[TenTec] Orion RF issue

[Martin AA6E]

Try to transmit into a dummy load.  If it's your DC connection (as 
suggested by others), your "white screen" should show up.

Your DC current draw might be higher when feeding an antenna with VSWR > 
1.0 than for the dummy load.  Best to measure your DC voltage (at the 
rig connector) and be sure you have some reasonable margin above the 
white-screen threshold.

It's unfortunate that TT's design is so sensitive to low voltage.  If 
the LCD screen quits much before the rest of the rig, I think they could 
do better.  Has anyone done a test to see how low you can go and still 
operate reliably? (without the LCD)

TT's spec for DC voltage on the Orion I says "13.8 vDC nominal".  If 
they don't spec a minimum (or maximum) voltage, that says something... 
(Your message here!)

With all the computing power available, why don't we have built-in 
voltage/current/temperature sensing?  The rig could flash a message and 
fold back the RF power if there is too much DC droop, etc....

73 Martin AA6E

Natan Huffman wrote:
> Ladies and Gentlemen,
> 
>  
> 
> Today I took delivery of an Orion with version 2.056 firmware and
> integrated, with great ease, the rig into the station.  Unfortunately I am
> having an issue while on 80 meters where my antenna is near the shack and
> only up 50 feet.  The station is grounded well as is the house with each
> having two 15’ ground rods and short ground wires < ¼ lamda at 80) .  These
> grounds are tied into 4 more at the base of the tower about 50’ away from
> the shack.  I doubt the problem (white screen when transmitting) is due to
> lack of grounding but rather the presence of a strong RF field generated by
> the 80 antenna. Just for fun (done in 4 degree wx) I disconnected the large
> bus to the tower base and no change.  I also checked VDC at the plug in the
> back providing power and it’s fine.
> 
>  
> 
> This problem is not seen on two other transceivers in the shack when used on
> 80, which also suggests the problem is RF from the antenna.  Might there be
> some remedy so that I don’t have a white screen when transmitting?
> 
>  
> 
> Thanks in advance,
> 
>  
> 
> Natan W6XR
> 
>  
> 
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