John,
I'm using v 2.063Xg. I have played around with all the older versions at
various times, and there are some rough edges with this version, but by and
large it's very usable for me:
-I value the stability (lack of hangups etc) very highly.
-The way I operate, NR does about what you'd expect (although some other
rigs seem to have better NR).
-I have had some problems with audio levels (CW sidetone, etc.) being not
what I expected. Getting blasted with a high level sometimes.
-The v2 spectrum display is quite effective for my operations, though
obviously higher resolution and more flexible adjustment options would give
better results.
-As a user of the serial control interface, I agree with the person who
commented on some front panel functions not being accessible through the
serial interface. I'd like all functions to be equally accessible either
way -- although it may be too late in the product cycle to justify a major
change.
-Also, there are longstanding problems with the serial port - commands
sometimes get ignored or delayed causing headaches for software writers.
It's better now than it used to be, but I have to do some non-trivial
defensive coding. Further, it would be very nice if the programmer's
reference manual could be updated and corrected to correspond to the
commands and formats that are actually recognized.
This is not to quibble with other users' frustrations about this or that
Orion function. We all operate in different ways. I operate CW, SSB, and
digimodes about equally, but rarely in contest mode.
So, I'm reasonably happy with 2.063Xg. I hope that newer versions build on
it and that they are tested aggressively before release. I have earned my
stripes as an Orion user/tester in the early unstable v1 days. I'm too old
for all that excitement by now!
73
Martin Ewing
AA6E
On Mon, Aug 16, 2010 at 1:22 PM, Henry, John <jhenry@tentec.com> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> As many of you know, and we have already announced, we are in the
> process of improving the Original Orion firmware.
> In that regard, I would like to get some more inputs and information.
>
> What firmware version do you use now?
> Why do you use that version over another?
> I'm mainly looking for answers such as ... v x.xxx works NR better in
> yyy conditions.
> I would like for you to get as specific as possible, so that I make
> sure that the Orion firmware update does satisfy "most needs". If
> those comments are made in this forum, then it will also permit others
> to chime in on that same topic, and may bring out something completely
> different that is really required.
> Note: I said "most needs", reason I said it that way is because we are
> making improvements to a platform used by many end customers with many
> different operating desires, not making custom firmware to satisfy
> individual needs.
>
> If you want to send me a personal email on this, great, I will look at
> the inputs.
>
> However, I feel that a very good discussion amongst the end users on
> their needs, and known issues, is a better way to help improve the
> Orion firmware.
>
> I also want to make one thing clear, the Orion V1 firmware, may be at
> a dead end. The reason I say that is because the Orion V1 firmware is
> at a state now where it is extremely difficult to make even the
> slightest modifications to, let alone add something like a waterfall
> or resolve in depth issues. So the starting firmware version for this
> change has to be one of the V2 versions.
>
> If you REALLY need to have a feature that is in a V1 style firmware
> operate in a way it does in V1, that is better than it is in the V2
> firmware, then speak up and make sure that you identify exactly what
> feature/control it is, and why you think it is required to be brought
> into V2 as well.
>
> I don't want the discussion to diverge into we have to have the
> internal high speed sweep, or other feature as a new product, we are
> looking at doing to the Orion V2 firmware, similar that we had done a
> month or so ago to the Orion 2 firmware. Make it better, and a solid
> base to build upon for future enhancements.
>
> We are committed to making the Orion and Orion II and OMNI-VII and
> Jupiter the best rigs on the market for their price, and we are
> committed to exceeding our customers expectations.
>
> Thank you,
> John Henry
> TenTec Engineering
> _______________________________________________
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> TenTec@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
>
--
Martin S. Ewing, AA6E
Member IEEE, URSI, AAS, ARRL
Branford, Connecticut
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