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[TenTec] New Orion Firmware

To: tentec@contesting.com
Subject: [TenTec] New Orion Firmware
From: Bill Tippett <btippett@alum.mit.edu>
Reply-to: tentec@contesting.com
Date: Thu, 20 May 2004 22:14:58 -0400
List-post: <mailto:tentec@contesting.com>
YT1NT:

> I agree that the radio still works
> in QSK, but of course you can adjust EXT T/R Delay so that the amp will
> still work in Semi-Breakin in case you forget to depress PTT.  As I recall,
> this is exactly how my MP worked.

>No, with both VOX and BREAKIN turned off,
MP will not switch to transmit on a key closure.
That's how it should be.

        You are correct...it's been over a year since I
used an MP.  I now remember I had to depress Vox to
activate BOTH Semi-Breakin and PTT simultaneously.


> Although my preferred mode was to > press my footswitch, Semi-breakin was there to "rescue" me in case I did > not depress it fast enough for the computer keying (I also use manual keying > in parallel with CT for contests).

>Footswitch & computer keying?
Why?  Most programs support PTT via COM/LPT.

        Yes, since not all my CW or Voice comes via the computer.
I use both an external keyer in addition to the computer's internal
keyer on CW as well as a microphone in addition to DVK on SSB.
I connect the computer PTT in parallel with my footswitch.  As
I said before, I like the combination of Semi-Breakin plus
PTT, which is exactly what Orion does now.  One way around
the Semi-Breakin would be to use a paddle input to the
computer and then all keying would be controlled via the
computer (but I personally don't like that for the cases
when computers sometimes lock-up).

5B4AGN:

>I hadn't noticed that the amp T/R line was being keyed as I didn't have
the amp on.  I've just checked and it is doing so, exactly as you
suggest.  I tried out this feature because it is new, not because I need
it as both my amps are QSK.  I have to say I am still puzzled.  I will
be interested to see what others have to say but it seems to me that QSK
continuing to operate in PTT mode is inappropriate.  Isn't the purpose
of PTT or MOX control is to ensure you can't transmit unintentionally?
I don't want to diminish what Ten Tec have achieved here but it does
seem they are only 80% there on the implementation of this.  A TX
inhibit is required to finish the job.

        I agree that Orion should not transmit unless PTT is enabled,
but it does not bother me the way it is now for the reasons I
explained.  BTW, I notice that Heil's new footswitch has dual
outputs, one for the Transceiver and one for the Amp (or whatever
else you are attempting to control).  This may actually be a better
solution which would absolutely remove any possible delay problems
through a transceiver.

>BTW does your RIT set on Fast now have that "dirty pot" feel?

        I never use the RIT/XIT knob on Orion.  For normal use I always
set A=B and operate in split mode so I can tune the BIG knob instead
of the little RIT one.  In contests, where I want to tune both VFO's
as receivers, I assign the Main RIT to a 302R so I can tune on my
run frequency with the BIG 302R knob and tune on another frequency
with VFO B's BIG knob.  BTW, I have never used RIT in over 20 years
with the TS-930S, FT-1000MP, Orion or K2, so you can see I hate
those tiny knobs for tuning my receiver.

        Actually my RIT/XIT knob is acting up now so I can't check it.
It works intermittently even though the 302R works perfectly, so
there may be a hardware problem with its encoder.  If it continues,
I'll definitely have Ten-Tec replace it before my warranty expires
in August 2005 (I have a 2 year warranty since I bought my Orion
with a Platinum Visa card which automatically doubles all warranties).

73, Bill W4ZV

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