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

[Carl Moreschi]

That sounds like the RF gain was just set too high in the Omni VII.  I 
have both radios here and I like the Omni VII much better.  The Omni VII 
is more convenient to use the controls.  It's also more sensitive for 
hearing weak signals on 6 meters.

Carl Moreschi N4PY
58 Hogwood Rd
Louisburg, NC 27549
www.n4py.com

On 7/9/2014 10:49 PM, R. Eric Sluder via TenTec wrote:
> 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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