[TenTec] Orion II NR Performance Measurements

[Bill Tippett]

NQ5T:

 >With the signals set to be under (as far as I can tell
anyway) the AGC threshold, it is true that when NR is
turned on the radio gets quiet.  Unfortunately, the
signal level decreases right along with the noise level.

         Yes, which is exactly why we need valid S/N
measurements rather than simply trusting our ears.
As I stated on March 2:

"The problem is that NR compensates the gain to adjust
for the lower noise bandwidth, so you can't really do an A
vs B comparison instantly.  The gain change fools our brain
into thinking it is helping, but when you make the actual S/N
measurement (MDS) you discover NR actually does nothing that
simply reducing Orion's bandwidth will not do as well (and
much faster to boot)."

         Thanks for making the S/N measurements
and sharing your results Grant.  This is objective
information that Ten-Tec cannot dismiss as simply
anecdotal opinion.  I recently tried 2.056 and
I especially liked its control responsiveness,
RX control isolation while in TX mode and the display
improvements, but 1.373b5 is back in my rig for now.

         If more of us would quantify our issues
as you and others are doing, it should help Ten-Tec
improve the firmware and at least verify it before
releasing the next version.

                                         73,  Bill  W4ZV