Thanks for the suggestions:
Art/N4UC,
I will definitely let you know if I figure out what is going on or if I end up
sending back to Ten-Tec. I have not listened to my transmitted signals nor
have I heard any complaints or negative reports. I am still making lots of
contacts. You do have a good suggestion however and I should take a listen.
Billy, AA4NU,
My Orion II was bought new in 2008 and still has the original battery. Even
if it is still good, I'm on borrowed time. I have already tried a Master
Reset. Paul Clinton suggested I also do a RAM clear followed by a Master
Reset. I plan to try this over the weekend.
Carl Moreschi N4PY,
I have read over the years reports of connector problems. Up until now my
Orion II has been trouble free. It is however now 6 years old so maybe time
caught up with me. The idea of pulling the front panel is intimidating to me
but I read where many owners have been able to perform the surgery w/o
complications so maybe I should give it a try.
> From: Doug.Speer@FairbanksMorse.com
> To: tentec@contesting.com
> Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 13:37:22 +0000
> Subject: [TenTec] Orion II Problem
>
> I am starting to believe my Orion II has developed a problem. On the main
> receiver I am hearing distorted, buzzing sounding signals that are well
> outside the DSP and roofing filter bandwidth. I am not hearing signals
> outside the filter bandwidth on the RX-366 sub-receiver. The problem is most
> notable on 160m but to some extent present on 80m. I don't really notice it
> above 80m. I have tried a master reset which did not resolve the problem.
>
> Do any of you have any immediate thoughts or does the rig need to visit
> Sevierville?
>
> Doug, W9PN
> Janesville, WI
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 14:25:19 -0500
From: art N4UC <n4uc@hotmail.com>
To: TenTec reflector <tentec@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion II Problem
Message-ID: <BLU171-W98BB2A5A679F97A48FCC3B83AB0@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
I have been experiencing the exact same problem for months with my Orion 565.
It started out mostly only on 20M and would clear up if either changed bands or
cycled the power. Then it progressed to other bands as well and now does not
clear up regardless of what I try. It affected only the main rcvr, the sub was
fine. Listen on a separate radio to see if it also affects the transmitted
signal. In my case the transmitted CW signal sounds just like the received
signal audio, warbly and buzzing almost like a spark gap signal!. So I'm
guessing it's somewhere in the local oscillator/IF chain. I've talked to TT a
few times and there's no way to diagnose my symptoms without getting it on the
bench.
Currently it's sitting on the shelf unusable while I decide how much I want to
spend on it. Good luck. If you think of it, drop me a note if you resolve the
problem.
Art/N4UC
> From: Doug.Speer@FairbanksMorse.com
> To: tentec@contesting.com
> Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 13:37:22 +0000
> Subject: [TenTec] Orion II Problem
>
> I am starting to believe my Orion II has developed a problem. On the main
> receiver I am hearing distorted, buzzing sounding signals that are well
> outside the DSP and roofing filter bandwidth. I am not hearing signals
> outside the filter bandwidth on the RX-366 sub-receiver. The problem is most
> notable on 160m but to some extent present on 80m. I don't really notice it
> above 80m. I have tried a master reset which did not resolve the problem.
>
> Do any of you have any immediate thoughts or does the rig need to visit
> Sevierville?
>
> Doug, W9PN
> Janesville, WI
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 19:38:25 +0000 (UTC)
From: Billy Cox <aa4nu@comcast.net>
To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion II Problem
Message-ID:
<234233177.8462930.1413488305155.JavaMail.root@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
How old is the backup battery in each of the respective Orions?
That might be a good next step to try, even if the battery is
not that old, ... still cheaper than a trip to TT ...
(Other ideas might be master resets and reloading firmware)
Hope this helps!
73 de Billy, AA4NU
----- Original Message -----
From: "art N4UC" <n4uc@hotmail.com>
To: "TenTec reflector" <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2014 2:25:19 PM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion II Problem
I have been experiencing the exact same problem for months with my Orion 565.
