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

[Brian Carling]

That is a long list. I am really enjoying my Omni seven now that I did a master reset and it works properly.

Best regards - Bry Carling



> 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)
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> TenTec mailing list
> TenTec at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec