[TenTec] Orion firmware gripes!

[Carl Moreschi]

Tentec stated a month or 2 ago that after they are finished with the rx400,
they will do another Orion firmware update.

Carl Moreschi N4PY
121 Little Bell Drive
Bell Mountain
Hays, NC 28635
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rick Williams" <ve7asr at yahoo.com>
To: "Ten-Tec Reflector" <tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, February 25, 2008 2:12 PM
Subject: [TenTec] Orion firmware gripes!


> Well I guess it's time to gripe again.  I have an
> Orion 565 and I'm running Version 1.373b5 firmware.  I
> personally feel that, with respect to the firmware,
> we've been cast adrift by Ten-Tec.  The recent
> discussion of the well know AM sub-receiver issue
> brings this to light.
>
> Don't get me wrong, I love my Orion BUT it has some
> issues and many are well known.  Here's my list -- in
> no particular order:
>
> 1) The sub-receiver AM problem
> 2) Need to improve the Version 2.xxx noise reduction
> algorithm (I have the luxury of being able to go back
> to Version 1.3xx firmware - O II owners do not).
> 3) Fix the auto/manual notch.  (In Version 2.xxx if
> your listening to an S-3 signal and an S-9 carrier is
> notched out the meter says .... surprise the signal
> you're listening to with the notch gone is S-9.)  I
> was told by T-T that moving the notch in firmware
> slightly improved the specs.  I'd be curious if the
> slight improvement was noticeable by a user or just by
> a lab instrument!
> 4) IF the way to operate Version 2.xxx is, as
> described on this reflector recently, with the audio
> gain wide open and manipulating the RF Gain then
> Ten-Tec fix that!  Without a dedicated knob for RF
> Gain control this is a pain and can be hard on the
> ears.
>
> Ron, N6IE, ( http://www.n6ie.com/Wish%20List.htm ) has
> a more extensive list but it's obvious that the Orion
> still needs some attention.  P-L-E-A-S-E!
>
> Ten-Tec I know resources are scarce but the Omni VII
> firmware seems to be improving - have you given up on
> the Orion?
>
> Finally - before anyone asks, NO I'm not about to sell
> my Orion and move on.  Here's why.  I recently was
> asked to help a friend sell a old top of the line
> non-T-T rig that was last produced in 1999.
> Apparently this rig is not wanted without an updated
> eprom.  For the last 2 years the manufacturer has not
> supported the rig and will not be producing any
> updated eproms.  So here's a rig, less than 10 years
> old, that cost in the vicinity of $3,000 and it's a
> door stop.  Ten-Tec has helped many of us over the
> years with older rigs.  Some parts are not available
> BUT it seems in their service department a 10 year old
> rig is barely broken-in!  I sincerely thank them for
> this and that's what keeps me here!
>
> Now I'm off to find my "flame-proof" suit.
>
> 73,
> Rick
> VE7TK
>
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
________
> Looking for last minute shopping deals?
> Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.
http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping
> _______________________________________________
> TenTec mailing list
> TenTec at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec