[TenTec] Firmware 2.59d .... differing opinions should be solicited... don't you think?

[Carl Moreschi]

This brings up a very good point.  I use 2.059d exclusively now.  I am an
avid DX'er on both CW and phone.  For phone operation I use a tentec 234 RF
speech processor.  I have a audio transformer on the output of the 234.  The
234 gives much better compression and talk power than any of the speech
processors on the Orion on any version.  I can get more compression and much
higher average power this way.  Does my voice sound normal this way?  Not at
all.  But it has tremendous punch and intelligibility this way.  This is
what a speech processot should do.  So I don't care about whether the speech
processor in V1 or V2 is better.  And by adding the audio transformer on the
output of the speech processor, my audio is guaranteed to be isolated from
ground so I have no distortion.  This solves all kinds of problems for me.

I also much prefer the AGC that is in V2.  I believe it works much better on
very weak signals, especially with thunder crashing on 80 and 160.  I also
very much like the live sweep on V2.  I can tell in an instant how open a
band is just by looking at the sweep display.  I also very much like the
much faster serial port response from V2.  This is important to me because I
run my N4PY software exclusively when I use my Orion.   Also, I find V2
extremely stable.  I would prefer the manual and auto notch to be in the AGC
loop but in reality I find I rarely use these features.  I never use a notch
on CW since if there is interference I just use a tighter filter.  On phone,
once in a while there will be an interfering hetrodyne, and the audio notch
works fine to take it out.  I have not seen many times when it has been a
problem that the notch is not in the AGC loop.  I don't have any problem
with the sub-receiver on AM because I use my rx340 for all AM listening.

The point of all this is it depends on what you do and how you operate as to
whether you are better off with V1 or V2.

Carl Moreschi N4PY
121 Little Bell Drive
Bell Mountain
Hays, North Carolina 28635

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jerry Volpe" <kg6tt at arrl.net>
To: <tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Saturday, November 04, 2006 6:45 PM
Subject: [TenTec] Firmware 2.59d .... differing opinions should be
solicited... don't you think?


> >> With all due respect Jerry, it's postings like yours that in itself
> > > tend to polarize the issue. By this I mean that your posting can be
>
> >> seen to make a concerted effort to "debunk" firmware problem reports
> >> made in good faith by knowledgeable users.  We all need to give a
> >> little space to each other, and leave open the possibility that
> >> there's some truth in what is being reported.
>
> And your truth is the only truth? Unfortunately that is not my
> experience, nor is it the experience of a close friend who also uses an
> Orion... and finally version 2.059d. It is unfortunate that since I
> don't totally agree with  some Orion related user findings that I must
> be 'debunking' those findings of other knowledgeable users. Have you
> considered that I may also be a knowledgeable user (I do have my EE in
> RF, analog, digital electronics with history as senior engineer in this
> industry.... 30 plus years experience... and an amateur operator for
> over 40 years)? Maybe what I was proposing was simply that in day-to-day
> operation and use issues which may seem very important to some may not
> be that important to others? ..... that perhaps it would be useful for
> each Orion owner to try for themselves. The reason for my 'polarizing'
> comment stems from the fact that regarding this particular reflector it
> seems virtually impossible to express an opinion that somewhat differs
> from certain outspoken individuals without having the 'facts' presented
> once again.
>
> Please don't think that Ten-Tec engineers do not periodically review
> this and other Ten-Tec related reflectors you. They do. But simply
> posting  reflector comments and suggestions, regardless of the posting
> individual's level of commitment and belief, does not guarantee that
> others fully agree or that there isn't more to that story. Perhaps it is
> merely a matter of timing?
>
> If 2.059d is so horrible then why are many Orion owners enjoying it
> every day? I have access to all the firmware versions and I spent some
> time testing the later versions of 1.3x. There were definitely things
> that I liked as well as things that I didn't. The same with version
> 2.059d. However, Ten-Tec is not going back to the version 1.x code base
> for future firmware development, so any future changes will be based on
> the current 2.x versions. My personal decision was to commit to using
> what they are working with and working on. That way, to my thinking,
> what ever I do experience will be more directly useful. And as I stated,
> I enjoy the Orion as configured with 2.059d more than I did under the
> version 1.x firmware choices.
>
> Finally when ever I see the words "with all due respect" I know that
> there is none... and that is too bad.
>
> --
> Ralph Jerald "Jerry" Volpe
> Amateur Radio Operator KG6TT
> ARRL Member & VE
> FISTS 12304
>
> 788 Chestnut Drive
> Fairfield, CA 94533
>
> kg6tt at arrl.net
>
> 510 325-7724
> 707 399-8838 FAX
>
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