[TenTec] Re: Orion

[Eric Rosenberg]

As with any substantial purchase, be it for amateur radio gear, a 
computer, audio system, or a car or house, you must first determine 
what the purchase is for and what it will accompish.

In my case, I was completely satisfied with my Omni-6+ at just about 
every level (I missed the s/w receiver function) and I wasn't seriously 
contemplating a change.

However, circumstances changed that allowed me to replace the Omni with 
an Orion.  Otherwise I was in no rush to do it.

I am pleased with the performance of my Orion.  Is it 'better' than the 
Omni? It's hard to say, although on paper and being significantly more 
modern in design it obviously is.  It is far more flexible in what it 
can do, and as a (small-time) contester, it has a more selective 
receiver.

Working in the technology arena, to me the firmware issues as 
reported/argued here are way overblown.  If the Microsoft operating 
systems on our respective computers froze or crashed as *few times as 
the people here report happening to their Orions, we'd all consider it 
to be a blessing.   This is not to say I don't have user interface 
issues with the Orion. I just don't complain about it publicly. I've 
made my thoughts known to Ten Tec and they have graciously received 
them, which is the best anyone can ask for.  Does Microsoft take the 
time to listen to and speak with you when you have troubles with their 
products?

In Jim Miller's scenario below, the issue appears to be whether a 
ssb-only, casual (i.e.,  non-contesting operator) will realize a 
significant enhancement in his ability to 'dig out the weak ones'  ("I 
just want a great quiet receiver and if this is better than my Omni 
6+") for the cost of replacing his well-liked Omni.

My answer is that for the incremental level of change WB5OXQ is 
expecting, he'd be better off keeping the Omni and investing his $$ in 
upgrades (INRAD filters/mods come to mind) and/or adding 
more/higher/bigger antennas.

Eric W3DQ
Washington, DC
-----------------------------
At 07:52 AM 12/10/2004 -0500, you wrote:
>From: "Jim Miller WB5OXQ" <wb5oxq at grandecom.net>
>Subject: Re: [TenTec] Re: Orion
>Cc:
>Date: Thu, 9 Dec 2004 22:02:16 -0600
>To: <roncasa at verizon.net>, <tentec at contesting.com>
>
>I am trying to save up money to buy an Orion and these emails are
>discouraging.  I do not contest, work cw, or do fancy things, I just 
>want a
>great quiet receiver and if this is better than my Omni 6+ I still 
>think I
>want one!