[TenTec] Open Sourcing

Thu Feb 26 09:11:47 PST 2009

There's a limit to what you can do in software.  DSP processors only have so
much processing capacity.  A FFT (fast Fourier Transform) takes up so many
calculation steps, then updating the display takes some more, then
calculating AGC values some more, then servicing the tuning dial and
buttons.  After a while, one half second of processor time gets eaten up
pretty quickly.  Ever notice how the spectrum display slows down as you spin
the dial?  And some knobs and buttons don't always respond quickly?  That's
because the processors are busy doing other things.  If you keep adding
functions, you eat up more processor "time" capacity and something else may
have to give.  The current set of DSP processor chips in the O2 have a
limited capacity.  Pretty soon, however, the DSP chip manufacturers will
come out with faster chips that can do more per unit second of time, then
we'll see more functions added until those chips fill up, and then the next
round of chip enhancements come from the chip makers.  To really grow and
become enhanced, TT may be at the point where it needs to evolve the
architecture to the next generation of DSP chips/processors.  That means
hardware upgrades, either at the chip or board level.  This is true of any
radio manufacturer, not just TT.  Some do a better job than others of
architecting in more processor capacity than they need to accommodate future
growth.  Some do not.  None of the manufacturers advertise how much "spare"
processor capacity they have.  In government work, a computer solution MUST
specify how much reserve capacity us required and is provided, based on an
expected future enhancement profile.  I wonder if we are already near 99%?
Just my 2 cents worth.  N4BE

-----Original Message-----
From: tentec-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:tentec-bounces at contesting.com]
On Behalf Of John Frazier
Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 11:59 AM
To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Open Sourcing

Very well put, Martin.  Some would think we're asking way too much, and 
forget the initial advertising rush about upgrades.  And, the fact that none

have been offered since May of 2007.  We would simply like TT to be up front

and communicate their progress, or lack thereof.  If they don't intend to 
offer future upgrades, just tell us so.  Then, we can make decisions on what

gear we wish to use.

73...have a cold one on me.....John K4NP
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Martin Sole" <msole at loxinfo.co.th>
To: "'Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment'" <tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 10:05 AM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Open Sourcing

Guys,

I would not, as a matter of course, get into this sort of a discussion as I
fear it goes nowhere, but after a night on the beer I can't help but say my
tiny little bit, for whatever or not it might be worth, and to me that
really is miniscule. But here's the thing, when the Orion was launched all
those years ago much was made of it being truly a software radio, a radio
that Ten Tec would keep current and up to date no matter what, since it was
after all 'only software'. The hardware would live on and the owner of the
Orion could rest easy knowing that the great resources of a good American
company would always back and support 'their' product. How many I wonder
bought Orion on that sort of an understanding, believing and trusting that
the manufacturer would support and IMPROVE on the basic radio, knowing it
might be flawed initially but truly believing that it would be updated to be
kept at the very top of the table. How well were they sold.

Of course it should have been clear from the time of O II what the real
intentions were, and a few caught on to that but many it seems did not.
Here's another thing, they only want your money, but don't say that too loud
or you might start believing it yourself.

For the record, I own an Orion, it's good, very good, not great but good. It
has quirks, it has limitations, some that even my aging TS940 bettered but
still it's a nice radio. I bought my Orion long after it was discontinued so
I knew what I was getting and maybe from that perspective it looks different
but I'd still like to see updates, less so, though not entirely for the
basic performance, which I think is already reasonably good but the stupid
crappy nasty display that annoys me. Just because in this day there is no
need for a 1980's calculator approach to the crappy layout and organisation,
what a mess, they can't even line up different text fields and trying to
read it in a full on split frequency DX nailing effort leaves me struggling.
Small letters, big letters, left side, right side, which vfo, where's the
transmitter, sub on or not? Don't even get me going about the less than auto
ATU or the dodgy power supply requirements or the fact that the noise
blanker only works with wide roofers, or the weird menus and odd audio, or
lack of comprehensive metering. No wonder it cost less than an IC7800, it's
worth-less by direct comparison. But I do still like it and I'd love it to
be a real radio, sadly I doubt it ever will, and whilst there will no doubt
be endless continual crying over the milk already spilt the Orion will
forever be the radio that 'could have been'. Updates or not.

Martin, HS0ZED

-----Original Message-----
From: tentec-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:tentec-bounces at contesting.com]
On Behalf Of Mr Mike
Sent: 26 February 2009 18:46
To: tentec at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Open Sourcing

Considering the amount of whining, sobbing, and stomping over software
updates that don''t come out on the day they were rumored 3rd hand to be due
out, I don't think TT would want to deal with the additional headache of
people complaining to TT about software they did not write.

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