[TenTec] Orion debacle

Thu Jul 21 08:57:06 EDT 2005

I couldn’t agree more.  I received my Orion in early June with autotuner and all additional filters installed.  It is a fantastic rig.  I deliberately waited to allow Ten-Tec time to address some of the “problems” I read about on this site.  I have had none of the problems.  The rig performs beautifully and I can honestly say it is the best rig I ever owned in over 40 years of ham radio.  So what if Orion II has color, a different control processor, an eight prong mike (I have a Heil Studio One mike and really don’t care to re-wire it for another connector), and slight tweaking of the filters.  Opps, almost forgot that very important little pot on the back of the rig.  

I look forward to receiving the 2.0 firmware and want to thank Ten-Tec for providing me this upgrade at no cost, while Orion II owners will pay the premium for development costs, which also increases the re-sale/trade in value of my Orion.

Finally, from what I have read in the past about the “problems” is that a lot of Orions were bought by amateurs that didn’t understand (or didn’t care to learn about) the basic fundamentals of AGC and DSP, and the wonderful fact that they are completely programmable to suit the individuals needs – not a factory default.  These folks should have bought a KenYeaCom.

Scott K4VWK

---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: Tommy <aldermant at alltel.net>
Reply-To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec at contesting.com>
Date:  Thu, 21 Jul 2005 08:17:26 -0400

>This is the most sensible post on the 'issue' so far.
>
>Tommy - W4BQF
>
>
>At Thursday 07:56 AM 7/21/2005, you wrote:
>>Okay, I'll weigh in on this one time:
>>
>>Interesting how quickly the Ten Tec apologists can mobilize.   A 
>>year or two ago, it was, "Never need to buy a new rig; the firmware 
>>updates will keep the Orion current!"  And, "color screen?  who needs color?"
>>
>>Now it's, "Oh, you didn't really think you'd keep this rig forever 
>>now did you?"
>>
>>Some of you should be in Washington working as lobbyists.  You bend 
>>like a willow with every breeze from Sevierville.   I'm sure you 
>>know who you are.
>>
>>No, there's no warm and fuzzy here for Ten Tec; they are a business 
>>and I treat them as such.
>>
>>At some point, if they were to roll out a new rig, which as we all 
>>know is what happened, they had to pick a date and get on with 
>>it.   Some feel they got screwed and I sympathize.  I think it could 
>>have been handled a bit differently under the circumstances.  But, 
>>I'm interested in trying to figure out why there are bad 
>>feelings.  It's constructive to look at other cases.  Let's look at 
>>what happened when Icom started putting out the Pro III.
>>
>>Pro III got announced and production started soon after (or more 
>>likely was already gg on) and new rigs shipped to dealers who still 
>>had plenty of Pro IIs.   Surprisingly, there were no Pro II 
>>blowouts, in fact, there was around a 4 month overlap while dealers 
>>such as AES sold both, and never discounted the Pro II at 
>>all.  There was also no, or vy little outrage.
>>Why?   It's constructive to see what's different here.
>>
>>
>>A.  The Pro II fudamentally did what it was expected and advertized 
>>to do and as such was a pretty good rig.  Orion, basically had flaws 
>>from day one, which supposedly were to be resolved with software, 
>>but which were never entirely resolved.  Yes, many improvements were 
>>made, but according to some owners at least, not all  that were 
>>promised, hence a feeling of being misled.
>>
>>B.  Once again, the chickens came home to roost re TT's decision to 
>>abandon a dealer network and go direct.  Frankly, in most cases, the 
>>JA manufacturers let the dealers handle the customer problems, and 
>>relations with them, as that is what they are good at doing.   TT is 
>>held to a high or higher standard if you will, because people expect 
>>some sort of ethical behavior (i.e. what they consider to be 
>>ethical--whether they are being reasonable or not is something I'm 
>>not going to address) since they are a small company and have a 
>>reputation or image for square dealing and straight shooting, 
>>deserved or not.  In any case, the heat falls directly on them; not 
>>AES, HRO et al.  People therefore, expected more openness.  But, see below:
>>
>>>What gets me is how well Ten Tec kept this new Orion II a  secret.
>>>Ten Tec and its staff should work for the CIA. Boy can they keep it close
>>>to the vest!
>>
>>Do you not at all see why that was done?   Have you so quickly 
>>forgotten what happened with the premature original announcement 3 
>>years ago?   TT announced the Orion and many people on this list 
>>pestered them endlessly ....when when when Scott; how much longer; 
>>we can't wait; I've had my order in for 6 months; I want my Orion 
>>NOW; What, ANOTHER delay?  Waaaaaaa.....
>>Again, you know who you are, and you have no one to blame but yourselves.
>>To me, TT clearly desired to avoid the problems caused by the 
>>premature first announcement of the Orion, the presure to ship, and 
>>the resulting release of a rig that was obviously rushed and not 
>>ready for prime time.  I believe this time they wished to avoid that 
>>by keeping the Orion II Top Secret, and not breathing a word about 
>>it to anyone until they were absolutely sure of it being in 
>>production and ready to go out the door.
>>Otherwise, if they had casually said, "Oh by the way, we're working 
>>on a new Orion II; should be finished up in around 9 months..."  It 
>>would have been the same old whining, crying, stamping of feet, and 
>>bugging the hell out of the company staff.    As far as that's 
>>concerned I don't blame them for being secretive.   I doubt if they 
>>will ever mention new product plans again.
>>
>>But anyway, the past 24 hrs.  has been interesting to watch.    It's 
>>like observing some kind of wierd co-dependent relationship.  Okay, 
>>now your assignment is to forget all of what I've just written.  I 
>>want to get back to reading Ten Tec animosity and more, amazing, 180 
>>degree overnight reversals of attitude, from the cult.
>>
>>rob/k5uj
>>
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>>
>>
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