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| Reviews Summary for N4PY Ten-Tec Orion Control Software |
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Reviews: 10
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Average rating: 5.0/5
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MSRP: $55. USD
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Description: PC control program for the Ten-Tec Orion Transceiver
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More info: http://www.ralabs.com/n4py/
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You can
write your own review of the N4PY Ten-Tec Orion Control Software.
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KG6TT
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 21, 2008 20:14
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New 32-bit version
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Although I don't consider Carl, N4PY's rig control software for the Ten-Tec Orion 'perfect' in all ways, I am finding that I greatly appreciate what it has already added to my Orion user experience. I don't as yet use it while contesting but for everyday and DX chasing activities it is really, really nice. No, more than that as it doesn't just mimic what you can do on the Orion's front panel, but allows you to do things that you can't (at least not without a lot of button pushing).
I was just corresponding with Carl earlier this evening about the Orion program. He is incredibly responsive when it comes to helping his software users... and he listens to suggestions as well. Anyway, I first bought the Orion version about two years ago but never really used it... found it to be rather erratic in performance with the Orion 565... and frankly I didn't take the time to thoroughly learn how to setup the options to their best advantage for my operating style.
When Carl announced 32-bit versions for his software I immediately updated my Pegasus version which I use... for my Pegasus. I liked the performance improvement a lot and the fact that it was running as a standard 32-bit Windows XP application got me interested in trying out the new Orion version as well. At this point I was just hoping for a 'smoother' ride.
This time 'out of the box' I took the extra time to print out the extensive Help document and read it through a few times.... making notes as I went along. There is so much detail there that it could be made far easier to digest with some serious style editing and maybe an Adobe Reader makeover.
The software has numerous preference/setting pages chock full of user options. I have been working with computers and software for about 40 years now and still found myself puzzling about the function of many of the selections. Back to reading the Help doc.
Piece by piece I customized the Orion program to operate the way I wanted it to... If I couldn't get what I was looking for I would write Carl and usually within minutes his responses would get me going in the right direction. On a few occasions our discussions actually lead to changes in the program itself. Image that!
A few weeks after reacquainting myself with the Orion program I have configured a highly improved Orion 565 GUI experience for myself... and find that I am using the Orion rig control almost all the time now (works nicely with DXLabs Suite too.)
I think the key point to understand about Carl's software is that treating it like a 'turn-key' application probably won't deliver even a small portion of the user experience possible by carefully learning what it can do and configuring it for your own specific requirements.
Postscript: Regarding performance with the Orion 565.... If you use a number of applications at the same time you may still find this program occasionally erratic during VFO tuning. At least that was my experience with a 2GHz PC and 2 GB of RAM. The fix under Windows XP was very simple... just go to the Task Manager and change the process preference for ORION.exe from the default of Normal to Above Normal or High. I use a program called Daphne to do this automatically. Windows sets nearly all applications to 'normal' so the more applications you use at the same time (in memory) the more each application gets a smaller portion of CPU availability. Most applications are not to critical regarding this CPU sharing but applications that are serial port intensive like this rig control software benefit from getting a slightly higher processor priority.
73,
Jerry, KG6TT
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KQ0B
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 7, 2008 17:50
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Great Software & Service
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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First off I am not affiliated with N4PY and he is not a friend. I have used the N4PY Orion Control Program for 2 years and needless to say I find it to be a great way to operate the Orion II. I can bring out the best features in the radio as a result of utilizing his fantastic way of allowing me to control the radio and its' functions. On numerous occasions Carl has provided answers to questions that I did not understand. His updates are timely and I find that it helps me understand the manual even more.
The software is especially nice to use in the digital modes with such software as MixW and other rtty, psk31 modes.
I have renewed two years and will continue to support Carl.
I must say that the memory files in themselves is a timesaver since Ten Tec only allows 4 band stack registers. I can have multiple programs up at the same time and still control the Orion.
Its nice to be able to control both VFOs. AND I can adjust the filters a lot easier than twiddling with the radio controls.
I highly recommend Carl's Orion software control to anyone.
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KA7U
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 21, 2006 18:24
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Nice Software Good service
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Having used N4PY software to control the ORION II, it is time to say how much I appreciate using it. The software is intuitive to use and makes using the ORION in digital modes with MixW, a snap.
The ability to restore ORION memories is a big plus. If you have reset your ORION when updating firmware and lost the stored memories, you know what I am saying. I really like being able to build lists of frequencies to scan or tune to on the fly and this software makes that so easy to do.
Carl's service is almost "real time" and he has taken the time with me to work through my confusion and mis-understanding. Great person to work with.
This software adds many features and capabilities tp the ORION. It is easily worth the subscription price.
Ron
KA7U
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K0XB
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 13, 2005 16:58
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Exceeded my expectations
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This is the second sofware package written by Carl I have used, and I continue to be impressed by his products. The software does exactly what it is supposed to do, it is stable, and his support is outstanding.
