Tentec Orion II

[emercito]

Nice radio.

[Govner2]

I've been watching all the videos on Orion II because I'm in the purchasing mode after having a TenTec rig for 30 years and enjoying it. But, I operate CW 99% of the time and there's obviously a lot of money going into the audio processing and SSB features. So, I'd love to find a TenTec of lesser expense that is as good on CW. I sure wish there was a CW-ORION IIa. 73, and thanks.

[Govner2]

What's with the delay in the spectrum display. It's a good 50 ms or more behind the audio output. That's kind of annoying to me for a high-end radio like this. That's all I can really see from this video.

[N4GW]

@Govner2 Yes, there is a slight delay. Tentec said they are working on a high speed upgrade for this, but they have not released it yet

[orestemusic]

now the nuber ONE is Kenwood TS-590s.

[bizzzybee]

I don' uderstand soemthing.Some radios are for like 6 meters, 8, meters. 20 meters, 40 meters and so on. Now with these bigger radios, can you talk on all of those as I mentioned? and can you do morse code with it? Please make me understand. Or better yet, where can I readup on this information so I can understand amature radio as a hobby...Thanks

[N4GW]

@bizzzybee got to the ARRL website arrl.org. They have informstion for new HAMS there and those wanting to become HAM

[zaperfan]

@N4GW Hi i was just watching your video and noticed that you have a ferrite ring on the microphone input. dose the it suffer RF like the old Orion ? could you tell me the maximum transmit band width ? How do you rate this wonderful looking radio i was thinking about purchasing one but want to get as much feedback from hams that own them cheers John

[N4GW]

@zaperfan Hi John I was having some problems with RF in the shack so I put the ferite on there but turned out to be a loose ground strap. The Orion II is a great radio. Nice bright screen. The filtering is really good. I do mostly SSB so I had the 1.8 khz roofing filter added and it worked well when another signal moved in close to you. It is a big radio so make sure you have some space on your desk to put it

[zaperfan]

@zaperfan Thank you for the reply i will make room!!!. I have seen your comments about the ft5000 i would hold back on that there are lots of issues with this radio. I would wait until all the faults have been sorted before you spend serious money on something you might regret??? I have been advised not to touch it by my friend that had one!!! cheers John

[sz42781]

@bizzzybee Im no pro but, they are "HF" radios or high frequency radios aka Short Wave radios. the "meters" are divisions of the HF bands. You can talk on all of the frequencies or do morse code. Morse code is is usually picked up by listening to a frequency under "narrow band mode". HF radios get WAY more range than say a cops walkie talkie because HF travels in the atmosphere, allowing you to communicate overseas.Pick up a degen digital shortwave radio on Ebay "model DE1103".

[orestemusic]

Icom Ic-7600 is the best radio ever made!

[N4GW]

@orestemusic For the radios I used up to now, I think so too. I would like to try the new FT-DX5000 next to the other radios to see how it compares

[Thetruthhurtstheleft]

@orestemusic And you are the least reliable source of radio opinions ever.

[gmcjetpilot]

That sure is a dang fancy CB radio.... I gotcha get me one of dem fur my pick'em up truck. It even gots one of dem DVD players built in that there CB rig .... I can play smokey and the bandit on it, while I breaker breaker 10-4 roger good buddy over.

[uncletimvids]

Another juvenile you tuber commenting for the sake of stirring up trouble. Go crawl back under your rock now the adults are talking. how old are you? 15 or 16

[gmcjetpilot]

@uncletimvids

Who the hell are are you talking to you idiot. I'm a 49 yr old married father of two, with two masters degrees in engineering & math, and I'm an airline piliot. I use VHF, HF radio over the Pacific and Atlantic. I am also a ham with a bench full of gear. If you can't take a joke too bad troll. FU!

[hmanonbass]

What radio do you like the best the 7600 or the Orion II? And why?

