[CQ-Contest] Orion assumptions
WD4K
Ttow1 at Charter.net
Sun May 11 12:35:19 EDT 2003
Not a Ten Tec diehard here but I did receive my new Orion several weeks ago.
When the Orion concept was introduced, I was fascinated and very interested.
I talked to Scott at Dayton last year, I made some phone calls and found out
what I needed to know. Nada on the assumptions. I have been using and have a
love affair with my two 1000MP's, fully loaded, inrad mods etc. I sold ONE
of them last fall, NOT TWO, because I took the few minutes to research what
the Orion would and would not do. A toll free call is all it takes. I did
not make assumptions... and at no time, EVER, did Scott or anyone else from
Ten Tec imply that the Orion would replace both radios in a so2r scheme.
That was why I sold ONE radio, not two.
Seems to me that all of this is rather after the fact. If any of the
criticizers actually have or intend to have, or ordered or plan to order the
Orion...which is a major hobby expenditure...that it would be prudent to
take a few minutes to ask rather than assume. Now to complain that their own
personal assumptions were wrong is...well, pretty amazing. Had they taken
the same opportunities that many of us took, these comments could have been
avoided. The info was there all the time....just had to check it out. SO, if
you have assumed wrong and actually really do have an Orion...I am sure Ten
Tec will take it back and it will be sold in 30 seconds so you no longer
have to suffer. If you don't own one and are just complaining for
complaining sake..it really doesn't matter anyway. That's another hobby in
itself.
My suggestion to those who find so much wrong with everything from the ad
copy to the actual radio (which they have probably never seen or touched)
..simple..no one will put a gun to your head and force you to buy it. So
stay with what you think is good/better/best..simple as that. Constant
raining on everyone's else's parade seems to be the sport of the
day..Personally, water off the duck here....I have the Orion and am elated
with it!! Every time I sit down with it I say #@#$$ what a radio!! Hi
So, Dayton in a few days, hop up there and get yourself a couple of K2's,
R4's, ProII's, 1000D's, Icom 785's (oops:) bunch of outboard gear, dsp, eq,
decoders and switching, an extra receive only rig and cables, and God knows
what else...., maybe a Collins receiver or two thrown in ...and be done with
it and BE HAPPY that you know best and the rest of us are mislead.
AND THEN.. leave us poor pitiful mislead, misguided Orion owners to suffer
with this overrated,overpriced,underfeatured,confusing,misadvertised,ill
designed,incompatible, software deficient,too big,too small,...and general
rag of a radio. The most major compliant I heard...it's black! And the
screen won't invert so you can read it when using your anti-gravity
inversion boot system...and on and on..... Just let us suffer the results of
our own misguided actions in peace :)
But, on a serious note: as in a previous mail, I mention that in a side by
side on air test...Orion/Loaded 1000MP, the Orion makes my beloved MP, look,
sound and feel like an old toy. Buzz Lightyear and Woody? We love Woody but
Buzz wins hands down:)
73, Tommy, a former 25yr dedicated Yaesu owner.
-----Original Message-----
From: cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com]On Behalf Of
cq-contest-request at contesting.com
Sent: Sunday, May 11, 2003 9:36 AM
To: cq-contest at contesting.com
Subject: CQ-Contest Digest, Vol 5, Issue 17
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than "Re: Contents of CQ-Contest digest..."
Today's Topics:
1. Orion and W1WEF CW Interfaces Compatible (Jack Schuster)
2. RE: TenTec Orion questions regarding SO2R suitability
(Bill Coleman)
3. Fwd: [FCG] W3AU SK (Jim White, K4OJ)
4. Annual Dayton SMC Hooters Party (Paul Gentry)
5. Re: Orion and W1WEF CW Interfaces Compatible (n6tj)
6. Re: More on Orion de W4PA (Marty Ray)
7. Re: More on Orion de W4PA (Bill Coleman)
8. Re: TenTec Orion questions regarding SO2R suitability
(Bill Coleman)
9. solar cycle progress and prediction (Dave Hachadorian)
10. Re: TenTec Orion questions regarding SO2R suitability
(Shelby Summerville)
11. Re: 2003 WPX SSB - NA Final Claimed Scores (Tom Frenaye)
12. Owing a linear (Chuck)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sat, 10 May 2003 13:13:38 -0400
From: Jack Schuster <jsschuster at snet.net>
To: cq-contest at contesting.com
Subject: [CQ-Contest] Orion and W1WEF CW Interfaces Compatible
Message-ID: <3EBD3342.6020508 at snet.net>
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For those who are wondering, all versions of the W1WEF CW Interfaces
are compatible. Available through K5TR or direct . See you in Dayton!