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HB9CIP
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 22, 2005 04:19
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Make it very easy to manage !
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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After testing several control programs, which weren't really userfrendly, It was a real surprize to see how this software is simple and powerful for users. Helps during Contest operations and DX'ing a lot, simplifying the use of ORION. Using it with the remote POD makes all functions really easy.
Few words about the support. I newer saw such a "just in time" support. Carl answers quickly every question and brings true solutions ! Congratulations for this good product !
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NA9F
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 9, 2004 17:51
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I was amazed what this control package did for me.
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I have been reading about the different control programs being used on the Orion and wanted to share my opinion of the N4PY program. I chose to purchase this package after hearing from others about the shortcomings of the HRD package and listening to the CW sending part of the package on several occasions. I did not hear smooth and interrupted code sending. I attended Ten Tec's Ham Fest this year and managed to see a demo of the N4PY package. I have been using the program for about a month now and like the full range features it offers.
Some 34 Hot Keys, (Alt H) to bring up the list, is provided. These keys allows a person to use the keyboard instead of mouse clicking on the radio display for changing the Orion controls. Nice feature when you are at the keyboard already.
The memory files are a must if you are wanting to select your preset frequencies and recall them in a flash. I use this feature all the time. I particularly like seeing a reminder of the use of the frequency. Example I have one set for a SSB freq that I occasionally use and in the setup I stated "Sunday 8:00 SSB group"
this reminds me the freq is the group's place of
meeting and the time. When I call up that memory I will see the information on the program's display along with the frequency.
I like the Sweep function and use it a lot. It is a vivid display of frequencies being used/unused and allows me to just click on the one I want the Orion to tune to. I often am on one frequency, lets say 7.185 SSB but want to see when a frequency, say 7.040 becomes active. If it does, I just click on that freq and immediately my Orion is tuned to it. I use the various widths of sweeps and the different choices I have for centering the sweep.
K1EL's WinKey support is now offered in Version 1.12. This has really been a fine feature for me. I am a CW nut and I like switching from a paddle to a keyboard. I was using K1EL's K20 keyer and CwType for my CW generation. I
sometimes use CwGet when the code being received is out of my comfort range. The use of the three along with a home brew electronic logging program
required me to have three programs up and running along with my k20 keyer. With the added feature for WinKey I can now just have two programs up and running. N4PY's control program with the CW feature which also allows interface of a paddle and my logging program. I no longer need the K20 and keyboard. This means space for other things. By the way if you have not looked into the WinKey you owe it to yourself to
do so.
AGC control is a biggie for me. I change it as conditions change. One day it will be on prog1 and a few mins later it will be on prog2 with the AGC slider way up.
I remember the earlier talk about the Orion's display not having color. That is not a big issue with me but I can handle the color display in the program just fine. I particularly like the delectability of the various part of the screen. Seeing the frequency change colors at TX is just dandy.
Selectable step tuning for both VFO's is a big plus but I maintain the memory file is my most used. I am a frequency jumper. When I do use this
feature, I find it very handy and there are lots of choices for setting the steps up.
Well I will stop here. I will say that I no longer use the controls on the Orion unless my wife is using the computer to shop.
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W9OY
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 10, 2004 12:19
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Good People, Good Software
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I have been using some form of N4PY software for about 9 months. I started with the program for the Pegasus, which has been updated no less than 6 times since my original purchase. Each update has been primarily to improve the feature set, in other words each update has been an iterative improvement on the one before, and not because of bugginess in the software. I haven't found any bugginess thus far. I use a P3 900 MHz ThinkPad in the shack, with 128mb of RAM, and the program uses about 10% of my resources.
I purchased an Orion in June, and the N4PY software to go with it the same month. That piece of software has been upgraded no less than 3 times. Again each update was an iterative improvement in the program. I also have communicated with Carl on a couple of suggestions which have been included in the updates. Carl is very responsive to improving the feature set in ways that make sense to increasing the operability of your rig. It also gives you considerable leeway in customizing the rigs performance, to exactly the way you like it.
An example of his responsiveness is he recently updated the Keyboard program to give full support to the K1EL keyer. Another example is the release of a tightly integrated DX cluster/logging/tracking program (reviewed under the title "N4PY DX Spots") which turns your rig into a real DXing weapon. "DX spots" is available to all registered users of his other software for no additional fee.
The software is downloadable for a trial so you can see firsthand if it facilitates your operation. Overall I'm a believer. I don't know a thing about N4PY, except I like his software. It's American Entrepreneurialism at its finest. I have several thousand invested in my Orion and this 80 buck program in my mind doubles the functionality of my rig. This review is of his Orion program, however a program of similiar function is available for other Ten Tec, Elecraft, Icom, Yaesu and Kenwood rigs as well
Good people, good software.
