The Orion II is really a 'plug 'n play' radio and the settings are fairly
straight-forward. Here are a few observations for various types of work:
Digital from a sound card (AFSK): You can narrow the transmit bandwidth in
the menu to reduce unwanted sidebands, hum and noise. Receive bandwidth can
be reduced to 250 Hz for RTTY and down to 100 Hz for PSK31. Set AGC fast.
Run the VFO-A Enc Rate slow. You can use VOX to transmit, or some other PTT
or RS232 method. I have used them all, and they work fine.
"True" FSK RTTY: The Mark tone is 2125, shift 170 and the bandpass is
automatically set around those frequencies, and the Orion will read your
true mark frequency on the dial. If you're like me and can't stand
listening to tones that high, set MMTY or other similar software to Mark=915
Hz (turn off AFC), set the radio's PBT and RIT both to -1210, and the Orion
dial will still read the correct frequency (necessary if you use spotting
nets), but the mark and space tones will be centered around 1,000 Hz on the
waterfall and in your ears. I used this in the recent SCC RTTY contest and
it worked perfect!
CW contest and DX: Fast or no AGC, BW=300 Hz.
SSB, contest and DX: Depending on your mic, set LF roll-off to 200 Hz, TX
BW to 2700 or 3000 Hz, TX EQ -6 to -10 dB. SP is dependant on how much
audio you're feeding into the radio, but listen on the monitor and crank it
until it's too distorted to stand! If you have one, use a Heil HC-4 or HC-5
mic element.
ESSB: Use a good mic like a PR-40 or a Gold Line. TX BW 3900, LF roll off
at 70 Hz, TX EQ -3 to -6 sounds good. No Speech Processor.
The AGC takes some playing with to get the way it sounds best to you. Just
remember the default Hang setting is 00.00, which sounds distorted. Put at
least .04 to .12 seconds hang time and it will smooth right out.
Visit my website www.N6IE.com for some other information and tips. Have fun
with your new radio...you'll find it blows the doors off almost anything
else out there regardless of the kind of operating you do!
Ron N6IE
www.N6IE.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Simon" <jrsimon@ozemail.com.au>
To: <alan.n5na@gmail.com>; "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment"
<tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Saturday, September 06, 2008 7:52 PM
Subject: [TenTec] G'day Y'all
I'm now the proud possor of an Orion II and have been experimenting with
the
various controls. No catastrophies yet but I have learnt a lot about what
the various controls can do to reception. My main interest is in the
digital modes and have enjoyed playing with the different settings.
Anyone on this group have a list of settings for different purposes for
this
radio?
73, John de VK2XGJ.
Cats were once worshipped as Gods in Ancient Egypt.
They have never forgotten this.
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