[TenTec] "The Bug" a/k/a Orion II Audio

[Ron Castro]

There is nothing "subjective" about the graph on my website outlining the 
deviation from factory specifications in the low frequency audio response, 
and there is no denying that there are some O2's that got out of the factory 
with a serious defect in the audio, like that I heard on the O2 owned by 
Ron, N9AU and at least one other.

There are a host of problems that the V2 software introduced, however it 
does not seem to me that they are insurmountable problems, and when TT fixes 
them, this will be the best radio on the market, regardless of price. 
According to one report, TT hasn't been too inclined to fix the problems 
since the radio was getting "rave reviews".  TT reads this reflector, and 
hopefully they will get the message that there is still work to be done.

For a quick review, here are the problems they need to look at:

       * Audio problem that was apparently caused by a change in the DSP 
from a filter method to the "Weaver Phase Difference" method.

       * Automatic and Manual notch that does not reduce the AGC after the 
carrier is removed.

       * Noise reduction that does not work as well as v. 1 (I never had a 
v. 1 to compare so I take this on the advice of those who have)

        * Totally inaccurate S-meter that is low by at least two S-Units 
below S-9 and up to 22 dB too high above S-9.  Reading should be 
automatically compensated for preamp or attenuator.

        * Funny "clicking" sound in CW Sidetone monitor.

        * RF getting into radio via headphones wire (hardware mod needed).

I know that TT can fix these problems, and I know it will take time and 
feedback from all of us, which is exactly why we continue to air these 
problems on the list.

Ron N6AHA

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Nason / NA9U" <na9u at arrl.net>
To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Friday, April 07, 2006 6:49 AM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] "The Bug" a/k/a Orion II Audio


> Dude, I don't mean to flame but where have you been?
> This is a hate fest.  People are endlessly finding
> fault with the Orion then disparage it ad nausea until
> a new "fault" pops up.  (I know everyone wants to make
> the radio better, spare me that retort) Like this
> audio thing, hard to argue with something so
> subjective and nebulous.
>
> "The 10th harmonic of your voice is getting clipped
> which has destroyed your voice quality making the
> radio useless." (BTW I made this quote up:)
>
> Like a little family though.  Oddly if an Icom guy
> came in here and said something bad about the Orion
> they would grind him into powder.  So.... you figure
> it out.
>
> 73,
> John NA9U