[Orion] Orion Audio

[mryan001]

Gentlemen,

I will try to address some of the questions Larry has raised in something
akin to his order.

I have not read all of the manual as of the time of this eMail.

The AGC will require some time to set up the way I like it. I have used it
in the slow and progressive modes the short time I have used the radio. I've
had a bigger issue for the moment.

ALL Heil headphones I have ever seen were all stereo headphones.  I don't
have any other nor use any other. Stereo phones were mentioned in the
manual.

The feedback is reduced at lower power levels. I've run the radio at only
two power levels. Full power (such as it is) with the amp off. And 50 watts
when using my amp.

I have the station grounded. I live in the lightning capitol of world. In
fact, I consider my station's grounding arrangement to be very good.

I will describe again the type(S) of mics here.  Two Yaesu desk mics. ( The
exact models are not important. One was an accessory for my FT-1000D the
other for my FT-736R)  Three Heil headset mics.  Results when using any of
the above do not vary.

Again, this is an ORION II not the original ORION.

I have operated the radio with just a simple resonant dipole, then a FORCE
12 beam.  Just a watt meter in line at first, then later tried with the
ALPHA 87.

The comment about the ORION II being an excellent radio is well taken. I
have some issues with a few things that I won't go into here but I am hoping
that the RECEIVER is what it is cracked up to be. That being said it is not
pleasure to sit in the chair and put the headphones on and hear distorted
rf.  Gary at TEN TEC asked a handful of questions when I called about it. He
suggested inserting an rf choke, winding one around a paint can. If one was
required to operate the radio you'd think it would be included in the box.

I will continue to experiment here.  I will be taking the radio to another
operator's qth to see whether the issue disappears on another antenna, power
supply, amplifier, microphone, a/c line and so forth. Any other suggestions
or ideas are of course welcomed and assuredly appreciated. - Mike. K4CVL







-----Original Message-----
From: Larry Menzel [mailto:retire at means.net]
Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2006 10:55 PM
To: 'mryan001'; 'Orion Reflector'
Subject: RE: [Orion] Orion Audio


Hi, Mike,

Welcome to the group.  I believe you'll find not only a wide range of
interesting topics, but a wide range of interesting folks, as well.

Let's see.  First.  Did you read the manual for the radio, several times we
suggest. There are notes concerning the use of headphones.  Besides that,
you'll not get optimum performance without knowing a lot about the menus and
all the individualized settings available.

Second, is the AGC enabled or in the off position?  You may want to select
slow or program while in SSB.

Third, you MUST use STEREO HEADPHONES ONLY with the Orion.  Mono phones will
damage the radio.  Do you notice this at all output power levels?

Fourth, it is strongly suggested that you have a good, solid station ground
with an Orion.  Earth ground, not a cold water pipe.

Fifth, You don't mention much about how your station is configured, whether
you have another radio sharing antennas or if you have any issues with
tuners, feedlines or antennas.  Nor do you mention what kind of mic you're
using.

Sixth, If you have an original Orion, not an Orion II, unless you're using a
Ten Tec microphone, the radio is very fussy about how the mic is wired.
Information can be found in the manual.  You MUST have the mic ground
attached to the connector SHELL (using the four pin connector) in order for
the microphone to work properly.  I submit that this may be the problem.

Have you tried operating the radio directly into the antenna coax to make
sure that there are no peripherals introducing rf feedback to the radio?

Hope you're able to rule some things out before assuming that it's the radio
or the headphones.

Good luck.  Orion is an excellent radio, but it does take some time to learn
how to run it and to make sure that all peripherals are wired correctly.

73.

Larry, N0XB
Northfield, MN


-----Original Message-----
From: orion-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:orion-bounces at contesting.com] On
Behalf Of mryan001
Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2006 9:31 PM
To: orion at contesting.com
Subject: [Orion] Orion Audio

I just found the ORION group postings today. I just bought an ORION and it
was delivered last week. I wonder what you found out about the audio
trouble. I have SEVERE ssb feedback in my headset phones,...ANY head set
phones. With either the amp on or off.  Has anyone that you know had this
type of trouble?-- Thanks.... - Mike

_______________________________________________
Orion mailing list
Orion at contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/orion

--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.10.5/403 - Release Date: 7/28/2006



--
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.10.5/403 - Release Date: 7/28/2006