On Thu, 2010-01-21 at 17:46 -0500, Carter wrote:
> John Peters wrote:
> > Hi there, I wish to request TenTec to reinstate the logic board for
> > the OMNI VI+ I wish to keep this radio going for a long time
> > I'm now 81 and I hope to use this radio for quite some time.... I
> > don't need any repair at the moment, but is NOT nice to hear that
> > they don't stock the part Any body else????
>
> Interesting idea....and I agree that the Omni VI is MUCH too nice of a
> radio to let die for lack of parts.
>
> As the logic board seems to be such a key item, I wonder what it would
> take to produce a new one? Presumably, the art work for the board is
> done, then actually producing the board should not be too big a deal and
> finally just stuff it with parts (BEFORE the parts turn into
> "Unobtainium"). :-)
I downloaded the manual just to see. That board probably has a couple
unobtainable parts now, the 80C32 controller and the AD8105(?) DSP chip.
EPROM and memory may be old too, but newer stuff with excess space often
fits, and takes less power. I was wondering about setting up to make
some, but without the software for the two computer chips, it would be
unreasonably difficult to make one without Tentec's resources and files.
And that's their problem, to update to later chips (likely a pentium 3
or Intel Atom would do all the control and DSP and still be loafing and
not need nearly the number of interface chips) is as big a task as doing
a new radio and the dearth of updates for the Orions hints at their need
for the software types it would take. Alternative chips might include
the PIC chips which also include a line of DSP chips, but would require
all new software for all functions.
>
> Or as a more economical solution, just stock the critical ICs
> (presuming they have not already become 'manufacture discontinued).
>
> If all of the above fails and the ICs are not -readily- available, maybe
> TT can provide us with a 'shopping list' of ICs/components that most
> commonly fail, and those of us that are interested could shop around on
> the internet and lay in a small supply.
I suspect the board is fairly reliable, that those needing replacements
have had catastrophic events like a direct lightning hit that wipes out
parts and boards indiscriminately. There could be a parts list created
from the manual documentation, but that won't fill the firmware needs.
Might be a good project for the new Vibroplex company!
>
> Just my $0.02 worth.
>
> Carter K8VT
>
> P. S.
> The above is based on the assumption that the circuit board will not
> physically fail and that resistors and capacitors will be readily
> available for a long while, leaving just the ICs to worry about.
>
73, Jerry, K0CQ
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