Eric,
Like you, I've run many radios from my current QTH for about 5 years.
I only use openwire fed antennas with excellent symmetrical matchboxes.
In the CQWW DX contest, I suddenly had RF problems - though only on one band
(20m). It was getting into my Jupiter and the TX audio was distorted. I
never experienced this before with any of the 6 or 7 transceivers I've used
here. I cleaned the problem up about 90% by connecting a 5m long piece of
wire to the chassis of my matchbox and just laying it on the floor of the
shack. It worked as a quarter wave counterpoise.
Immediately after the contest I loaned my Jupiter out and so I was not able
to follow up on the problem.
The bottom line is, when having RF problems, there is almost always a
solution, but it isn't always the same for different environments. Although
you have taken some pretty logical steps to solving your problem, you
obviously have not found the real cause (and this is more of a factor of
luck, not skill).
In addition to trying a counterpoise, you might also place an RF choke (like
the ones from Wireman) in the antenna line near the Orion (between the Orion
and external matchbox if you use one). However I think the previous post is
probably going to be your problem. The Orion is indeed fussy about how you
connect a microphone to it and if you do it wrong, you do get RF in its
audio. Before you throw in the towel, you might check out the Pin-1 thread.
Perhaps you've already done that. If not, you really should do it.
Gud Luk
73
Rick
-----Original Message-----
From: tentec-bounces@contesting.com [mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com]
On Behalf Of Eric SENSI
Sent: Friday, December 10, 2004 12:49 PM
To: tentec@contesting.com
Subject: RE: [TenTec] Orion
Thanks for support Toby and all those fellows hams who contacted me off the
reflector.
I know that I'm breaking the rules of this reflector by posting my silly
mails, but I really think this radio (all the Orions, not just the one I own
!) could not work here in my environment because they're not bullet proof in
front of a small amount of RF !
What is strange however is that it's a RADIO, and a radio is used to
transmit RF, so for me as a silly engineer, one must think of that in the
design process, before any face design, a radio must be strong in front of
RF, am I wrong ?
About my own situation :
Small house but high (3 levels), small backyard (75ft x 30ft), neighbors all
around (left, right, back), One G5RV half that starts from the top of the
roof and goes straight at the end of the garden (sloper config.).
So the antenna is near the radio, minimum distance estimated 20 ft, if the
ceiling of my shack was transparent I could see the wire antenna just above
my head ! :-( I know it's a bad situation but I have no choice ! I can't
move the antenna elsewhere and I can't leave my own house just for a radio.
I'm using a vertical antenna that is not causing any RF into the Orion, an
R7 sort of antenna.
When transmitting in the dummy load, I haven't any problems.
I've done several things to get rid of this small RF feedback but no way, I
can't find it. I broked some ground loops, I'm using different earth ground
system for the radio and it's accessories, the mains is a DEDICATED line
coming directly from the outside (I'm using this line also for my high end
hifi system, I own an active LINN system that cost 6 times the price tag of
the Orion and my hifi is heaven, no mains noise at all with the help of an
isolation transformer and NIF - non instrusive filtering). Anyway.
I tried several things at the outside too, choke at the base of the antenna,
reduce or lengthen the coax cables to avoid to be close of a multiple of a
half-wave long, MFJ-915 common mode filter, RF inquiry filter, ferrites
around the cables inside the shack... etc ! No way... still that stupid
problem.
I conclude that the Orion IS an excellent transceiver but not in ALL
environments, again I love this radio, but I must admit it did not work here
for a reason that might be in relation with those Gremlins or Aliens ! :-)
I asked 2 friends of mine to come here with their backup or main rigs and,
of course, those radios were working fine - one of them was a Yaesu FT-7B
and I'm not joking unfortunately. What a frustration on my poor face ! :-(
That's why I've decided to sell the Orion and buy a "cheaper" radio like a
Yaesu FT-1000MP MKV or IC-756PROII, etc. Those radios have no great numbers
and they have key clicks, but I'll be back on the air to have fun... that's
maybe the most important thing of that long story.
Best regards to all and chill out, I'll not say anything bad on the Orion as
most of you are in heaven with it.
Best 73's.
Eric.
----Message d'origine-----
De : tentec-bounces@contesting.com
[mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com]De la part de Toby Pennington
Envoyé : vendredi 10 décembre 2004 20:06
À : eric.sensi@skynet.be; tentec@contesting.com
Objet : Re: [TenTec] Orion
Eric, If I am reading you properly, you are having a big problem with RF.
The RF you are experiencing may not only be getting into the transmit audio,
but I think it is possible that it could also be getting into the brains of
the Orion (processors) and causing you to have software problems....think
the best thing to do is to figure a way to get rid of the RF and then see if
things improve for you.
Proper filtering in the audio curcuit might be called for in your situation
, but check the proximity of your antennas to the operating position. A
field strength meter could give you an idea of RF in the shack. Clean the RF
up and you will have better luck.! Talk with Ten - Tec or their reps and see
what they suggest you do.
Toby W4CAK
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