Rick,
With regard to encoders, I have read of folks having to replace encoders
on Orions and OMNI VIIs, and if you run the radio from the software you
save the wear and tear on the encoders. I operate my OMNI VII 90% of the
time from software, but there are times when I want to just fire up the
radio without the computer and operate it from its own front panel.
I am hoping that the ability to run the Eagle totally from software is
already "wired up" to the firmware, and all that is needed is to add the
command set to bring those functions out to external software. I am
hoping that the hardware doesn't have to be changed to allow encoder
functions like AF and RF gain and the things you do with the MULTI knob
to be controlled through external software. If not, then of course it
will take more work on Ten Tec's part to revise the Eagle to allow this.
The reason that I would like to operate the radio from software most of
the time is because of the things that other folks have already
mentioned: not enough knobs and buttons on the front panel to separate
out the various controls so that the radio is easier to operate.
Of course there are folks out there who don't care to operate a radio
from the computer at all, and that's what's great about the OMNI VII. It
works either way, and I'd just like to see the Eagle follow suit.
--
Mike - WB4HUC
On 1/7/2016 3:29 PM, Barry N1EU wrote:
Isn't the use of analog versus digital controls dictated by the circuit,
whether analog or digital?
Barry N1EU
On Thu, Jan 7, 2016 at 9:25 PM, rick@dj0ip.de <Rick@dj0ip.de> wrote:
"Software controllable"
Mike this is an excellent point but also a point of debate.
Old radios with simple mechanical volume controls just seem to last longer
than radios with encoders.
On the one hand, in the interest of simplicity, I would like to see just
two
encoders, one for the VFO and one for a multi knob for the features that
will still need to be in a menu. All else should be old fashion mechanical
devices like used in the past 100 years.
On the other hand, lack of radio control (i.e. N4PY) might be a good reason
for many people not to purchase the radio.
I'm pretty sure that feature is a MUST.
73 - Rick, DJ0IP
(Nr. Frankfurt, Germany)
-----Original Message-----
From: TenTec [mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Mike
Newell
Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2016 6:47 PM
To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Pimp My Eagle
I would like to add one item to Rick's list.
Sometimes I like to operate the radio from the front panel and sometimes I
like to operate it from software.
I would like to see the Eagle's software command set expanded so that
pretty
much every function is available to software, as with the OMNI VII.
Thanks,
Mike - WB4HUC
Austin, TX
On 1/7/2016 10:52 AM, rick@dj0ip.de wrote:
PLEASE KEEP THIS THREAD FOCUSED ON THE “EAGLE.”
(feel free to start a new thread on O7+ or O3)
I agree with Brian . . . let’s talk about radios again.
It seems the current tentative plan is:
1) OM7(+) gets a new front plate and face plate, but not a lot of
changes
2) (super) Eagle gets new DSP and _ _ _ _ _ _
3) Argonaut 6 will more or less resume production unchanged
4) An O3 is in the making, details unknown
I want to make a suggestions about the future Eagle.
IMO TEN-TEC made a mistake with the Eagle.
They tried to address three market segments with one product.
1) A simple easy to use computer for old folks (including me) who
usually prefer not to even turn the computer on, just because we want
to get on the radio – but do want high performance.
2) The mobile hf market
3) The entry level 100w hf transceiver market
Result: Jack of all trades, master of none.
If you read the wish list in the Eagle group, since the beginning
there were clearly representatives of all three groups expressing
wishes for improvements. What might benefit one group is often
counter-productive for the other.
If Ten-Tec is to succeed, they need to identify the market segment for
each product and optimize for it.
Of the three segments I have listed above, I believe Ten-Tec’s best
chance is in no. 1.
I don’t think any US based OEM can go big in the entry level segment
because it is primarily driven by price.
I also believe a mobile rig today MUST have a removable front panel.
Sure some people don’t mind having the radio occupy the front
passenger space, but I prefer to keep it for my XYL. (In fact I have
no choice ;-)
My wish is for the Super Eagle to focus on number 1 above.
As such, I can propose some changes:
1) And most important: a bigger box. In all my 15+ years
participating in Ten-Tec groups, I can’t recall a single instance of
anyone
asking for a smaller box. Yet ALL OEMs seem to think that’s what we
want.
Lots of important things suffer when you reduce the size of the box.
You have less knobs, more menu adjustable items, smaller loud speaker,
smaller S-Meter, coils are smaller (lower Q), heat sinks are smaller
and fans are smaller so you have more noise. Less room for working on
the radio, less room for back panel jacks (so we must use plugs with
75 pins!). DON’T NEED ANY OF THIS. I NEED THE FOLLOWING…
2) Larger knobs. Concentric knobs are only ok if they are large
enough.
3) Larger S-meter. Prefer a true meter, but if not, then at least a
color-coded LED meter.
4) ¼ inch connections for things like key and headphones;
5) Separate jacks for paddle and straight key
6) PTT and AMP KEY should be RCA Phono (again)
7) Dedicated RIT control (not the multi-knob)
8) Simplified VFO mode (i.e. getting in and out of split)
9) Buttons should have a max of dual function. Push once to enable
main function, push twice (quickly) to enable secondary function. I
don’t want to push multiple buttons that may be on opposite sides of
the front panel.
10) Exception to menu handling is allowed but only for things that
really
are “set once and forget”, such as defining filter slots and screen
color.
11) Mic gain and CW Speed should be a dedicated knob. I’m OK with it
just
being one knob, but others might prefer concentric.
12) Band stacking register. Don’t understand why it was left out.
13) [finally] address the keying timing issues when using a non-Ten-Tec
linear amplifier. The Pre-dit and Post-dit (hang) time must be
adjustable.
Pre-dit can be inside the “set once and forget” menu, but Post-dit is
a value I change often. Either make it easy to adjust, OR make it
dynamically linked to the keyer speed with user adjustable ratio.
There are keyers on the market that have this feature.
14) IF output to the real panel. Can be an option, but just plug one
cable.
15) Pre-selector output to the real panel. Can be an option, but just
2
cables.
16) AUX-RX ANT connection. It’s to the point now that often the low
bands
are only usable with some kind of special small receiving antenna, due
to all the noise from consumer products.
17) NO BAND SCOPE. (Use the IF connector on the rear panel). Or use
an
ANT OUT, an external SDR, and Carl’s NP4Y software.
18) Power Out indicator (not just an ALC LED)
19) What else?
20) Bright Red-Orange Dot! ;-)
I’m sure I have forgotten a few points, but mainly KEEP IT SIMPLE so
that old eyes and old fingers can use it.
I intentionally began this thread here rather than in the Eagle group
because maybe if we get these changes, some of the people here (and
not currently in the Eagle group) will join us.
PIMP MY EAGLE!
73 - Rick, DJ0IP
(Nr. Frankfurt, Germany)
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