JACK W1WEF
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 10 May 2003 14:24:50 -0400
From: Bill Coleman <aa4lr at arrl.net>
To: "David A. Pruett" <k8cc at comcast.net>, <eric at k3na.org>,
"Bill Coleman" <aa4lr at arrl.net>, "Bill Tippett" <btippett at alum.mit.edu>,
<cq-contest at contesting.com>
Subject: RE: [CQ-Contest] TenTec Orion questions regarding SO2R suitability
Message-ID: <20030510182653.JLXP21649.imf35bis.bellsouth.net@[192.168.0.20]>
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On 5/8/03 11:38 PM, David A. Pruett at k8cc at comcast.net wrote:
>With regards to AA4LR's comment, I think the demand for this is smaller
>that he thinks. How many ham transceivers do you really think the
>manufacturers sell? I remember buying a IC-765 (a fairly popular radio)
>two years after introduction and it was only s/n 3000. A high-end SO2R
>radio is truly a niche product.
The market for a single box SO2R radio should be at least as large as
that for a transceiver with dual receive, since the features of such a
transceiver perfectly overlap those of a transceiver with dual receive.
The only missing component here is the ability to continue to receive on
at least one receiver when the transmitter is transmitting.
Consider that such a rig has receiver A and B. Even if receiver A shared
significant components with the transmitter, there's no reason to mute
receiver B during transmit so long as a) receiver B is on a different
band, and b) receiver B is connected to a different antenna
I've pointed out before that a rig such as the FT-1000D, and now the
Orion are so close to providing SO2R capability in one box it is a
mystery why the manufacturers chose not to include it.
If the Orion could do SO2R with one box, I might be tempted. However at
$3300 a pop, two elecraft K2s are cheaper....
Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net
Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
-- Wilbur Wright, 1901
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 10 May 2003 14:44:28 -0400
From: "Jim White, K4OJ" <k4oj at tampabay.rr.com>
To: cq-contest at contesting.com
Subject: [CQ-Contest] Fwd: [FCG] W3AU SK
Message-ID: <3EBD488C.9070600 at tampabay.rr.com>
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Message: 3
I am very sad to pass along this news, W3AU had many friends in the
contesting community - from his "home" in the PVRC to his later years
down here in Florida with the FCG, and of course all over the world
'twas a time when the callsign W3AU was synonymous for Multi-Multi.
Zoomar, W3TMZ relayed this update earlier today. Looks like he will be
butting heads with W4BVV once again.
I am sorry to bring such news but Ed passed away at about 3 am on Saturday,
May 10th. His daughter was at his side as the took his last few breaths.
She was at her home and just barely made it to the hospital before he
passed.
I visited him yesterday afternoon and while I was there he had another
seizure. He had been experiencing repeated strokes. I did hear him
communicate with the speech therapist but it made little sense. He did not
know his wife's name nor that of his daughter. Micki did not say what was
the final cause in his passing.
I have no idea of funeral arrangements but will post same when they are
known.
Cards may be sent to Grace Bissell, 7080 High Corner Road, Brooksville, FL.
34602.
73, Jack, W3TMZ
_______________________________________________
The Florida Contest Group: http://www.qsl.net/fcg/ or http://www.fcg.club
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 10 May 2003 14:16:22 -0500
From: Paul Gentry <Paul at k9pg.com>
To: cq-contest at contesting.com
Subject: [CQ-Contest] Annual Dayton SMC Hooters Party
Message-ID: <3EBD5006.32A26BB2 at k9pg.com>
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The Society Of Midwest Contesters is having their annual
Hooters party this coming Thursday night starting around
6:30 at the Hooters in Centerville, OH.... 453
Miamisburg-Centerville Road.
