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[Specification]
[Reviews]
[Firmware]
[Software]
[Leaflet]
The JUPITER 538 is no ordinary HF
transceiver. The TEN-TEC team of active hams focused on one major design
objective. Organize all the outstanding JUPITER features on a front
panel that is simple and logical to use without the instruction manual
tied to your wrist. So many modern HF rigs fail miserably by this
measure. All of the major features are at your fingertips with a
dedicated control or from a clearly marked "shift" function.
Take a look at what the JUPITER brings
to your shack:
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34 IF-DSP receive filters. 25
choices from 1050-8000 Hz for voice modes and 9 more from 300 to 900
Hz for digital and CW mode. Of course, all receive filters are
selectable independent of mode - a TEN-TEC hallmark.
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18 different DSP-generated transmit
bandwidths from 900-3900 Hz are available for SSB to give your
transmit audio a well-rounded sound tailored to your voice
characteristics.
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Software is the heart of JUPITER
and its all stored in Flash ROM! This may be the last HF rig you ever
need to buy. We anticipate frequent addition of new features. You
simply visit our website, download the latest and its as if your rig
rolled off the production line a few minutes earlier.
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Spectrum Sweep gives you a snapshot
of the entire band in seconds! Find the pileups or scout for a clear
spot automatically without touching the tuning knob.
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Large, multi-function, LCD graphics
panel displays it all. Its almost like having a PC monitor built into
your rig. You see more on the screen than could ever be possible with
earlier alpha-numeric designs.
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Heavy duty internal automatic
antenna tuner available as optional equipment. Unlike our
competitors' transceivers, the internal tuner in the Jupiter is rated
to match up to a 10:1 SWR.
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The JUPITER covers all 9 HF amateur bands, plus
general coverage on receive. Look at this line-up of standard
features: Dual VFO’s with SPLIT mode, Passband tuning, Adjustable
AGC, Variable CW Offset with Auto-tracking Sidetone, RIT/XIT, 100%
duty cycle final so rugged it doesn’t require SWR foldback, and
TEN-TEC’s legendary silky-smooth QSK for CW and fast-switching
digital modes. The power of IF-DSP
makes JUPITER the best value today in an HF transceiver.
The JUPITER features an
easy-to-read LED-lit main panel display. All features and
functions of the transceiver are displayed on the main panel.
Above the main frequency display
are eight annunciators. Annunciators selected appear in
reverse highlighted text (as NR and VOX are in this picture).
To the immediate left of the main frequency readout are indicators
for AGC, mode, and VFO status (RxTx). When operating SPLIT
mode with the other VFO, the Tx status indicator drops down next
opposite VFO frequency display to indicate transmit frequency is on
the opposite VFO. Opposite VFO mode is also shown to the left
of the smaller frequency display. |
Immediately below the mode indicator
for the main VFO is the numeral "2850" - readout for receive
filtering bandwidth. The knob marked BANDWIDTH just to the left of
the display panel controls selection. There are 34 built-in receive
filters ranging from 300 to 8000 Hz. All filtering is selectable
independent of mode.
To the right of the "2850"
display is "PBT +0150". This is readout of tuning range
from centre for the passband tuning (PBT) control.
To the far right of the display is the
"10 Hz" indicator. This is step size for the main tuning
knob. There are seven selectable main tuning rates that can be
selected by pushing the STEP button on the front panel.
Just below the step size indicator is
the multi-function meter. In receive, the meter provides both bar
graph and digital readout of incoming signal strength (note the
"S2" on the meter). In transmit, the meter is selectable for
digital readout of either forward power or SWR.
Near the bottom of the screen is the
band sweep scope. The sweep scope is activated by pressing the SWEEP
button at the top of the radio. The radio will sweep across a given
range of frequencies, showing you where activity is present (or not
present!). The band sweep scope has eight user-selectable ranges
from 240 Hz to 2.4 MHz to show activity. There is a cursor bar (shown as
vertical dashed lines) on the sweep scope as well. This is main
tuning knob position. If you see a signal on the scope, you can turn
the knob to move the cursor to where the band activity is.
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Directly under the band sweep
scope is the multi function display indicator. The series of
buttons directly under the main display panel provide a variety of
functions that are controlled by the MULTI knob on the front panel.
Both slide rule and digital indicators are provided. Select
the appropriate button and then rotate the MULTI knob to adjust.
This is a display shot of the one
internal menu the JUPITER incorporates for selection of a variety of
transceiver values. Please note that all often-used functions
of the radio are NOT part of the menu system. Controls in the
menu system are ones that either need to only be adjusted
occasionally or are of the "set-and-forget" variety.
The menu is brought onto the screen by selecting MNU on the front
panel. Turn the main tuning knob to highlight a desired
selection in reverse text, then turn the MULTI knob to adjust the
parameter. Easy! |
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TX METER: Metering switchable in
transmit between SWR and forward power
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TRANSMITTER: Transmitter can be
disabled for RX-only use.
