[TenTec] Orion/Orion II Speech Processing

Mon Mar 2 08:57:17 PST 2009

Mike,
Very complete and very informative answer..Thanks.

I am excited as to the fact that I think I am underdriving the radio.

I will follow your suggestions.

73,
Lee, KC9CDT

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Schatzberg <wow_chf at hotmail.com>
To: tentec at contesting.com
Sent: Mon, 2 Mar 2009 10:07 am
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion/Orion II Speech Processing

Hello Lee:

Please see my answers below:

Mike,
So you are using audio compression AND OII SP?

Yes

Why do you need audio compression with SP? MAyb I should get a TT 31 or the one 
you have?

I use the W2IHY EQ Plus for the elimination of background noise, blowers, etc.  
I need the audio compressor and the downward expander to assure smooth operation 
of my VOX system.  I only use VOX on SSB.  The outboard gear assures a very 
consistent audio level is presented to the O2.  I also like the use of the 
digital effects processor while working DX, it improves the intelligibility and 
clarifies the audio which may have some phase distortion from many skips. 

 PLease share the details of your setup:

Mic, your using

Kenwood MC 60 on boom arm with shock mount for isolation.

Settings on OII

Speech Processor 7, TX EQ -20, using both microphone gain and hardware gain to 
assure about 3 db increase in average power output.  Generally, this means that 
the average power is approximately 45 percent +/- of the PEP.  TX Filter BW 
2700, LF Rolloff 150.

Settings on the W2IHY +

Bass 10 o'clock, Treble 1 o'clock, Compressor 12 o'clock, Downward Expander 5 
o'clock, Delay 10 o'clock, Level 12 o'clock, Delay 1.  Audio Output 12 o'clock, 
Audio input gain 10 o'clock.

How did you verify your quality of signal (scope and/or QSO's)

I have a scope in line with the O2 output, I have checked the signal quality on 
a Hewlett Packard Spectrum Analyzer, and made thousands of contacts.  The 
reports are always excellent.

Up until now I have been using a Heil Goldline on WIDE
Mic gain 35
SP 3

Your Speech Processor setting is too low to achieve any increase in average 
power output.  If you simply adjust your processor to at least 7, you can 
achieve 10 to 15 db of compression.  This will be accomplished if you have 
adequate audio drive.  Each microphone (or outboard audio processor) will be 
different, and require different gain settings on the O2.  With the output from 
the EQ Plus, I set
 the mic gain at 4, and the hardware gain at 3.5 db.  This 
setting works well for me, and assures also smooth VOX operation.

Lee, it is not difficult to turn up the audio gain while watching the average RF 
output power.  Set the Speech Processor for 7, and and advance the audio gain 
until the average power is about 50% or so of the PEP.  Then you can get some on 
the air comparisons of your old settings versus the new ones, and make some 
adjustments according to reports.

I made my initial tests using two tone output from my old SM 220, but you do not 
have to use such a method.  Follow the recommendations to run the comparison 
from above. 

Good luck.

73 and Happy DXing,

Mike

W2AJI

> 
> 73
> Lee, KC9CDT
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mike Schatzberg <wow_chf at hotmail.com>
> To: tentec at contesting.com
> Sent: Sun, 1 Mar 2009 9:59 pm
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion/Orion II Speech Processing
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Hi Merle:
> 
> 
> 
> It is interesting that this early criticism of the O2, that is lower average 
> power output for any given PEP, has not been more fully discussed here. Many 
> operators have noted that the O2 does not drive their amplifier as hard as 
other 
> RF Clipper based rigs, but no solutions have been offered, up to now.
> 
> 
> 
> I at first went about changing the timing constant for the hardware ALC in the 

> O2. I found out that by the time the average power increased, I was already 
> into distortion with the audio.
> 
> 
> 
> In my opinion, after much testing and effort, that the Ten Tec manual for the 
O2 
> does not properly discuss the settings critical to the RF Compressor 
> adjustments. I have already made my comments regarding the failure of the ALC 
> lamp to provide the necessary guidance in setting the microphone gain levels.
> 
> 
> 
> Stated simply, to obtain the expected increase in average power, thru the use 
of 
> the on board RF Compressor, it is necessary to set the compressor level to AT 
> LEAST 7, and advance the comb
ination of the microphone gain and the hardware 
> microphone gain to produce the expected increase in the RMS output. 
> 
> 
> 
> In my O2, I drive the compressor to increase the average by least 3 db, which 
is 
> not inconsiderable. This increase was not possible with the ALC lamp just 
> flickering on and off. 
> 
> 
> 
> With a little experimentation, you will find the gain settings which work well 

> for your set up, depending on the microphone and/or outboard audio gear being 
> used.
> 
> 
> 
> The ALC lamp basically remains on in my set up, using audio compression from a 

> W2IHY EQ Plus. I am now fully satisfied with the O2 transmitter, now that the 
> RF Compressor is adequately driven. 
> 
> 
> 
> With average power gains of 3 to 5 db, I have seen no reduction in quality to 
> the audio, or splatter.
> 
> 
> 
> By the way, my comments apply to the current firmware release, not the new 
BETA 
> firmware.
> 
> 
> 
> It really can work! I think lack of metering was a real stumbling block here, 
> but as far as I can see, the issue is resolved.
> 
> 
> 
> 73 and
> Happy DXing,
> 
> 
> 
> Mike
> 
> W2AJI
> 
> > From: merlebone at charter.net
> > To: tentec at contesting.com
> > Date: Sun, 1 Mar 2009 19:16:44 -0600
> > Subject: [TenTec] Orion/Orion II Speech Processing
> > 
> > Mike said:
> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > "The ALC lamp is simply not an acceptable substitute for microphone preamp 
> > metering. Checking the signal quality at levels where the lamp is on 
> > considerably more than just on voice peaks indicates no increase in IMD at 
> > these higher microphone gain levels and much higher RMS output."
> > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > Mike, your observation on the ALC light, when using Speech Processing, is
> > identical to my experience. I didn't mention that when I did the Speech 
> Processing
> > testing, but while the ALC light may be
 useful for initial setting the 
> microphone gain,
> > it is not useful when the speech processing is engaged. Lots of remote 
testing
> > has confirmed that the signal and speech quality is very good with the 
> > speech processing at 7, 8 and 9. Their is no speech distortion or signal
> > splatter even though the ALC light is on significantly with the Speech
> > Processing on. http://lists.contesting.com/archives//html/TenTec/2009-02/msg00075.html
> > 73, Merle - W0EWM
> > _______________________________________________
> > TenTec mailing list
> > TenTec at contesting.com
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