[TenTec] question about updates

Sat Apr 29 14:02:34 EDT 2006

I'm always happy to share my thoughts :-)

The O2's low-end drop off (-12 dB @ 100 Hz and -15 dB @ 50 Hz) can be 
mitigated by using an external EQ, such as the W2IHY 8-Band, which is what I 
use.  The added benefit is that the noise gate in the unit dramatically 
reduces fan noise from my linear.  Also, the audio curve can be quickly 
re-shaped to get the 'punch' you need for a pile-up or contest work.

Pushing up the 50 and 100 Hz levels brings in a good bottom end, without 
causing distortion, that makes up for deficiencies in the O2 and any your 
mic might have.  Adding some boost at 2400 and 3200 Hz increases 
articulation and clarity, much the way the Heil HC-5 cartridge does to 
increase copy, especially in receivers where the response curve starts to 
roll down at 2400-2700 Hz.

BTW...I just ordered a Heil PR40 microphone, so by next week, I should know 
how that changes my audio from the $22 PA mic I'm now using.

Ron, N6AHA

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Toby Pennington" <toby423 at earthlink.net>
To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Saturday, April 29, 2006 8:22 AM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] question about updates

>
> Speech Processor.........I was unaware that the drop off at 3300hz was 
> that
> severe,  but knew the low end response was somewhat limited.  I have heard
> many O2's on the air and they don't sound bad at all.  they just don't 
> have
> the full spectrum audio of the O1 V1.  However, I heard one on the Ten Tec
> net last Sunday running some outboard Eq and he sounded very good.  I
> believe that was Ron,  N6AHA.  Maybe an email to Ron could help you 
> unravel
> all this and give you some insight about what to do.  By the way,  this 
> does
> not appear to be a problem for the owners of the O2,  as they seem to be
> satisfied with the audio based on conversations I have had with some of
> them.  This seems to be very subjuctive and at least one guy I kow who 
> does
> contesting and dxing considers the audio ideal for what he does.  So there
> you go.......it all depends on what you are looking to do.
> Toby  W4CAK
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Steven Moore" <scm at copper.net>
> To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec at contesting.com>
> Sent: Saturday, April 29, 2006 10:51 AM
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] question about updates
>
>
>> Tnx Toby. You have confirmed what I have read. I have a graph of an 
>> orion2
> with firmware 2.032, 3900-50Hz
>> bandwidth, no eq, SP off, and it no way matches factory quoted spec. On 
>> am
> it is very good but on ssb it drops
>> like a rock at 3300Hz. Low end drops moderately from 400 to 150Hz and
> again drops like a rock at 150Hz.
>>
>> What is SP?
>>
>> 73
>> Steve  wd0ct
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Toby Pennington" <toby423 at earthlink.net>
>> To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec at contesting.com>
>> Sent: Saturday, April 29, 2006 9:28 AM
>> Subject: Re: [TenTec] question about updates
>>
>>
>> >
>> > Steve,  You cannot install firmware versions that were meant for the O1
> into
>> > the O2 and vice versa.  But, V1 and V2 firmware programmed for the old
> Orion
>> > can be installed into the Classic Orion and switched from one version 
>> > to
> the
>> > other. Only 2.0 firmware programmed for the O2 can be used with the O2.
>> >
>> > The audio on the O2 is acceptable and with an external EQ can sound
> really
>> > good.  At present the O2 seems to have communication quality audio due
> to
>> > some limitation on the low end of the audio spectrum.  I would not 
>> > think
>> > this would be a deal killer when considering purchasing an O2.  Also,
> Ten
>> > Tec is working on getting the SP and other adjustmenst concerning SSB
> audio
>> > corrected.  At present the audio on the O1 V1 sounds the best of the 
>> > two
>> > rigs.
>> >
>> > If this is a big concern you can always buy a used O1, Classic Orion, 
>> > as
> I
>> > beleive Ten Tec has them is stock for immediate shipment. Good luck 
>> > with
>> > your decision!   Toby W4CAK
>> >
>> >
>> > ----- Original Message ----- 
>> > From: "Steven Moore" <scm at copper.net>
>> > To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec at contesting.com>
>> > Sent: Saturday, April 29, 2006 9:58 AM
>> > Subject: [TenTec] question about updates
>> >
>> >
>> >> Are the old versions from ten tec forever lost when you update? Can 
>> >> you
>> > reinstall say the first version that
>> >> came with an orion 1 on an orion 2. This may seem a dumb question but
> I'm
>> > not computer savvy.
>> >>
>> >> Also I have read that the only version with acceptable audio transmit
>> > width for ssb with any fidelity is the
>> >> original orion with the first firmware - true ?
>> >>     If all I can get with an orion 2 is firmware with severe rolloff 
>> >> at
>> > 200Hz - and nothing you can do about
>> >> it - then I know I don't want an orion 2.
>> >>
>> >> 73
>> >> Steve  wd0ct
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> _______________________________________________
>> >> TenTec mailing list
>> >> TenTec at contesting.com
>> >> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > TenTec mailing list
>> > TenTec at contesting.com
>> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
>> >
>>
>>
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