I would like to hear what their diagnosis is. I'm convinced now that there
is a problem that effects only some of the O2's...maybe a bad run of chips
from a 3rd party supplier. My O2, which does not suffer from the audio
distortion problem, was from the first run of units that were released in
December. This one was returned as a "demo" and I got it early in February.
I think so far there have only been two production runs, and I wonder if the
bad units all came from the same run, or all have consecutive serial
numbers?
Ron N6AHA
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ronald Gorski" <R.Gorski@Astronautics.com>
To: "Ron Castro" <ronc@sonic.net>
Sent: Thursday, March 23, 2006 6:09 AM
Subject: Re: [Orion] O2 Tx audio quality
At 12:19 PM 3/22/06 -0800, you wrote:
Thank you for the kind comments on the audio. I should be on 40 meters
this evening sometime after 0000 UTC, and possibly as late as 0400. Look
around 7165 to 7195, and we can share some ideas!
Sorry we did not have a chance to chat last evening.Got tied up in
conversation with my friend K5UA . Charles has the exact same audio
symptoms as I. He sent his O2 back to the factory a month ago. Plan on
calling the TT service manager today.
73,
Ron N9AU
Ron
N6AHA
----- Original Message ----- From: "Ronald Gorski"
<R.Gorski@Astronautics.com>
To: "Ron Castro" <ronc@sonic.net>
Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2006 5:38 AM
Subject: Re: [Orion] O2 Tx audio quality
At 11:54 AM 3/20/06 -0800, you wrote:
Then the problem is probably isolated to the SSM2166 mic preamp chip in
the A7 section (schematic 81917_9.pdf) or its associated components,
U201AA or U200A (Main Codec, schematic 81917-6.pdf). The U200A chip
could have a problem although it's not in complete failure mode, or you
would have no receive audio in the speakers. The headphones are fed
from the chip that handles the Aux input.
My first course of action would be to look at all the cables and
connections from the back of the mic connector through to the A7 board,
and all associated connectors and cables to and from that board, plus
'the usual suspects' like bad solder joints, etc. If there is nothing
obvious, then a trip back to Dolly Parton Parkway is indicated!
Ron N6AHA
Ron, my initial observation (listening to internal monitor) was that
driving the AUX mike input produced significantly better transmit audio
than using the front panel 8-pin connector. On-the-air tests showed that
this was false. The harsh (raspy) edge was still present on voice peaks.
I heard you chatting on 40m last evening. Your audio is outstanding (must
be the $17 mike). Would have called but band went south. Also had a
chance to view your web site. Interesting comments. Also viewed many many
comments from Orion I owners.
Saw a few comments indicating past problems withe the TT switching
supply. Suspect that the regulator circuitry was susceptable to RF. Just
for grins, I swapped out the supply with a Lambda. Also wrapped the DC
cord to the radio on some ferrite. By far, you have the best sounding O2
that I have heard (you have become the default "standard").
Would very much like to chat with you on the air. Specifically, I wish to
pick your brain for RFI related issues. The only ground connection to
radio is through coax (tied to ground rods at base of tower) and the AC
mains ground pin on the amplifier. An electrically short groung wire is
not possible. I've not had RF issues with other radios.
Let me know if an on-the -air test is possible. Thanks for your time.
Ron N9AU
----- Original Message ----- From: "Ronald Gorski"
<R.Gorski@Astronautics.com>
To: "Ron Castro" <ronc@sonic.net>
Sent: Monday, March 20, 2006 11:19 AM
Subject: Re: [Orion] O2 Tx audio quality
At 11:03 AM 3/20/06 -0800, you wrote:
Another question---can you check if the distortion is also on the Aux
input as well? If it is not, that narrows down the problem quite a
bit.
Ron N6AHA
Funny you should mention that! I have an old electret mike with an
equalizing pre-amp. I connected same to the AUX input last night (just
because I didn't have an 8 pin cable made up). I set the aux mike gain
at 50 and adjusted the pre-amp output til I had plenty of ALC action.
Turned up the monitor to near max so as to pick up any audio flaws. The
audio (at the monitor) sounded GREAT. Switched back and forth between
the Heil (connected to the front 8 pin connector) and the electret and
the difference was substantial.
I have yet to check this with an on-the-air report.
Ron N9AU
----- Original Message ----- From: "Ronald Gorski"
<R.Gorski@Astronautics.com>
To: "Ron Castro" <ronc@sonic.net>
Sent: Monday, March 20, 2006 10:30 AM
Subject: Re: [Orion] O2 Tx audio quality
At 09:01 AM 3/20/06 -0800, you wrote:
A couple of questions:
--Have you tried a Master Reset?
Yes, I have performed master resets following firmware updates. The
TX audio issue has been with me since day 1.
--Can you hear the raspy sound in the monitor?
Yes, I can hear it in the monitor. Doesn't matter what user setting I
have nor the type of microphone. TX into antenna same as TX into a
dummy load.
--Can you hear the raspy sound in another receiver?
Yes, another receiver sounds same as the monitor. Audio is
intelligible.........just not world class.
--What happens if you turn down the mic level control to the point
where the ALC light is not flashing?
On-air reports indicate some improvement when gain is reduced to low
level (35). The improvement is not, however, significant.
--What power supply voltage are you running and how much does it dip
at the rig connector under key-down, full power?
I am using the TT 22A continuous supply. I have no voltage monitor
connected.
I heard another O2 user over the weekend who's audio sounded
distorted, but since I was just getting ready to leave the house I
didn't have a chance to talk to him. If I run into him again (he's
usually around on 75 at night) I'll see if I can get an idea about
what might be causing his problem, and report it back here.
Please do. I think there are more of us out there. I am starting to
think that there may be a hardware problem with the audio board.
73, Ron
Ron N6AHA
----- Original Message ----- From: "Ronald Gorski"
<R.Gorski@Astronautics.com>
To: <orion@contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, March 20, 2006 6:32 AM
Subject: [Orion] O2 Tx audio quality
I have received reports of a raspy edge on all voice peaks. The
problem
does not appear to be RFI related nor is it affected by TX EQ or LF
roll-off settings or the type of microphone used (condenser mike or
heil
GM-5). I know of one other O2 owner that has experienced the same
problem.
His is at the factory for troubleshooting. Are there others?
Ron N9AU
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