I was very pleased by the prompt attention paid to my recent filter (and
obligatory coffee cup) order from Ten-Tec. Everything was shipped the next
day, got here in great shape, and having a complete compliment of filters
really helps the Omni's performance when the bands get crowded. My previous
standard for ham radio company support was Elecraft, and everyone on their
reflector says that their support "is as good as Ten-Tec's." They're right!
Several people have emailed me and asked me to post my impressions of the
Omni VI versus the K2. Please remember that I have an Omni VI with the
Option 1 upgrade, rather than a current production VI+... although my
research leads me to believe that performance is identical given the same
filters (the VI+ gives you the option of having two narrow 9Mhz filters
instead of one, but if the same narrow filter is switched in, you should get
the same results from both rigs).
I still find that the two receivers are so close that its hard to say which
one is better. A list member pointed out to me that the subtle differences
I'm seeing might be because the K2 has a slightly faster AGC circuit, but my
ears and (mostly) the waterfall displays of various PSK programs tell me
that the K2 may have a smidgen more dynamic range and selectivity.
Certainly any signal I can pick up on one can be picked up on the other.
Where the Omni excels is in its 100 watt transmitter, its onboard DSP, its
passband tuning and audio notch filter, and the ability to cascade filters.
The Omni loafs at any power setting I've tried, typically drawing about 8
amps at 50 watts output power (about the highest I run in PSK, although I
operate mostly at 25 watts). I can ragchew for a half-hour, and after each
5 to 6 minute transmission the heatsink is lukewarm. The K2 doesn't like
running high duty cycle HF digital modes at anything over 5 watts, and it
gets very hot even at 5 watts if you transmit for more than a couple of
minutes without taking a break (such as in windy ragchews on PSK). The KPA2
100w amp will fix this, but until then I will be using my Omni as my primary
PSK rig, both QRP and QRO. The one advantage of the Omni VI over the K2 is
that I can work any station I can hear... the K2's ears are much better than
it's mouth!
The Omni's onboard DSP is VERY effective when listening to CW, and can make
almost illegible signals pop out of the QRN and QSB. This beats the pants
off of the MFJ-784B external filter that I have. The notch filter also
works well, although I wish it was in the IF stages since it does not
prevent a loud signal from driving the AGC and reducing the level of weaker
signals. Of course, that's what the crystal IF filters are for.
Both rigs have good IF crystal filtering. The K2's filters are as good, if
not better, than those in the Omni VI... except that there is no passband
tuning (although you can fake it on digital signals with the RIT, using it
to move the desired signal into the filter passband, and this can be done by
computer control). On balance, I'd say the K2's filters are equally
effective, but the Omni's filters are easier and more flexible to use
manually.
The K2's built-in antenna tuner works fantastic. To get equivalent
functionality out of the Omni, I use an LDG AT-11MP autotuner.
The Omni has modes not offered by the K2, such as FM and FSK.
The K2's new KIO2 computer interface offers a little more flexibility than
that of the Omni. On the latter, there is no documented method of setting
filter widths, controlling output power, DSP, or any other button or
switch-enabled settings. I'm not especially bothered by these Omni
limitations as there isn't much software that takes advantages of these
settings for the rigs that do allow their control. What's there works for
most applications.
In summary (and in my opinion), the Omni VI is a fantastic rig for all modes
of operation. It's a very flexible rig with lots of useful features but
without superfluous gadgets... no fuzzy dice hanging off of this rig.
Although the Omni VI is often touted as a great rig for the CW specialist,
I've done enough SSB and HF digital mode operating (and gotten enough
complements from other hams) to find out that it is also well-suited for
those modes. The K2 is also a fantastic rig for all modes, although it is
especially well-suited for CW and voice SSB without the addition of the 100w
amp. The price/performance ratio is also exceptional for the K2... although
if you figure your time as an electronics tech is worth $20 an hour the true
cost of a K2 complete with accessories will approach that of the Omni VI+
(and that probably explains the price difference... Ten-Tec has to pay the
assemblers!).
My recommendation: if you operate from your fixed station QTH, if you want
QRO power, if you want the utmost in manual adjustability, if you operate a
lot of SSB or the HF digital modes, and if you have the money, then go with
the Omni VI. If you want to operate portable, if mostly QRP operating
interests you, if you are primarily into CW or voice SSB, and if you want to
build (and understand) your own radio, then go with the K2. Or, if you want
to do all of these things, and want the flexibility to do so, then do what I
did and own one of each! Ownership of one does not make redundant the
ownership of the other.
Additional observation: I wonder how much the increased rcvr specs of the K2
and the Omni VI truly buys over rigs like the Jupiter? Does anyone think
that, if one had a station with the best in beam antennas and these three
rigs with an A/B/C antenna switch and they were all set to 5 watts, one
could work stations with one rig that couldn't be worked with the others?
Maybe this is why the Jupiter seems to be selling very well: features like
34 IF filters, complete computer controllability, and the extensive mode
selection help operators more than a smidgen more in the way of a receiver.
Of course, I'm waiting for Ten-Tec to come out with the Omni VII, with the
receiver as good as or better than the VI and the Jupiter's controllability
and software features... in an Omni-style housing!
- jgc
John Clifford KD7KGX
Heathkit HW-9 WARC/HFT-9/HM-9
Elecraft K2 #1678 /KSB2/KIO2/KBT2/KAT2/KNB2/KAF2
...waiting for KPA2!
Ten-Tec Omni VI/Opt1
email: kd7kgx@arrl.net
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