Actually, I really don't agree with your analysis from what we currently
know!! Let's not prematurely dismiss potential options.
There may be other potential options for upgrading like just adding the
color display and a new microprocessor board. Could be a lot cheaper than
$1000. We also do not know what TenTec's price points are or how far they
are willing to go to keep happy customers.
As I posted last night, anyone out there want to make me a very good
offer for one that was bought March' 04? No, I'm not interested in "giving"
it away.
73s,
Bernard, WA4OEJ
----- Original Message -----
From: "NJ0IP" <Rick@DJ0IP.de>
To: "'Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment'" <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, July 21, 2005 6:27 AM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] An Orion II Reality Check
> Bernard, this would have to be a "Return to Factory" upgrade because after
> swapping so much hardware, you would want a full functionality check.
>
> I'm not sure this is realistic for just $1000. After all, Ten-Tec is in
> business to make money.
>
> As someone earlier said, sell the radio yourself and buy a new one. That
> should reduce the price to about $1500 or even less.
>
> 73
> Rick
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: tentec-bounces@contesting.com [mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com]
> On Behalf Of Bernard(wtrone)
> Sent: Thursday, July 21, 2005 4:22 AM
> To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
> Cc: PVRC Reflector
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] An Orion II Reality Check
>
> If Scott is out there listening, as he says that he does, I would pay
> $1000, maybe even more, to upgrade my Orion I rather than pay $2200 for an
> Orion II based on a trade in.
>
> Scott, test the market and see how many Orion I owners would be
> interested in the upgrade. It may be possible to do it on a limited
> basis.
>
> 73s,
>
>
> Bernard, WA4OEJ
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Eric Rosenberg" <wd3q@starpower.net>
> To: "Ten Tec Mailing List" <tentec@contesting.com>
> Cc: "PVRC Reflector" <pvrc@mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Thursday, July 21, 2005 12:11 AM
> Subject: [TenTec] An Orion II Reality Check
>
>
>> After reading the flood of email crossing my screen, it occurred to me
>> that many, if not most writers did not take the time to read and
>> understand the original posting from Ten Tec.
>>
>> I spoke with Scott Robbins this afternoon for clarification, and
>> learned the following, some of which has been mentioned in postings
>> here on the reflector.
>>
>> ---------------
>>
>> - The processor used in the Orion has been discontinued and is no
>> longer available. Ten Tec was therefore forced to discontinue the
>> production of the Orion in its present form. They had no say in the
>> matter and had to make a choice to a) drop out of the high-end
>> transceiver market, b) design an completely new radio, or c) modify the
>> design of the Orion with a new processor.
>>
>> This is an unfortunate, and sadly, not an uncommon occurance in the
>> commercial world. [I have personally had this happen while in the
>> midst of a large government contract. To say we scrambled for a
>> solution is a gross understatement. Our decision on moving forward was
>> almost exactly the same as Ten Tec's in this instance.]
>>
>> - The decision to continue the production of the Orion would be
>> contingent upon the availability of a compatible, available
>> processor.
>>
>> - The decision to discontinue building the Orion in its original
>> configuration does not in any way imply or infer that Ten Tec has
>> orphaned or abandoned this radio. Ten Tec will continue to support the
>> hardware and software for the original Orion.
>>
>> - In its continued support of the original Orion, the firmware for the
>> Orion will track that of the Orion II. Note that they will both have
>> version 2.0. [It is my understanding that this will continue into the
>> future].
>>
>> - Continuing the Orion with a new/different processor allowed Ten Tec
>> to add functions that were either not possible or considered to be less
>> important with the original processor [this characterization is my
>> editorial interpretation]. Note the term FUNCTION and not
>> PERFORMANCE.
>>
>> - An upgrade for Orion owners was considered, and a cost/benefit
>> analysis was produced. The cost to facilitate the new processor and
>> the variable line-output enhancement [I specifically asked about this
>> item] required extensive hardware retrofitting, driving the cost to
>> over $1000.
>>
>> - When one lines up the features of the Orion and Orion II, you will
>> note that the hardware changes in the Orion II are functional. The
>> radio will look the same. An 8-pin mike connector, a color display and
>> how it works, the variable line level output and the filter switching
>> do not change or upgrade the RF characteristics (receiver and
>> transmitter) of the radio.
>>
>> - The change in the physical filters is a result of newer technology.
>> The performance of these new filters will be at the same level as the
>> presently available INRAD after-market filters.
>>
>> Likewise, it is my understanding from both reading the email and
>> speaking with Scott that the DSP code changes have not changed the
>> receiver specifications.
>>
>> - This new version of the Orion presents an incremental upgrade to the
>> original Orion. The market is not those of us who already own an
>> Orion. It's targeted to the ham who's looking to buy a new high-end
>> radio. The potential Icom Pro III buyer, who's willing and able to pay
>> $4000 for a new radio.
>>
>> - The email announcing this radio was sent to the Ten Tec email
>> reflector before being released to the general public in a conscious
>> attempt by Ten Tec to inform its current customers of what was going to
>> happen before hearing about it from a secondary source.
>>
>> ---------------
>>
>> My personal feeling is that Ten Tec made the correct business decision
>> based on the situation it faced.
>>
>> I do not believe Ten Tec has violated its corporate policy to support
>> all existing products.
>>
>> I believe this is an incremental product entry, not a new radio as was
>> the Orion when compared to the then top-of-the-line Omni VI Plus.
>>
>> When the dust settles, I am certain that Ten Tec will have more
>> information for all of us.
>>
>> In the meantime and to reiterate the words of N1EU, sit down, take a
>> DEEP breath and chill!
>>
>> 73,
>> Eric W3DQ
>> Washington, DC
>>
>>
>>
>> --
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>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
>>
>
>
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