[TenTec] Urgent OMNI VII Question

Wed Jul 9 19:53:39 EDT 2014

Has anyone ever had to re-boot their Windows based computer for any reason? 
And when installing or doing a software update, has the computer required a 
re-start?  I view the same will likely apply to most any firmware based 
radio.

Yes one will need to reload their personal frequencies and re-set the 
personal MENU items after a Master Reset.  However by using OnePlug and 
having the computer connected to their router they can down load and upload 
the personal frequencies.

Are we really that frugal?

73
Bob, K4TAX.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "K8JHR" <jrichards at k8jhr.com>
To: <bcarling at cfl.rr.com>; "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" 
<tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 09, 2014 1:13 PM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Urgent OMNI VII Question

> Hi Bry -- sounds like the Master Reset has resolved the problem.  Rather 
> than view a Master Reset as a last resort, consider it a fix of first 
> resort.  These computer-based rigs sometimes get wonky and a Master Reset 
> is and easy fix.
>
> I have owned my Omni VII for several years and sometimes it acts odd, and 
> a Master Reset has always corrected the problem.  I have been helping an 
> Australian ham with a headset microphone issue, and he said TenTec once 
> told him to re-flash the firmware several times to assure a new version 
> has taken hold (although I cannot imagine how this would be necessary.) 
> He said doing that fixed the problem.
>
> The only down side to performing a Master Reset is you must reset your 
> MENU settings.  Thus, whenever the rig gets wonky, I do a Master Reset and 
> this clears it up.  A slight inconvenience, but the single level MENU is 
> easy to reset.
>
> Happy days
> ==========================JHR ======================
>
> On 7/9/2014 12:42 PM, bcarling at cfl.rr.com wrote:
>> Thank you so much Bob...
>>
>> It shows VER 1035-588
>>
>> Thanks so much for showing me the settings. I will comp[are to mine and 
>> salso give a
>> thorough listen to the CW note on rcv after this rest. So far it has 
>> sounded better to me.
>>
>> Bry, AF4K
>>
>>
>> On 9 Jul 2014 at 10:05, Bob McGraw - K4TAX wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> Brian: This is a bit long, so take some time to study this before you 
>>> start turning knobs and
>>> punching buttons.
>>>
>>>
>>> Start with a Master Reset. You don't know what is actually resident from 
>>> previous usage. Also,
>>> the current firmware version 1.036 addresses some AGC issues that exist 
>>> in earlier versions. To
>>> see your version of firmware, press and hold the A=B button at the top 
>>> right. The version will be
>>> displayed at the top left as VER x.xxx 588 RADIO.
>>>
>>> As to background noise the receiver is very quiet and not like of other 
>>> receivers that have a good
>>> bit of internal generated noise.
>>>
>>> There is no way to "turn the DSP off" as someone posted. Perhaps they 
>>> were referring to the NR
>>> or NB functions. These are controlled by the buttons at the bottom and 
>>> clearly say OFF when
>>> such. Otherwise there is some numeric value from 1 - 9 with 1 being less 
>>> and 9 being most active
>>> for the function.
>>>
>>> I find the NB should only be used when repetitive pulse noise is 
>>> present. Noise like the tick tick
>>> tick from an electric fence or ignition noise from a vehicle. The NR 
>>> values will need to change as
>>> needed between bandwidth and mode and AGC settings. Typically for SSB I 
>>> use values of 1 to
>>> 3. For AM I use higher values. Again this is somewhat dependant on band 
>>> noise and mode.
>>>
>>> On AGC, for SSB I use SLW or MED and for digital modes or CW I use MED 
>>> or FST.
>>>
>>> Regarding MENU values, for your thoughts, here are my most current ones:
>>> {Sitting here thisevening on 75M SSB, rag chew mode, here's what's in 
>>> the radio. The antenna is
>>> a 75M coax fed dipole.}
>>>
>>> Front Panel settings:
>>>
>>> PBT = 0000
>>> BW = 2800
>>> RF Gain = 35%
