[TenTec] [english 100%] Re: Orion s-meter calibration

art davis n4uc at hotmail.com
Fri Jan 6 10:01:47 PST 2012 

I have sent a message to TT service asking that exact question. but haven't heard anything yet. But, I have been playing with it enough to know that there are several interrelated parameters involved. 
I decided to start by setting the one parameter which I could verify externally, the TX POWER. Setting the ALC SET pot to make the TX put out 100W and then adjust the meter pot to make the meter read 100 was my first step. I figured that would at least set the meter pot in the ballpark for both TX and RX.
Next I went to the "secret" menu and set each level to the number of counts that made the meter read the corresponding signal strength. As it turns out, the S9+60 reading is achieved with a count setting of 198, not the max of 255 that I had expected. If I redjust the meter pot so that 255 counts reads S9+60, then the TX POWER reading is off. 

Then there is the matter of the SWR reading displayed on the Orion. I assume that this reading is a calculation made by the Orion based on signals calibrated by the PWR and  REF pots which also affect the reading displayed by the analog meter. I also assume that this calculated SWR is used to tell the auto tuner when it's done. 

I've done a lot of assuming in all of this but I feel there has to be a methodical procedure for calibration of all these pots and settings written down somewhere. But the fact that the pots are not labelled makes me think there is no reference to them in any service manual or other documentation that the user is intended to use. I'm pretty sure that mis-adjustment of any of the pots or settings will not result in damage to the radio. With the exception of the auto-tuner function, I feel that they just affect readings displayed on the front panel, but that is my opinion and worth what you paid for it!.

One thing I haven't done yet is to reload the firmware and adjust everything starting with factory settings of S-meter levels. 

Sounds like a good project for after lunch!
        

> Date: Fri, 6 Jan 2012 15:56:54 +0000
> From: barry.n1eu at gmail.com
> To: tentec at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] [english 100%] Re: Orion s-meter calibration
> 
> It sounds like a few folks have figured out the full s-meter
> calibration routine, which presumably involves adjusting the hardware
> pot and the hidden menu values.  But I've only seen bits and pieces of
> what's involved.
> 
> Can someone who has been successful please post clear and
> comprehensive directions?
> 
> Thanks & 73,
> Barry N1EU
> 
> On Fri, Jan 6, 2012 at 3:52 PM, art davis <n4uc at hotmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > I assume O2 would be the same circuitry, but not sure. The pot that Holger describes is directly above the AUDIO button on the top of the front panel on the 565. It's wasn't labelled before, but it is now! And thanks to Holger I now have a fully functional S-meter calibrated to the correct values defined in the settings list.
> >
> > Thank you Holger!
> >
> > Art Davis
> > N4UC
> >
> >> To: tentec at contesting.com
> >> From: kc9cdt at aol.com
> >> Date: Fri, 6 Jan 2012 10:27:30 -0500
> >> Subject: Re: [TenTec] [english 100%] Re:  Orion s-meter calibration
> >>
> >> What about for Orion II??
> >> 73,
> >> Lee
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: Holger Göckritz <dj8hb at kcag.de>
> >> To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec at contesting.com>
> >> Sent: Fri, Jan 6, 2012 2:58 am
> >> Subject: Re: [TenTec] [english 100%] Re: Orion s-meter calibration
> >>
> >>
> >> Hello
> >> About S-Meter-Calibration for Orion 565.
> >> Use the Potmeter at the Frontplate up and near the S-Meter, make with a
> >> small screwdriver the adjustment  to get the maximum Number 255 with
> >> the
> >> MULTI- Knop for S9 plus 60dB.
> >> Be carefull about the Settings of S1 Value, S1 is the startingpoint for
> >> the
> >> S-meter.
> >> I thing it is for PREAMP- Button on ,but i have it done with PREAMP off
> >> and
> >> for adjusting the S-Meter with a generator use for example S9 the S8
> >> Value
> >> and so on one down!
> >> 73
> >> DJ8HB
> >> eof
> >>
> >> ----- Original Message -----
> >> From: "art davis" <n4uc at hotmail.com>
> >> To: "TenTec reflector" <tentec at contesting.com>
> >> Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2012 9:00 PM
> >> Subject: [english 100%] Re: [TenTec] Orion s-meter calibration
> >>
> >>
> >> >
> >> > I assume that the default settings are defined in the firmware, but
> >> in my
> >> > case they do not correspond to the actual meter readings for each
> >> step. In
> >> > my case, they are much stingier. When I set each one to correspond to
> >> the
> >> > meter, then it way too generous. Also, the maximum count of 255 only
> >> > drives the meter to S9+30 or so. Same on TX, full power output
> >> deflects
> >> > the meter to only about 70, or about the same place as the max
> >> receive
> >> > level. Methinks there is something afoul in the meter circuitry.
> >> > Is there perhaps a hardware adjustment for calibrating the meter
> >> movement
> >> > somewhere?
> >> > Any suggestions?
> >> > N4UC
> >> >
> >> >> Date: Sat, 31 Dec 2011 22:13:32 +0000
> >> >> From: barry.n1eu at gmail.com
> >> >> To: tentec at contesting.com
> >> >> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion s-meter calibration
> >> >>
> >> >> Tom, it came up a while back on the reflector.  My memory ain't what
> >> >> it used to be, although it probably never was what it used to be  ;-)
> >> >>
> >> >> 73 & Happy New Year to all,
> >> >> Barry N1EU
> >> >>
> >> >> On Sat, Dec 31, 2011 at 9:54 PM, Tom Berry <tberry1 at triad.rr.com>
> >> wrote:
> >> >> > Thanks Barry.     OK on not recommending that anybody change them.
> >> >> > I'm curious as to how AL7CR knew that feature was there..
> >> >> >
> >> >> > 73 Tom AA4VV
> >> >> >
> >> >> >
> >> >> > On 12/31/2011 4:48 PM, Barry N1EU wrote:
> >> >> >> I've never seen a description of what those values mean.  I just
> >> >> >> played with them until the Orion s-meter responded similarly to a
> >> >> >> known good receiver's s-meter.  I can't really recommend that
> >> anybody
> >> >> >> else changes those values.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> Barry N1EU
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> On Sat, Dec 31, 2011 at 9:17 PM, Tom Berry<tberry1 at triad.rr.com>
> >> >> >> wrote:
> >> >> >>> Let me see if I understand this function.  I would select an S
> >> meter
> >> >> >>> value (say S9) then change the digital count so that the S meter
> >> >> >>> reads
> >> >> >>> S9.   Is that correct?
> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >>> 73 Tom AA4VV
> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >>> On 12/31/2011 3:48 PM, Barry N1EU wrote:
> >> >> >>>> Thanks - it's uncharted territory in there but I think I
> >> managed to
> >> >> >>>> improve things.  I was careful to record the original values
> >> before
> >> >> >>>> mucking around.
> >> >> >>>>
> >> >> >>>> 73, Barry N1EU
> >> >> >>>>
> >> >> >>>> On Sat, Dec 31, 2011 at 7:18 PM, AL7CR<al7cr at punakea.com>
> >> wrote:
> >> >> >>>>> Go to the RX menu and press the 15m band select key.  This
> >> will
> >> >> >>>>> bring up
> >> >> >>>>> a screen that allows you set the S meter in digital counts.
> >> >> >>>>>
> >> >> >>>>> AL7CR
> >> >> >>>>>
> >> >> >>>> _______________________________________________
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