[TenTec] TenTec Digest, Vol 142, Issue 20
Speer, Doug
Doug.Speer at FairbanksMorse.com
Fri Oct 17 14:29:59 EDT 2014
Thanks for the suggestions:
Art/N4UC,
I will definitely let you know if I figure out what is going on or if I end up sending back to Ten-Tec. I have not listened to my transmitted signals nor have I heard any complaints or negative reports. I am still making lots of contacts. You do have a good suggestion however and I should take a listen.
Billy, AA4NU,
My Orion II was bought new in 2008 and still has the original battery. Even if it is still good, I'm on borrowed time. I have already tried a Master Reset. Paul Clinton suggested I also do a RAM clear followed by a Master Reset. I plan to try this over the weekend.
Carl Moreschi N4PY,
I have read over the years reports of connector problems. Up until now my Orion II has been trouble free. It is however now 6 years old so maybe time caught up with me. The idea of pulling the front panel is intimidating to me but I read where many owners have been able to perform the surgery w/o complications so maybe I should give it a try.
> From: Doug.Speer at FairbanksMorse.com
> To: tentec at contesting.com
> Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 13:37:22 +0000
> Subject: [TenTec] Orion II Problem
>
> I am starting to believe my Orion II has developed a problem. On the main receiver I am hearing distorted, buzzing sounding signals that are well outside the DSP and roofing filter bandwidth. I am not hearing signals outside the filter bandwidth on the RX-366 sub-receiver. The problem is most notable on 160m but to some extent present on 80m. I don't really notice it above 80m. I have tried a master reset which did not resolve the problem.
>
> Do any of you have any immediate thoughts or does the rig need to visit Sevierville?
>
> Doug, W9PN
> Janesville, WI
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 14:25:19 -0500
From: art N4UC <n4uc at hotmail.com>
To: TenTec reflector <tentec at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion II Problem
Message-ID: <BLU171-W98BB2A5A679F97A48FCC3B83AB0 at phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
I have been experiencing the exact same problem for months with my Orion 565. It started out mostly only on 20M and would clear up if either changed bands or cycled the power. Then it progressed to other bands as well and now does not clear up regardless of what I try. It affected only the main rcvr, the sub was fine. Listen on a separate radio to see if it also affects the transmitted signal. In my case the transmitted CW signal sounds just like the received signal audio, warbly and buzzing almost like a spark gap signal!. So I'm guessing it's somewhere in the local oscillator/IF chain. I've talked to TT a few times and there's no way to diagnose my symptoms without getting it on the bench.
Currently it's sitting on the shelf unusable while I decide how much I want to spend on it. Good luck. If you think of it, drop me a note if you resolve the problem.
Art/N4UC
> From: Doug.Speer at FairbanksMorse.com
> To: tentec at contesting.com
> Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 13:37:22 +0000
> Subject: [TenTec] Orion II Problem
>
> I am starting to believe my Orion II has developed a problem. On the main receiver I am hearing distorted, buzzing sounding signals that are well outside the DSP and roofing filter bandwidth. I am not hearing signals outside the filter bandwidth on the RX-366 sub-receiver. The problem is most notable on 160m but to some extent present on 80m. I don't really notice it above 80m. I have tried a master reset which did not resolve the problem.
>
> Do any of you have any immediate thoughts or does the rig need to visit Sevierville?
>
> Doug, W9PN
> Janesville, WI
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 19:38:25 +0000 (UTC)
From: Billy Cox <aa4nu at comcast.net>
To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion II Problem
Message-ID:
<234233177.8462930.1413488305155.JavaMail.root at comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
How old is the backup battery in each of the respective Orions?
That might be a good next step to try, even if the battery is
not that old, ... still cheaper than a trip to TT ...
(Other ideas might be master resets and reloading firmware)
Hope this helps!
73 de Billy, AA4NU
----- Original Message -----
From: "art N4UC" <n4uc at hotmail.com>
To: "TenTec reflector" <tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2014 2:25:19 PM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion II Problem
I have been experiencing the exact same problem for months with my Orion 565. It started out mostly only on 20M and would clear up if either changed bands or cycled the power. Then it progressed to other bands as well and now does not clear up regardless of what I try. It affected only the main rcvr, the sub was fine. Listen on a separate radio to see if it also affects the transmitted signal. In my case the transmitted CW signal sounds just like the received signal audio, warbly and buzzing almost like a spark gap signal!. So I'm guessing it's somewhere in the local oscillator/IF chain. I've talked to TT a few times and there's no way to diagnose my symptoms without getting it on the bench.
Currently it's sitting on the shelf unusable while I decide how much I want to spend on it. Good luck. If you think of it, drop me a note if you resolve the problem.
