[TenTec] OMIN VII

[Bob McGraw - K4TAX]

To Doug's comments I add.............  I have been a Tentec user since the 
late 70's.  I've had the Delta, a couple of earlier Omni's, a Paragon, later 
an Omni VI Plus, a Paragon II, another Omni VI Plus because I missed the RX 
quality of the earlier radios.  Within the past 90 days, I've sold the Omni 
VI Plus station and traded the Paragon II station in on a Omni VII.  I was 
amazed when I have had people call me after finishing a QSO and ask what I 
was using.  This is prompted by their praise of the transmit audio.  I use a 
708A mike.  This hasn't happen once or twice but almost every time I'm on 
the bands.  I work 160 SSB and 75 SSB mostly and a bit of 40 M SSB as well 
as some digital modes, PSK-31 and yes, a bit of CW too.  The receiver is 
great, easy to use, and makes digging sigs out of the noise a real pleasure. 
It's fundamental RX operation is a good bit different than earlier radios 
and most others on the market today.  It takes a change of mindset {at least 
with me} and once done the performance is outstanding.  Along with the 
standard filters I added a 500 Hz filter.

My Omni VII interfaced with the Tentec Centurion amp as easy as unplugging 
the cables from the Omni VI Plus and plugging them into the Omni VII.  A 
side note, it also interfaced with my VHF and UHF transverter {DownEast 
Microwave} equipment with only a plug in of the cables.  As to using it on 
PSK-31, the cable furnished by Tentec that plugs in the back of the radio 
has RCA connectors on the opposite end.  These along with the correct 
connector adapters allow it to interface direct with the sound card in my 
computer.  Often on PSK-31 I am asked what type of interface do I use?  The 
answer is "wire and connectors"  no transformers, no opto isolators, no 
level inverting stages, no attenuators..........just wire and connectors. 
There is a real line level input with separate level adjustment from the 
mike level adjustment.  Plus one can select mike input or line input or both 
from the easy to use menu.  Now that's real "plug 'n play" in my book.

As to the Orion and Orion II, these are both excellent radios although they 
went through a birthing period of new technology and new firmware.  I had 
one for about 90 days to do an evaluation for a DX club.  It is one 
fantastic radio, but..... with caution I add, it is not a radio most would 
enjoy using on a casual basis.  It is a serious high performance contest 
radio.  It provides the utmost in flexibility with regard to receiver 
performance attributes.   Here is an area where most hams get in trouble. 
There's enough user available infinite adjustable parameters that it is easy 
for one to get in deep trouble with this radio.  At that point typically one 
hasn't left a trail of bread crumbs to follow back to the beginning an thus 
a master reset is done and the need to start all over.  Again, unless one is 
very careful and often making detailed notes of the changes they apply, 
again when things get strange, there's no clear path to reverse the changes.

As a side note, the current market of $7000 to $10,000 radios are not as 
good as the Orion II with its current version of firmware.  I know, I've had 
them side by side for a real A/B comparison.

Back to the Omni VII.  While it has a lot of adjustable parameters, there's 
some that make changes a snap to apply.  Otherwise three or four selections 
in place of an infinite number of settings.  The menu is clean, easy to 
understand and only one level deep.  The display is crisp and uncluttered. 
I'd strongly suggest that one sit down, and not in front of the radio, and 
read the manual from cover to cover at least once or twice.  The manual is 
written in clear concise non-technical language and it is a pleasure to 
read.  You'll fine it easy to understand and apply to the radio operation.

Now I know that to some extent, I'm preaching to the choir.  If you have 
questions, ask.  If you want to hear the radio, let me know and we'll try a 
schedule.

73
Bob, K4TAX


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Doug S" <nn9s at yahoo.com>
To: <tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Saturday, November 03, 2007 10:01 AM
Subject: [TenTec] OMIN VII


> Here is a posting from the Omin VII group I wrote to a fellow member I 
> would like to share with this group. Thank you Doug NN9S
>
> Eric, 1st I am sad to hear the troubles with two ORION II units. I
> have had a love/hate relationship with Ten Tec from some of the
> earlier models like a Paragon and Omni V. About 3 years ago when the
> ORION first came out (not the OII) a friend had a new one shipped to
> my home because he was leaving town for a few weeks. He ask me to open
> it up and use it and work him mobile out in AZ etc. I liked that radio
> a lot but it didn't seem like a finished product to me. Some minor
> glitches and IMHO the fit and finish were not great.It did also lock
> up on me a couple of times with resets needed. Then when the OII came
> out I watched this radio very closely. Again when the OMIN VII came
> out I have watched it very close. I have given you the above
> information to give you a bit of background for my comments that
> follow. Finally a little over a month ago I ordered a OM7. First
> impression was I was very surprised at the fit and finish. Better than
> the ORION-I to me. For over a month now I have ran the radio hard on
> many bands using 450 ohm ribbon wire feeding a all band dipole and
> running legal limit. Also I have a new SteppIR 3el yagi and again both
> barefoot and a 8877 at legal limit. Never once have I had a single
> report of RF in my audio, never once a crash, a burp,nothing but
> praise from all who have worked me. Many, many times people will
> comment about the quality of my transmit audio. I have both the T.T.
> 708A and 709A mic. I might add the group I normally operate with on
> 75m ssb is VERY MUCH anti Ten Tec and I have turned some heads with
> this radio. FYI my other radio's are a ICOM 746pro and 756pro which I
> still have. IMO the OMNI VII is a breed all its own and the future of
> Ten Tec. Is the receiver as good as the OII ? All the test say no but
> it isn't bad. Sherwood rates it better than most however. If you have
> not looked at that webpage do so. It sure is a different animal than
> the OII I can assure you of that.
>
> I hope this helps you, and many others who might be standing on the
> fence (as I was) waiting to make a move.
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
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