I am a TenTec fan ... but for the life of me I can't figure out what segment of the low powered market this product is aimed at?

The power requirements for the new TT-516 are hefty enough that you probably won't run it on battery (for long). So I don't think it will compete with the many battery powered "take it on the road" QRP rigs.

I don't really follow the logic of buying a low-powered rig for home use, unless of course you are building one from a kit (like the K2).

If you aren't going to build one, then why not consider a used 100W rig that can be adjusted down to QRP levels? A used Kenwood TS-570D can be found for under $800 these days. It works well at 5 watts and you can always turn it up if you like.

If you want to buy TenTec you can spend $90 more than the new Argonaut and get a brand new Pegasus. Again, a 100W rig that can be turned down to QRP levels. Used Jupiters are going for under $900 these days and they can be turned down to 5 watts.

So my question, is why buy the Argonaut V?

Unless of course the goal is to simply collect one of every rig that TenTec makes...and that is not a bad goal for a collector. But does the new TT-516 make sense for a QRP operator?

72 de Jeff