[TenTec] Orion 11

[RaySoifer at cs.com]

In a message dated 1/12/2007 11:29:20 PM GMT Standard Time, ram32 at pivot.net 
writes: 
> So, I ask, are there any concrete benefits to owning the Orion 11 over the 
> icom 756 pro 111?  Further, the discussions I have been reading here are so 
> technical, is the Orion 11 that difficult to learn how to use? 
>    
My 2 cents worth, as a happy Orion II owner and sometime user (but not owner) 
of a Pro III, is that neither is all that hard to learn to use, but they are 
different and each has its fans.  The real question, IMHO, is whether you plan 
to engage in the competitive operating (contesting and/or serious DXing) for 
which the Orion was designed, and if not, whether the performance difference 
between the two is worth the price difference to you.  Make no mistake: the Pro 
III is an outstanding radio, one that will probably meet all the needs of 
perhaps 98% of hams.  The Orion, to me, is even better, but that's because I get 
my jollies trying to work weak DX stations under massive CW pile-ups.  For 
general operating, most hams wouldn't be able to tell the difference, except in 
the wallet.

Different strokes, etc.

GL & 73,

Ray W2RS