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TX FILTER B/W: 18 selectable DSP
transmit bandwidths for SSB from 900-3900 Hz
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KEYING LOOP: Full QSK keying loop
for keying true QSK linear amplifiers
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AUDIO SOURCE: Selectable to accept
audio from mic jack or rear panel ACC jack.
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EXT T/R DELAY: Adjustable delay for
keying of non-QSK linear amplifiers.
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SIDETONE FREQ: CW sidetone
frequency adjustable 0-1270 Hz in 10 Hz steps. CW offset automatically
tracks sidetone setting for easy zero beating.
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SPOT VOLUME: For zero-beating;
adjustable independent of main or sidetone volume controls.
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CW QSK DELAY: Adjustable for just
the "right" amount of QSK action. CW WEIGHTING: Adjustable
dit:dah weighting ratio.
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CW KEYER: turns internal keyer on
or off and allows acceptance of mono or stereo CW key connection
through KEY jack.
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AUTO SWEEP: Automatically
re-activates the band sweep feature for a new "look" at the
band when the main tuning knob is moved out of range of the original
sweep.
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SWEEP RANGE: 8 selectable ranges
from 240 Hz - 2.4 MHz allow small or large portions of the band to be
"seen" using the SWEEP feature.
The JUPITER is also capable of being
operated via a PC using the PEGASUS software from the TenTec USA web
site. When operating in this way, the front panel of the JUPITER
displays a graphic along with words 'PEGASUS EMULATION'.
| 538 |
JUPITER transceiver |
| 538AT |
JUPITER transceiver with internal auto
ATU |
Options:
• 302J optional remote keypad
/ encoder, colour matched
• 307C optional external speaker, colour matched
• 310 optional external cooling fan, attaches to the rear heat
sink
• 701 optional handheld microphone
• 706 optional desk stand microphone complete with cable
• 963PS switched mode mains power supply. 13.8V @ 25A
• 9924 Heil Studio-One microphone
Connecting
cables, stands or boom holders are sold separately.
• 9925 CC1 cable for Studio-One
• 9926 TB1 table stand for Studio-One microphone
Several customers have expressed interest in replacing the Jupiter knobs, the RX350 'knob-kit' is
available as an option priced at £ 20.00 inc VAT, carriage extra.
The optional 310 cooling fan is only required when the TX is at 100% power level for periods in excess of 15 to 20 minutes.
The optional internal ATU is capable
of impedances of up to 800 OHMS (VSWR 10:1), but some configurations may
of course prove to be very reactive and unworkable (short
verticals). The display is switchable between power output and VSWR
in TX mode.
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538
JUPITER SPECIFICATIONS
All specifications are typical (taken
from the manufacturers data, subject to change):
MARS - general coverage transmit:
The Jupiter transmit bandplan is given below. It is possible to swap-out the band data limits EPROM for
MARS (full coverage) at the point of order, this will provide TX from 1.6MHz to 30MHz. If specified at
the time of order, we would not charge for the MARS chip. If ordered at a later date, a nominal
charge of £10.00 would be applied. The chip is easily accessible and socketed, but TenTec
have used TORX screws on the cabinet...
Jupiter TX band edges - standard unit (note 5MHz is included):
- 1.796950 - 2.009450
- 3.496950 - 4.009450
- 5.32715 - 5.407150
- 6.996950 - 7.309450
- 10.096950 - 10.159450
- 13.996950 - 14.359450
- 18.064450 - 18.179450
- 20.996950 - 21.459450
- 24.886950 - 24.999450
- 27.996950 - 29.709450
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Jupiter video:
We have TWO videos, they are intended for loan to UK / Irish clubs on a two-week basis... we pay
outbound carriage and supply a return address label, the club pays the postage back. The tape is
NTSC format, but most modern video / combos in the last few years will support them on PAL
playback.
In the USA, the tape is sold for US$ 10 refundable on purchase of the Jupiter. Because of the
NTSC format, we are not planning to sell them in the UK. The video is in two parts, factory tour
followed by Jupiter demonstration.
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Firmware:
IF-DSP allows Flash ROM updating with the latest
features and functions - free! If new functions and features are added to
the JUPITER, simply visit the TenTec website, download the latest version
of the transceiver, connect your PC via a serial port cable to your
JUPITER
and broadly speaking, it’s as if your radio rolled off the assembly line
minutes earlier.
Check out the firmware
update page.
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Software:
If you want to experiment with computer
control, you can download the Jupiter Programmer's Reference Guide which
is available in PDF format (zipped).
You can download the Pegasus
software to operate the Jupiter.
There are several 3rd party software
packages for control of the Jupiter, these include:
RXPlus http://www.cam.org/~noelbou/RxPlus/
CallSign Software by Mike
Cobuccio WA1EYP http://www.callsignsoftware.com
N4PY Software http://www.ralabs.com/n4py/
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Independent reviews of the
538 JUPITER:
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