Interesting. I live within a day's drive of Sevierville, and intend to go
listen to an Omni as soon as I get a reasonable answer to the questions. In
my case, it isn't a question of 850 vs. the Omni - I won't be getting rid of
the 850. One of the main reasons for looking at the Omni, besides the fact
it's obviously a great rig, is the fact that I can get reasonable service on
it without waiting for months and having to ship it across the country. I
think their 30 day trial period on new ones is a very good practice and
greatly reduces the risk of buying something you haven't spun the knobs on
in person.
K8AC
Floyd Sense - Angier, NC
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jan Ditzian" <ditzian@alltel.net>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2001 13:38 PM
Subject: [TenTec] Omni VI vs. TS-850
>
> Floyd,
>
> When I got my Omni VI, I did a head-to-head comparison with a TS-850 owned
by
> another ham. The results don't fit what you have, but they fit your
> conclusion. With a speaker, whether external or the Omni VI's, the Omni
sounds
> tinny on SSB. I would say that to this day. Round 1 to TS-850,
hands-down.
> With earphones, the Omni sounds just as good as the TS-850. I tend to
blame the
>
> audio amp, not the filter characteristics, but I really don't know.
Perhaps I
> should get an amplified speaker and plug it into the earphone jack, but I
> haven't done this. With regard to "easy listening," therefore, I would
have to
> say you should choose the TS-850.
>
> However, with regard to low noise on 80/160, resistance to nearby strong
> stations, capability on cw, simplicity of connection to other equipment,
ease of
> regular operation, readout visibility, ability to work with logging and
digital
> programs, and flexibility of filter selection, I would say that you would
call
> them equal or surely give the nod to the Omni VI. It is a DXer's radio.
>
> Anyway, the Omni VI that I now own put KC5WJ (now N5WJ) on the DXCC Honor
Roll
> (at least, he owned it, and now he is on the Honor Roll). Then it went to
W5MQ,
> and W5MQ is now on the DXCC Honor Roll. Then W5MQ sold it to me (KX2A)
and it
> put me on the DXCC Honor Roll . It also has worked 5BDXCC and DXCC RTTY.
I
> have no regrets about purchasing the Omni VI. I will gladly sell it for a
> million bux, no less. Bidders please form a line outside my door, cash in
hand,
> no checks or money orders, don't bother with e-bay. Maybe it is not the
model
> or brand, but the configuration of stars at the moment of manufacture.
>
> My advice to you, Floyd, about the Omni VI if you are a DXer: Try it,
you'll
> like it.
>
> I have heard of fellows selling the Omni VI, but in five years I've met
only one
> who did not regret the sale, and he disliked the radio because of the way
SSB
> receive sounded with a speaker (hmmmm).
>
> One more thing, though, if you buy one, write down the address and
telephone
> number of Ten-Tec. You are quite likely to have to contact them or send
it back
> upon occasion. The Omni VI is a racing car, not a family sedan. It has a
> personality, and it can become tired or sick. Love and prayer help.
>
> 73,
> Jan, KX2A
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --
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> Problems: owner-tentec@contesting.com
>
>
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