[TenTec] [Orion] O2 Tx audio quality

Wed Mar 22 15:19:44 EST 2006

Thank you for the kind comments on the audio.  I should be on 40 meters this 
evening sometime after 0000 UTC, and possibly as late as 0400.  Look around 
7165 to 7195, and we can share some ideas!

Ron
N6AHA

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ronald Gorski" <R.Gorski at Astronautics.com>
To: "Ron Castro" <ronc at sonic.net>
Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2006 5:38 AM
Subject: Re: [Orion] O2 Tx audio quality

> At 11:54 AM 3/20/06 -0800, you wrote:
>>Then the problem is probably isolated to the SSM2166 mic preamp chip in 
>>the A7 section (schematic 81917_9.pdf) or its associated components, 
>>U201AA or U200A (Main Codec, schematic 81917-6.pdf).  The U200A chip could 
>>have a problem although it's not in complete failure mode, or you would 
>>have no receive audio in the speakers.  The headphones are fed from the 
>>chip that handles the Aux input.
>>
>>My first course of action would be to look at all the cables and 
>>connections from the back of the mic connector through to the A7 board, 
>>and all associated connectors and cables to and from that board, plus 'the 
>>usual suspects' like bad solder joints, etc.  If there is nothing obvious, 
>>then a trip back to Dolly Parton Parkway is indicated!
>>
>>Ron N6AHA
> Ron, my initial observation (listening to internal monitor) was that 
> driving the AUX mike input produced significantly better transmit audio 
> than using the front panel 8-pin connector. On-the-air tests showed that 
> this was false. The harsh (raspy) edge was still present on voice peaks.
>
> I heard you chatting on 40m last evening. Your audio is outstanding (must 
> be the $17 mike). Would have called but band went south. Also had a chance 
> to view your web site. Interesting comments. Also viewed many many 
> comments from Orion I owners.
> Saw a few comments indicating past problems withe the TT switching supply. 
> Suspect that the regulator circuitry was susceptable to RF. Just for 
> grins, I swapped out the supply with a Lambda. Also wrapped the DC cord to 
> the radio on some ferrite.  By far, you have the best sounding O2 that I 
> have heard (you have become the default "standard").
>
> Would very much like to chat with you on the air. Specifically, I wish to 
> pick your brain for RFI related issues. The only ground connection to 
> radio is through coax (tied to ground rods at base of tower) and the AC 
> mains ground pin on the amplifier. An electrically short groung wire is 
> not possible. I've not had RF issues with other radios.
>
> Let me know if an on-the -air test is possible. Thanks for your time.
>
> Ron N9AU
>
>
>
>
>>----- Original Message ----- From: "Ronald Gorski" 
>><R.Gorski at Astronautics.com>
>>To: "Ron Castro" <ronc at sonic.net>
>>Sent: Monday, March 20, 2006 11:19 AM
>>Subject: Re: [Orion] O2 Tx audio quality
>>
>>
>>>At 11:03 AM 3/20/06 -0800, you wrote:
>>>>Another question---can you check if the distortion is also on the Aux 
>>>>input as well?  If it is not, that narrows down the problem quite a bit.
>>>>
>>>>Ron N6AHA
>>>Funny you should mention that! I have an old electret mike with an 
>>>equalizing pre-amp. I connected same to the AUX input last night (just 
>>>because I didn't have an 8 pin cable made up). I set the aux mike gain at 
>>>50 and adjusted the pre-amp output til I had plenty of ALC action. Turned 
>>>up the monitor to near max so as to pick up any audio flaws. The audio 
>>>(at the monitor) sounded GREAT. Switched back and forth between the Heil 
>>>(connected to the front 8 pin connector) and the electret and the 
>>>difference was substantial.
>>>I have yet to check this with an on-the-air report.
>>>Ron N9AU
>>>
>>>
>>>>----- Original Message ----- From: "Ronald Gorski" 
>>>><R.Gorski at Astronautics.com>
>>>>To: "Ron Castro" <ronc at sonic.net>
>>>>Sent: Monday, March 20, 2006 10:30 AM
>>>>Subject: Re: [Orion] O2 Tx audio quality
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>At 09:01 AM 3/20/06 -0800, you wrote:
>>>>>>A couple of questions:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>--Have you tried a Master Reset?
>>>>>Yes, I have performed master resets following firmware updates. The TX 
>>>>>audio issue has been with me since day 1.
>>>>>
>>>>>>--Can you hear the raspy sound in the monitor?
>>>>>Yes, I can hear it in the monitor. Doesn't matter what user setting I 
>>>>>have nor the type of microphone. TX into antenna same as TX into a 
>>>>>dummy load.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>--Can you hear the raspy sound in another receiver?
>>>>>Yes, another receiver sounds same as the monitor. Audio is 
>>>>>intelligible.........just not world class.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>--What happens if you turn down the mic level control to the point 
>>>>>>where the ALC light is not flashing?
>>>>>On-air reports indicate some improvement when gain is reduced to low 
>>>>>level (35). The improvement is not, however, significant.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>--What power supply voltage are you running and how much does it dip 
>>>>>>at the rig connector under key-down, full power?
>>>>>I am using the TT 22A continuous supply. I have no voltage monitor 
>>>>>connected.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>I heard another O2 user over the weekend who's audio sounded 
>>>>>>distorted, but since I was just getting ready to leave the house I 
>>>>>>didn't have a chance to talk to him.  If I run into him again (he's 
>>>>>>usually around on 75 at night) I'll see if I can get an idea about 
>>>>>>what might be causing his problem, and report it back here.
>>>>>
>>>>>Please do. I think there are more of us out there. I am starting to 
>>>>>think that there may be a hardware problem with the audio board.
>>>>>73, Ron
>>>>>
>>>>>>Ron N6AHA
>>>>>>
>>>>>>----- Original Message ----- From: "Ronald Gorski" 
>>>>>><R.Gorski at Astronautics.com>
>>>>>>To: <orion at contesting.com>
>>>>>>Sent: Monday, March 20, 2006 6:32 AM
>>>>>>Subject: [Orion] O2 Tx audio quality
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>I have received reports of a raspy edge on all voice peaks. The 
>>>>>>>problem
>>>>>>>does not appear to be RFI related nor is it affected by TX EQ or LF
>>>>>>>roll-off settings or the type of microphone used (condenser mike or 
>>>>>>>heil
>>>>>>>GM-5). I know of one other O2 owner that has experienced the same 
>>>>>>>problem.
>>>>>>>His is at the factory for troubleshooting. Are there others?
>>>>>>>Ron N9AU
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>_______________________________________________
>>>>>>>Orion mailing list
>>>>>>>Orion at contesting.com
>>>>>>>http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/orion
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>
>
>
> 