Note
QST, Oct 1975, p. 127.
QST, Mar 1976, p. 90.
QST, Sep 1976, p. 149. (list of accessories)
QST, Mar 1977, p. 97.
QST, Oct 1977, p. 103. (544 available)
QST, Apr 1980, p. 176.
540 – analog display, $699.00.
544 – digital display, $869.00.
The analog dial version of the Triton IV was also known as the Model 540. During production, the Triton IV name was dropped in favor of the model number on the front panel. The solid-state transceiver had an output power of 100 watts. The broad-banded transmitter required no tuning. The receiver was peaked to frequency with its resonate control. The 540 covered 80-10 meters, with the 10 meter band divided into four 500 kHz segments.
All-transistorized (solid-state) CW and SSB HF transceiver. Borrowing design cues from Ten-Tec's famous QRP Argonaut series, the Triton IV scales up the concept into a full-power, high-performance HF rig designed for both mobile/portable use and base station operation.
It weighs under 12 pounds and measures just over 12 inches wide, 4 inches high, and 10 inches deep, making it easily portable (fitting into a briefcase with accessories).
Features
– Power Rating: Features a broadband, no-tune solid-state RF power amplifier capable of 200 Watts input.
– No-Tune Operation: Does not require transmitter band-peaking or DIP/LOAD tuning.
– Power Amplifier Drive: Easily drives external linear amplifiers (such as the Heathkit SB-200) to full legal input.
– ALC & Protection: Front-panel adjustable ALC (Automatic Level Control) with an ALC LED indicator. When used with Ten-Tec’s AC power supply, it features automatic shutdown protection when operating into high-SWR loads.
– CW Full Break-In (QSK): True instant transmit-receive switching, allowing the operator to hear between words or individual Morse code characters.
– Selective Filtering: Features an 8-pole crystal filter, along with two selectable CW bandwidths when using an optional filter.
– Sideband & Tuning: Selectable sideband (USB/LSB), offset receiver tuning (RIT), and a sidetone monitor.
– Pulsed Crystal Calibrator: Built-in crystal calibrator that automatically attenuates incoming antenna signals when engaged.
– Noise Suppression: Built-in noise rejection capability suitable for ignition-prone mobile environments (with an optional external noise blanker available).
– SWR / S-Meter: Dual-purpose front-panel meter functions as an SWR indicator during transmit and an S-meter during receive.
Specifications
– Sensitivity: Less Than 0.3 uV for 10 dB signal-plus-noise-to-noise ratio.
– Selectivity: 8 pole lattice filter. 2.5 kHz bandwidth. 1.8 to 1 shape factor @ 6/60 dB.
– Intermediate Frequency: 9 MHz.
– Antenna Input: Low impedance, unbalanced.
– Audio Output: 1 watt @ 8 ohms with less than 2% distortion. Built-in speaker, external speaker/phones jack.
– Spurious Response: More than 50 dB down.
– Automatic Gain Control: For 100 dB change in input level, output changes less than 10 dB.
– Offset Tuning: Approximately 5 kHz, with pull-out defeat switch and indicator LED.
– Calibrator: 25 kHz crystal type. Pulsed tone.
– S-Meter: Automatically switched on when receiving.
– CW Filter: Optional accessory, Model 245. 150 Hz bandwidth centered at 750 Hz. Shape factor 7.2 to 1 @ 6/60 dB. Two selectable responses.
– DC Power Input: 200 watts.
– RF Power Output: Typically 85 to 100 watts.
– Output Impedance: 50-75 ohms, unbalanced.
– Microphone Input: High impedance crystal, ceramic, dynamic or transistorized.
– T/R Switching: Push-to-talk on SSB. Complete break-in on CW.
– CW Sidetone: Internally generated. Adjustable for level and pitch. Operates only in CW mode.
– SSB Generation: 9 MHz, 8 pole crystal lattice filter. Balanced modulator.
– Automatic Level Control: Amplified, with LED indicator. Adjustable from 200 watts input to approximately 75 watts input with front panel control.
– Meter: Indicates SWR on transmit.
– Carrier Suppression: 60 dB, minimum.
– Sideband Suppression: 60 dB, minimum, from a single tone output at 1 kHz.
Rear Panel
ANTENNA; POWER; MIC; AUDIO; SIDETONE; REC. ANT.; PTT; KEY; EXT. T/R; AUX 12 VDC; MUTE (normally open and normally closed); T/R-REC switch; ACCESSORIES socket.
– Pre-wired for Ten-Tec's external digital frequency readout accessory.
– Auxiliary power output connections for powering external VHF/UHF transverters.
– Muting and switching lines to interface with external linear power amplifiers or remote receivers.
Accessories available included a 160-meter converter and a remote VFO.
