Well I guess it's time to gripe again. I have an
Orion 565 and I'm running Version 1.373b5 firmware. I
personally feel that, with respect to the firmware,
we've been cast adrift by Ten-Tec. The recent
discussion of the well know AM sub-receiver issue
brings this to light.
Don't get me wrong, I love my Orion BUT it has some
issues and many are well known. Here's my list -- in
no particular order:
1) The sub-receiver AM problem
2) Need to improve the Version 2.xxx noise reduction
algorithm (I have the luxury of being able to go back
to Version 1.3xx firmware - O II owners do not).
3) Fix the auto/manual notch. (In Version 2.xxx if
your listening to an S-3 signal and an S-9 carrier is
notched out the meter says .... surprise the signal
you're listening to with the notch gone is S-9.) I
was told by T-T that moving the notch in firmware
slightly improved the specs. I'd be curious if the
slight improvement was noticeable by a user or just by
a lab instrument!
4) IF the way to operate Version 2.xxx is, as
described on this reflector recently, with the audio
gain wide open and manipulating the RF Gain then
Ten-Tec fix that! Without a dedicated knob for RF
Gain control this is a pain and can be hard on the
ears.
Ron, N6IE, ( http://www.n6ie.com/Wish%20List.htm ) has
a more extensive list but it's obvious that the Orion
still needs some attention. P-L-E-A-S-E!
Ten-Tec I know resources are scarce but the Omni VII
firmware seems to be improving - have you given up on
the Orion?
Finally - before anyone asks, NO I'm not about to sell
my Orion and move on. Here's why. I recently was
asked to help a friend sell a old top of the line
non-T-T rig that was last produced in 1999.
Apparently this rig is not wanted without an updated
eprom. For the last 2 years the manufacturer has not
supported the rig and will not be producing any
updated eproms. So here's a rig, less than 10 years
old, that cost in the vicinity of $3,000 and it's a
door stop. Ten-Tec has helped many of us over the
years with older rigs. Some parts are not available
BUT it seems in their service department a 10 year old
rig is barely broken-in! I sincerely thank them for
this and that's what keeps me here!
Now I'm off to find my "flame-proof" suit.
73,
Rick
VE7TK
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