It started out mostly only on 20M and would clear up if either changed bands or
cycled the power. Then it progressed to other bands as well and now does not
clear up regardless of what I try. It affected only the main rcvr, the sub was
fine. Listen on a separate radio to see if it also affects the transmitted
signal. In my case the transmitted CW signal sounds just like the received
signal audio, warbly and buzzing almost like a spark gap signal!. So I'm
guessing it's somewhere in the local oscillator/IF chain. I've talked to TT a
few times and there's no way to diagnose my symptoms without getting it on the
bench.
Currently it's sitting on the shelf unusable while I decide how much I want to
spend on it. Good luck. If you think of it, drop me a note if you resolve the
problem.
Art/N4UC
> From: Doug.Speer@FairbanksMorse.com
> To: tentec@contesting.com
> Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 13:37:22 +0000
> Subject: [TenTec] Orion II Problem
>
> I am starting to believe my Orion II has developed a problem. On the main
> receiver I am hearing distorted, buzzing sounding signals that are well
> outside the DSP and roofing filter bandwidth. I am not hearing signals
> outside the filter bandwidth on the RX-366 sub-receiver. The problem is most
> notable on 160m but to some extent present on 80m. I don't really notice it
> above 80m. I have tried a master reset which did not resolve the problem.
>
> Do any of you have any immediate thoughts or does the rig need to visit
> Sevierville?
>
> Doug, W9PN
> Janesville, WI
>
>
> ----------Legal Disclaimer----------
>
> The information contained in this message may be privileged and confidential,
> and is intended solely for the use of the named addressee. No other person is
> authorized to access, copy or re-use this message (or any information
> contained herein). If you are not the intended recipient, please notify us
> immediately by replying to this message and delete it from your computer.
> _______________________________________________
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_______________________________________________
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------------------------------
Message: 8
Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 15:41:01 -0400
From: Carl Moreschi <n4py3@earthlink.net>
To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion II Problem
Message-ID: <54401F4D.8080102@earthlink.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Sounds like the classic "clean the connectors behind the front panel"
problem to me. There's a few connectors that over more than 100
connections and because Tentec did not use gold pins, they need to be
cleaned once in a while. Because there are so many connections, almost
any symptom is possible. But the key is the problem starts out
intermittent.
Remove the front panel, get some good contact spray, unplug the
connectors, spray them, then plug them in and out about 10 times to
clean them.
Carl Moreschi N4PY
58 Hogwood Rd
Louisburg, NC 27549
www.n4py.com
On 10/16/2014 3:25 PM, art N4UC wrote:
> I have been experiencing the exact same problem for months with my Orion 565.
> It started out mostly only on 20M and would clear up if either changed bands
> or cycled the power. Then it progressed to other bands as well and now does
> not clear up regardless of what I try. It affected only the main rcvr, the
> sub was fine. Listen on a separate radio to see if it also affects the
> transmitted signal. In my case the transmitted CW signal sounds just like the
> received signal audio, warbly and buzzing almost like a spark gap signal!. So
> I'm guessing it's somewhere in the local oscillator/IF chain. I've talked to
> TT a few times and there's no way to diagnose my symptoms without getting it
> on the bench.
>
> Currently it's sitting on the shelf unusable while I decide how much I want
> to spend on it. Good luck. If you think of it, drop me a note if you resolve
> the problem.
>
> Art/N4UC
>
>> From: Doug.Speer@FairbanksMorse.com
>> To: tentec@contesting.com
>> Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 13:37:22 +0000
>> Subject: [TenTec] Orion II Problem
>>
>> I am starting to believe my Orion II has developed a problem. On the main
>> receiver I am hearing distorted, buzzing sounding signals that are well
>> outside the DSP and roofing filter bandwidth. I am not hearing signals
>> outside the filter bandwidth on the RX-366 sub-receiver. The problem is
>> most notable on 160m but to some extent present on 80m. I don't really
>> notice it above 80m. I have tried a master reset which did not resolve the
>> problem.
