Ten-Tec 1254 Receiver by YS1RS Now Upgraded.wmv

Ten-Tec's Model 1254 is a general coverage AM and SSB superheterodyne receiver that comes in kit form.

The radio is exceptionally good as designed by Ten-Tec for the price range, but has limitations which are important to mention to all hams. One major problem is it only tunes in coarse 2.5 KHz steps when in SSB mode, and in 5 KHz steps in AM mode. These are not fine enough steps for practical usage when trying to receive transmissions on single side band and with narrow bandwidth like CW. It is supplied with a "clarifier" control to overcome this limitation but is not good enough in Ham Radio use but, for SW listening is OK..

This radio uses a processor called PIC. It is only factory programmed once and there is no way to update it.

This upgrade shown in my video, adds new features with minimal physical impact and no design changes to the existing radio.

New firmware to control the display, read from the existing keys and tuning encoder, new control for the radio's existing PLL used in the VCOs. The new upgrade allows the radio to be tuned in 100 KHz, 10 KHz, 9 KHz, 5 KHz, 2.5 KHz, 1.25 KHz, 1 KHz, 100 Hz, or 10 Hz steps.

More memories are available for frequently used channels, and the memory is maintained even when the radio is powered down. The radio's backup power was a 9 Volt battery that is no longer used.

A Windows PC can now control the radio using either a serial interface or USB connection through a Windows Control program. A new rear aluminum panel with a DB-9 RS-232 or a mini-B USB connector, and a line output jack comes with the upgrade.

The firmware on the upgraded processor can now be updated with new revisions. The firmware will also be upgraded over the optional computer control link in a near future.

- This info is based on the upgrade's author web page www.cholakian.com
- This upgrade is not endorsed by Ten-Tec in any way.
- The installation of this upgrade is under your sole responsibility.

Rob.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Ten Tec 1254 Upgraded RS
• Ten-Tec 1254
• SW Listening
• Ham Radio Receivers

[Robertosala1]

@NG9D The tuning with the upgrade improves a lot and is good enough for SSB phone and digital use. The tuning steps are: 100000 Hz, 10000 Hz, 9000 Hz, 5000 Hz, 2500 Hz, 1250 Hz, 1000 Hz, 100 Hz, 10 Hz.

Then you still have the "clarifier" option to "twickle" even further more.

For CW, is not good. it lacks the filtering required to isolate the desired signal down as a big pro rig would do.

Price for the basic upg is around $40 and for the USB option is around $90

There is also a RS-232 option.

[NG9D]

Nice demo Rob! Very useful improvement to that kit. I liked the looks of the Ten Tec kit, but haven't gotten one -- mainly due to the coarse tuning which I know would drive me nuts trying to tune CW or SSB. How much did the upgrade kit cost?