[TenTec] Orion

[Bill Steffey]

IT'S GREAT TO SEE ONE OF AMERICA'S EXPERIENCED MARKETERS CONTRIBUTING TO 
THIS PILE OF PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND MARKETING ...and at no charge . 
Because we all want a big winner.
bill


At 01:16 AM 3/11/02, Ken Bourne wrote:
>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
>
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>TenTec mailing list
>TenTec@contesting.com
>http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec