[TenTec] Noise Reduction Setting

[Emil Borys]

Grant,
 
I searched the archive before I called TenTec and before I posted here.  After reading applicable archives there are almost as many opinions as posts.  If any consensus can be gleaned from the posts, it is that the DSP NR does not work as advertised.
 
I really don't like to clamp down on bandwidth unless absolutely necessary.  
 
Reasons for not liking 200 or 300 hz  bw:
 
I like to ragchew and virtually every qso turns into a 3 or or 4 way conversation.  When participants are not closely spotted, copying different tone frequencies is no problem... when they fall off the edge it's down right difficult for me.
 
With  limited operating time available, my speed doesn't get much over 35 to 40 wpm (I am in awe of the 60 wpm crowd.)  Come the end of Mar I am pretty much qrt until Nov.  I really haven't been able to become as proficient at cw as I'd like.... that is probably why I find that it is easier and more comfortable to copy said speeds at wider bandwidths and high noise frequencies.
 
For me, narrow bandwidth is no panacea for copying code.  While the absolute noise is reduced  as bandwidth is reduced, the resultant frequency content of remaining noise can be such that ease of copy is reduced, not enhanced.
 
I really like to use a wider bandwidth so that I can hear what's going on close by, someone may be trying to break, again not closely spotted, close signals appear via qsb, etc.
 
In your statement that "If you operate CW with reasonably narrow bandwidths, DSP NR is largely superfluous." I disagree with you, if you are making that statement in a general context.  Maybe that statement may be true if you are speaking of the apparent operation of Orions... as many here have described here.  I have had an IC-7800 for approx a year and a half... it excels at taking a cw signal that is r5, but in noise, greatly diminishing the noise and thus removing the fatigue caused by continuous noise during long term copy...  and also allowing a wider bandwidth.  Will the DSP make an r0 sig into an r5... no.  But the 7800's DSP will make any readability level easier and/or less fatiguing to copy, the very extremes notwithstanding.
 
Next topic:
 
I am amazed at some of the condescending and borderline snotty tones in some of the posts, whenever performance/operation of an Orion is questioned.  In addition, some appear that they do not read the question and circumstances given in the original post... and render contextually irrelevant comments... aimed at ????  
 
I'm a graduate EE, received my General when I was in 8th grade and a 1st Class Commercial with radiotelegraph and marine radar endorsements a year later, and my employers have a good handful of patents with my name on them.  Maybe because I've been in corporate management and not a practicing engineer for the last 10 or 15 years, I am not as qualified as many of you on this list... but to receive comments as 'Turn the RF Gain down'  after it has been stated that RF Gain and all other adjustment had been tried, makes me wonder why someone values their time so cheaply, to be spent by making such an inane comment... and why they think that I value my time so cheaply that I'd care to participate in their senseless blather.
 
  And, "I've removed the button." is really a great solution.  As a matter of fact, that just may be the universal solution to all problems!  My rig won't power up... hey, remove the On/Off switch, and... problem fixed!
 
After calling TenTec and receiving no help, I posted here.  Maybe I'm to critical, but... when I read documentation as to the functioning of a piece of equipment.... and it doesn't function as described, I look for answers.  Not using the function, is not a viable answer for me.  Wasting time sorting through puffery is annoying, to say the least.
 
I realize that membership here is free... however, it's a shame that some are bent on making it worth nothing.
 
Thanks to those that helped,
73
Emil
W9NM
 
 
>>> 
> If you gentlemen come up with a set of control parameters 
> that allow the use of DSP NR with CW, please post your solution.

If you operate CW with reasonably narrow bandwidths, DSP NR is largely
superfluous, if not downright useless.  The most effective noise reduction
tool in CW mode (any radio, not just the Orion/II) is the the bandwidth
control.

I know that's not the answer you're looking for, but it is the case.
There's considerable discussion in the reflector archives on the subject.

Grant/NQ5T
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