The Omni series debuted with models A and D (“A“nalog and “D“igital readouts) in 1979. Modifcatons for additional filtering and the WARC bands led to the offering of the series B and series C models in the early 1980’s. Featuring a low-noise ham bands only receiver and our famous QSK, this rig would provide the genesis for the modern Omni transceivers and eventually the Orion and Orion II. 1979, $1099.

Mobile on HF — the Delta 580 would be a complement to the Omni series in a slightly smaller package with stripped down features. Comparably priced to the Omni series, this rig was released in 1980 and continued in production through 1984. 1980, $1199.

Ten-Tec’s one and only handheld transceiver for 2 meters was introduced in 1982. Digital readout, DTMF keypad, 2.5 watts output power. This same transceiver would be released simultaneously as an AM VHF aircraft band handheld, model TT920. 1982, $219.

The Omni A and D series would eventually be replaced by the original Corsair, released in 1983. This 100 watt HF ham bands only transceiver featured a 2.4 kHz roofing filter, WARC band coverage and topped the ARRL Lab product reviews for receiver performance in its’ day. 1983, $1199.

The FCC changed the amateur power output limit from 1000 watts DC input to 1500 watts output in 1985. Ten-Tec introduced our first amplifier to take advantage of the new power rules, the Titan 425. Featuring a pair of Eimac 3CX800A7’s and a separate power supply and RF deck construction, this amp would remain in Ten-Tec’s line with cosmetic changes until 1997. 1985, $2800.

The Omni made its return in 1988 with the release of the Omni-V. This and the Paragon would be the first two Ten-Tec rigs to use PLL technology, replacing the PTO used for main tuning in Ten-Tec rigs going back to the mid 1970’s. Crystal mixing for each ham band with the PLL gave very low phase noise performance and continued Ten-Tec’s long tradition of quiet, dynamic receivers. This receiver with minor modifications would become the heart of the later Omni-VI and Omni-VI rigs. 1988, $1845.

Paragon: Ten-Tec’s first general coverage HF transceiver. 100 watts, blue flouroscope display that included the ability to add alphanumeric tags to frequency information, a first for HF Amateur Radio transceivers. 1988, $2095.