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K2TA
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 10, 2004 01:49
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Excellent software
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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This is a great program. Carl's Windows application is the closest thing to a user programmed interface for the Orion. I can sit with my laptop screen blocking the Orion front panel and not miss it at all.
The "annual fee" might be a bit misleading. The software never "expires". You are free to use the version you buy but the annual fee gives you free updates. New features and improvements in operation come often and the subscription concept of the annual fee is really a cheap way of keeping updated.
If Ten-Tec ever lets ALL parameters that can be set from the front panel of the Orion be available via the RS-232 port watch what Carl will do! I hope the day will come that you can click on "Favorite state QSO party" and have the frequencies associated with CW/RTTY and SSB on every band from 160 to 10M for that contest dumped into the band stacking registers. Armed forces day? Click on a button for "AFD" and have the radio's band stacking registers set for split operation for each of the branches of the military services on all MARS and amateur bands. It could happen. (to Ten-Tec: It should happen!)
Ten-Tec no longer provides optional support for the visually handicapped in its radios. My Omni-V had a talking voice frequency readout board installed. With Carl's software and screen scraping text-to-speech software the Orion can be set up and operated by those who cannot see the front panel display of the Orion.
I use DX-Base for my packet cluster spotting and logging. N4PY's software interacts perfectly. Click on a DX spot in DX-Base...the Orion jumps to the proper frequency. Excellent!
And if you are an SWL fan you'll appreciate N4PY's pre-set memories. It's like having a 100 button car radio that covers short-wave.
What's not to like?
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N9SW
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 3, 2003 10:16
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Makes the Orion fly!!!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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More than a few DXers have bought the Orion for its superb specs and operating flexibility, and have been fighting a learning curve and old habits from other rigs that have not had the programmability this one offers. To keep the number of buttons/knobs managable, there are lots of non-intuitive things to learn to maximize its operation. N4PY's Orion control software helps to simplify and actually enhance the features and flexibility of the rig itself, if a reasonably intuitive fashion.
How many times do you run across a station working on his own frequency who suddenly announces "UP3". With most rigs, including the Orion, you'll scramble to get both VFOs on the same band or frequency with A=B, than hit the Split button, and rapidly tune VFO B up 3 kHz, begin calling, and then occasionally hit the A/B switch to momentarily listen on your TX frequency. Hopefully you'll remember to hit A/B again to before transmitting so you're not TXing on the DX frequency and garnering the wrath of the kilocycle cops for your honest mistake. Wouldn't it be nice if you could do the same things in two button pushes, and gain the ability to listen to BOTH frequencies at once through Dual Receive, with DX on the Left and TX Freq. on the right in your headphones, with individually adjustable volumes and selectivity on each? If you own the TenTec 302 pod accessory, this program allows you to program the pod buttons with far more flexibility than the TenTec firmware itself does, so, following N4PY's guidelines, all you'll need to do is push Pod key #1 (SPLIT) followed by #2 through #9 to move TX up 2 to 9 kHz, and set all those other functions. What a blessing!
How about 60m? Simply mouse-click the 60M button switch everything to that band with the settings last used, and step through the proper 5 frequency channels (right-click up, left-click down.
There's lots more flexibility, but that's the idea. I'm not a keyboard control freak, but this is one program that makes me wish I could blank out the front panel display on the Orion to have less distraction and temptation to touch its panel controls, and concentrate on the computer screen. Carl is VERY responsive to suggestions and adjustments to his programs, and has a good dialogue with TenTec to keep up with firmware upgrades and changes. This program is well worth the investment!
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W9XX
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 10, 2003 22:36
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Versatile Orion Control from your PC
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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N4PY carries on the tradition of excellent Ten-Tec control software he's shown with the Pegasus radio to the new Orion transceiver. One only has to read eHam reviews of his Pegasus software to appreciate the quality of Carl's work. Carl brings the Orion's front panel to the PC's screen and has added a number of extra control features as well. A trip to his web page discribing this program shows some of the added features too numerous to mention here. One unique feature is his "Smart VFO", that assigns the best receiver to the two VFOs essentually eliminating the ham and only limitation of the main receiver. The tradition of an extensive "Settings" menu allows custom Orion configurations in every mode. If the remote pod is in use, all the buttons but the "E" key have many functions that can be assigned to them. Some of the features of the Orion that require multiple button pushes now require only a single mouse click. CW ops will appreciate the ability to customize all of the AGC speeds, not just a single AGC selection. Control of transverters is incorporated. You like a CW keyboard? One's included. Want a whole flock of CW memories? There's many waiting for your programming.
While the initial software cost may seem high, remember this is a very sophisticated program that really brings extra features to the Orion. As with the Pegasus program, about every month expect a program update with new features suggested by users. Carl must be logged on to the internet 24/7 as a reply to a question seems instantaneous. His help file also leaves no stone unturned in describing every feature in detail. In short, you get more than your moneys worth and that's a sure sign of a quality product.
Visit Carl's web page to see a screen shot of the program and for more detailed information.
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