[TenTec] New Orion I v2 Firmware version: 2.062a

[Jerry Volpe]

The main issue that I have with this version (really a carry over issue 
for every version since 2.x) is the slight (slight?) audio fuzziness I 
hear, especially noticeable in headphones (I typically use a Heil 
Proset). To my ears it is a distortion that produces hearing fatigue 
rather quickly. It is most noticeable on weaker stations. Binaural 
listening clearly moves this distortion to the left earpiece (higher 
side). Binaural off centers the distortion in both earpieces, but it is 
still there. AGC settings seem to effect the nature of this distortion 
slightly but I haven't found an AGC setting that significantly reduces it.

I went back to version 1.3x firmware code to see if there was any 
significant difference in this audio distortion.... and it is less but 
still there.

My next step was to try different headsets. After six different models 
it became clear that the one that was significantly less sensitive to 
this distortion was my Kenwood HS-5 headsets that I had converted to 
stereo (an easy thing to do). My other headsets were similar to the Heil 
Proset in perceived audio distortion. Interestingly all of the other 
headsets except the Kenwood HS-5 had fairly broad frequency response 
ranges. Their input impedances varied but that only seemed to effect 
volume and not sensitivity to distortion. The Kenwood HS-5 is rated at 8 
ohm input with a frequency response of 150-4000 at -6dB, so they have a 
noticeable roll off at the high end. Sadly, the Kenwood is the least 
comfortable of the bunch and I can rarely wear them for more than an hour.

So after 18 months of Orion ownership I still find no firmware relief to 
the woes that effect me the most.... how it sounds. Ten-Tec folks... are 
you 'really' listening?

73,

Jerry, KG6TT





-- 
Ralph Jerald "Jerry" Volpe
Amateur Radio Operator KG6TT
788 Chestnut Drive
Fairfield, CA 94533

kg6tt at arrl.net

510 325-7724
707 399-8838 FAX