[TenTec] Orion II on order, filter questions

[ac9s at mchsi.com]

Hi - I succumbed at Dayton and ordered a new Orion II.  To be truthful I have 
been studying the 7800, 9000 and Orion II literature pretty seriously for a 
while; the tipping point was Rob Sherwood's updated posting of receiver 
performance plus my own distrust of Yaesu build quality of late.

Since I have to wait until June 10 at least for the new O2 to be shipped I 
have had a chance to just about memorize the manual.  

The question - the manual recommends using a moderately wide CW roofing filter 
(1 khz) for general, non crowded, weak signal dx - due to increased loss with 
narrower filters.  In the QST review of the original Orion, dynamic range 
decreased with the narrowest roofing filters - the thought being the 
compensating amplification was the culpret.  Since Sherwood listed the same 
95db dynamic range at 1 khz using the new 4 pole 300 hz filter as it did at 2 
and 20 khz with wider filters is the manual's recommendation still valid?

- What is the narrowest filter for which there is no compensating amplifier?
- Would that be the recommended filter roofing filter for general weak signal 
dxing?
- With the new 4 pole roofing filters does it make any difference?

Thanks much - anxiously awaiting the hardware.  I have a couple of other 
questions related to amp interfacing and PSK / FSK, but I'll wait with them.

Keith - AC9s