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| Reviews Summary for Ten-Tec 1253 9-Band SW Receiver (Regenerative) |
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Reviews: 3
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Average rating: 4.0/5
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MSRP: $69.00
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Description: The classic "first radio kit" is back better than ever! We've combined the very same audio output circuit of Ten-Tec transceivers with a modern FET design
for classic regenerative SWL receiving plus one-button electronic band switching. The result is an easy-to-build shortwave radio that's fun and interesting for the whole family. No alignment required! Simply install all parts as directed, put together the high quality mechanical parts and start enjoying the magic of shortwave radio. Explore 9 smooth tuning SWL and ham bands from 1.8 to 22 MHz at the push of a button! Receives AM, SSB and CW.
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More info: http://www.tentec.com/rcvrkit.htm
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You can
write your own review of the Ten-Tec 1253 9-Band SW Receiver (Regenerative).
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NZ5L
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Rating: 4/5
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Feb 28, 2002 16:02
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surprisng
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I bought this kit as a project and didn't count on it being either very stable or sensitive. I was pleasantly surprised - it has excellent sensitivity and reasonable stability, particularly on the lower frequency bands. It is usable as a serious receiver on 160 and 80 Meters, and provides reasonably good shortwave broadcast reception on the upper bands. With no AGC, it is susceptable to strong signal overload from some super-power shortwave broadcasters (but, to be fair, I used the high sensitivity option for improved weak signal work). The interaction of the tuning and regeneration controls requires a little practice to master, but that's part of the charm of this little "retro" circuit radio. On 160, the performance on weak signals was quite gratifying, although selectivity is not exceptional. Overall, a really uasable and fun little kit, worth the bux and assembly time and effort.
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K9FTB
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Rating: 4/5
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Nov 15, 2001 21:45
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Enjoyable & Fun
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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AFter reading one other review, I decided to spend the $70 for this kit. Haven't built a kit since high school, so I was looking forward to both SWLing and the kit building.
The instructions were clear and understandable. I had to use my imagination in a few places to be sure I understood what the step was saying but all went ok in the end.
I liked to concept of work a little and test....work a little more and test.....etc. etc. This strategy caught a soldering error I made and resolved it because it had narrowed the area of suspicion down significantly.
It took me about 3 nights and 6 glasses of wine to complete and test. I also decided to install a modification before completing final assembly (outboard power cord).
The radio worked on the first try and I've enjoyed it very much. My first superregen experience - very sensitive, especially with a multiband dipole connected. Lots of SWL DX and SSB / CW. Tuning is a bit sensitive, but I'm surprised at the clarity. The oscilator is reasonably stable, even when tapping the box. Without an HF receiver to listen for the LO, I'm not sure how you'd ever determine the freq. your listening to, unless it was announced during a broadcast.
Operates on 12Vdc or 8 C cells. Would be good for emergencies I believe. Strong enclosure and good quality parts and PCB.
I'd buy it again for the receiver and the kit building experience. The directions are not Heathkit quality (almost zero illustrations, but the few that were there are ok).
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MSHIVES
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Rating: 4/5
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Jun 14, 2001 18:19
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Another Top Quality Kit!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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**Kit***
Excellent kit from Ten-Tec for beginner/intermediate kit builders. May require an "Elmer" for some beginners. Well written instructions for construction and testing broken down into 7 phases with testing between each phase. Each phase done in logical order with explanations of which part of the radio or circuit being built.
Excellent "user" instructions on how to use a regenerative SWL radio.
Took about 3 days to build using only 2 hours each evening.
***Radio***
Very sensitive radio across all bands (160, 80/75, 49, 41/40, 31/30, 29, 21/20, 15, and 13). Once I got the feel of using the fine-tuning, RF Gain, and Regen controls I was able to "pull-out" some really distant and faint signals when using a 25 foot long wire antenna. A good ground is suggested. Able to tune in AM, CW, and SSB. Uses 12v from 8 internally mounted C batteries or an external power supply (connection provded). I use an old computer power supply (clean DC) tapping off of the 12v (yellow/black) feed. Internal speaker and 1/4' headphone jack (stereo).
***Negatives***
Audio is very strong but a bit noisey. Too much hiss even when the regen control is adjusted to its minimum setting. External audio filter is suggested for serious listeners.
***Summary***
Excellent kit, Super valued SWL reciever, Excellent beginner SWL receiver and would even suggest it for the intermediate listener as an alternate radio to use.
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