Art/N4UC
> From: Doug.Speer at FairbanksMorse.com
> To: tentec at contesting.com
> Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 13:37:22 +0000
> Subject: [TenTec] Orion II Problem
>
> I am starting to believe my Orion II has developed a problem. On the main receiver I am hearing distorted, buzzing sounding signals that are well outside the DSP and roofing filter bandwidth. I am not hearing signals outside the filter bandwidth on the RX-366 sub-receiver. The problem is most notable on 160m but to some extent present on 80m. I don't really notice it above 80m. I have tried a master reset which did not resolve the problem.
>
> Do any of you have any immediate thoughts or does the rig need to visit Sevierville?
>
> Doug, W9PN
> Janesville, WI
>
>
> ----------Legal Disclaimer----------
>
> The information contained in this message may be privileged and confidential, and is intended solely for the use of the named addressee. No other person is authorized to access, copy or re-use this message (or any information contained herein). If you are not the intended recipient, please notify us immediately by replying to this message and delete it from your computer.
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------------------------------
Message: 8
Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 15:41:01 -0400
From: Carl Moreschi <n4py3 at earthlink.net>
To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion II Problem
Message-ID: <54401F4D.8080102 at earthlink.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Sounds like the classic "clean the connectors behind the front panel"
problem to me. There's a few connectors that over more than 100
connections and because Tentec did not use gold pins, they need to be
cleaned once in a while. Because there are so many connections, almost
any symptom is possible. But the key is the problem starts out
intermittent.
Remove the front panel, get some good contact spray, unplug the
connectors, spray them, then plug them in and out about 10 times to
clean them.
Carl Moreschi N4PY
58 Hogwood Rd
Louisburg, NC 27549
www.n4py.com
On 10/16/2014 3:25 PM, art N4UC wrote:
> I have been experiencing the exact same problem for months with my Orion 565. It started out mostly only on 20M and would clear up if either changed bands or cycled the power. Then it progressed to other bands as well and now does not clear up regardless of what I try. It affected only the main rcvr, the sub was fine. Listen on a separate radio to see if it also affects the transmitted signal. In my case the transmitted CW signal sounds just like the received signal audio, warbly and buzzing almost like a spark gap signal!. So I'm guessing it's somewhere in the local oscillator/IF chain. I've talked to TT a few times and there's no way to diagnose my symptoms without getting it on the bench.
>
> Currently it's sitting on the shelf unusable while I decide how much I want to spend on it. Good luck. If you think of it, drop me a note if you resolve the problem.
>
> Art/N4UC
>
>> From: Doug.Speer at FairbanksMorse.com
>> To: tentec at contesting.com
>> Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 13:37:22 +0000
>> Subject: [TenTec] Orion II Problem
>>
>> I am starting to believe my Orion II has developed a problem. On the main receiver I am hearing distorted, buzzing sounding signals that are well outside the DSP and roofing filter bandwidth. I am not hearing signals outside the filter bandwidth on the RX-366 sub-receiver. The problem is most notable on 160m but to some extent present on 80m. I don't really notice it above 80m. I have tried a master reset which did not resolve the problem.
>>
>> Do any of you have any immediate thoughts or does the rig need to visit Sevierville?
>>
>> Doug, W9PN
>> Janesville, WI
>>
>>
>> ----------Legal Disclaimer----------
>>
>> The information contained in this message may be privileged and confidential, and is intended solely for the use of the named addressee. No other person is authorized to access, copy or re-use this message (or any information contained herein). If you are not the intended recipient, please notify us immediately by replying to this message and delete it from your computer.
>> _______________________________________________
>> 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
>
------------------------------
Message: 9
Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 14:59:10 -0500
From: Robert <rmcgraw at blomand.net>
To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion II Problem
Message-ID: <1A9FD4B1-3789-4E4F-A87F-A367A6AA2C5D at blomand.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
I agree with Billy on the suggestion of a MASTER RESET. If that doesn't clear the issue then reload the firmware followed by a MASTER RESET. If this doesn't correct the issue, well Ten-Tec has a new address in Sevierville.
Bob, K4TAX
Sent from my iPhone
> On Oct 16, 2014, at 2:38 PM, Billy Cox <aa4nu at comcast.net> wrote:
>
> How old is the backup battery in each of the respective Orions?
>
> That might be a good next step to try, even if the battery is
> not that old, ... still cheaper than a trip to TT ...
>
> (Other ideas might be master resets and reloading firmware)
>
> Hope this helps!
