[TenTec] OMNI VII

[Jack Mandelman]

I agree with Dave's comment about the internal ATU.  In my opinion, the 
internal ATU in my Omni VII does not do a good job of matching.  My 
external auto ATU does much better.

You will also have to get used to using the RF gain control to avoid 
overloading the A/D converter.  If you run the RF gain wide open with 
fast AGC strong signals will distort, and copying through pileups will 
be difficult.   It took me a while to feel comfortable with using the RF 
gain control.  It's not "set and forget" as on analog rigs.

Otherwise, I find the Omni VII to be a superb rig.  I also have both the 
300 and 500Hz mechanical filters.  QSK is great, as with all TenTec rigs 
I have used.

A pleasant surprise was the quality of the RX and TX audio on SSB;  it's 
very smooth sounding and I frequently get unsolicited reports of great 
audio.  Much, much better than the Omni VI Plus I previously owned.

Jack K1VT

> If you do any CW, you'll want the 500Hz&  300 Hz filters. They work well on
> digital, also unless you want a waterfall with wider bandpass. I'm not a great
> fan of internal tuners. The used VII I found has a tuner, but I've turned it
> off. Great rig. I love it
>
>
>
> Dave
>
> WA3F
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Richard Bell"<richfbell at sbcglobal.net>
> To: TenTec at contesting.com
> Sent: Thursday, January 27, 2011 9:47:15 PM
> Subject: [TenTec] OMNI VII
>
> I am planning to take the dive and buy an Omni VII.  Any thoughts, advice?
>   
> I am the current owner of a Drake TR7 and Kenwood 830S (purchased in '82 by
> me).  So it's well past time for me to invest in a new rig (hope the YL doesn't
> notice).
>   
> I had considered and Elecraft K3 or an Flex 3000.
>   
> I'm not a contester but just a rag chewer who occassionally does digital.
>   
> If you like, feel free to respond to me off the list.  I would like the know
> the good and the bad.
>   
> 73 and TNX W5BXE