I would like to second Marty's comments. I had my 1000MP (fully filtered,
Inrad etc) set up 5 feet from the CW station and the CW was destroying it.
Both on 20M for instance, worst case. I decided to get the Orion back out of
the truck (more on this later) and just try it with nothing else changed.
Just switched it with the MP and... UN-BE-LIEVABLE. Where the MP was
saturated, the Orion would receive the CW clear and clean, no distortion
whatsoever when on the exact freq of the CW station; BUT, when I moved 4 or
5 Khz in either direction-GONE, but for a tiny click artifact. 5 Khz away on
the same band!! Just beyond belief. This is just one observation but very
impressive to me and the other ops at the table. This front end must be
wrapped in Kevlar.
Now, for the downside, The Orion had not been used since the WD4K CWWPX with
K0EJ as guest op. Plus 2k q's, not a glitch. When I turned it on, everything
works..almost-- BUT...it would not see the key or keyer. What to do? The
downside is I forgot, in the hectic moment to do a master reset, we wanted
to be on the air and certainly no time to read the manual so we canned it.
Thankfully my friend John, WB4QDA (Orion owner)and his xyl came to visit,
bearing his laptop with all the new downloads. He downloaded and then John
had the good sense that I didn't, and did the master reset after the
download---Bingo! Perfect. The Orion survived with no scratches and a whale
of a test under its belt and I thought it did great...However I could have
done a better job with it. When your radio is smarter than you are, well,
like the new Arnold movie I guess--the rise of the machines:) I wonder if I
keyed a "sry" to the Orion if it would understand...scary. 73, Tommy
-----Original Message-----
From: tentec-bounces@contesting.com
[mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com]On Behalf Of
tentec-request@contesting.com
Sent: Monday, June 30, 2003 11:01 AM
To: tentec@contesting.com
Subject: TenTec Digest, Vol 6, Issue 75
Send TenTec mailing list submissions to
tentec@contesting.com
To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
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When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
than "Re: Contents of TenTec digest..."
Today's Topics:
1. Need Corsair II knob! (Don Rasmussen)
2. Re: Need Corsair II knob! (Mike Hyder --N4NT--)
3. Re: Need Corsair II knob! (denton)
4. FS: TT #285 & #288 6.3 IF filters
5. Re: Need Corsair II knob!
6. 2A GA Omni A, Omni D at w4rrw (tongaloa)
7. Need help: Corsair II meter problem (Rob Atkinson, K5UJ)
8. Need help: Corsair II meter problem (Rob Atkinson, K5UJ)
9. Orion at field day (w.marty.ray)
10. Re: Orion Died? (John Sheeley)
11. Re: 2A GA Omni A, Omni D at w4rrw (Vern Kunes)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2003 20:38:32 -0700 (PDT)
From: Don Rasmussen <wb8yqj@yahoo.com>
To: tentec@contesting.com
Subject: [TenTec] Need Corsair II knob!
Message-ID: <20030630033832.75235.qmail@web12403.mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
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Message: 1
Hi Guys,
Can anyone tell me where I can find a single front
panel knob for the Corsair II mode control? It's the
same one used for the AF Gain, OFFSET, and most of the
other front panel controls. Any help on locating one
of these would be greatly appreciated.
73 es thanks,
Don Rasmussen WB8YQJ/6
Carlsbad, Ca.
__________________________________
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------------------------------
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2003 02:56:57 -0400
From: "Mike Hyder --N4NT--" <N4NT_Mike.Hyder@charter.net>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Need Corsair II knob!
Message-ID: <000a01c33ed4$cc332a80$02fea8c0@radiodesktop>
References: <20030630033832.75235.qmail@web12403.mail.yahoo.com>
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Message: 2
I've broken one or two knobs. The center tube that goes on the shaft broke
when I overtightened the setscrew. By putting a couple of book matches
between the tube and the outer part, I've been able to shore it up to
perform just like new (maybe even better).
