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Re: [TenTec] New Omni VII....first impressions

To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TenTec] New Omni VII....first impressions
From: Ernie Piche N1SW <n1sw@cox.net>
Reply-to: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec@contesting.com>
Date: Wed, 19 Dec 2007 06:40:30 -0500
List-post: <mailto:tentec@contesting.com>
Mike Bryce wrote:
> Well the UPS man just left a few hours ago leaving in his wake a  
> brand new Omni VII.
>
> You only get one shot at a first impression.
>
> After allowing the radio to come up to room temperature, power was  
> applied and lo and behold there's life in the new black box.
>
> First off, fit and finish seem to be constantly improving from the  
> boys down south. There's no rattles, loose knobs or logos on sideways
>
> I especially liked the bag of goodies that came with the radio.  Mic  
> connectors, power cord, RS232 cable. computer interface cable, as  
> well as all the pieces parts you need to get into the radio. That's a  
> nice touch. I don't recall getting much more than a power cord when I  
> purchased my FT-897.
>
> The welcome letter signed by Scott and Stan both surprised and  
> impressed me.
>
> Ok, on the air time...
>
> Since I've had the Jupiter and Argonaut VII, I figured operation of  
> the Omni VII would be very much the same. It is..
>
> The encoders will take a bit to get use to.
>
> And saints be praised!!! I can turn down the audio without lowering  
> the CW sidetone.. I sure wish the Argonaut V would do that!!!
>
> While the 40 meter band is noisy and somewhat dead, a few CW contacts  
> were made. A few menu changes got the sending to where I think it  
> should be (to my ears)
>
> SSB proved somewhat difficult.
>
> Checking into MIDCARS, took several attempts as reports of extreme  
> audio distortion were heard. Using an old Ten Tec mic that came with  
> the scout, I had to turn the mic gain down to 3% to get good audio  
> reports.
>
>
> First nit to pick..
>
> I had the factory install the 500 Hz roofing filters.
>
> The radio did not see the filter. Looking through the menu, I had the  
> auto filter turned on, but still no filter.
>
> Just about ready to call the factory when I decided to read the  
> manual. Seems you must enable the filter too. I did and it works like  
> it should.
>
> That filter should have been enable when the radio left the factory.  
> I know, I know.. simple to do. Read the manual!!
>   But think of the needless phone calls to the factory that would  
> prevent.
>
> Looks like a keeper to me!
>
>
> Mike, WB8VGE
> SunLight Energy Systems
> The Heathkit Shop
> http://www.theheathkitshop.com/
> J e e p
> o|||||||o
> Note: No trees were killed in the sending of this message, but a  
> large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced
>
>
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>
>   

First congrats, you won't be sorry.  If you do a lot of CW work I 
suggest you get the 300 filter it makes a world of difference when 
theres QRM.
Good luck and welcome.
Ernie
N1SW

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