>>
>> Do any of you have any immediate thoughts or does the rig need to visit
>> Sevierville?
>>
>> Doug, W9PN
>> Janesville, WI
>>
>>
>> ----------Legal Disclaimer----------
>>
>> The information contained in this message may be privileged and
>> confidential, and is intended solely for the use of the named addressee. No
>> other person is authorized to access, copy or re-use this message (or any
>> information contained herein). If you are not the intended recipient, please
>> notify us immediately by replying to this message and delete it from your
>> computer.
>> _______________________________________________
>> TenTec mailing list
>> TenTec@contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
>
> _______________________________________________
> TenTec mailing list
> TenTec@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
>
------------------------------
Message: 9
Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 14:59:10 -0500
From: Robert <rmcgraw@blomand.net>
To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion II Problem
Message-ID: <1A9FD4B1-3789-4E4F-A87F-A367A6AA2C5D@blomand.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
I agree with Billy on the suggestion of a MASTER RESET. If that doesn't clear
the issue then reload the firmware followed by a MASTER RESET. If this
doesn't correct the issue, well Ten-Tec has a new address in Sevierville.
Bob, K4TAX
Sent from my iPhone
> On Oct 16, 2014, at 2:38 PM, Billy Cox <aa4nu@comcast.net> wrote:
>
> How old is the backup battery in each of the respective Orions?
>
> That might be a good next step to try, even if the battery is
> not that old, ... still cheaper than a trip to TT ...
>
> (Other ideas might be master resets and reloading firmware)
>
> Hope this helps!
>
> 73 de Billy, AA4NU
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "art N4UC" <n4uc@hotmail.com>
> To: "TenTec reflector" <tentec@contesting.com>
> Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2014 2:25:19 PM
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion II Problem
>
> I have been experiencing the exact same problem for months with my Orion 565.
> It started out mostly only on 20M and would clear up if either changed bands
> or cycled the power. Then it progressed to other bands as well and now does
> not clear up regardless of what I try. It affected only the main rcvr, the
> sub was fine. Listen on a separate radio to see if it also affects the
> transmitted signal. In my case the transmitted CW signal sounds just like the
> received signal audio, warbly and buzzing almost like a spark gap signal!. So
> I'm guessing it's somewhere in the local oscillator/IF chain. I've talked to
> TT a few times and there's no way to diagnose my symptoms without getting it
> on the bench.
>
> Currently it's sitting on the shelf unusable while I decide how much I want
> to spend on it. Good luck. If you think of it, drop me a note if you resolve
> the problem.
>
> Art/N4UC
>
>> From: Doug.Speer@FairbanksMorse.com
>> To: tentec@contesting.com
>> Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 13:37:22 +0000
>> Subject: [TenTec] Orion II Problem
>>
>> I am starting to believe my Orion II has developed a problem. On the main
>> receiver I am hearing distorted, buzzing sounding signals that are well
>> outside the DSP and roofing filter bandwidth. I am not hearing signals
>> outside the filter bandwidth on the RX-366 sub-receiver. The problem is
>> most notable on 160m but to some extent present on 80m. I don't really
>> notice it above 80m. I have tried a master reset which did not resolve the
>> problem.
>>
>> Do any of you have any immediate thoughts or does the rig need to visit
>> Sevierville?
>>
>> Doug, W9PN
>> Janesville, WI
>>
>>
>> ----------Legal Disclaimer----------
>>
>> The information contained in this message may be privileged and
>> confidential, and is intended solely for the use of the named addressee. No
>> other person is authorized to access, copy or re-use this message (or any
>> information contained herein). If you are not the intended recipient, please
>> notify us immediately by replying to this message and delete it from your
>> computer.
