[TenTec] Orion 11

[K5XS at aol.com]

Bob,
 
I can't tell from reading if you just _want_ a high-end radio, or if  someone 
has said you need one of the two models you mentioned, which are--as  others 
have decidedly pointed out--high-end radios.  
 
If you just want one, go for it.  As some of the other chaps here have  
pointed out, you could get by well with something far cheaper, but if you want  
one, either of them is delightful to operate.  
 
As to your specific questions:
 
Q1)  I ask, are there any concrete benefits to owning the Orion 11  over the 
icom 756 pro 111?  
 
A1)  Like any good engineer, I'll give you the stock answer:  It  depends.  
If you are doing SERIOUS DX'ing and contesting, the benefits of  the Orion II 
may emerge.  In day-to-day operating, maybe  not.  (In fairness, the Icom has 
some things to benefit it,  too.)  I just got my Orion II today, and I bought 
it over the Pro III  because I really like Ten-Tec's service and support, 
because I couldn't stand  knowing there was a better receiver out there (in the 
Orion II), and because I  am probably irrational about wanting to buy American 
stuff whenever I  can. 
 
Q2)  Is the Orion 11 that difficult to learn how to use?
A2)  I don't think so.  I took mine out of the box and was on the  air in 20 
minutes without looking at the manual.  There are some buttons I  had to refer 
to the manual for, but none that I needed for a CW or SSB  contact.  I find 
it very intuitive and easy--and fun--to operate.
 
That's my 2 cents.  If you WANT a high end radio, I'd go for it.   If you 
don't, a Jupiter is nice.
 
Bernie K5XS
 
In a message dated 1/12/2007 5:29:29 P.M. Central Standard Time,  
ram32 at pivot.net writes:

Hi,
OK Men, here's the question, and please bear with  my melodramatic 
explanation to my question.
My Son wishes to  assist me in purchasing an HF rig.  I am new to the HF 
"life" and I am  not sure where to turn for advice on which radio will suit me in 
my  endeavors.
I love listening to and joining with the proverbial  "rag chew...!"  I have 
been told that the two radios I should look at are  the icom 756 pro111, and 
the Orion 11.
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? 
Oh yeah, the  melodramatic part...We will be using one of these radios 
together here in the  cold, cold woods of northern Maine, and since we live on a 
dairy farm, the  radio will be worth more than all our vehicles put together.  
and  will probably be the only station that I will ever be able to purchase.
I  thank you for your time and I do apologize for such a non-technical 
question  here in this room.
N1XQJ  
Bob