This is always a concern purchasing a radio that has been on the market
for a while. However if it does all that one needs in a radio, is
waiting for a replacement worthwhile? Perhaps a used one is a better
value if one thinks a new improved version is not that far off.
I have no inside knowledge, but have to wonder what Ten-Tec's plans are.
The Orion design is getting on in years. It does not have six meters,
and its bandscope is not all it could be. There is always lots of churn
on top of the line radios as contesters and DXers are more likely to
upgrade more often than the rest of us. And they always seem to want the
latest and greatest and the utmost in performance.
Ten-Tec did just offer an upgraded sub-receiver for the Orion. I think
that is an attempt to buy a bit more time for the Orion II until a
successor is announced.
This sub-receiver is based on the Eagle receiver design, as is the new
Argonaut VI. The Eagle receiver design is getting accolades, and it
looks like Ten-Tec has a winner. So, going forward I would expect that
any new radios would be based on this receiver design. This would help
Ten-Tec to keep costs down as supporting one design with a few
derivative versions, is easier than supporting a few completely
different designs.
If we look at the current line up there is a QRP rig in the Argonaut VI,
a mobile or entry level base in the Eagle, a mid market radio in the
Omni VII, and the ultimate from Ten-Tec for the contester and DXer in
the Orion II.
My guess is that we will not see a Jupiter II, I think the Eagle has
taken its place. I think there is also a hole in the general coverage
receiver area, a radio to replace the RX-350.
So my guess, and it is only a guess, is that Ten-Tec will bring out an
Orion III with six meters and a better bandscope, an Omni VIII, and an
RX-350 replacement. All of the above will be derivatives of the Eagle
receiver.
I would also guess that the Orion III will be first as Ten-Tec has the
most to lose to the competition in this segment of the market. Then the
Omni VIII followed by the RX-350 replacement based on the receiver in
the Omni VIII.
73, Darrell VA7TO
Darrell Bellerive
On 13-01-21 05:43 AM, Roger Rippy wrote:
The only nagging question is how long
with TT build and sell the Omni 7 before it gets replaced by the
Omni 8??? Do you think they would tell us? Not....
73s Rip W7RIP Bozeman, MT
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