[TenTec] V2.062A - Orion and DXBase Logging Program

[Merle Bone]

Although Ten-Tec fixed the remote control code - to have the Orion select the antenna configuration from its memory when the band was changed from remote control, that function would not work with remote control from my DXBase logging software program.  When changing frequency/band the DXBase program sends a series of commands:
First it retrieves band/freq/mode/split which is stored in the event you want to switch back to the last frequency. Then it sends set: VFOA, mode, VFOB and split. For some reason that exchange causes the antenna selection process in the Orion to fail. It tries to switch the antenna and then reverts to its previous setting. Since I don't have a "datascope" I cant really see the data moving back and forth between DXBase and the Orion. 

I had been using the N4PY program to control a SteppIR antenna with the Orion for a while, not long after I got the Orion. I stopped using it because I didn't use the SteppIR all that much and the N4PY has the "quirk" that it doesn't handle the DXBase "RESET HF Frequency" commands (Which may be a quirk with the DXBase file interface) - which are supposed to return the radio to its original setting after you QSY to another DX spot and want to go back to where you were. Recently I reactivated the N4PY program - which uses a file interface between the DXBase program and the N4PY program - to test the Orion antenna switching function. I am glad to say that the N4PY program does cause the Orion antenna selection function to work correctly - activating receive only antennas on the correct bands. So if this function is important to you, and you use DXBase, N4PY can be a solution for the DXBase/Orion antenna switch problem (I have used other programs to drive the Orion, like Ham Radio Deluxe and the Orion antenna switching function works fine with them).  I wish Carl had the "keys" to the Orion firmware so he could "fix" some of the  issues with V2.062a.  Maybe an "attractive" new Elecraft K3 is the next firmware upgrade :-)
73, Merle - W0EWM