>> _______________________________________________
>> TenTec mailing list
>> TenTec@contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
>
> _______________________________________________
> TenTec mailing list
> TenTec@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
> _______________________________________________
> TenTec mailing list
> TenTec@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
>
------------------------------
Message: 10
Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 20:52:28 +0000 (UTC)
From: Billy Cox <aa4nu@comcast.net>
To: n4py3@earthlink.net, Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
<tentec@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion II Problem
Message-ID:
<326350070.8511274.1413492748546.JavaMail.root@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Hi Carl,
For the 565 platform, I agree that is worthy of consideration.
For the 566 platform, I thought (perhaps incorrectly) there
was a pin design change so help reduce that from repeating?
So yes, by all means do what Carl suggests BEFORE packing it
up to TT for their review.
73 de Billy, AA4NU
----- Original Message -----
From: "Carl Moreschi" <n4py3@earthlink.net>
To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2014 2:41:01 PM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion II Problem
Sounds like the classic "clean the connectors behind the front panel"
problem to me. There's a few connectors that over more than 100
connections and because Tentec did not use gold pins, they need to be
cleaned once in a while. Because there are so many connections, almost
any symptom is possible. But the key is the problem starts out
intermittent.
Remove the front panel, get some good contact spray, unplug the
connectors, spray them, then plug them in and out about 10 times to
clean them.
Carl Moreschi N4PY
58 Hogwood Rd
Louisburg, NC 27549
www.n4py.com
On 10/16/2014 3:25 PM, art N4UC wrote:
> I have been experiencing the exact same problem for months with my Orion 565.
> It started out mostly only on 20M and would clear up if either changed bands
> or cycled the power. Then it progressed to other bands as well and now does
> not clear up regardless of what I try. It affected only the main rcvr, the
> sub was fine. Listen on a separate radio to see if it also affects the
> transmitted signal. In my case the transmitted CW signal sounds just like the
> received signal audio, warbly and buzzing almost like a spark gap signal!. So
> I'm guessing it's somewhere in the local oscillator/IF chain. I've talked to
> TT a few times and there's no way to diagnose my symptoms without getting it
> on the bench.
>
> Currently it's sitting on the shelf unusable while I decide how much I want
> to spend on it. Good luck. If you think of it, drop me a note if you resolve
> the problem.
>
> Art/N4UC
>
>> From: Doug.Speer@FairbanksMorse.com
>> To: tentec@contesting.com
>> Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 13:37:22 +0000
>> Subject: [TenTec] Orion II Problem
>>
>> I am starting to believe my Orion II has developed a problem. On the main
>> receiver I am hearing distorted, buzzing sounding signals that are well
>> outside the DSP and roofing filter bandwidth. I am not hearing signals
>> outside the filter bandwidth on the RX-366 sub-receiver. The problem is
>> most notable on 160m but to some extent present on 80m. I don't really
>> notice it above 80m. I have tried a master reset which did not resolve the
>> problem.
>>
>> Do any of you have any immediate thoughts or does the rig need to visit
>> Sevierville?
>>
>> Doug, W9PN
>> Janesville, WI
>>
>>
>> ----------Legal Disclaimer----------
>>
>> The information contained in this message may be privileged and
>> confidential, and is intended solely for the use of the named addressee. No
>> other person is authorized to access, copy or re-use this message (or any
>> information contained herein). If you are not the intended recipient, please
>> notify us immediately by replying to this message and delete it from your
>> computer.
>> _______________________________________________
>> TenTec mailing list
>> TenTec@contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
>
> _______________________________________________
> TenTec mailing list
> TenTec@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
>
_______________________________________________
TenTec mailing list
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http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
------------------------------
Message: 11
Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 16:23:22 -0500
From: art N4UC <n4uc@hotmail.com>
To: TenTec reflector <tentec@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion II Problem
Message-ID: <BLU171-W767CECB935B147D6C2E6CD83AB0@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Believe me I was really trying to find that bad connections were the source of
the problem, but no joy. When all this started happening I went completely
through the radio (I'm not shy about taking radios apart) and disconnected and
cleaned every connector contact in the radio and then exercise each several
times during re-mate. That includes removing each board from it's motherboard
connection. All to no avail. I subsequently repeated that scenario many times
over several days thinking I just hadn't hit the magic pin/socket. But after
all the cleaning, pushing, and flexing of every connection and every board on
multiple occasions, I never detected any change or effect on the problem.
