[TenTec] Service

Sat Jan 9 01:30:55 EST 2016

They did have some motherboard problems at one time…

In any case, what you describe for the original problem sounds like a synthesizer problem. 

The Orion uses two synthesizers to accomplish the dual receive fiction. Even when they are “sync’d” they are still using separate PLL chains. In this case, the “sync” process only means that both PLL loops are being told to go to the same frequency, but that is no guarantee that the both get there.

I believe that, when you flip the two VFO’s, the same PLL is driving the main receiver and transmit signal path as before you flipped, only the digital divider numbers get flipped. Thus the bad PLL is still on the main receiver (and the transmit line) and would still not function properly, as you have described.

It sounds to me that, right now, the main receiver/transmitter PLL is not hooked up at all as a tech probably thought that, since the radio was unrepairable, he did not need to put everything back where it was. Some do that, it’s not a crime if a radio is deemed so.

Sadly, I sold the spare synthesizer board I had, for a ridiculous price, a few months ago.

Still, that synthesizer board is not all that complex so it should be repairable.

I would be somewhat interested in looking at it to see if I can ascertain what went amiss with yours. I have two Orion’s here, one of which is being sold as we speak. The other awaits a new LED illuminator but otherwise works. If you are pretty quick about it, and you can remove and reinstall the synthesizer board, I can test it in my working Orion and evaluate he possibility of repair. That would need to be pretty soon because that Orion will go on sale once I get the illuminator installed.

Gary

> On Jan 8, 2016, at 11:15 PM, art N4UC <n4uc at hotmail.com> wrote:
> 
> That's a good question, one that I was hoping TT service could answer for me. All I can tell you is what the symptoms are now;
> 
> main RX dead (sub works fine)
> no IF signal
> (by the way, these were NOT symptoms when I sent it to TT, only when it came back did I find these!)
> 
> What prompted me to send it in in the first place was that the main RX warbled and drifted, sounded like an oscillator (maybe the IF?) was gradually getting unstable. With both RX's locked together there was a beat signal difference of about 300-500 hz between them. This was reflected in the transmitted signal as well. It gradually got worse, then became unusable, but was not dead.
> 
> Don't know if all that translates into a dead/sick CPU, but I would have thought that TT could have determined that when they plugged in substitute boards during troubleshooting. They said they replaced evey board in it and couldn't locate the malfunctioning board(s). I would have thought that if you had every board substituted, it should work and then start replacing  boards one by one until it failed. But I guess it doesn't work that way.
> 
> GL/73, Art
> 
> 
>> From: dukeshifi at comcast.net
>> Date: Wed, 6 Jan 2016 19:41:21 -0600
>> To: tentec at contesting.com
>> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Service
>> 
>> What’s wrong with your Orion that is “unrepairable”?
>> 
>> If it’s the CPU, then I agree Nut not much else is “unrepairable.
>> 
>> I even have much left of my parts cadaver that did indeed have a bad CPU.
>> 
>> Gary
>> 
>> 
>>> On Jan 6, 2016, at 11:45 AM, art N4UC <n4uc at hotmail.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>> I agree. There are those who seem to be trying to sabotage this attempt to bring back a company that these same people proclaim their undying allegiance to. There have been previous attempts to right the ship and I haven't seen any results from those efforts. So if we really want TT to succeed then quit whining and give the "new guy" a chance.  I'm just glad there is a "new guy" willing to step up to give us hope instead of one of the previous guys just letting it sit there and die on the vine while using it as a tax writeoff (or whatever you do with a dying company) until it's no longer worth anything to anybody. 
>>> 
>>> The only TT radio I own is a dead Orion that was returned to me as "unrepairable".  It was a great radio for many years and as much as I'd love to get it working again I'll admit that at the new service rates I don't see any chance that I will ever send it back in for a re-try. Just as TT can't afford to keep giving the free advice and help to the customer, I can't afford to pay them to go poking around for hours trying to find a problem. But that's just business, nothing personal.  If that's the "fat" that keeps them from getting back to providing excellent service at a reasonable price (I didn't say cheap) then cutting it out is what they need to do.  
>>> 
>>> Give them a chance and hold your criticism until you see the results. I do hope an upgraded Orion is being considered.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 73, Art N4UC
>>> 
>>>> Date: Wed, 6 Jan 2016 05:59:11 -0500
>>>> From: barry.n1eu at gmail.com
>>>> To: tentec at contesting.com
>>>> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Service
>>>> 
>>>> I hate whiners, and with that I'm going to whine  ;-)
>>>> 
>>>> <begin whine>
>>>> I'm hoping we don't need to go on and on and on and on about how much the
>>>> new Ten-Tec is or isn't charging for service and all kinds of other stuff
>>>> we don't know yet about the service that will be provided.  It will be what
>>>> it will be.  You will be free to be a customer of Ten-Tec service, a
>>>> customer of some independent servicer, or to fix it yourself with or
>>>> without paid or unpaid help from Ten-Tec service.  Enough already.  We
>>>> don't need to hear every single person's individual take or experience on
>>>> this, that or the other thing or their good or bad experience with Ten-Tec
>>>> service in the past.
>>>> <end whine>
>>>> 
>>>> This reflector will continue to be here with lots of great folks to lend a
>>>> hand or give advice when a specific need arises.
>>>> 
>>>> 73, Barry N1EU
>>>> _______________________________________________
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