[TenTec] 516/Orion/"software defined"/etc.

[Paul Christensen]

> However, I am not sure T-T can successfully
> market this many rigs at once. If you look
> back through their history, rarely have they
> had this many models out...

I thought that in the '80s, Ten-Tec had quite a few offerings happening simultaneously or very close apart.  I'm thinking of the
Delta, Corsairs, Omni D-B/C...Argo 505/509/515, Argosy, C21, C22, Tritons...I'm sure they're capable of doing it again considering
that the time-to-market new products should be much faster than in the '70s and '80s with CAD design, surface-mount devices, total
control of the metal/chassis processes, etc., AND they can borrow from existing TT circuitry.  Think about it...the PA transmitter
block as used on most TT rigs over the past decade plus needs no changing.  They have an excellent handle on DSP filtering from
their learned experiences with the RX-331, RX-340, RX-320, Pegasus and Jupiter...so no lengthy time design here.  I suspect what
we'll see will be borrowed building blocks from other TT designs.  I for one am hoping that the ORION will take some of the best
attributes of the RX-340 commercial-grade DSP receiver and incorporate some Ethernet networking capabilities for out-of-the-box
Internet control.  I think is was a brilliant idea to have a ham-only primary receiver and a general coverage secondary receiver.  I
can envision secondary having performance commensurate with the Jupiter/Pegasus.  The real proof will lie in the integration of
these blocks with the control circuitry to ensure that QSK will be clean thump-free and frequency management will be at least what
we have with the Japanese transceivers.  I KNOW it can be done.  In effect, it is all done now with the N4PY software controlling
the RX-340/Pegasus.  Carl has developed countless useful operating features that the JA companies haven't figured out yet.  For
example, right-clicking on his DUAL VFO button allows one to track two VFOs at the same time for dual-diversity reception, or
clicking on either the left ot right mouse button on the CW button allows LSB or USB CW receive, numerous frequency management
options, linear amplifier pulser, etc.  If one guy like Carl can get all this performance timed right, I have to believe TT can as
well.

-Paul, W9AC