Paul,
Excuse Me, the case I saw on the Orion at Ham Com was definitely metal, ie
the top and bottom as in any transceiver, and back are shielding materials.
Now, I did not examine the front panel outer layer, but must note, also to
correct another incorrect post, that the METER is definitely enclosed , in
fact it is sub mounted, so that an illumination light bulb can light it up
for use at night, Field Day, or under low light level conditions. It looked
to me like the outer front panel is over a metal substrate or chassis wall.
The display was being shown in an exhibit hall with bright mercury and
sodium lights, and it was bright, the frequencies were a large bold font,
and very readable text on the other settings, even for my poor eyes. In
fact, it was a lot more legible than most computer displays under bright
light conditions.
The whole radio conveys a sense of mass, sturdiness, and quality, and is
large enough to be considered mainly a top of the line, desk top radio.
It looked like it weighed enough! :-)
I am sure your comment was meant tongue in cheek, but just wanted casual
list readers to know there is plenty of metal in the Orion.
Interesting side note, in discussing the Argonaut V, I understand the mold
for the front panel is a 25,000 dollar custom investment. There is a reason
to have radio cases of somewhat standardized width, height, etc. so that
front panels can be molded from standard molds! That takes careful thought
of the layout to work for various radios.
Another aside to potential owners, when we were faced with needing a rather
pricey piece of science instrumentation electronics and no immediate sponsor
to put up the money, we found a local firm that specializes in lease -
purchase. They purchase just the equipment you want, and then you lease it
back on a lease purchase agreement. After so many payments, you own it.
The way this worked was the price was divided by say two years of payments,
ie 24 plus one month payment more was added as the cost of the lease.
I am sure since the Orion costs less than some hobby fishing boats, (well, a
lot of fishing boats,), your friendly local credit union or bank could fix
you up with a finance plan. There CAN be a new Orion in your shack!
73,
Stuart K5KVH
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