[TenTec] Off center knobs

[Pete Smith]

At 04:04 AM 5/22/03 +0000, you wrote:
>For the record, the fit and finish of the Orion is as good as any radio I've
>owned.  It's extremely well done.
>
>One thing I really like about the control arrangement, is that there are NO
>analog controls on the panel.  ALL of the rotating controls are shaft
>encoders.  No pots to wear out, or get scratchy -- and none of those little
>push-button mini-pot thingies.

I tend to agree about fit and finish, based on the unit I got close to at 
Dayton.  I'm darned if I could detect any issue with the tuning 
knobs.  Assuming these demo units go from show to show for a year or more, 
they probably get more abuse than in anyone's shack.

Just a comment on shaft encoders, though.  The one thing that went really 
haywire on my Mark 5 was the shaft encoder for the RIT.  They replaced it 
within the warranty period, and now (after another year) the darn thing is 
starting to go flakey again.  It is not optical, I was told, but rather a 
mechanical encoder of some sort, and occasionally will jump a whole kHz 
when tuning.  Not good.  I kinda think a good quality pot would be no worse...


73, Pete N4ZR
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