73, Mike N4NT
----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Rasmussen" <wb8yqj@yahoo.com>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Sunday, June 29, 2003 11:38 PM
Subject: [TenTec] Need Corsair II knob!
> Hi Guys,
>
> Can anyone tell me where I can find a single front
> panel knob for the Corsair II mode control? It's the
> same one used for the AF Gain, OFFSET, and most of the
> other front panel controls. Any help on locating one
> of these would be greatly appreciated.
>
> 73 es thanks,
> Don Rasmussen WB8YQJ/6
> Carlsbad, Ca.
------------------------------
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2003 05:17:36 -0700
From: "denton" <denton@oregontrail.net>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Need Corsair II knob!
Message-ID: <000d01c33f01$97e99250$0200a8c0@dentonsp>
References: <20030630033832.75235.qmail@web12403.mail.yahoo.com>
<000a01c33ed4$cc332a80$02fea8c0@radiodesktop>
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Message: 3
The bandswitch on my Corsair II has a split in the center tube....try
putting a band of steel wire around the outside of the tube inside of the
knob. That works for me.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Hyder --N4NT--" <N4NT_Mike.Hyder@charter.net>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Sunday, June 29, 2003 11:56 PM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Need Corsair II knob!
> I've broken one or two knobs. The center tube that goes on the shaft
broke
> when I overtightened the setscrew. By putting a couple of book matches
> between the tube and the outer part, I've been able to shore it up to
> perform just like new (maybe even better).
>
> 73, Mike N4NT
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Don Rasmussen" <wb8yqj@yahoo.com>
> To: <tentec@contesting.com>
> Sent: Sunday, June 29, 2003 11:38 PM
> Subject: [TenTec] Need Corsair II knob!
>
>
> > Hi Guys,
> >
> > Can anyone tell me where I can find a single front
> > panel knob for the Corsair II mode control? It's the
> > same one used for the AF Gain, OFFSET, and most of the
> > other front panel controls. Any help on locating one
> > of these would be greatly appreciated.
> >
> > 73 es thanks,
> > Don Rasmussen WB8YQJ/6
> > Carlsbad, Ca.
>
> _______________________________________________
> TenTec mailing list
> TenTec@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
>
>
------------------------------
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2003 09:05:11 EDT
From: W1XV@cs.com
To: tentec@contesting.com
Subject: [TenTec] FS: TT #285 & #288 6.3 IF filters
Message-ID: <138.22045d8e.2c318f87@cs.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
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Message: 4
I am offering two Ten-tec filters at $65 each including shipping via USPS
Priority
mail.....#285 500Hz and #288 1.8kHz for the 6.3mHz IF. I'll sell the pair
for
$120.
If interested please drop me an email or call me in NH at 603-224-5737 no
later
than 0130Z. Tnx es 73 Brad W1XV
------------------------------
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2003 9:44:50 -0400
From: <nz7c@cox.net>
To: tentec@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Need Corsair II knob!
Message-ID: <20030630134453.TXRM18119.fed1mtao04.cox.net@smtp.west.cox.net>
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Message: 5
Don -
I recently got a complete set of knowbs from Ten tec for something like
$15 - including toggle switches - I suggest you give them a call. 73/Tim
NZ7C
============================================================
From: Don Rasmussen <wb8yqj@yahoo.com>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Date: 2003/06/29 Sun PM 11:38:32 EDT
To: tentec@contesting.com
Subject: [TenTec] Need Corsair II knob!
Hi Guys,
Can anyone tell me where I can find a single front
panel knob for the Corsair II mode control? It's the
same one used for the AF Gain, OFFSET, and most of the
other front panel controls. Any help on locating one
of these would be greatly appreciated.
73 es thanks,
Don Rasmussen WB8YQJ/6
Carlsbad, Ca.