>>> AF Gain = 30% {using external speaker}
>>> AGC = SLW
>>> NR = 3
>>> AN = OFF
>>> MIC = 35%
>>> ATTN = OFF
>>> PRE = OFF
>>> MON = 0%
>>> NCH = OFF
>>> NB = OFF
>>> SP = ON {value is 35%}
>>> VOX = OFF
>>>
>>>  From the MENU:
>>>
>>> Auto Tuner = ON {internal tuner is installed}
>>> TX Meter = SWR
>>> Transmitter = ON
>>> SSB TX BW = 2600
>>> TX Roll Off = 100 Hz
>>> Keying Loop = ON {I use my Centurion Amp}
>>> Audio Source = MIC
>>> Line Gain = 50% {I use a TT 712 USB interface for PSK-31}
>>> EXT T/R Delay = 0%
>>> FM TX CTCSS = OFF
>>> RX Equalizer = 0dB
>>> TX Equalizer = 0dB {I use the TT 709A microphone}
>>> Recall Sub = OFF
>>> Sidetone Frq = 700Hz
>>> Sidetone Vol = 2% {works for speaker, needs more for headphones}
>>> Spot Volume = 50%
>>> CW QSK Delay = 0%
>>> CW Weighting = 10%
>>> CW Keyer = Mode A
>>> CW Rise/Fall = 5ms
>>> Auto Sweep = ON
>>> Sweep Range = 30K
>>> VOX Trip = 85% {will depend on hardware mike gain setting}
>>> Anti-VOX = 7%
>>> VOX Hang = 15%
>>> FSK TX Data = Mark High
>>> Remote F1 = Step
>>> Remote F2 = Mode
>>> Remote F3 = Rev
>>> Remote Enc = VFO A
>>> POD Encode Rate = Slow
>>> VFO Encode Rate = Fast
>>> RIT Encode Rate = Slow
>>> VFO SPDShift = ON
>>> Display = 30%
>>> Speech Proc = 35%
>>> I-F Filter = AUTO
>>> Enable 300 Hz = Yes
>>> Enable 500 Hz = Yes
>>> Serial IF = Omni VII
>>> Regarding the use of the Speech Processor, here are my measurements:
>>>
>>> I did find is the following data andthe actual SP values vs. power 
>>> output. It is noted that in
>>> between the steps there is no power change. Case and point, at values 
>>> between 18% and 28%
>>> the power remained at 2.0 watts. Between 28% and 29% the power changed 
>>> from 2.0 W to 3.5
>>> W. The same held true for other increment of steps. Back some time ago, 
>>> John Henry confirmed
>>> that there are actually 9 steps in the Speech Processor control 
>>> algorithm.
>>>
>>> Power output = 2 W with SP off
>>> With the SP on the following is observed:
>>> 0%= 0.75W or - 4.3 dB
>>> 7% = 1.0W or - 3 dB
>>> 18% = 2.0W or 0.0 dB
>>> 29% = 3.5W or + 2.4 dB
>>> 39% = 6.7W or + 5.3 dB
>>> 50% = 15W or + 8.8 dB
>>> 62% = 40W or + 13.0 dB
>>> 73% = 70W or + 15.4 dB ALC is now on and no further increase in SP gain 
>>> produced any
>>> increase in output power
>>>
>>> This does concur that the effective SP value should be about 40% to 50% 
>>> to attain some 6 to 8 dB
>>> of increase in output power.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> In conclusion, I suggest you spend some goodly amount of time reading 
>>> the manual. Cover to
>>> cover several times. This radio does not and will not operate nor 
>>> perform like other radios you
>>> have had on your desk. Don't expect it to, nor try to operate it like 
>>> the Omni VI or others, it won't.
>>> However, once you learn to use the radio and its features and functions, 
>>> you will discover it does
>>> easily outperform the others.
>>>
>>> 73
>>> Bob, K4TAX
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: <bcarling at cfl.rr.com>
>>> To: "Walt K8CV" <waltk8cv at wowway.com>; <tentec at contesting.com>
>>> Sent: Wednesday, July 09, 2014 7:06 AM
>>> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Urgent OMNI VII Question
>>>
>>>
>>>> Thanks Walt. I don't know how to turn the DSP off yet - or down.
>>>>
>>>> Hopefully a reset won't be necessary. I tried adjusting the NB and it 
>>>> did not help.
>>>>
>>>> On 9 Jul 2014 at 0:18, Walt K8CV wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Try turning the DSP off or to 1. Check that NB is off or 1. Turn off 
>>>>> the preamp! Maybe do a
>>> complete reset?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> TenTec mailing list
>>>> TenTec at contesting.com
>>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
>>>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> TenTec mailing list
>> TenTec at contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
>>
> _______________________________________________
> TenTec mailing list
> TenTec at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
> 