[TenTec] Omni-VI+ serial port, gen cov - Collins remembered/AM??, benefits of Omni vs. youknowwho, Dayton

[Ten-Tec Inc. Amateur Radio Sales]

I've been watching the messages over the last couple of weeks but 
we've been so busy that I haven't had much time to respond.  

KL7HF writes:
>One feature that has been added - and NOT DOCUMENTED,
>is a serial port test routine.

>To use , fire up a standard communications emulator program
>such as Procomm, etc. Set up for 1200/N/8/1 and the serial
>port you will use.
>Connect a standard modem cable - straight thru, not a
>null modem cable - between the computer serial port and the
>DB-25 serial connector on the Omni-6.

>Hold down the "FM" button on the Omni while turning it on.

>It will allow you to check for proper config on the serial input.

>Pretty neat. TenTec always comes through!
>(Wish they had put it in the manual!)

This is correct.  It only operates at 1200 baud.  This serial port
config test routine will work on the Omni-VI Plus or Omni-VI's that
have been upgraded to VI+, but not the original Omni-VI transceiver. 

-------------

KD7MW writes:

>Here's a "HEY, SCOTT" idea that occurred to me while writing my previous
>post in praise of the Omni VI.

>I'd love it if TenTec offered AM receive through a low-cost 4-6 kHz
>ceramic filter and diode detector in the Omni.  Other filters selectable,
>as always.  Then, manufacture an outboard shortwave converter you could
>attach to the AUX antenna. 

>It could be a simple crystal converter for the common SWBC bands, or maybe
>a 0.5-30 mHz synthesized converter with 500 hKz steps and output on 15
>meters.  Or something like that.  Such a converter could be sold to other
>ham-band-only rig owners, too. 

>This would give those who want it general coverage, without sacrificing
>the Omni's ham-band performance or adding much to the cost of the basic
>radio. Scott, if you take up my idea, send me the first converter :-)

There's always been mumbling about doing a general coverage add-on to
the Omni-V/VI but we have no plans to do so.  At the time the rig was
designed AM was not added as a feature because we didn't see any reason
to include it.  Sure, we realize that there is interest in AM, but keep 
in mind when this rig was first conceived a few years ago that the
current AM revival was not underway.  

Collins used to achieve general coverage with the S-line by using banks
of plug-in crystals.  Every time I go down to my parents house I see my
dad's S-line (next to the Omni-VI Plus, of course) and all of those 
pretty crystals in their boxes and then my head starts to spin a little
....but I don't think it's feasible to do the same with the Omni-VI Plus 
as the cost would be horrendous to do it that way today.  The days of 
cheaply manufactured crystal banks are long gone.


>Another reason may be that some folks expect the Omni to have everything
>everyone else has, *plus* its unique advantages.  They don't understand
>that the Omni's fundamental design--crystal mixing--means a tradeoff of
>some things for others.  General coverage and absolute dial accuracy would
>mean sacrificing the very things the Omni does best.

I get any number of phone calls that are a version of "huh, no general
coverage, no auto tuner, no internal power supply, gee guys that's a lot
of money <click>".  I always take great care to explain our engineering
philosophy, what the rigs benefits and tradeoffs are, what features are
there and what are not.  I am absolutely positive that there are hams out
there that would see a serious benefit from owning our transceivers that
don't know any better.  We sell the rig on a 30 day trial period because
you can sit this transceiver down next to anything manufactured today and
it's going to outperform it.  The differences are CONSISTENT, REAL, and 
INDENTIFIABLE on any average day.  During a contest it is even more 
dramatic.  


-------------

Dayton:

We'll be back in the same spot as last year, booths 548-551 as you come 
down the ramp into the East Hall at Hara Arena.  I'll be there myself
with 9 or 10 more of us from Ten-Tec.  We'll have a couple of unreleased
new items to display this year.  Y'all come by. 

Sincerely, 

Scott E. Robbins, W4PA
Amateur Radio Product Manager, Ten-Tec 




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