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month!
http://sbc.yahoo.com
_______________________________________________
TenTec mailing list
TenTec@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
============================================================
------------------------------
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2003 10:02:11 -0400
From: tongaloa <tongaloa@alltel.net>
To: tentec@contesting.com
Subject: [TenTec] 2A GA Omni A, Omni D at w4rrw
Message-ID: <3F0042E3.80405@alltel.net>
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Message: 6
Stayed til about 2AM, too old for all night. OmniA 20/80 OmniD 40/15
probably should have swapped though as no filters in D made it a bit
of a chore copying on crowded 40m CW. I can't imagine anyone
working FD without QSK. Swapped out homebrew KW T net
tuner for the MFJ on 40 and man what a difference. Must have been losing
half
the output power heating up the MFJ innards.
-bob
ah7i/w4 op at w4rrw
------------------------------
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2003 14:04:06 +0000
From: "Rob Atkinson, K5UJ" <k5uj@hotmail.com>
To: tentec@contesting.com
Subject: [TenTec] Need help: Corsair II meter problem
Message-ID: <Law14-F99v8ppkufGBT00002e47@hotmail.com>
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Reply-To: tentec@contesting.com
Message: 7
Hi everyone:
I was operating my Corsair II in FD over the weekend (at home) & was
switching the front panel multimeter around to check forward power, swr and
Ic. I flipped the switch to Ic (was in receive mode) and the power supply
tripped. I turned off the rig, reset the p.s. and turned the rig back on.
It seems to receive and tx okay (I went ahead and operated in field day with
it) but the meter is nonfunctional. On rx it does nothing for signal
levels. On tx it's dead on tx power, and swr (was running cw so don't know
about processor but never use it anyway). In receive, when I switch it over
to Ic the meter slams against the left side. Has anyone had this happen?
Any ideas on what the problem might be?
Thanks & 73,
Rob Atkinson
K5UJ
k5uj@hotmail.com
_________________________________________________________________
MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE*
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus
------------------------------
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2003 13:53:25 +0000
From: "Rob Atkinson, K5UJ" <k5uj@hotmail.com>
To: tentec@contesting.com
Cc: k5uj@hotmail.com
Subject: [TenTec] Need help: Corsair II meter problem
Message-ID: <Law14-F48p20N39x6HH00029373@hotmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
MIME-Version: 1.0
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Reply-To: tentec@contesting.com
Message: 8
Hi everyone:
I was operating my Corsair II in FD over the weekend (at home) & was
switching the front panel multimeter around to check forward power, swr and
Ic. I flipped the switch to Ic (was in receive mode) and the power supply
tripped. I turned off the rig, reset the p.s. and turned the rig back on.
It seems to receive and tx okay (I went ahead and operated in field day with
it) but the meter is nonfunctional. On rx it does nothing for signal
levels. On tx it's dead on tx power, and swr (was running cw so don't know
about processor but never use it anyway). In receive, when I switch it over
to Ic the meter slams against the left side. Has anyone had this happen?
Any ideas on what the problem might be?
Thanks & 73,
Rob Atkinson
K5UJ
k5uj@hotmail.com
_________________________________________________________________
MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE*
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus
------------------------------
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2003 10:36:35 -0500
From: "w.marty.ray" <w.marty.ray@delphi.com>
To: <TenTec_Orion@yahoogroups.com>, <tentec@contesting.com>
Subject: [TenTec] Orion at field day
Message-ID:
<3DA83F2F6483D14B9EB53E7BB632D72B17B132@usinkok-ex02.northamerica.delphiauto
.net>
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Message: 9
Hello, all. I managed to get in a few hours at the local field day site this
year. I enjoyed a few minutes on the K2 on 20m cw, then I went to the 40m cw
station for a while. For several years, the 40m cw station has been using a
Heathkit (can't remember the model number, but it's the transceiver with
digital readout...5400?). Nice older rig, good qsk, but it was suffering
severe front end overload and I had to back the rf gain way back. We were
getting overload from both strong signals on the cw band and also from the
40m ssb station next to us. One of the guys there was thinking about buying
an Orion, so I asked him if he wanted to test drive mine. He said "sure!",
so I went home and brought it back. We hooked it up on 40m cw and the
results were incredible! No front end overload...not even from the 40ssb
station right next to us. (The 40m cw and 40m ssb dipoles used a common end
support, with the antennas at right angles. We couldn't even tell they were
on the air until t!
hey came over to ask us if we were having as much trouble with
inter-station interference as they were having.)Awesome selectivity.
