Todd, it seems to me that you have brushed up against the negative side of
a radio made for the ham bands only. When "the ham bands" change, and the
radio can't, then you are in trouble.
I think - I don't know - but I suspect that the architecture of the Omni
VI+, which to say the least features a unique frequency synthesis
architecture, just doesn't lend itself to a "mod" to tack on another band,
especially one position where the new 60 meter band will be.
I can't fault TenTec because the Omni VI+ is a discontinued product. I am
sure that it will be provided with maintenance and customer support as long
as the parts last, etc. but nothing is forever.
I recently refurbished my 1971 Heathkit SB-303 receiver. Works as good as
it did the day I finished building it. But it covers 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10
meters. Period. Add the WARC bands? Add 160 meters? NO way with the
existing architecture without virtually rebuilding the radio.
So, what do we do with these rigs? Simple: we build transverters. If there
is enough market for them, MFJ and others will build them for us. We move
up to ten meters on the radio or some band that is not harmonically related
to the 60 meter band or that doessn't have too many birdies in it and use a
transmit converter to output a few watts on 60 meters. We do the same in
reverse for the receiving function. We build or buy a 100 watt 60 meter
amp. Probably work as well as any of the "regular" bands if done right.
This scheme has worked for years if not decades on the VHF and UHF bands
and most times is the architecture preferred for maximum performance.
I think that we have to respect the position of our manufacturers that they
cannot be expected to anticipate all the changes that the future may bring
and build in the hooks to accommodate them. Now that computer-driven radios
have become the norm, it is more likely that a given radio can be adapted
to a future requirement. But, our older rigs are pretty much what they are.
73/72/oo, George W5YR - the Yellow Rose of Texas
Fairview, TX 30 mi NE of Dallas in Collin county EM13qe
Amateur Radio W5YR, in the 56th year and it just keeps getting better!
QRP-L 1373 NETXQRP 6 SOC 262 COG 8 FPQRP 404 TEN-X 11771 I-LINK 11735
Icom IC-756PRO #02121 Kachina 505 DSP #91900556 Icom IC-765 #02437
KD7EFQ@aol.com wrote:
>
> As many of you are aware, the rumor is we are supposed to be getting a new
> band, 60 mtrs ( 5.25-5.4mhz). We also know that the latest and greatest new
> rig, the ORION is becoming available. However, unlike many of you who have a
> 6 figure income or better, (and can afford a new kilobuck rig every time they
> come
> out with one) Many of us ( like myself ) cannot afford to, and are going to
> have
> to stick with our now outdated (hi hi) OMNI 6 & 6+ rigs. Now's the kicker, I
> asked
> Ten Tec if they were going to offer a 60mtr upgrade for the 6+ and the reply
> was
> "we have no plans to." A black eye to Ten Tec's Reputation of product
> support??
> Maybe if there's enough interest shown by us OMNI users, maybe they will re-
> consider. I also spoke to the people at INRAD, and they at least said they
> would
> look into it, although it won't be an easy mod. Just some food for thought.
> 73"s
> Todd KD7EFQ
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