>
> 73 de Billy, AA4NU
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "art N4UC" <n4uc at hotmail.com>
> To: "TenTec reflector" <tentec at contesting.com>
> Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2014 2:25:19 PM
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion II Problem
>
> I have been experiencing the exact same problem for months with my Orion 565. It started out mostly only on 20M and would clear up if either changed bands or cycled the power. Then it progressed to other bands as well and now does not clear up regardless of what I try. It affected only the main rcvr, the sub was fine. Listen on a separate radio to see if it also affects the transmitted signal. In my case the transmitted CW signal sounds just like the received signal audio, warbly and buzzing almost like a spark gap signal!. So I'm guessing it's somewhere in the local oscillator/IF chain. I've talked to TT a few times and there's no way to diagnose my symptoms without getting it on the bench.
>
> Currently it's sitting on the shelf unusable while I decide how much I want to spend on it. Good luck. If you think of it, drop me a note if you resolve the problem.
>
> Art/N4UC
>
>> From: Doug.Speer at FairbanksMorse.com
>> To: tentec at contesting.com
>> Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 13:37:22 +0000
>> Subject: [TenTec] Orion II Problem
>>
>> I am starting to believe my Orion II has developed a problem. On the main receiver I am hearing distorted, buzzing sounding signals that are well outside the DSP and roofing filter bandwidth. I am not hearing signals outside the filter bandwidth on the RX-366 sub-receiver. The problem is most notable on 160m but to some extent present on 80m. I don't really notice it above 80m. I have tried a master reset which did not resolve the problem.
>>
>> Do any of you have any immediate thoughts or does the rig need to visit Sevierville?
>>
>> Doug, W9PN
>> Janesville, WI
>>
>>
>> ----------Legal Disclaimer----------
>>
>> The information contained in this message may be privileged and confidential, and is intended solely for the use of the named addressee. No other person is authorized to access, copy or re-use this message (or any information contained herein). If you are not the intended recipient, please notify us immediately by replying to this message and delete it from your computer.
>> _______________________________________________
>> 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
>
------------------------------
Message: 10
Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 20:52:28 +0000 (UTC)
From: Billy Cox <aa4nu at comcast.net>
To: n4py3 at earthlink.net, Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
<tentec at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion II Problem
Message-ID:
<326350070.8511274.1413492748546.JavaMail.root at comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Hi Carl,
For the 565 platform, I agree that is worthy of consideration.
For the 566 platform, I thought (perhaps incorrectly) there
was a pin design change so help reduce that from repeating?
So yes, by all means do what Carl suggests BEFORE packing it
up to TT for their review.
73 de Billy, AA4NU
----- Original Message -----
From: "Carl Moreschi" <n4py3 at earthlink.net>
To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2014 2:41:01 PM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion II Problem
Sounds like the classic "clean the connectors behind the front panel"
problem to me. There's a few connectors that over more than 100
connections and because Tentec did not use gold pins, they need to be
cleaned once in a while. Because there are so many connections, almost
any symptom is possible. But the key is the problem starts out
intermittent.
Remove the front panel, get some good contact spray, unplug the
connectors, spray them, then plug them in and out about 10 times to
clean them.
Carl Moreschi N4PY
58 Hogwood Rd
Louisburg, NC 27549
www.n4py.com
On 10/16/2014 3:25 PM, art N4UC wrote:
> I have been experiencing the exact same problem for months with my Orion 565. It started out mostly only on 20M and would clear up if either changed bands or cycled the power. Then it progressed to other bands as well and now does not clear up regardless of what I try. It affected only the main rcvr, the sub was fine. Listen on a separate radio to see if it also affects the transmitted signal. In my case the transmitted CW signal sounds just like the received signal audio, warbly and buzzing almost like a spark gap signal!. So I'm guessing it's somewhere in the local oscillator/IF chain. I've talked to TT a few times and there's no way to diagnose my symptoms without getting it on the bench.
>
> Currently it's sitting on the shelf unusable while I decide how much I want to spend on it. Good luck. If you think of it, drop me a note if you resolve the problem.
>
> Art/N4UC
>
>> From: Doug.Speer at FairbanksMorse.com
>> To: tentec at contesting.com
>> Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 13:37:22 +0000
>> Subject: [TenTec] Orion II Problem
>>
>> I am starting to believe my Orion II has developed a problem. On the main receiver I am hearing distorted, buzzing sounding signals that are well outside the DSP and roofing filter bandwidth. I am not hearing signals outside the filter bandwidth on the RX-366 sub-receiver. The problem is most notable on 160m but to some extent present on 80m. I don't really notice it above 80m. I have tried a master reset which did not resolve the problem.
>>
>> Do any of you have any immediate thoughts or does the rig need to visit Sevierville?
