[TenTec] Pimp My Eagle
Mike Newell
mnewell1 at austin.rr.com
Thu Jan 7 17:00:10 EST 2016
Rick,
With regard to encoders, I have read of folks having to replace encoders
on Orions and OMNI VIIs, and if you run the radio from the software you
save the wear and tear on the encoders. I operate my OMNI VII 90% of the
time from software, but there are times when I want to just fire up the
radio without the computer and operate it from its own front panel.
I am hoping that the ability to run the Eagle totally from software is
already "wired up" to the firmware, and all that is needed is to add the
command set to bring those functions out to external software. I am
hoping that the hardware doesn't have to be changed to allow encoder
functions like AF and RF gain and the things you do with the MULTI knob
to be controlled through external software. If not, then of course it
will take more work on Ten Tec's part to revise the Eagle to allow this.
The reason that I would like to operate the radio from software most of
the time is because of the things that other folks have already
mentioned: not enough knobs and buttons on the front panel to separate
out the various controls so that the radio is easier to operate.
Of course there are folks out there who don't care to operate a radio
from the computer at all, and that's what's great about the OMNI VII. It
works either way, and I'd just like to see the Eagle follow suit.
--
Mike - WB4HUC
On 1/7/2016 3:29 PM, Barry N1EU wrote:
> Isn't the use of analog versus digital controls dictated by the circuit,
> whether analog or digital?
>
> Barry N1EU
>
> On Thu, Jan 7, 2016 at 9:25 PM, rick at dj0ip.de <Rick at dj0ip.de> wrote:
>
>> "Software controllable"
>>
>> Mike this is an excellent point but also a point of debate.
>>
>> Old radios with simple mechanical volume controls just seem to last longer
>> than radios with encoders.
>>
>> On the one hand, in the interest of simplicity, I would like to see just
>> two
>> encoders, one for the VFO and one for a multi knob for the features that
>> will still need to be in a menu. All else should be old fashion mechanical
>> devices like used in the past 100 years.
>>
>> On the other hand, lack of radio control (i.e. N4PY) might be a good reason
>> for many people not to purchase the radio.
>>
>> I'm pretty sure that feature is a MUST.
>>
>> 73 - Rick, DJ0IP
>> (Nr. Frankfurt, Germany)
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: TenTec [mailto:tentec-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Mike
>> Newell
>> Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2016 6:47 PM
>> To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
>> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Pimp My Eagle
>>
>> I would like to add one item to Rick's list.
>>
>> Sometimes I like to operate the radio from the front panel and sometimes I
>> like to operate it from software.
>>
>> I would like to see the Eagle's software command set expanded so that
>> pretty
>> much every function is available to software, as with the OMNI VII.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Mike - WB4HUC
>> Austin, TX
>>
>>
>> On 1/7/2016 10:52 AM, rick at dj0ip.de wrote:
>>> PLEASE KEEP THIS THREAD FOCUSED ON THE “EAGLE.”
>>>
>>> (feel free to start a new thread on O7+ or O3)
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I agree with Brian . . . let’s talk about radios again.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> It seems the current tentative plan is:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 1) OM7(+) gets a new front plate and face plate, but not a lot of
>>> changes
>>>
>>> 2) (super) Eagle gets new DSP and _ _ _ _ _ _
>>>
>>> 3) Argonaut 6 will more or less resume production unchanged
>>>
>>> 4) An O3 is in the making, details unknown
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I want to make a suggestions about the future Eagle.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> IMO TEN-TEC made a mistake with the Eagle.
>>>
>>> They tried to address three market segments with one product.
>>>
>>> 1) A simple easy to use computer for old folks (including me) who
>>> usually prefer not to even turn the computer on, just because we want
>>> to get on the radio – but do want high performance.
>>>
>>> 2) The mobile hf market
>>>
>>> 3) The entry level 100w hf transceiver market
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Result: Jack of all trades, master of none.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> If you read the wish list in the Eagle group, since the beginning
>>> there were clearly representatives of all three groups expressing
>>> wishes for improvements. What might benefit one group is often
>>> counter-productive for the other.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> If Ten-Tec is to succeed, they need to identify the market segment for
>>> each product and optimize for it.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Of the three segments I have listed above, I believe Ten-Tec’s best
>>> chance is in no. 1.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I don’t think any US based OEM can go big in the entry level segment
>>> because it is primarily driven by price.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I also believe a mobile rig today MUST have a removable front panel.
