[Orion] Hash noise OrionII

[Steven Kline]

Hello Larry,

Saw your note to Mike and reference to AGC Programable settings.  With all the changes in AGC from 565 to OII (566) I have lost sense of the variable settings, aside from the original recommended settings for DX, contesting, etc. that I came across several years ago at least that were posted for the 565.  AGC was at one time a heavy discussion item on the thread, and not sure if everyone just gave up because they couldn't really detect a significant difference between what they program and the defaults applied to standard slow-medium-fast presets.

Would be interested to hear what settings you have found best for various operating conditions or contest or DX for the programable AGC?  I understand conditions change so hence the settings somewhat

Thanks,
Steve - W5JK


On Dec 1, 2010, at 11:41 AM, Larry Menzel wrote:

> Hi, Mike.
> 
> I'm going to assume that you're running the latest firmware for the radio,
> and that you did a master reset after loading the latest version.  If not,
> that would certainly be my first suggestion.  I had a little issue a while
> ago where my QSK was not functioning correctly with my Alpha 91B and an
> update brought it all back to perfect again, so I know that this can
> sometimes fix a whole lot of little things.  Sometimes just reloading the
> current version can help.  Be sure to do a master reset (push and hold
> MainRX while turning on the radio). So, a couple questions:
> 
> 1. How high is your RF gain turned up?  If it's over 75 it's too high.  Are
> you using the preamp?  Sometimes the combination of preamp and too much rf
> gain can cause your speakers/phones to distort.  
> 
> 2.  What are your AGC settings adjusted for?  As you know there are 4
> different selections available, and if these have been set incorrectly or
> something has altered them, that may be a problem with your "hash" noise as
> well. I find the programmable nature of the AGC response on the Orion II to
> be one of the best features of the radio.  If you want some additional
> information on how I set mine up, I'll be glad to provide those for you.
> 
> 3.  If your screen is blanking on transmit, it's tied to the voltage/current
> needed by the radio to operate properly.  Make sure that your power supply
> is working correctly, and that your Orion is connected directly to the power
> supply and not through a power strip or other device that could limit both
> current and voltage.  I have my Orion connected to a 30 amp Astron and it's
> solid all the time.  Install power poles or other direct connection devices
> to ensure solid contact with the power supply terminals.
> 
> Good luck.  The Orion II is still the best value for the dollar IMHO, and
> works flawlessly for a lot of us.  I'm sure it will for you as well.
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: orion-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:orion-bounces at contesting.com] On
> Behalf Of Mike Bragassa
> Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2010 7:13 PM
> To: orion at contesting.com
> Subject: [Orion] Hash noise OrionII
> 
> If I increase my volume too much (...and I don't mean "floorboard") my radio
> starts making a very loud hash sound. The only remedy is to turn the radio
> off and then on. It happens whether I am using the speaker or headphones.
> 
> I had the radio into TenTec and they say they cannot replicate the problem.
> I have a problem accepting this statement as it is too easy for me to
> replicate it.....too easy!
> 
> It cost me several hundred dollars to hear this.....
> 
> On a second note, I also said that the display goes blank when
> transmitting... Another easy problem to replicate. Ten Tec could not..
> 
> I can live with the dead display when transmitting; but find the hash noise
> very irritating and inconvenient.
> 
> Has  anyone else experienced this hash noise and what was the remedy?
> 
> Mike, K5UO
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