If you are interested in performance, I would look at contest
results more than eHam reviews for the reasons you stated. Although
there is much more to winning a contest than the transceiver used
(e.g. operator, antennas, geographic advantage, etc.), contest results
should indicate whether a specific radio may have serious problems in
the extreme environment of contests. The following results (claimed
scores) are encouraging:
CQ WW CW SOABHP - NT1Y (W4PA op) #1 USA (SO2R w/2 Orions)
CQ WW CW SOSB/160 - K1UO #1 USA*
CQ WW CW SOSB/10 - W4ZV #1 USA*
CQ WW SSB SOSB/10 - W4ZV #1 USA*
*Single op scores all at similar levels as top multiops like KC1XX, etc.
I was particularly impressed by K1UO's multiplier total which
exceeded ALL USA multiops including KC1XX who has a much more
extensive antenna system, packet access, etc. You don't turn in
results like this on 160 without a receiver that is working very well in
the most extreme receiving environment to be found on any band. I
was also very impressed by W4PA's win in the most competitive
SOABHP category given he had some very stiff and seasoned local
competition (KQ2M and K1DG) who were probably much more
familiar with propagation nuances from the Northeast.
Orion does have a few issues that I am very confident Ten-Tec
is addressing. However, for contesters and low-band DX-ers, these
results should speak much louder than the "reviews" found on eHam
(IMHO 99% fluff independent of the specific radio being reviewed).
73, Bill W4ZV
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