But as W2NSD used to say, Never Say Die!
Art/N4UC
> Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 20:52:28 +0000
> From: aa4nu@comcast.net
> To: n4py3@earthlink.net; tentec@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion II Problem
>
> Hi Carl,
>
> For the 565 platform, I agree that is worthy of consideration.
>
> For the 566 platform, I thought (perhaps incorrectly) there
> was a pin design change so help reduce that from repeating?
>
> So yes, by all means do what Carl suggests BEFORE packing it
> up to TT for their review.
>
> 73 de Billy, AA4NU
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Carl Moreschi" <n4py3@earthlink.net>
> To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec@contesting.com>
> Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2014 2:41:01 PM
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion II Problem
>
> Sounds like the classic "clean the connectors behind the front panel"
> problem to me. There's a few connectors that over more than 100
> connections and because Tentec did not use gold pins, they need to be
> cleaned once in a while. Because there are so many connections, almost
> any symptom is possible. But the key is the problem starts out
> intermittent.
>
> Remove the front panel, get some good contact spray, unplug the
> connectors, spray them, then plug them in and out about 10 times to
> clean them.
>
> Carl Moreschi N4PY
> 58 Hogwood Rd
> Louisburg, NC 27549
> www.n4py.com
>
> On 10/16/2014 3:25 PM, art N4UC wrote:
> > I have been experiencing the exact same problem for months with my Orion
> > 565. It started out mostly only on 20M and would clear up if either changed
> > bands or cycled the power. Then it progressed to other bands as well and
> > now does not clear up regardless of what I try. It affected only the main
> > rcvr, the sub was fine. Listen on a separate radio to see if it also
> > affects the transmitted signal. In my case the transmitted CW signal sounds
> > just like the received signal audio, warbly and buzzing almost like a spark
> > gap signal!. So I'm guessing it's somewhere in the local oscillator/IF
> > chain. I've talked to TT a few times and there's no way to diagnose my
> > symptoms without getting it on the bench.
> >
> > Currently it's sitting on the shelf unusable while I decide how much I want
> > to spend on it. Good luck. If you think of it, drop me a note if you
> > resolve the problem.
> >
> > Art/N4UC
> >
> >> From: Doug.Speer@FairbanksMorse.com
> >> To: tentec@contesting.com
> >> Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 13:37:22 +0000
> >> Subject: [TenTec] Orion II Problem
> >>
> >> I am starting to believe my Orion II has developed a problem. On the main
> >> receiver I am hearing distorted, buzzing sounding signals that are well
> >> outside the DSP and roofing filter bandwidth. I am not hearing signals
> >> outside the filter bandwidth on the RX-366 sub-receiver. The problem is
> >> most notable on 160m but to some extent present on 80m. I don't really
> >> notice it above 80m. I have tried a master reset which did not resolve
> >> the problem.
> >>
> >> Do any of you have any immediate thoughts or does the rig need to visit
> >> Sevierville?
> >>
> >> Doug, W9PN
> >> Janesville, WI
> >>
> >>
> >> ----------Legal Disclaimer----------
> >>
> >> The information contained in this message may be privileged and
> >> confidential, and is intended solely for the use of the named addressee.
> >> No other person is authorized to access, copy or re-use this message (or
> >> any information contained herein). If you are not the intended recipient,
> >> please notify us immediately by replying to this message and delete it
> >> from your computer.
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> TenTec mailing list
> >> TenTec@contesting.com
> >> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > TenTec mailing list
> > TenTec@contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
> >
> _______________________________________________
> TenTec mailing list
> TenTec@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
> _______________________________________________
> TenTec mailing list
> TenTec@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
------------------------------
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------------------------------
End of TenTec Digest, Vol 142, Issue 20
***************************************
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