Tommy WD4K among other stuff writes:
> But, in their defense, they are having fun
> with their equipment which is great, however this Orion factless testing is
> very obviously designed to bias the opinions of the general ham community
> and affect someone's buying decision and financial investment which I
> personally believe is over the line. IF it was based on fact, fine...but it
> isn't. Hopefully it won't be too long before we, including yours truly, will
> get to see the real numbers and hear the opinions of real lab tests. Until
> then, I have to look at the opinions of all of these wobbly knobbers with
> real skepticism. Maybe their wives found out how much they spent and they
> have to have a "reason" to send back the radio to save face:) HI Who
> knows??
What you call "factless testing" is a practical test by one of the top hams
in low band "business" looking for particular feature of the receivers -
ability to discriminate S/N in real life situation and ability to dig out weak
signals. He described the testing method and he does it in A/B tests with other
radios to eliminate other variables. He is looking for THAT particular feature,
which is very important in weak signal reception on 160 and 10m as two extremes
in the range of HF bands (VHFers know this and strive for it). Those who know
the "joys" of operating on 160 and are serious contesters and DXers, know
what we are talking about. Those who are ignorant would fire ignorant remarks.
K6SE did not "evaluate" radio as such, with all it's bells and whistles and
made
recommendation to the ham buying public, he looked at one particular aspect
that is important to him and others involved in weak signal reception. He
purposely avoided to post his findings to this reflector, knowing how this
chorus
of believers sings (and here we come).
I am very grateful for his work and ranking of rigs, because this aspect is
very important to me also. It also made me think what could be the cause of
other rigs/designs to be deficient in that aspect. Without doing proper tests
and
measurements, I can only speculate that most likely it has to do with the
internal noise floor of the first active device or next mixer. Working way back
with "sharp" tubes like 6EJ7 and 6EH7 I know that that situation can be
improved over run of the mill 6BE6 etc. Time permitting, I will try to emulate
the
K6SE tests here and subject pile of radios that I have here to this type of
test.
In the normal word (like car racing), manufacturers appreciate the work and
suggestions for improvement especially from the competitive and knowledgeable
users (drivers). In ham radio world, "they" know the best and don't need "no
stinkin' smart alec" comments from hams and you get what is out there. I
offered
my help to few manufacturers, but they were not interested. So I go buy used
radios and modify them and stay half happy still waiting for that ultimate
rig. Orion would be the exception, buying new rig, thanks to 30 day return
policy.
Compliments to TenTec for nice job of designing rig with crush proof front
end (as I read comments) and some nice and useful features. But if you all sing
that emperor has nice clothes, then you would look like you know who.
ARRL lab tests? They are nice, but did they test and report on horrible
clixes, or close spaced overload problems? Nyet! You could be user one of those
clixing garbage trucks and be "happy" (nice radio), but when you fire up with
kW
in crowded contest band (highway), there are bunch of guys that hate you, your
call sign, your radio, your momma.... (who are we to tell you that? ARRL lab
said it's OK right?)
The point is that work of some of those, who know thing or two should be
considered, evaluated and maybe even appreciated. That goes double for
manufacturers, they can only gain. Instead of packing 200 memories and 300
menus in a
rig, they should pay closer attention to real performance and features that are
in demand.
I am still waiting for a call or email, from some manufacturers saying: what
you think? Can we improve or implement this or that in our design? There are
still few left who are top notch contesters, engineers and designers who can
help in the quest for that ultimate mother of all rigs.
Contests are won not by working just those loud stations that everyone can
work, but also working those that others can't hear. That's where K6SE
"discovery" comes handy and is welcomed by those who know. Thanks again Earl!
Yuri, K3BU, VE3BMV, VE1BY etc.
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