? If you did not like what they posted, tell them. Since you did.....
Are you talking out your AZZ or just trying to be controversial? What is a preformer?

Maybe they will get it right on update 1,365....Example:

GM3WOJ	Rating: 4/5	Apr 2, 2012 11:04	Send this review to a friend
Good, but not perfect			Time owned: more than 12 months
I've waited 18 months before writing this review, having made 100000 QSOs in contests and on DXpeditions with my K3 purchased in Sept 2010. I've had to endure tirades on some reflectors from over-defensive Elecraft owners, for daring to point out some deficiencies of the K3. Let's be clear, the K3 is a great radio, but it is not perfect - what radio is ? Good points : 100% reliable, excellent front end performance, light-weight, lots of features, excellent after-sales service. K3MD Rating: 4/5 Nov 24, 2011 07:41 Send this review to a friend OK... not for me Time owned: more than 12 months Agree with Bruce, AB1KC. My main rig is an IC-7800. After doing a survey review of which is the best contest rig in NCJ, and finding the K3 was highly rated, I got one loaded. The rx is great. The setup and ergonomics of the knobs are not great. Had a 2.5 to 1 SWR on 6 meters for a year and did not know it from the SWR bridge on the K3... my IC-7800 showed me the antenna was resonant at 52.5 MHz immediately. Excellent rig, very popular the world over, but the ergonomics and dual-use buttons are not for me. Have suggested repackaging with easier buttons and knobs and a 200 watt model to the company owner. Thought I heard some IMD, but testing at the factory showed I was wrong. It did sound like IMD on receive. Sold the K3. Have owned K1, K2/100. Backup contest rigs for me are now the IC-7600 and IC-765 with INRAD roofing filter. Poor points : Disappointing pile-up performance under certain (commonly-experienced when on a DXpedition) pile-up conditions, lack of proper external amplifier switching (if you don't want to use QSK or VOX) AB1KC Rating: 4/5 Aug 30, 2011 10:02 Send this review to a friend Nice, not perfect for me Time owned: more than 12 months Elecraft K3 I owned my K3 for just over a year before I sold it. It is remarkable radio that obviously deserves the credit it gets for being wonderful. In the end it was not the radio for me and I’d like to discuss that here. I’ll begin with a simple list of things I liked and a list those that where less than great. The great: Company support including; Software upgrades Tech support Technological prowess I can “build it” Made in America The not so great: Sound quality. Control software/ menu set-up Physical size Display graphics Those knobs!