Like last year, we will be getting free wings for one hour -
between 7pm and 8pm. I tried to get free beer for an hour,
but the manager said we'd bankrupt the joint. Maybe next
year.
Everyone is invited!
Here's a link with directions.
http://hooters.know-where.com/hooters/cgi/site?site=107&address=
Questions? Ask me.
--
Paul Gentry K9PG
paul at k9pg.com
www.k9pg.com
AIM & Y! K9PG
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 10 May 2003 12:14:27 -0700
From: "n6tj" <n6tj at sbcglobal.net>
To: "Jack Schuster" <jsschuster at snet.net>, <cq-contest at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Orion and W1WEF CW Interfaces Compatible
Message-ID: <00af01c31728$60802f50$6400a8c0 at X6D0O9>
References: <3EBD3342.6020508 at snet.net>
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UNSOLICITED TESTIMONY:
Jack Schuster makes GREAT CW computer interfaces.
Jim Neiger N6TJ/ZD8Z
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jack Schuster" <jsschuster at snet.net>
To: <cq-contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Saturday, May 10, 2003 10:13 AM
Subject: [CQ-Contest] Orion and W1WEF CW Interfaces Compatible
> For those who are wondering, all versions of the W1WEF CW Interfaces
> are compatible. Available through K5TR or direct . See you in Dayton!
> JACK W1WEF
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------
> The world's top contesters battle it out in Finland!
> THE OFFICIAL FILM of WRTC 2002 now on professional DVD and VHS!
> http://home1.pacific.net.sg/~jamesb/
> ---------------------------------------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> CQ-Contest mailing list
> CQ-Contest at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 10 May 2003 22:46:09 -0000
From: "Marty Ray" <n9se at insightbb.com>
To: <cq-contest at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] More on Orion de W4PA
Message-ID: <063901c31745$f31cf790$0200a8c0 at RadioDesk>
References: <009d01c316c1$ca6b3a70$d00a460a at Desktop>
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Gentlemen,
Excellent topic of discussion. I normally stay on the sidelines and just
read the
commentary, but I feel that I have something to add to the discussion on
this topic.
I just received my Orion a couple of days ago, and I have had the
opportunity to
try out some of the features.
First of all, I'll admit you are correct on the wording of the ad. I thought
the same
thing and called TenTec to ask if that is what they really meant to say. Now
then,
what makes this radio good for SO2R ops? The Orion's main receiver is hot!
That alone should merit the purchase of one. You can't work what you can't
hear
and when you've got that 40 over S9 guy parked right next to you, who do you
think will win? You can sit there all day and hammer out q's until the guy
gives up
and moves on. I mean you won't even know he's there, at least on cw - my
mode
of choice.
> Personally, I don't really care all that much that the ORION doesn't
provide
> two radios in a box. That has very little to do with my interest in the
> radio. See below....
> ...OK, I agree that from a flexibility standpoint the ORION is better for
SO1R
> contesters than any other rig on the market. However, I disagree that the
> flexibility features are of much benefit to SO2R ops. We can't make use of
> them because there's not much practical advantage to using the
subreceivers
> for monitoring additional bands ...
Second, while the above comments are true, the real advantage to using the
Orion is that you have the flexibility to use diversity reception. This is
what really
struck me. The FT1000 can do this, but I think TenTec's implementation is
superior.
My plan is to use my OMNI VI+ as the second radio and stick some dedicated
rx antennas on the #2 and #3 antenna ports on the Orion. I think SO2R ops
will
find ways to make this an oustanding addition to thier lineup.
I believe that the Orion will prove itself under severe conditions. There
isn't
currently anything in the ham market that touch it. I'm not a TenTec die
hard. I
have simply evaluated the performance of the available radios on the market
and have come to conclusion that the Orion is the best amateur radio
available.
