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Re: [TenTec] Reasons to buy an OM7 instead of an Eagle

To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Reasons to buy an OM7 instead of an Eagle
From: "R. Eric Sluder via TenTec" <tentec@contesting.com>
Reply-to: "R. Eric Sluder" <resluder@yahoo.com>, Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec@contesting.com>
Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2014 09:21:43 -0400
List-post: <tentec@contesting.com">mailto:tentec@contesting.com>
I agree on the Omni's user interface... Much easier and intuitive.

Eric
W9WLW

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 10, 2014, at 8:22 AM, "Bob McGraw - K4TAX" <RMcGraw@Blomand.net> wrote:
> 
> These are points that I also find correct and I agree with Carl's assessment 
> on performance.
> 
> 73
> Bob, K4TAX
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Carl Moreschi" <n4py3@earthlink.net>
> To: "R. Eric Sluder" <resluder@yahoo.com>; "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" 
> <tentec@contesting.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, July 09, 2014 9:59 PM
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Reasons to buy an OM7 instead of an Eagle
> 
> 
>> That sounds like the RF gain was just set too high in the Omni VII.  I have 
>> both radios here and I like the Omni VII much better.  The Omni VII is more 
>> convenient to use the controls.  It's also more sensitive for hearing weak 
>> signals on 6 meters.
>> 
>> Carl Moreschi N4PY
>> 58 Hogwood Rd
>> Louisburg, NC 27549
>> www.n4py.com
>> 
>>> On 7/9/2014 10:49 PM, R. Eric Sluder via TenTec wrote:
>>> Nice response Rick.
>>> 
>>> Having both radios I'll say the OM7 receiver isn't capable of dealing with 
>>> interference like the Eagle can do.  Broadcast band interference on 160 
>>> meters is a good example.  Atmospheric noise (including lightning pulses) 
>>> are stronger in my OM7 verses the Eagle.  It maybe because the Eagle is a 
>>> down converted receiver with a less broad front end whereas the OM7 has a 
>>> broader front end (20 Khz I believe) and is up converted, plus the DSP 
>>> isn't of the same vintage of the Eagle (just guessing).
>>> 
>>> 73
>>> 
>>> Eric
>>> W9WLW
>>> 
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>> 
>>>> On Jul 9, 2014, at 5:10 PM, "Rick - DJ0IP / NJ0IP"<Rick@DJ0IP.de> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> I was just asked off list for reasons to warrant spending the extra bread 
>>>> on
>>>> an OM7 instead of an Eagle.
>>>> Ha!  I had to bite my tongue to keep from saying "none, there aren't any!"
>>>> (hi)
>>>> 
>>>> There are of course 2 or 3 minor reasons and I've created my list below.
>>>> Perhaps someone else more familiar with the OM7 than I am can think of 
>>>> other
>>>> reasons that I have forgotten.
>>>> Grateful to any additional tips.
>>>> 
>>>> (and to the OM who asked me this question, if you do not subscribe to the
>>>> tentec group at contesting.com, send me another email and I will forward 
>>>> you
>>>> any replies we get).
>>>> ==========================================================
>>>> 
>>>> Hi OM, (name withheld)
>>>> 
>>>> You do realize of course that you have posed that question to a man in love
>>>> with his Eagle!  (hi)
>>>> OK, but I will try and be objective on this.
>>>> 
>>>> The Eagle's better receiver is really only noticeable in BIG contests where
>>>> a good operator is willing to dive into the middle of the heaviest pile-up
>>>> on the band to work whatever DX multiplier is under all the rumble. Apart
>>>> from that, there is not a lot of difference in the two receivers. However
>>>> when the going gets tough, the Eagle will outshine the Omni 7.
>>>> 
>>>> I'll start with the only other negative of the OM7 over the Eagle: it has
>>>> only one knob for AF and RF gain.  Not the end of the world but separate
>>>> knobs would have been better.
>>>> 
>>>> And of course if you go backpacking, I'd rather carry an Eagle!  (hi)
>>>> Same applies for mobile operations.
>>>> 
>>>> Now here is my short list of features the OM7 has which the Eagle does not:
>>>> 
>>>> . A larger read out, including an S-Meter that you can actually see and 
>>>> read
>>>> 
>>>> . Better interfacing to old amplifiers (or new Ameritron amplifiers) in CW
>>>> mode.  The OM7 has adjustable hang delay on the tail end of the signal. The
>>>> Eagle does not have this feature and if you have one of these amps, you
>>>> absolutely need it.  With the Eagle, you must purchase the Model 318 Amp
>>>> Keyer for a hundred bucks.
>>>> 
>>>> . Interfacing to Ten-Tec full QSK amplifiers (dual-cable keying).  The 
>>>> Eagle
>>>> does not have this.  If you don't have a full QSK linear with this keying
>>>> loop circuitry, it doesn't matter.
>>>> 
>>>> . A band scope (though it's not the greatest)
>>>> 
>>>> . Larger heat sink on the back side for cooling the final transistors. You
>>>> really do not need a fan unless you are running RTTY.  The Eagle doesn't
>>>> have this so it must rely on a fan. It is not terribly loud but it is
>>>> audible.
>>>> 
>>>> . Direct frequency entry keypad
>>>> 
>>>> . Curtis mode A and B keying.  It's fixed on the Eagle, but I have no idea
>>>> which one.  Somehow I never paid any attention to that stuff.  I just key
>>>> whatever they throw at me and it somehow seems to always work.
>>>> 
>>>> . Two spare RCA phono plugs AND an internal provision to connect two coax
>>>> cables to these to be used as connection for a pre-selector or noise
>>>> cancelor.
>>>> 
>>>> . A serial port.
>>>> 
>>>> . Connection for the POD (the remote VFO knob).  I sometimes miss this on 
>>>> my
>>>> Eagle.
>>>> 
>>>> . 2 antenna jacks
>>>> 
>>>> . Ethernet connection
>>>> 
>>>> . AUX RX (antenna) - an input for a receive-only antenna (uses one of the
>>>> two ANT connections)
>>>> 
>>>> . Adjustable bandwidth on SSB
>>>> 
>>>> . Adjustable RX and TX equalizers
>>>> 
>>>> . CTCSS for FM
>>>> 
>>>> . Adjustable CW (keying) weighting
>>>> 
>>>> . SPOT (for spotting in CW) - which I personally feel is worthless
>>>> 
>>>> . Adjustable rise/fall time on CW.  A fancy option but I don't feel it is
>>>> necessary.  The Eagle's CW signal is just fine.
>>>> 
>>>> . FSK X Data (if you are into RTTY)
>>>> 
>>>> . VFO Speed Shift which basically speeds up the tuning rate by a factor of 
>>>> 4
>>>> when you turn the VFO knob real fast.  Many people like this feature a lot.
>>>> 
>>>> . A very comfortable software menu (probably the very best in the industry)
>>>> 
>>>> . OmniRig support (very important for many 3rd party software programs)
>>>> 
>>>> . A dedicated RIT/XIT knob (using the RIT on the Eagle is very clumsy)
>>>> 
>>>> . And of course REMOTE CONTROL (over the Internet)
>>>> 
>>>> That's all that comes to mind right now, but keep in mind that I do not own
>>>> an OM7 and the last time I even saw or used one was in 2007.  That was 7
>>>> years ago. and my old grey cells "ain't what they used to be".
>>>> 
>>>> 73 - Rick, DJ0IP
>>>> (Nr. Frankfurt am Main)
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
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