The ALC light problem is a result of needing much more audio than before.
The serial port problem is something I didn't test for yesterday, but I
heard from a couple of users off-list about it.
To be fair, there were a few things in the new version that were 'keepers'.
The short test I did on the NR (in RF AGC mode) showed a dramatic
improvement. I listened for a really weak CW signal on 40 meters with a lot
of lightning noise on the band and the NR pulled the station right out of
the mud. Another user found this too. Also, the sweep action is much better
and the problem with the S-meter "sticking" while tuning is better. I
assume the 'red screen' problem is fixed too, but I didn't have the firmware
installed long enough to declare that fixed.
I'll keep hoping that a "B" version is released soon!
Ron N6IE
www.N6IE.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Natan" <w6xr@frontiernet.net>
To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 14, 2010 10:54 AM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion II v 2.042A: Not Ready for Prime Time!
Wes,
I agree that something new needs to be done. My loading of the latest
firmware decreased my RF output, introduced distortion on RX signal, did
away with the ALC enunciator on the front panel, and prevented WriteLog
from
reading the frequency! I probably missed a few but I had so much anger at
the Ten Tec folks for releasing yet another bad batch of software, I just
loaded up a previous firmware version and waited for a reoccurrence of the
red screen.
Ten Tec needs to get their business in order or more folks are going to be
shopping on the left coast as I am now doing. Where is the management of
Ten Tec while this is going on? Indeed, not ready for prime time.
73
Natan W6XR
Freeville, NY
--------------------------------------------------
From: "Wes Attaway (N5WA)" <wesattaway@bellsouth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, April 14, 2010 1:42 PM
To: "'Ron Castro'" <ronc@sonic.net>; "'Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment'"
<tentec@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion II v 2.042A: Not Ready for Prime Time!
It sounds like TenTec has someone "new" working with the software and who
doesn't have a firm grasp of what is going on. It is definitely hard to
understand why they released something with so many defects.
There is obviously a lot of interaction between many of the functions so
whoever is doing the programming would need to have a real good
understanding of how the radio works. They would also need to be able to
turn the radio on and use it. Based on user reports, it doesn't sound
like
this is the case.
All-in-all, it is a baffling situation. It has to make everyone wonder
about TenTec's commitment to the O and O-II.
If the code and appropriate notes were released into the public domain
then
maybe some of the users could do a better job.
------------------ Wes Attaway (N5WA) ------------------
1138 Waters Edge Circle - Shreveport, LA 71106
318-797-4972 (office) - 318-393-3289 (cell)
Computer Consulting and Forensics
-------------- EnCase Certified Examiner ---------------
-----Original Message-----
From: tentec-bounces@contesting.com
[mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com]
On Behalf Of Ron Castro
Sent: Wednesday, April 14, 2010 10:50 AM
To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion II v 2.042A: Not Ready for Prime Time!
I'm glad we're only test piloting software and not airplanes, or I'd be a
goner for sure!
Ron Castro
Chief Technical Officer
Results Radio, LLC
N6IE
www.N6IE.com
----- Original Message -----
From: <Rsoifer@aol.com>
To: <ronc@sonic.net>; <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 14, 2010 7:34 AM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion II v 2.042A: Not Ready for Prime Time!
Ron and others,
Many thanks for your fine work. After playing with 2.042A overnight,
I've
re-installed 2.041XT and will await T-T's next try.
73 Ray W2RS
In a message dated 4/14/2010 2:45:00 A.M. GMT Standard Time,
ronc@sonic.net
writes:
I keep hoping that it's something simple like a hiccup while I was
flashing
the new firmware, so I'm interested if anyone else finds the same
things
I'm
finding in the behavior.
Ron N6IE
www.N6IE.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gene Henderson" <wb9hla@comcast.net>
To: "Ron Castro" <ronc@sonic.net>; "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment"
<tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2010 7:26 PM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion II v 2.042A: Not Ready for Prime Time!
Ron,
Looks like someone forgot to install this on a radio and see if it
worked.
I agree with you
not even close to Prime Time
Gene WB9HLA
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ron Castro" <ronc@sonic.net>
To: "Ron Castro" <ronc@sonic.net>; "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment"
<tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2010 21:50
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion II v 2.042A: Not Ready for Prime Time!
Addendum to my post: on problem #1, I'm referring to the RX audio.
TX
audio (other than more drive needed and processor problem) still
sounds
broadcast quality.
Ron N6IE
www.N6IE.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ron Castro" <ronc@sonic.net>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2010 6:41 PM
Subject: [TenTec] Orion II v 2.042A: Not Ready for Prime Time!
Here are a list of problems I found right off with the v. 2.042A,
even
after doing a battery reset and two master resets and memory clear:
1.. Very noticeable distortion on all audio. Sounds like overdrive
in
IF
or DSP section.
2.. AGC hang in AF AGC. S-meter goes up and never comes down! At
same
time, RF gain goes down and does not come back up. If you manually
turn
the RF Gain all the way to 0, then back up to 100, the radio is
essentially muted. This will not happen if the "AGC Hang" setting
is
0,
but then distortion is really bad.
3.. NR does not work in AF AGC mode. Does seem to work well in RF
AGC
mode.
4.. Much more audio drive needed on AUX input for SSB. It looks
like
about 10 dB more.
5.. AM carrier= 1.25 Watts max! That's at 100% PWR setting.
6.. FM carrier= 6.4 Watts max.
7.. SSB Speech Processor gives only around 50 Watts max peak
output.
You
can get it up to 100 Watts when you crank it to "way beyond
reasonable
distortion".
8.. Could not find any sort of S-Meter calibration
Here are the good points so far:
1.. Side tone is louder and spot level is too.
2.. Waterfall display is much improved.
3.. Difference in frequency between Main and Sub improved, but
still
not
"phase locked". I detect about 0.1 Hz differential which should
make
it
fine for true diversity antenna work.
4.. In RF AGC mode, the NR really does seem improved, although it's
hard
to tell with the audio distortion mentioned above.
So that's the good, the bad and the ugly of it! I'm QSYing back to
v.
2.039d, the last one that worked right...
Ron N6IE
www.N6IE.com
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