This is my opinion, and, like certain parts of the human anatomy, everyone
has
one.
Regards,
Marty Ray
N9SE
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 10 May 2003 22:36:23 -0400
From: Bill Coleman <aa4lr at arrl.net>
To: "Scott R." <w4pa at yahoo.com>, <cq-contest at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] More on Orion de W4PA
Message-ID: <20030511023825.WAZZ4625.imf25bis.bellsouth.net@[192.168.0.20]>
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On 5/9/03 11:20 AM, Scott R. at w4pa at yahoo.com wrote:
>Focusing on whether the opposite receiver mutes is losing sight of
>everything else this radio has for contesting, period (not just SO2R).
Scott,
This is all fabulous stuff, and if nothing else, the Orion will get high
marks for its quality receiver.
Certainly Ten-Tec knew of the value of leaving one receiver unmuted as in
classic SO2R operation. So, please answer my question -- what is the
technical reason to force muting of both receivers during transmit? I can
understand it for one receiver which shares circuitry with the
transmitter. But what of the other receiver?
>I disagree, I've used plenty of examples for what a breakthrough this
>transceiver is, and I have no intention of changing the text as
>written on the Ten-Tec website.
I like the part: "ORION's selectable crystal filters narrow the roofing
bandwidth to as little as 250 Hz to avoid any compromise of close-in
receiver performance caused by loud nearby signals. No other transceiver
does this."
Hmm. The Elecraft K2 does. For that matter, there are many, many older
single-conversion recievers and a few multiple-conversion receivers that
do exactly this -- place the key selectivity components on the output of
the first mixer. In no way is this a new concept. In fact, it is a return
to an older design concept that was supplanted by the introduction of
general-coverage receive in modern synthesized radios.
Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net
Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
-- Wilbur Wright, 1901
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 10 May 2003 22:49:58 -0400
From: Bill Coleman <aa4lr at arrl.net>
To: <DF3KV at aol.com>, <cq-contest at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] TenTec Orion questions regarding SO2R suitability
Message-ID: <20030511025200.OTEH19462.imf33bis.bellsouth.net@[192.168.0.20]>
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Message: 8
On 5/9/03 3:06 AM, DF3KV at aol.com at DF3KV at aol.com wrote:
>aa4lr at arrl.net wrote:
>
>> Whoever is the first manufacturer to pack two quality receivers and one
>> transmitter into a single box will sell a ton of them.
>>
>Probably yes if also all double-bandpassfilters and antennaswitches
>are in that box as well ;-)
>
>Integrated linears would be even better...
You don't need all that for SO2R. Band filtering is nice, and might be
quite desirable with certain antenna configurations. Particularly if you
are running high power. But, with low power, good antenna separation and
good receivers, the filtering isn't needed.
And there are an awful lot of contesters out there who don't even own a
linear.
Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net
Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
-- Wilbur Wright, 1901
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 10 May 2003 20:07:01 +0000
From: Dave Hachadorian <k6ll at juno.com>
To: cq-contest at contesting.com
Subject: [CQ-Contest] solar cycle progress and prediction
Message-ID: <20030510.200702.-27105.1.K6LL at juno.com>
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An excerpt from the latest ARRL Propagation Bulletin:
--------------
"Another great resource is the NOAA Space Environment Center's
Preliminary Report and forecast, which comes out weekly. It used to
be published on paper and mailed, but you can look at it in PDF form
at the SEC NOAA we site at,
http://www.sec.noaa.gov/weekly/index.html .
The current issue, published May 6, has some tables showing
predicted solar flux and sunspot numbers until the end of 2007, and
smoothed numbers back to January 1998."
---------------
The latest issue is indeed a pretty interesting document.
Page 18 is worth printing and hanging on the wall of the shack.
It predicts solar flux values in the 70's from January 2005
through December 2007. It shows that the monthly smoothed
values have fallen from about 238 to 125 in about 18 months.
