[1000mp] Omni VI+ A/B Test Results

Mon, 23 Jun 2003 06:57:35 +0200

Hello Earl,

Thank you so much for this very interesting comparison!

If I lived near to you, you had to use my IC-756ProII, IC-7400 (= IC-746Pro)
and FT-1000D to compare.

E.g. the FT-1000D (manufactured in 1995) still has a remarkable sensitive
but very quiet receiver! However for CW I always use the Mark V (with Inrad
filters and Inrad IF-mod), mainly because of its excellent RF-monitor and
EDSP.

I used a TS-830S for a couple of months and was impressed too. Unfortunately
I never had the opportunity to listen to a K2.

Please keep us informed about your comparisons!

73, Hans Remeeus.
Ham Radio: PA1HR
www.remeeus.nl

Communication is about people, the rest is technology.

----- Original Message -----
From: <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>; <[email protected]>;
<[email protected]>; <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, June 22, 2003 9:39 PM
Subject: [1000mp] Omni VI+ A/B Test Results

> I've long wanted to check the Ten-Tec Omni VI+ for diggimg weak signals
> out of the noise.  I was able to finally talk a local ham (who is an avid
> Ten-Tec'er) who attends our daily coffee get-togethers into bringing his
> Omni VI+ over to my QTH to compare it with my FT-1000MP.  He has had the
> rig for four or five years since it was new.  He is not a DXer but he is
> a very active 100% CW ragchewer and a member of the FISTS club.  Today we
> sat down together and did the test.
>
> First we tried the weak signal on 160 meters.  When I switched from the
> MP to the Omni VI+, his jaw dropped a mile.  He tweaked everything he
> could on his radio to peak the signal as best as he could, but the MP was
> clearly much better.  Best results were obtained with the Omni VI+ when
> using the 250-Hz filter and the NR button turned on.
>
> Then we tried it on the 10 meters.  His jaw dropped even more.  The
> results on 10 meters were the same as on 160m.
>
> We also compared it with some CW signals on 20 meters with the same
> results.
>
> The MP, with either the 500 or 250-Hz filters selected and without the
> DSP filter and noise reduction easily won.
>
> His Omni VI+ has both the 500 and 250 Hz xtal filters.  Although the
> 250-Hz filter yielded slighty better results than the 500-Hz filter, I
> noticed that there was significant attenuation when the 250-Hz filter was
> selected.  This is the same as I noticed with my Orion.  The MP has no
> noticeable difference in attenuation when switching between the 500, 250
> and 125-Hz xtal filters.
>
> After the tests, we replaced his rig with my Elecraft K2 and compared it
> with the MP.  He looked at the little radio and said he was amazed that
> something that small seemed to work so well.
>
> My friend is now seriously considering buying a used FT-1000MP or an
> Elecraft K2.
>
> Here is the updated list of receivers checked so far at K6SE, in order
> from best to worst:
>
> 1)  Yaesu FT-1000MP (with INRAD mod)
> 1)  Elecraft K2 (tied for first place)
> 3)  Kenwood TS-830S
> 3)  Kenwood TS-870S (tied with the TS-830S)
> 5)  Yaesu FT-1000MP (without the INRAD mod)
> 6)  Yaesu FT-757
> 7)  Icom IC-775DSP
> 8)  Ten-Tec Omni VI+
> 9)  Icom IC-756
> 10) Ten-Tec Orion
>
> I've located a Yaesu FT-1000D and an Icom IC-746 PRO locally that I hope
> to test soon.  I'm still looking for an Icom 756 PRO II to test.
>
> 73, de Earl, K6SE
>