[TenTec] Orion at QRP levels

[jack]

ok, jack

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ron Castro" <ronc at sonic.net>
To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2009 10:25 AM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion at QRP levels


> Jack:  The Power control on the Orion is actually an ALC threshold 
> control,
> so as you drop the ALC threshold to hold the power to a lower level, you
> should also drop the audio drive level.  5 Watts is 13 dB below 100, so I
> would drop the audio down by that amount.  An easier way is to decrease 
> the
> level as far as you can while still having the ALC light flash.
>
> That may not be the ultimate reason you got a report of splatter.  Solid
> state RF amplifiers are designed to have best efficiency and lowest IMD at
> their design power level.  Deviating significantly from that power level 
> can
> increase IMD.  The best test is to look at the signal on a spectrum 
> analyzer
> using a two-tone test.  I have done this on the Orion II in the 40-100 
> Watt
> range (looks very clean), but never at QRP.  Next time I get a chance, 
> I'll
> try that and see what it looks like.
>
>         Ron   N6IE
>      www.N6IE.com
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "jack" <jfriend31 at comcast.net>
> To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec at contesting.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2009 7:24 PM
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion at QRP levels
>
>
>>i have had good reports on CW using the Orion turned down to 5 watts or
>> less. no indication of any negative sort in that mode.
>> jack ak7o
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Ralph Matheny" <mathenyr at marietta.edu>
>> To: <tentec at contesting.com>
>> Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2009 7:06 PM
>> Subject: [TenTec] Orion at QRP levels
>>
>>
>>> This past weekend I wanted to make a few Q's in the QRP SSB contest, so
>>> I cranked down the Orion to 5 Watts and called away.  In a few minutes,
>>> I received what I believe was an accurate report that the signal was
>>> broad and producing "splatter".  After giving some thought, it seems
>>> obvious that resetting the mike gain, speech proc, etc. are probably
>>> needed in order to use the Orion at low power levels. I also suspect 
>>> that
>>> the 100-watt amp could be both a good 100-watter and a 5-watter without
>>> bias adjustment, at least for SSB.
>>>
>>> Does anybody else use the Orion at QRP??  Problems or results?
>>>
>>> Ralph Matheny
>>> K8RYU
>>> 207 Gibbons Place
>>> Marietta Ohio  45750
>>> mathenyr at marietta.edu
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> TenTec mailing list
>>> TenTec at contesting.com
>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
>>
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