[OKDXA] TenTec Orion

[Bruce Burnette]

Kim,

Sorry to take so long getting back to you, I have been out of town.

The worst thing about the Orion is the learning curve. There are a bunch
of different settings available in this rig and it just takes a while to
figure out what works best. However, it does allow you to have 5
different user setting. You can set one for contest operating, SSB, CW
or whatever, then hit a button and all the presets come right up. Pretty
neat.

As a contest rig the biggest complaint I have is what happened to me
during the WPX SSB this year. I was operating 20 meters low power, ( I
must like pain) and could copy Europeans Q5, that were NOT moving my S
meter. Bad thing is that they could not hear me with 100 watts. Live and
learn.

I had some net people ask me to move because I was interfering with
them. I was 3 KCs away running 100 watts. I could not even hear them,
and most of those guys were running power!. Of course most of them also
have their noise blankers wide open, and can't figure out why they hear
other stations 3 KCs away. The receiver is just about bullet proof.

I don't operate much digital stuff, but I have on occasion, and it seems
to work fine. I have run PSK31 and RTTY on occasion.

I run CW at about 400 cycles, no ringing or problems at all.

It has 2 great big VFO knobs, one for each receiver. You can also set
different RIT, passband and notch setting independent of each receiver.
Really neat.

The Orion uses a set of buttons down the right side of the display for
most options, these work really well. After you pick a setting you
change the setting by using a multifunction knob. So one knobs changes
each setting.

The QSK is legendary..................

I was thinking about an Orion II, But after talking to Scott, W4PA at
Ten Tec, he said the only difference is the color display. I could not
justify $1200 difference for a color display.

Check with Ten Tec for a used Orion I, I don't think you will be sorry.

73
Bruce
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kim Elmore" <cw_de_n5op at sbcglobal.net>
To: "Discussion of OKDXA" <okdxa at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2006 9:55 PM
Subject: Re: [OKDXA] TenTec Orion


> Hi Bruce,
>
> Thanks! At some point, I'd like to replace my venerable, but
> long-in-the-tooth TS-930S and, since I fancy myself a CW afficiando,
> I've considered the Orion.  What did (or do) you like about it and
> what don't you like about it?  How is it as a contest rig? DX
> rig?  How about 'phone and the digital modes? I've herad that the rx
> is bullet-proof; how bullet-proof is it? And, how about the roofing
> filters?  I read some place that the narrowest may not be the
> best.  Lastly, how about overall ergonomics.  I've had a TS-930S (the
> same one) for over 20 years and am more-or-less familiar with some
> other Japanese rigs, but I've heard thatthe TenTec is completely
> different. What did you find?
>
> Enough questions? :)
>
> Kim Elmore, N5OP
>
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