>>> Sure some people don’t mind having the radio occupy the front
>>> passenger space, but I prefer to keep it for my XYL. (In fact I have
>>> no choice ;-)
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> My wish is for the Super Eagle to focus on number 1 above.
>>>
>>> As such, I can propose some changes:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 1) And most important: a bigger box. In all my 15+ years
>>> participating in Ten-Tec groups, I can’t recall a single instance of
>> anyone
>>> asking for a smaller box. Yet ALL OEMs seem to think that’s what we
>> want.
>>> Lots of important things suffer when you reduce the size of the box.
>>> You have less knobs, more menu adjustable items, smaller loud speaker,
>>> smaller S-Meter, coils are smaller (lower Q), heat sinks are smaller
>>> and fans are smaller so you have more noise. Less room for working on
>>> the radio, less room for back panel jacks (so we must use plugs with
>>> 75 pins!). DON’T NEED ANY OF THIS. I NEED THE FOLLOWING…
>>>
>>> 2) Larger knobs. Concentric knobs are only ok if they are large
>>> enough.
>>>
>>> 3) Larger S-meter. Prefer a true meter, but if not, then at least a
>>> color-coded LED meter.
>>>
>>> 4) ¼ inch connections for things like key and headphones;
>>>
>>> 5) Separate jacks for paddle and straight key
>>>
>>> 6) PTT and AMP KEY should be RCA Phono (again)
>>>
>>> 7) Dedicated RIT control (not the multi-knob)
>>>
>>> 8) Simplified VFO mode (i.e. getting in and out of split)
>>>
>>> 9) Buttons should have a max of dual function. Push once to enable
>>> main function, push twice (quickly) to enable secondary function. I
>>> don’t want to push multiple buttons that may be on opposite sides of
>>> the front panel.
>>>
>>> 10) Exception to menu handling is allowed but only for things that
>> really
>>> are “set once and forget”, such as defining filter slots and screen
>> color.
>>> 11) Mic gain and CW Speed should be a dedicated knob. I’m OK with it
>> just
>>> being one knob, but others might prefer concentric.
>>>
>>> 12) Band stacking register. Don’t understand why it was left out.
>>>
>>> 13) [finally] address the keying timing issues when using a non-Ten-Tec
>>> linear amplifier. The Pre-dit and Post-dit (hang) time must be
>> adjustable.
>>> Pre-dit can be inside the “set once and forget” menu, but Post-dit is
>>> a value I change often. Either make it easy to adjust, OR make it
>>> dynamically linked to the keyer speed with user adjustable ratio.
>>> There are keyers on the market that have this feature.
>>>
>>> 14) IF output to the real panel. Can be an option, but just plug one
>>> cable.
>>>
>>> 15) Pre-selector output to the real panel. Can be an option, but just
>> 2
>>> cables.
>>>
>>> 16) AUX-RX ANT connection. It’s to the point now that often the low
>> bands
>>> are only usable with some kind of special small receiving antenna, due
>>> to all the noise from consumer products.
>>>
>>> 17) NO BAND SCOPE. (Use the IF connector on the rear panel). Or use
>> an
>>> ANT OUT, an external SDR, and Carl’s NP4Y software.
>>>
>>> 18) Power Out indicator (not just an ALC LED)
>>>
>>> 19) What else?
>>>
>>> 20) Bright Red-Orange Dot! ;-)
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I’m sure I have forgotten a few points, but mainly KEEP IT SIMPLE so
>>> that old eyes and old fingers can use it.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I intentionally began this thread here rather than in the Eagle group
>>> because maybe if we get these changes, some of the people here (and
>>> not currently in the Eagle group) will join us.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> PIMP MY EAGLE!
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 73 - Rick, DJ0IP
>>>
>>> (Nr. Frankfurt, Germany)
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> TenTec mailing list
>>> TenTec at contesting.com
>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
>>>
>>>
>>
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