[TenTec] What Radio?

[Steve Sloane]

Bye an Omni -C and be happy forever, Steve, KU3S
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Tippett" <btippett at alum.mit.edu>
To: <tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2011 10:37 AM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] What Radio?


> K8AC:
>
> > Anyone who believes that the K3 is an overall better rig than the
> Orion II probably hasn't tried an Orion II.
>
>         I was an original Orion owner for 4 years and much prefer
> the K3 for the following reasons:
>
> 1.  The K3's sub-RX is identical to its Main and close-spaced IMD
> performance is much better (~30 dB better) than Orion's sub-RX.  In
> crowded conditions such as major CW contests, Orion's sub-RX becomes
> unusable because of the IMD birdies.  -65 dB at 2 kHz (ARRL
> measurement) puts it in the same league as an FT-2000 (ugh!).
>
> 2.  Orion's sub-RX is not truly phase-locked in diversity mode.  This
> creates a  fixed 2-6 Hz warble between channels depending on the
> unit.  I use diversity nearly all the time on the low bands and the
> K3's implementation is excellent.  The only other rig with true
> phase-locked diversity is the Flex 5000.  BTW the Yaesu FT-5000 has
> similar diversity issues as Orion since it also uses non-identical 
> receivers.
>
> 3.  Firmware support on the Orion's v1 firmware became non-existent
> with the introduction of Orion II's v2 firmware.  Many original Orion
> users found v2 was inferior to v1 (well-documented on this
> list).  Hopefully support has improved since John Henry (kudos!!!)
> took over from Gary Barbour but meanwhile Elecraft has set a high
> standard for firmware support.
>
> 4.  Orion's internal spectrum display is poor compared to alternative
> options.  Here's a short video showing the combination I use (IF
> Out > LP-PAN > Audiophile 2496 soundcard > CW Skimmer) which cost
> ~$375 (excluding computer):
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZDXuOgUQJ0
>
> Blind Skimmer mode for very rapid S&P as above is legal for
> unassisted contest categories.  Outside of contests its "599" mode is
> amazing for busting large pileups.  I recently used this to snag ST0R
> for #332 on Topband and never even listened to the pileup!  I just
> clicked latest "599" decoder dot which sent my K3's TX to that QRG
> and ST0R was in the log...so easy I almost felt guilty!
>
>         In summary, I believe Orion's Main RX is one of the best
> there is.  You'll never notice the difference between it and other
> top rigs.  However if you use the Sub-RX in crowded conditions, need
> a high performance spectrum display or are concerned about timely
> firmware support, there may be better choices.
>
>                                         73,  Bill  W4ZV
>
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