Dave Hachadorian, K6LL
Yuma, AZ
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 11 May 2003 05:32:17 -0400
From: "Shelby Summerville" <k4ww at arrl.net>
To: <cq-contest at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] TenTec Orion questions regarding SO2R suitability
Message-ID: <001901c317a0$36b76260$6401a8c0 at insightbb.com>
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"Bill Coleman" <aa4lr at arrl.net> wrote: "And there are an awful lot of
contesters out there who don't even own a linear"
I will believe that at the same time I believe "Not within a thousand years
will man ever fly!"
C'Ya, Shelby
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 11 May 2003 09:26:39 -0400
From: Tom Frenaye <frenaye at direcway.com>
To: "Alan C. Zack" <k6acz at earthlink.net>
Cc: Michael Dinkelman <mwdink at eskimo.com>
Cc: CQ-Contest <cq-contest at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] 2003 WPX SSB - NA Final Claimed Scores
Message-ID: <5.2.1.1.2.20030511091501.02c5d580 at pop3.direcway.com>
In-Reply-To: <3EBC66C8.82B37066 at earthlink.net>
References: <200305061925.h46JPw811324 at b4h.net>
<5.1.0.14.1.20030508211358.009e8390 at pop3.eskimo.com>
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Message: 11
The CQ-contest reflector archives are the place to find the 3830 claimed
scores - you can see them going back several years if you want. The last
one for CQ WPX SSB (North America) is here -->
http://dayton.akorn.net/pipermail/cq-contest/2003-May/051466.html
To search for it, go to www.contesting.com, then in the List Search box at
the left, type in "cq-contest wpx ssb claimed 2003". Typing "cq-contest" as
part of the search makes sure you only search through the cq-contest list,
not all of the archives for all of the lists on contesting.com.
-- Tom
At 07:41 PM 5/9/2003 -0700, Alan C. Zack wrote:
>The deadline was May 1st. Wouldn't it be nice to leave it up for a
>week or so to compare our scores to the last minute posters?
>
>Michael Dinkelman wrote:
>>
>> Hello Alan
>>
>> since the log submittal date has passed, it has been removed
>>
>> 73
>> dink, n7wa
>>
>> At 06:46 PM 5/7/03 -0700, you wrote:
>> >I cannot find the listing for the WPX on
>> >http://www.hornucopia.com/3830score/
>> >There are many other contests listed, but not the WPX. How do I find
>> >them?
>> >
>> >mwdink at eskimo.com wrote:
>> > >
>> > > 2003 WPX SSB - NA Final Claimed Scores
>> > >
>> > > Submit logs by: May 1, 2003
>> > > E-mail logs to: wpxssb at kkn.net
>> > > Mail logs to:
>> > > CQ Magazine
>> > > 25 Newbridge Rd., Suite 405
>> > > Hicksville, NY 11801
>> > > USA
>> > > 3830 Score Web Page - http://www.hornucopia.com/3830score/
>> > > http://lists.contesting.com/pipermail/3830/
>> > > Submission info ( tnx WA7BNM) - http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/
>> > > Contest Station Database - http://www.pvrc.org/
>> > >
>> > > 73 dink
>> > >
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
e-mail: frenaye at pcnet.com YCCC --> http://www.yccc.org/
Tom Frenaye, K1KI, P O Box J, West Suffield CT 06093 Phone: 860-668-5444
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 11 May 2003 10:18:49 -0400
From: "Chuck" <k3ft at erols.com>
To: "Shelby Summerville" <k4ww at arrl.net>
Cc: CQ Contest <cq-contest at contesting.com>
Subject: [CQ-Contest] Owing a linear
Message-ID: <004701c317c8$4071be40$48ca3ad0 at k3ft>
References: <20030511025200.OTEH19462.imf33bis.bellsouth.net@[192.168.0.20]>
<001901c317a0$36b76260$6401a8c0 at insightbb.com>
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"Shelby Summerville" wrote I will believe that at the same time I believe
"Not within a thousand years
> will man ever fly!" (referring to statement about many contesters not
owning a linear(
Perhaps more statment might have been properly phrased as
'
'May own a linear BUT choose not to OPERATE in the contests with it engaged
because they like the LP category'
73
Chuck K3FT
------------------------------
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