[TenTec] re should i buy an orion now

[Harry Reed]

 >Harry, methinks it is you who is missing the big picture. Weather we 
like it or not, >the industry is going the way of TT and either firmware 
upgradeable rigs, or the pure >software control like the SDR-1000.
 >

Yup, it sure is. However, if the industry en mass adopting SDR means 
years of buggy firmware, well, then all that SDR represents is a cost 
reduction for those who make amateur equipment and a consequent rise of 
the bottom line for those who peddle it. We, the consumers end up 
suffering because we will now only be offered hi-tech junk that sounds 
cool, but is really a bunch of .......well, you know.

If, however,  the industry offers quality products - and they will, make 
no mistake - then we are on the verge of a revolution in radio 
technology.  However, TT has yet, in my opinion, to make the Orion a 
*true* quality product. Imagine what would happen to Amateur sales if 
one of the Big-3 (Icom, Yaesu, Kenwood) offered a radio with the quirks 
of Orion? - that company's reputation would be tarnished and all of the 
hard work they put into getting people loyal to their brand may have 
been for naught - and that may well be happening to TT unless v2 of the 
Orion firmware works as promised. A company can only peddle a marginal 
product for so long; consumers aren't stupid, brand loyalty only goes so 
far.  Make no mistake, most of TTs current products are outstanding. 
Take their RX-340 for example - a true world-class HF receiver (and 
SDR). The Orion, well, it still needs work after 2+ years.


 >We can not think in terms of the old plug and play version 1 or 2.
 >
 >The other three manufactures are all working on their versions. Icom 
has allready >released one in the 7800 which has upgradable 
firmware.(They had to recall the whole >lot for a harware mistake).
 >

And when they price their SDRs reasonably watch out!

 >The times they are a changing, get the rig now and enjoy.
 >

Yes, but, again, if SDR means years of buggy firmware and endless 
upgrades, well I'll just go back to my old JRC gear thank you very much.

>Bill  kc4atu
>QRP,doing more with less

*73
Harry, AB7YF*