Latest project is a Ten Tec Model 540 from ~1976 time frame.
This rig has been an amazement for me. Until about 2001, I had owned only tube type radios. In 2001, I bought my first solid state radio (A Yaesu FT-840) It was a good performer, with plain and simple control layout and a fairly compact profile.

But, this Ten Tec 540 (Triton) has a receiver that is every bit as good, crisp output, and a great narrow-band cw filter. It is just a joy to operate.



The only drawbacks are:

  • The case is a little on the flimsy side.
  • The analog readout is not accurate to better than a kilohertz or so, and must be recalibrated fairly often.

Another thing on the plus side of the ledger is that the rig has mostly discrete transistor circuitry. (I can buy most of the parts at the local radio shack! No "one of a kind" ASICS to replace at astronomical prices (if you can get them!

) You can see the analog "fine" readout. (A serious misnomer)

It is friction fit, so that you can adjust it. Of course, over time it adjust itself (hi hi)