[TenTec] SDR-1000

[steve moore]

I was going to give the Orion another year to develope. But this post changes my mind.  Hello SDR or FT2000.

wd0ct


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lee A Crocker" <lee_crocker at yahoo.com>
To: <tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 12, 2006 7:46 PM
Subject: [TenTec] SDR-1000


> You are right in many aspects the SDR-1000 does not
> equal the Orion, it surpasses it.  I own 2 SDR-1000's
> and one Orion.  My Orion has been relegated to being
> my 75M ragchew radio because the SDR is better at weak
> signal work, contesting and DXing especially on CW. 
> The receiver has better selectivity (yes I have the
> Inrad 600hz roofing filter) and it is quieter than the
> Orion.   
> 
> In addition while the Orion is updated once every
> 12-18 months you can download the latest beta code for
> the SDR daily using version tracking software.  If you
> don't like it the change you just flip up the most
> recent iteration of the software you do like.  And
> guess what!!  The software actually improves the radio
> without breaking a bunch of other features.    
> 
> If your smart enough you can add features to the
> software and if people like your addition it will be
> included in the next release.  If your not that smart
> but have a good idea and can convince someone to imp
> lament it, it also will see the light of day.  Those
> guys DO monitor the reflector, and since they are
> interested in being sensitive to the needs of their
> customers they actually either respond with the change
> needed or explain the rationale why the suggestion
> can't be implemented or is impractical to implement. 
> The Original software was written in visual basic, and
> that has changed to a .Net framework i.e not just a
> change around the periphery but MAJOR surgery to the
> code to make the radio better.  And better is gets all
> the time.  The code is presently rewrite so it will
> become modular seperating the front end GUI code from
> the back end DSP and control code, making it easire to
> customize the front end for various needs.  I don't
> think that's in the cards for the Orion.  
> 
> There is an open source hardware group that is in the
> process of developing DSP hardware that has MDS down
> around -160db and dynamic range of around 120db.  It
> will plug into the back of the SDR-1000 widening
> performance gap between the Orion and the SDR-1000. 
> Try doing that with your Orion.  Certainly there are
> features of the Orion that are superior such as
> diversity RX and its antenna switching flexibility and
> its QSK, but as the SDR improves the list diminishes
> daily.     
> 
> How good is it?  I have 160M, 80M and 40M verticals
> 100ft or less apart.  I can work S-2 (-120dBm my noise
> floor on 40 is -125dBm) strength dx on 40 or -116 dBm
> stuff on 160 while transmitting 1500W SSB or CW on 75
> or 80.  When transmitting 1500W on 80, I measure
> 2000mw (2 watts) of power on the receive antenna aka
> +33dBm.  There isn't even the slightest hint of
> desense or added noise in the SDR's receiver.  I could
> probably muster another 3dB but that would be illegal.
> The Orion does just about as well if I run the test
> in reverse, but there is some noise noticeable in the
> Orion on 160 when I am transmitting with the SDR at
> 1500W on 80.  I have both radios as tricked out as you
> can make them.  I have large horsepower on the
> computer for the SDR and the best DSP cards available
> at the present time, so both radios are as maxed out
> in terms of performance as you can make them for
> prosumer quality hardware.     
> 
> So scoff if you want, but I have both radios sitting
> on my desk and it is totally up to my whim which radio
> I decide to use for what purpose, and I assure you it
> is not my nature to choose the inferior radio to do
> the harder job. 
> 
> 73  W9OY  
> 
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