----- 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 05:11
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. What
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.
What hapens if processor suppy runs out ?
>
> 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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