[TenTec] Orion

[Ken Bourne]

Ten-Tec appears to be on the path toward victory with its new Orion.  
Many features, especially panel layout, are "cast in concrete," but I 
expect they are considering our opinions while finalizing other 
features.  The announced features are excellent and extremely 
exciting.  Thank you Ten-Tec!  As an active radio amateur for more 
than 45 years, I offer the following (admittedly long) list of 
opinions, mostly on unannounced but desired features, at least some 
of which I hope will be useful in producing the world's greatest 
amateur transceiver.

The announced dual-receive concept is excellent, including diversity 
reception. For DX chasing, a separate audio output needs to be 
provided for each receiver, to allow monitoring of your transmit 
frequency on your left speaker or earphone, and the DX station's 
frequency on your right speaker or earphone.  Ten-Tec should offer 
dual matching speakers (8-inch or 10-inch).

The display is an important issue.  I expect Ten-Tec has carefully 
considered what needs to be displayed.  However, the appearance of 
the display is important, to justify the cost of the radio.  A two-
color, cheap-looking, LCD display with an ugly font would make the 
Orion appear inferior to the Icom IC-756PROII.  The PROII display is 
enjoyable to use, and gives that transceiver a classy appearance.  It 
is essential that a full-color TFT display be provided on the Orion, 
preferably with a choice of fonts and background and foreground 
colors.

The real-time spectrum display (assignable to main or sub receiver) 
is exciting.  I propose, as an added feature, an "activity detector" 
(with defeat switch).  This feature would alert the operator to band 
openings, by means of a series of beeps and/or a blinking indicator 
on the display.  This would especially be useful to detect band 
openings, especially on VHF and UHF when used with transverters.  A 
digital display of the detected frequency would be desirable, or at 
least a dot on the spectrum display.  Perhaps the transceiver could 
tune automatically to the detected frequency.  (A defeat switch would 
be required for that function!)

A display of the transmit waveform would be highly desirable, to 
observe CW waveshapes, flat-topping on SSB, and optimum modulation 
level on AM.

Perhaps this is beyond the scope of the Orion design, but it would be 
nice if it decoded and displayed CW and all common digital messages.  
A packet-cluster display would be desirable, when used with a 2-meter 
converter or transverter.

I am glad to see a real meter on the front panel.  However, it should 
be a multicolor meter, showing not only received signal level but 
also power output, VSWR or reflected power, ALC, and compression 
level.

I did not see a squelch control on the front panel.  I certainly hope 
a squelch is provided for all modes, including CW, SSB, FM, and AM.

AM activity is experiencing a resurgence, especially on 75 meters and 
10 meters, attracting audio aficianados.  The Orion should provide 
automatic adjustment of optimum carrier level in the AM mode.  
Transmit and receive audio equalization must be provided on AM, as 
well as on SSB and FM.

Output power higher than 100 W is desired, preferably 200 W (a la 
Yaesu FT-1000D and Icom IC-775DSP), but at least 150 W.

It is unfortunate that 6 meters was not included to compete with the 
Icom IC-756PROII.  Perhaps Ten-Tec thought adding 6 meters would 
compromise the specifications.  I hope the reason was not based on 
affecting sales of the Model 526 6-meter/2-meter transceiver.  
(Avoiding features in a new top-end product based on sales effects 
toward other products is poor, but typical, marketing.)  
Nevertheless, this gives Ten-Tec a great opportunity to introduce 
high-quality transverters (such as offered by Down East Microwave or 
SSB Electronic USA), perhaps to be installed in a matching cabinet.  
A high-power (100-200 W) 6-meter transverter in a matching cabinet 
might also be offered, similar to Yaesu's transverter that matches 
the MARK V FT-1000MP.  The Orion frequency display should be 
configurable to show the actual transverter operating frequency.  
Perhaps a packet-cluster terminal could be included with a 2-meter 
transverter, with information displayed on the Orion.

The Orion should include a digital recorder for both transmit and 
receive audio.  The recorded receive audio should be retransmittable. 
The recorded transmit audio should have several memories, for canned 
contest messages.

A built-in keyer, with full multichannel memory functions for canned 
messages, would be desirable.

Ten-Tec should offer linear amplifiers in matching cabinets.  They 
should be efficient and rugged in all modes (including AM, FM, and 
digital).  A full-legal-limit tube-type amplifier should be offered, 
as well as a solid-state amplifier with built-in AC power supply.

By not seeing a power cord or AC connector on the rear panel, I 
assume a power supply is not built in.  I hope, for $3300, a power 
supply is included.  If it's external, it should be in a matching 
cabinet.  Ten-Tec needs to state clearly if its own power supply is 
required (because of fast-acting circuit breakers, for example), or 
if competing power supplies are acceptable.

Matching cases, with replaceable front panels, should be offered for 
homebrew projects.

Orion's memory channels should retain frequencies (including offsets) 
and modes.  On FM, this should include transmit, receive, and subtone 
frequencies for 10-meter repeater operation.  Subtone frequencies 
should be programmable.

Appearance and construction should be elegant for top-end equipment, 
to confirm an image of quality.  Sheet metal screws need to be 
replaced with PIM nuts and machine screws.  The large frequency-
tuning knobs should be heavy, for a flywheel effect.  I personally 
desire a black cabinet and front panel, but Ten-Tec needs to survey 
and go with the majority opinion.  Charcoal gray or the dual-color 
scheme of the Omni VI+ are also attractive.  I don't mind gold trim, 
but, again, the majority should rule.  The logo and "ORION" label are 
much too large, and should be reduced to no more than half the size.  
Again, the Orion needs to have a multicolor TFT display and a 
multicolor/multifunction meter.

It's unfortunate that top amateur radio dealers do not offer Ten-Tec 
radios.  Comparing the Orion side-by-side with competing equipment in 
a dealer's showroom should make it obvious that Ten-Tec is the only 
choice.  Dealers are under heavy pressure from the Japanese 
manufacturers to offer only their equipment, in order to purchase at 
the lowest wholesale prices.  Hopefully the superior quality of the 
Orion will break this offshore juggernaut, and Ten-Tec will be the 
first U.S. manufacturer in decades to 
outsell the Japanese.  Perhaps Ten-Tec sales offices or 
representatives 
could be established in major cities.  Let's all pitch in and 
continue offering 
our carefully considered opinions to Ten-Tec to help them introduce 
the 
Orion as the world's greatest amateur radio transceiver.

Ken Bourne, W6HK