I was curious how the Orion was going to work in tough conditions, now I
know. Everyone that used the Orion was impressed. I'm not sure how many of
those guys have experience with high-end radios, but I have used several
decent radios in contests including the IC781, FT1000D & MP, TS940 (still
have mine), Omni VI+ (my other radio at home), K2 (sold mine to help fund
the Orion), TS850, and a few others I can't recall right now. Now, I'm not
going to say I can remember exactly how each radio performed and rank them,
but I can tell a good radio when I hear one (as well as one that has some
issues). The Orion is definately a top performer. We were working weak qrp
stations with S9+30db stations less than 1kHz away. As a matter of fact, I
found that I had to open up the bandwidth a little because I could get 'too
close' to another station's frequency without even knowing he was there...no
matter how loud the other station. We saw everything from S-3 to 40+db over
S-9. I had to gi!
ve each operator a quick tutorial before getting started. I had a couple of
guys ask me how to use the rf gain and/or attenuation. I told them not to
worry about it, you won't need it! I did try turning on the preamp just for
fun and I could detect some overload and some IMD, but that was to be
expected.
The agc was interesting, too. I normally use the PROG setting with the
threshold near minimum, but the factory MED setting worked best for field
day. I never use the FAST setting. It seems really harsh...the band noise is
just too much, too quick. Perhaps it has its use, but I don't know what it
would be.
The transmitter was great as well. The SWR climbed to 2:1 later in the
evening, and the Orion never had a problem with it. QSK is lightning fast. I
ended up adding 15% delay and still had two ops comment on how fast and
smooth it was.
Up until this weekend, I had yet to really use the binaural receive feature.
I am not a big fan of extra fancy features that really aren't value added.
If it doesn't help get the job done, it is just in the way. That is how I
had classified the binaural rx. I tried it when I first got the radio, was
unimpressed, and disabled it 'til now. I thought it would be one of those
bells and whistles that never was really useful, but I changed my mind. The
first op to use the Orion wanted to try out the binaural rx, so I showed him
how to set it up. Later, when I sat down at the rig, (after everyone had a
chance to try it out first!) I found a clear frequency and called CQ. I
immediately realized that the binaural feature was going to be turned on a
lot at home. I managed to generate a decent sized pileup a few times and it
REALLY helped to separate the signals! I was pleasantly surprised.
Now for a couple of complaints. I don't want to anybody to accuse me saying
the Orion is perfect. 8) When adjusting the bandwidth, I have a tendency
to bump the adjacent H/L CUT knob. I guess that really isn't a fault, per
se, but still annoying. Also, the cw sidetone seemed to have a funny sound
that I can only describe as a 'rattly overdriven speaker'. It wasn't very
pronounced, but detectable. The sidetone af gain was set at 39 and the pitch
was changed throughout the evening. (btw my Orion has been back for the
mods). I haven't noticed it at home, so I thought it was rfi. I backed the
power all the way down, but it was still there. I'll have to check this out
more carefully at home. One last observation. With the antenna connected to
ANT1, we heard a LOT of signals on ANT2 (with no antenna). The signals were
down about 60dB, as judged by the S meter. (ie: S9+35db on ANT1 and S-5 on
ANT2). I don't remember seeing a spec for this. Perhaps someone can comment.
Even with a few gripes, this radio is a huge success for TenTec. I am really
happy with it and am ready for CQWW, Sweepstakes, and the 160m contests this
fall/winter!
I was a little hesitant to bring it out, but I'm glad I did.
Summary: Bullet-proof front end. Great selectivity, awesome dymanic range,
excellent QSK. In general, a great contest radio!