>>
>> Doug, W9PN
>> Janesville, WI
>>
>>
>> ----------Legal Disclaimer----------
>>
>> The information contained in this message may be privileged and confidential, and is intended solely for the use of the named addressee. No other person is authorized to access, copy or re-use this message (or any information contained herein). If you are not the intended recipient, please notify us immediately by replying to this message and delete it from your computer.
>> _______________________________________________
>> 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
------------------------------
Message: 11
Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 16:23:22 -0500
From: art N4UC <n4uc at hotmail.com>
To: TenTec reflector <tentec at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion II Problem
Message-ID: <BLU171-W767CECB935B147D6C2E6CD83AB0 at phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Believe me I was really trying to find that bad connections were the source of the problem, but no joy. When all this started happening I went completely through the radio (I'm not shy about taking radios apart) and disconnected and cleaned every connector contact in the radio and then exercise each several times during re-mate. That includes removing each board from it's motherboard connection. All to no avail. I subsequently repeated that scenario many times over several days thinking I just hadn't hit the magic pin/socket. But after all the cleaning, pushing, and flexing of every connection and every board on multiple occasions, I never detected any change or effect on the problem.
But as W2NSD used to say, Never Say Die!
Art/N4UC
> Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 20:52:28 +0000
> From: aa4nu at comcast.net
> To: n4py3 at earthlink.net; tentec at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion II Problem
>
> Hi Carl,
>
> For the 565 platform, I agree that is worthy of consideration.
>
> For the 566 platform, I thought (perhaps incorrectly) there
> was a pin design change so help reduce that from repeating?
>
> So yes, by all means do what Carl suggests BEFORE packing it
> up to TT for their review.
>
> 73 de Billy, AA4NU
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Carl Moreschi" <n4py3 at earthlink.net>
> To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec at contesting.com>
> Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2014 2:41:01 PM
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion II Problem
>
> Sounds like the classic "clean the connectors behind the front panel"
> problem to me. There's a few connectors that over more than 100
> connections and because Tentec did not use gold pins, they need to be
> cleaned once in a while. Because there are so many connections, almost
> any symptom is possible. But the key is the problem starts out
> intermittent.
>
> Remove the front panel, get some good contact spray, unplug the
> connectors, spray them, then plug them in and out about 10 times to
> clean them.
>
> Carl Moreschi N4PY
> 58 Hogwood Rd
> Louisburg, NC 27549
> www.n4py.com
>
> On 10/16/2014 3:25 PM, art N4UC wrote:
> > I have been experiencing the exact same problem for months with my Orion 565. It started out mostly only on 20M and would clear up if either changed bands or cycled the power. Then it progressed to other bands as well and now does not clear up regardless of what I try. It affected only the main rcvr, the sub was fine. Listen on a separate radio to see if it also affects the transmitted signal. In my case the transmitted CW signal sounds just like the received signal audio, warbly and buzzing almost like a spark gap signal!. So I'm guessing it's somewhere in the local oscillator/IF chain. I've talked to TT a few times and there's no way to diagnose my symptoms without getting it on the bench.
> >
> > Currently it's sitting on the shelf unusable while I decide how much I want to spend on it. Good luck. If you think of it, drop me a note if you resolve the problem.
> >
> > Art/N4UC
> >
> >> From: Doug.Speer at FairbanksMorse.com
> >> To: tentec at contesting.com
> >> Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 13:37:22 +0000
> >> Subject: [TenTec] Orion II Problem
> >>
> >> I am starting to believe my Orion II has developed a problem. On the main receiver I am hearing distorted, buzzing sounding signals that are well outside the DSP and roofing filter bandwidth. I am not hearing signals outside the filter bandwidth on the RX-366 sub-receiver. The problem is most notable on 160m but to some extent present on 80m. I don't really notice it above 80m. I have tried a master reset which did not resolve the problem.
> >>
> >> Do any of you have any immediate thoughts or does the rig need to visit Sevierville?
> >>
> >> Doug, W9PN
> >> Janesville, WI
> >>
> >>
> >> ----------Legal Disclaimer----------
> >>
> >> The information contained in this message may be privileged and confidential, and is intended solely for the use of the named addressee. No other person is authorized to access, copy or re-use this message (or any information contained herein). If you are not the intended recipient, please notify us immediately by replying to this message and delete it from your computer.
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> 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
> _______________________________________________
> TenTec mailing list
> TenTec at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
------------------------------
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------------------------------
End of TenTec Digest, Vol 142, Issue 20
***************************************
----------Legal Disclaimer----------
The information contained in this message may be privileged and confidential, and is intended solely for the use of the named addressee. No other person is authorized to access, copy or re-use this message (or any information contained herein). If you are not the intended recipient, please notify us immediately by replying to this message and delete it from your computer.
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