Verrrrrry interesting about the RAM master reset!!!
Ron
N6AHA
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ronald Gorski" <R.Gorski@Astronautics.com>
To: "Ron Castro" <ronc@sonic.net>
Sent: Thursday, March 23, 2006 9:01 AM
Subject: Re: [Orion] O2 Tx audio quality
At 08:50 AM 3/23/06 -0800, you wrote:
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
I spoke with the service manager at some length. His conclusion is that
the problem is not external to the radio. Before returning it, he wants me
to do a "RAM Master Reset" followed by the usual master reset. He gave me
the procedure. Idea is that, if there has been corruption, it will remain
in memory til cleared. This procedure is NOT MENTIONED in the manual. I
will try same this evening and then call Paul with the results tomorrow
morning.
73, Ron
----- 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
_______________________________________________
Orion mailing list
Orion@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/orion
|