[TenTec] Orion I main and RX366 subreceiver differences

[Zivney, Terry]

I had some major problems in the antenna systems this weekend (lightning) so spent some time comparing the main receiver in one of my Orions with the new RX366  subreceiver.  With the big signals on 15m SSB during the contest, I noticed some annoying 'sizzling' sounds on the main rx audio.  I had also noticed this in the V2 firmware.  The other Orion still has good old 1.372 installed, much less noticeable on that rig.  When switching  back and forth between the V3 Orion main and subreceiver (by hitting the Main and Sub Audio controls) I noticed the subreceiver was totally clean while the main had that annoying sizzling.  Both receivers had identical bandwidths, etc, and I had just done a master reset before listening.

I would have thought that the two receivers would have had similar characteristics with the same firmware! Is there some substantial difference in the hardware for these two frontends?   I have promoted the subreceiver to be the normal receiver from this point on.

Terry Zivney, N4TZ