Re: [TenTec] Orion ocean Noise/AGC

[Robert & Linda McGraw K4TAX <RMcGraw@Blomand.Net>]

> From experience the Orion and the Orion II are not plug and play radios. 
They should be tailored to each operators environment, station 
configuration, and operating preferences.  One nice thing, it does allow 
this to take place thus the radio can be the way you want it and not the way 
some "think tank" engineer conceived it to perform.
73
Bob K4TAX


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joe Roth-N4ARI" <n4ari@msn.com>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Cc: <orion565@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, February 12, 2006 9:04 AM
Subject: [TenTec] Orion ocean Noise/AGC


> Well said Bill.
>
> It is obvious by this thread that so many of us hams are no longer
> technicians or thinkers but appliance operators and hate to admit it.
> Appliance operators who are still in the closet would rather blame our
> frustrations on the hardware.
>
> I put myself in that catagory although I have "come out of the closet" 
> here.
> When I bought my Orion in Oct. 2003, I realized very quickly how much of 
> my
> technical knowledge needs serious improvements! I still am not as good as
> many of you here and because of that I am greatful to have you folks 
> around.
> The articles on Doug Smith's web site are a must read for any Orion
> owner--not just the manual.
>
> Some hams just want to buy the best radio then just plug it in and go. 
> They
> don't have the skills or knowledge to "drive it" properly. I may have a
> driver's license for my car but I sure won't put myself behind the wheel 
> of
> a "big rig" unless I studied up.
>
> Joe
>
> Date: Sat, 11 Feb 2006 15:49:25 -0500
> From: Bill Tippett <btippett@alum.mit.edu>
> Subject: [TenTec]  Ocean noise
>
> AA6VB wrote:
>
>  >I have heard you need to reduce the gain but when you put both rigs side
> by side with no antenna the Orion has much more internal noise.  I think 
> it
> is just a fact of life.
>
>          Guys, especially those of you new to Orion whether original or 
> O2,
> please read this!
>
> 1.  Orion's AGC will amplify internal noise if the threshold is set too 
> low.
>  Orion's digital AGC is
> different than what is in the MP or other rigs.
>
> 2.  As previously stated, set AF Gain to mid-scale and adjust RF Gain down
> until the noise drops.
>
> 3.  The exact setting will vary depending on how much gain your antenna 
> has
> and what band you
> are on (atmospheric noise being higher on the low bands and lower on the
> high bands, so the RF Gain setting will be a lower number on the low 
> bands).
>          I wish I had a dollar for every time I've seen complaints about
> this!  I'm now considering going into business buying Orions from people 
> who
> still don't get it and reselling them with some simple instructions as
> above.  :-)
>
>          Orion's AGC is phenomenal, but please take time to understand how
> it works and how to set it up properly.  More info below and in the 
> manual.
> http://www.doug-smith.net/digitalagc.htm
>
>          Anyone still want to argue that using the S-meter to set RF Gain
> (which includes AGC Threshold) is a bad idea?
>
>                                          73,  Bill  W4ZV
>
>
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