Regards,
Marty Ray, N9SE
------------------------------
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2003 08:44:20 -0700 (PDT)
From: John Sheeley <wb4qda@yahoo.com>
To: tentec@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion Died?
Message-ID: <20030630154420.85186.qmail@web11502.mail.yahoo.com>
In-Reply-To: <001301c33eb1$2e0a0d10$c8394104@NewOne>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
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Message: 10
Jim
I have had the same problems a time or two.After the
flash falure and master reset .I just turned the Orion
on and off a few times . Then I attempted to
reflashed it . So far after atempting to flash 4 or 5
times it will finally take the firmware reinstall . at
least it has for me .
73
John de WB4QDA
--- Jim Reid <jimr.reid@verizon.net> wrote:
> Yes, just a few minutes after I turned it on this
> afternoon,
> the view screen went blank! Turned the rig off,
> then on
> again after a few minutes. Nothing. Well, the
> only buttons
> illuminated were TX on VFOB; the BW light, and the
> LOCK
> light for VFOB. No button would respond to a push,
> nor
> pressing the illuminated buttons would do nothing.
>
> So, off again, this time hold down the "MainRX/TX"
> button
> while turning on the radio to perform a Master
> Reset.
> It did, came up on 20 meters; I pushed the 40
> meter band
> button, started to tune up to my frequency----blap,
> and
> the screen went blank agian. And back to the same
> buttons
> illuminated as above.
>
> So, I decided to go back to the update program and
> reinstall
> the 1.346 firmware again. Program wouldn't run
> because of
> XP, I guess. So unclicked the box which reads "Stop
> on Error"
> as that has worked to perform the updates in the
> past.
> This time the program started, but then stopped
> with
> only 65 lines into the Orion; but every few seconds
> the
> line count here on the PC would go up by 10 lines
> count,
> but no change on the Orion display. So I waited
> awhile,
> with nothing happening on the Orion, so turned its'
> power
> off again. Tried again, same result. Tried
> another Master
> Reset......and, no matter how long I sit here
> holding
> down the button, the display just reads, "System
> Loading....".
>
> So, guess it is back in the box, and back to
> Sevierville
> for a check out. Wonder what happened??
>
> Any ideas? I probably messed up when I turned the
> rig OFF when it wouldn't continue the firmware
> reinstall,
> or maybe that was just another symptom of whatever
> failed inside the radio.
>
> 73, Jim KH7M
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TenTec mailing list
> TenTec@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
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------------------------------
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2003 11:48:03 -0400
From: "Vern Kunes" <vern@mantlelamp.com>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TenTec] 2A GA Omni A, Omni D at w4rrw
Message-ID: <001f01c33f1e$fec68e20$465bfea9@mantlelamp>
References: <3F0042E3.80405@alltel.net>
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Message: 11
Most Tees are lossy into larghe SWRs. For my 135' flattop for Field Day, I
used a link coupled tuner, but unfortunately, it just wasn't enough for 10
meters, but tuned 20, 40, and 80 fine (using 450 ohm ladderline for
multiband operation). If you really want to cut your losses at hi SWR, the L
tuner is still the tops. That's what I use at my base station (it just
happens to be a Ten Tec 229!). Good luck. Vern N2YZS
----- Original Message -----
From: "tongaloa" <tongaloa@alltel.net>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, June 30, 2003 10:02 AM
Subject: [TenTec] 2A GA Omni A, Omni D at w4rrw
> Stayed til about 2AM, too old for all night. OmniA 20/80 OmniD 40/15
> probably should have swapped though as no filters in D made it a bit
> of a chore copying on crowded 40m CW. I can't imagine anyone
> working FD without QSK. Swapped out homebrew KW T net
> tuner for the MFJ on 40 and man what a difference. Must have been losing
> half
> the output power heating up the MFJ innards.
>
> -bob
> ah7i/w4 op at w4rrw
>
> _______________________________________________
> TenTec mailing list
> TenTec@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
>
------------------------------
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End of TenTec Digest, Vol 6, Issue 75
*************************************
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