[CQ-Contest] TenTec Orion questions regarding SO2R

[VR2BrettGraham]

W4ZV replied to OH? (sorry Jukka, missed your call [on digest here]):

> >Is Orion not using synthesizer?
>
>          It is...but with good phase noise.  Many of the past synthesized
>radios (Kenwood's TS-940S comes to mind...yuck!) were not careful about it.
>"LO phase noise: -136 dBc/Hz typical from 0.5-20 kHz. (see Figure 2 below)"

Ten-Tec's high frequency VFO PLL divided down to 5 Mc as used in the
Omni-6 is an interesting approach to dealing with phase noise & is no doubt
carried on in their new products like the Orion...

I only hope that they've improved on one of the reasons why I had to give up
on the Omni, though - so little protection against RF coming in on external
connections.  Not much point having a receiver that lets you hear the really
weak stuff when you can't transmit without trashing the radio somehow.

With our power limit, even with the proximity of antennas, it was tough.
SO2R would have been impossible, IMHO.  Admittedly, not many of those
on this list who are potential customers for the Orion have such an
environment, but I do find it interesting how I can have key clicks & other
problems but no EMC issues with products from the likes of Brands I, K & Y. ;^)

73, VR2BrettGraham