[TenTec] Reasons to buy an OM7 instead of an Eagle

Wed Jul 9 22:49:08 EDT 2014

Nice response Rick.  

Having both radios I'll say the OM7 receiver isn't capable of dealing with interference like the Eagle can do.  Broadcast band interference on 160 meters is a good example.  Atmospheric noise (including lightning pulses) are stronger in my OM7 verses the Eagle.  It maybe because the Eagle is a down converted receiver with a less broad front end whereas the OM7 has a broader front end (20 Khz I believe) and is up converted, plus the DSP isn't of the same vintage of the Eagle (just guessing).  

73

Eric
W9WLW

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 9, 2014, at 5:10 PM, "Rick - DJ0IP / NJ0IP" <Rick at DJ0IP.de> wrote:
> 
> I was just asked off list for reasons to warrant spending the extra bread on
> an OM7 instead of an Eagle.
> Ha!  I had to bite my tongue to keep from saying "none, there aren't any!"
> (hi)
> 
> There are of course 2 or 3 minor reasons and I've created my list below.
> Perhaps someone else more familiar with the OM7 than I am can think of other
> reasons that I have forgotten.
> Grateful to any additional tips.
> 
> (and to the OM who asked me this question, if you do not subscribe to the
> tentec group at contesting.com, send me another email and I will forward you
> any replies we get).
> ==========================================================
> 
> Hi OM, (name withheld)
> 
> You do realize of course that you have posed that question to a man in love
> with his Eagle!  (hi)
> OK, but I will try and be objective on this.
> 
> The Eagle's better receiver is really only noticeable in BIG contests where
> a good operator is willing to dive into the middle of the heaviest pile-up
> on the band to work whatever DX multiplier is under all the rumble.  Apart
> from that, there is not a lot of difference in the two receivers.  However
> when the going gets tough, the Eagle will outshine the Omni 7.
> 
> I'll start with the only other negative of the OM7 over the Eagle: it has
> only one knob for AF and RF gain.  Not the end of the world but separate
> knobs would have been better.
> 
> And of course if you go backpacking, I'd rather carry an Eagle!  (hi)
> Same applies for mobile operations.
> 
> Now here is my short list of features the OM7 has which the Eagle does not:
> 
> . A larger read out, including an S-Meter that you can actually see and read
> 
> . Better interfacing to old amplifiers (or new Ameritron amplifiers) in CW
> mode.  The OM7 has adjustable hang delay on the tail end of the signal.  The
> Eagle does not have this feature and if you have one of these amps, you
> absolutely need it.  With the Eagle, you must purchase the Model 318 Amp
> Keyer for a hundred bucks.
> 
> . Interfacing to Ten-Tec full QSK amplifiers (dual-cable keying).  The Eagle
> does not have this.  If you don't have a full QSK linear with this keying
> loop circuitry, it doesn't matter.
> 
> . A band scope (though it's not the greatest)
> 
> . Larger heat sink on the back side for cooling the final transistors.  You
> really do not need a fan unless you are running RTTY.  The Eagle doesn't
> have this so it must rely on a fan. It is not terribly loud but it is
> audible.
> 
> . Direct frequency entry keypad
> 
> . Curtis mode A and B keying.  It's fixed on the Eagle, but I have no idea
> which one.  Somehow I never paid any attention to that stuff.  I just key
> whatever they throw at me and it somehow seems to always work.
> 
> . Two spare RCA phono plugs AND an internal provision to connect two coax
> cables to these to be used as connection for a pre-selector or noise
> cancelor.
> 
> . A serial port.  
> 
> . Connection for the POD (the remote VFO knob).  I sometimes miss this on my
> Eagle.
> 
> . 2 antenna jacks
> 
> . Ethernet connection
> 
> . AUX RX (antenna) - an input for a receive-only antenna (uses one of the
> two ANT connections)
> 
> . Adjustable bandwidth on SSB
> 
> . Adjustable RX and TX equalizers
> 
> . CTCSS for FM
> 
> . Adjustable CW (keying) weighting
> 
> . SPOT (for spotting in CW) - which I personally feel is worthless
> 
> . Adjustable rise/fall time on CW.  A fancy option but I don't feel it is
> necessary.  The Eagle's CW signal is just fine.
> 
> . FSK X Data (if you are into RTTY)
> 
> . VFO Speed Shift which basically speeds up the tuning rate by a factor of 4
> when you turn the VFO knob real fast.  Many people like this feature a lot.
> 
> . A very comfortable software menu (probably the very best in the industry)
> 
> . OmniRig support (very important for many 3rd party software programs)
> 
> . A dedicated RIT/XIT knob (using the RIT on the Eagle is very clumsy)
> 
> . And of course REMOTE CONTROL (over the Internet)
> 
> That's all that comes to mind right now, but keep in mind that I do not own
> an OM7 and the last time I even saw or used one was in 2007.  That was 7
> years ago. and my old grey cells "ain't what they used to be".
> 
> 73 - Rick, DJ0IP
> (Nr. Frankfurt am Main)
> 
> 
> 
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