While connecting and disconnecting antennas in this shack, which has 10 pounds
of gear in a 2 pound room, is more than a little inconvenient - but setting the
AGC for a slight reduction in band noise on the quad.....
My Orion has a low level of smooth white noise on 28.500.0 USB, preamp off, AGC
FAST, 80 db/s, threshold 11.86 microvolts, RF gain at 100, switched to the
dummy load. No signals are apparent.
Turning the first antenna selector to the Tennadyne T8, pointed at 90 degrees
or due east, otherwise all settings the same, results in a great deal of band
noise - but still no signals.
Turning the first antenna selector to the quad and the second to the 10M loop
results in somewhat less band noise, with all settings the same. But still no
signals.
Turning the first antenna selector to the vertical results in a great deal of
noise, all Orion settings the same. No signals.
Changing frequency to find a signal to compare one antenna to the other....
There is currently a barely perceptable PY on 28.019.79 at 130 degrees on the
quad. It is imperceptable on either the T8 or the vertical. Adjusting the RF
gain to 63 makes it pop out of the noise, and become quite copyable. At 130
degrees on the T8, nothing but band noise. Same with the vertical.
Selecting the other operating position with the switch, changing rigs to an MP,
the PY is also undetectable. I do not have an Elcraft to compare it with, but
from prior rig shootouts I am confident the results would be the same.
Bottom line - the Orion has plenty of gain, even on 10M.
73 Pete Allen AC5E
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