[N4GW]

@hmanonbass That is a little tough. They a real close on performance. The screen graphics and layout are better on the 7600. Both are very bright. During a SSB contest, when I narrow the receive bandwidth down to 1.5 k or less, the audio on the 7600 seems clearer and easier to understand. There is only one receiver on the 7600, but the dualwatch is great for split and that is all I have ever used a second receiver for anyway. Let me know if you have any other questions

73,

Mike, N4GW

[MrScrappydue]

Very nice,very nice.

[maciejwrotek]

doess this plaayy illegal channels?

[Thetruthhurtstheleft]

@maciejwrotek

 This is thankfully NOT a Kenwood nor a Yaesu.

[SWL1409]

Nice TX!

[oldschoolSlyfan]

Thanks for posting, what type of choke are you using on the mic cable? and did it work for you. I have a Jupiter and I am constantly on guard for RF cures and are you using them elsewhere?.

[N4GW]

It is just a simple magnetic snap-on core.  I have RF that comes and goes and have not always found a consistant cure for it

[oldschoolSlyfan]

Thank you for the very prompt response. I have the same issue with the Jupiter, just can't seem to nail it down to a specific location. I have two two on my mic cord, one on the power cord and two on the remote cord. So far so good.

[hmanonbass]

@oldschoolSlyfan There is a factory fix with 4 small bypass caps to get the rf outta your mic. input. I run a Jupiter also.

[pspbarry]

i spend hours looking at rigs on you tube and the net its such fun for me thank you for posting yours 73`s

[KRLSGARAL]

Beautiful ORION II !!!

73 de XE2EW

[ki4qpu]

Thanks for the video. I have a ts570d setting in the box for when I get my general. The video makes me want a orion II.

[N4GW]

Thanks, and yes by all means get your General ticket. There is nothing like working HF

[mobay1517]

Gosh what a nice video!

Really a class rig and so proud that it it made in the USA. I've heard them on the air and they sound great. Seeing it in the video really makes me lust after it.

Thanks for the video

[HighFlyer186]

That's a really lovely transceiver, I want one, keep up the good work, 73 Peter G0OMH

[tperry2]

Wow, nice radio. Almost makes me wish I'd got one. Got the IC7700 instead.

Nice radio. Good video. Wish it was longer. Finally got to see a little of the Orions Scope.

Terry-AE5EH

[N4GW]

Yes, it is a great radio. I have heard great things about the IC-7700 too. Wish I had the cash to have both hi hi!

Mike, N4GW

[WA2JSG]

Nice video on the Orion.

73 de Curt

[N4GW]

Thanks, I noticed there were not much on the Orion II on Youtube so I thought I would post it

73, Mike, N4GW

[tperry2]

Well, good deal Mike. I hope you can post some more on the Orion II later. I think that's great we still have some companies here in the US making Amateur Radio gear. Lord knows there can't be a lot of profit in it. Maybe we hams should count our lucky stars folks like Ten Tec and Elecraft are still at it. I hear Ten Tec has some fine product support. Take care Mike and thanks for posting the Orion II video.

Terry-AE5EH

[W3QJ]

Mike, it looks like I'll finally be getting an Orion II. I've heard these on the air set up well with a good dynamic mic and they sound really, really good. I think this Orion II will definitely give my IC7700 a "run for the money" as folks would say. I've tried the K3, but just can't warm up to the receiver audio no matter how hard I try.

Terry

W3QJ

[N4GW]

Great Terry. When you get one let me know how it compares to the 7700 side by side

[W3QJ]

I've had the Orion II for two weeks now Mike. As far as raw performance goes that you can easily see when using the XCVR, the Orion II is a much better value. For CW, the Orion II definitely wins. The Orion II has a brick solid RCVR. Better than the 7700 for close station QRM. Not a lot better, but enough to tell the difference between the 7700 & Orion II for sure. Don't get me wrong, I still like my 7700, and will keep it, but I'm happy to have the Orion II in the collection.

Terry

W3QJ