Topband: Ten-Tec Omni VI on 160 (long)

[Jeff Maass]

I posted a message yesterday asking some questions
about the Omni-VI:

    1) Is there a receiving antenna input? How are people using
        it with receive antennas?

    2) Is the transmit antenna made available as an output during
        receive, as is done with the FT1000MP (for routing through 
        attenuators, noise cancellers, etc.)? 

    3) Any other comments on using this radio on 160 meters, 
        especially during contests?

I've received several replies (thanks!), in part asking what I'm 
trying to do.

I'm going to be operating 160 meters at the Caribbean Contesting 
Consortium (CCC) operation from our PJ2T station in CQWW 
CW in November. http://asgard.kent.edu/ccc/

I originally planned to take one of my FT1000MPs to use, but:
    1) the Club has a permanently-loaned Omni-VI which needs
        to be ferried to the island;
    2) Curacao has a distressing Customs policy of charging 
        duty on personal property arriving on-island, even if it is to 
        be removed when the owner returns home.  

So, rather than pay a non-refundable ~$500 on my radio, I'll be
taking the loaned Omni-VI to use at the 160 meter station, and
leaving it when I return for others to use later at the Signal Point
station.

I believe this is not the "Omni-VI Plus", but the earlier model. It has
1.8, 500, and 250 Hz filters, with none cascaded. I don't know 
if it has had any of the three modificatons others  have mentioned 
as bringing the earlier radio up to VI-Plus features  (DSP? Filter
expansion? ??).  I'll be receiving the radio next weekend, and will 
have some time to examine it, become familiar with it, and 
upgrade it if desirable (and with the owner's permission), and I
plan at a minimum to add filters  as possible to provide cascaded 
500 and 250 positions.

QUERY: How long does Ten-Tec take, and how much do they
charge to bring an Omni-VI up to Omni-VI Plus? 

QUERY: Is it worthwhile?
 
If it's reasonable, and if there is time, I may donate the upgrades 
to the Club in order to have the radio in it's best shape for my 
contest operation.

I was asked why I wanted to know about the transmit antenna 
being brought out on receive. With the FT1000MP, I have the 
ability to bring out the transmit antenna to the rear panel, run 
it through a 20 to 30 dB attenuator and run back through 
the switch with my  (up to 8) receive  antennas which all come 
into the RX antenna input. This allows me to match the output 
level of the omni antenna to the Shorty Beverages so I don't 
blow out my eardrums when I switch to or through that antenna 
on the switch. From the Midwest, this is an "essential" capability
in contests, where signals can come from 360-degrees throughout
the contest. It's likely less important way down in PJ2, where 
more of the useful signals will likely be found on the receiving 
antennas. 

I'm told that I *will not* be able to do this on the Omni.

The block diagram of my early plan (still showing the 'MP) 
is at:  http://home.columbus.rr.com/jmaass/Radio/PJ2T_160.gif

73,
 Jeff Maass       jmaass@columbus.rr.com     Located near Columbus Ohio
         USPSA # L-1192       NROI/CRO    Amateur Radio K8ND
    Maass' IPSC Resources Page:  http://home.columbus.rr.com/jmaass
Circleville USPSA/IPSC: http://home.columbus.rr.com/jmaass/pcsiipsc.htm