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write your own review of the Ten-Tec Orion II.
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KM4BS
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 25, 2009 18:06
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The Best
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have just acquired my 3rd Orion II and am glad to be back with Ten Tec. I keep thinking I want to try something else and always regret it. I have had them side by side with the rest and the Orions come out on top hands down. had one side by side with a Pro III during the Peter One expedition and when they faded out comepletely on the Pro III they were still workable with the Orion. This one will not leave the bench. If you want to ragchew any radio will work, but if you want to pull out the weak ones buy the Orion. You will not regret it.
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W3QJ
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 9, 2009 18:58
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Something different.
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Orion2, 566 AT, serial number 09C10986, Firmware V2.039d, DSP 2.06b14.
I'm second owner. Traded a K3/100 for it. The Elecraft is a very good radio as well. Ever so slightly better receiver. No reason to repeat all the accolades that confirm their positions (K3 & Orion II) in performance, and customer service.
I could just not warm up to the K3 RCVR audio & DSP no matter how much I tried. Otherwise, I would have kept the K3. Although I'm not a contester, I still want the ability to pick out weak signals in a crowded band, and have good receiver tools to control noise, and block out strong, adjacent signals. The OII exceeds my needs for voice and digital modes.
I love the interaction of the RF Gain, appropriate roofing filter, and NR. Pick out a moderate strength signal, lower the RF gain for a 2-3db level above the noise, engage the NR at level 1, and turn up AF gain. All that can easily be heard is the signal. It is almost spooky. A really neat effect. I have not gotten used to that yet.
I could ramble on about the many other positive aspects of the OII, but what for? It's all been said before.
I will not tribulate, and bemoan all the silly little nit picky things like, the lack of recent firmware, the appearance, the feel of the knobs, switches, controls, et al, adnauseum. For what I like in raw performance, and the fact that the company that makes the Orion II still supports it, and many other of their legacy products to this day is worth a lot to me.
I believe Ten Tec will make good on further firmware developments for the Orion II. I'm not worried about it.
The controls and menus are all very straight forward to me. I found the Orion II very easy to use.
No, the spectrum scope is not as nice and pretty as my Icom IC7700's or PROIII's but that's not why I bought the Orion II. The Ten Tec is a new, slightly different tool for my hobby. None of my radios are perfect, and none perfect are made.
I'm very fortunate to finally get an Orion II, and I'm looking forward to some good times with it.
Terry
W3QJ
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HB9CVQ
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Rating: 4/5
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Jan 14, 2009 08:01
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nice, but
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The following operating- and small test-lab report is based on my Orion2, 566 AT, S.No.09C10586, Firmware V2.039d, DSP 2.06b14. Before the end of my first year I had to convince TT (over a 9 month period) to send a replacement board (trace crack) A7 DSP/CPU rather than doing component repair.
The unit with the new A7 Board is now working again as intended. This happened only after implementing at delivery strong EMI protection measures (filtering all lines –LC and/or ferrites-, grounding, bonding and stripping off the paint from metal (unbonded, no contact) chassis parts. The power supply (SMPS TT 963) is noisy both EMI and acoustically. The 13.8V PS connector and the PS cable are underrated. I changed to an analog PS. Even in Rx stand-by mode (3A) the noisy fan of the SMPS switched on.
A7 Board trouble e.g. S-Meter, Pwr-Meter startup trouble, occasional raspy voice SSB modulation, speed changing (thermal) CW keyer, QSK problems (ACOM2000A 2 tubes and vacuum relay killed by hot switching) and small erratic DSP changes are over now, but still unpleasant history.
I changed to O2 from an IC 761 (over 10Y) in Feb.07. The QSO focus is 160 to 10m CW QRQ, contesting, rag chew CW, SSB and DXing.
Major test equipment used: spectrum analyzer HP 8591E (TG), EMI current probes, field sniffing probes, directional coupler (MC), signal generator HP 8647A, scope Tek 2465A, DL 1kW 50Ohm –60dB, power meter LP100A, Counter Racal DANA 1999 TXO. The purpose of this report is to add user info, which is not so easily found elsewhere. Trying also to be more quantitative, simple test lab data is added.
Pros:
· Good performance under CW and SSB conditions; very good QSK even above 45 Wpm; remarkably good RX also in contesting with strong signals; nice clear display
· I will keep the O2, but my new Flex 5000C is now more often used in my shack.
· No detectable RX spurs in HAM bands
· TX (40W) spurs/harmonics worse case > 43dB sub C on 20m
· RX Attenuator with 6 (1S-Unit)/12/18dB very useful for signal testing; the same applies to the 12 dB (2 S-units) preamp.
· S-meter indications are relatively independent of the chosen band
· DSP, Filter, NB are certainly better than in the IC 761, but not nearly as good as in Flex 5KC or K3 (Check out DSP in QRN situations)
· Main RX does not suffer from phantom signals in EU, caused by strong 41, 49m BC Stns.
· (S9+60 test signal in BC Bands causes only a noise increase like activating the preamp)
· Desensitizing/Dynamic range: single QRM signal 7.1MHz @ S9+60, und RX 10KHz away CW, 870Hz, no Preamp, 100% AGC fast, results in only S2 (>80dB dynamics). Same test on 160m gives 90dB, which is impressive.
· Ant port oscillator leakage, Rx conducted emissions better –60dBm (measurement cable shielding limited) for all combinations Main RX , Sub, preamp on /off
· Very clean CW signal (tr =3ms, 40Wpm (PARIS), QSK Delay 10 to 12%, keyer mode A) with ACOM 2000A and Key line at 1kW out via –70dB 50 Ohm power attenuator on the scope or spectrum analyzer.
· I can run my Heilset pro plus, after a small mod. (bias/matching), with electret mike
Cons:
· Design mechanically sufficient, but reminds me of old DRAKE quality
· Rudimentary documentation, completely insufficient for servicing. Circuit diagrams are sloppily done in legends. TT claim is: "This is all there is and even used by our service technicians".
· Finding optimal settings of rig needs a lot of experience and practice; guidance is mediocre
· Big audio bang when turning on and off O2
· Thermal concept not optimal, I added PA and front slot (behind display) cooling (over 60C down to +40C at room temp in contesting).
· Major EMC design flaws by uncontrolled penetration of untreated wires through front and back panel. Back panel shielding therefore almost useless and other nice shielding compartments can not do a good EMI protection job as well. Vagabonding RF is already on the internal coaxes.
· Did anyone ever see a copy of the official CE Test report?
· No RX loop for additional preselector available
· S-Meter linearity: Only S9 (-73dBm = 50uV @50 Ohm)point is about right on all bands, below S9 more like 3 dB steps and above more like 6dB steps; S9 +60 (normally -13dBm is reached too early at –37dBm @-S9+36dB), therefore off scale at S9+60 (Fix: do a calibration chart)
· Absolute frequency accuracy: 160m: –5Hz, 14MHz: –65Hz, 10m: –133Hz (Flex 5KC 6Hz)
· Pan-adapter of very limited use, slow, small dynamic range of about 35 to 40dB, truncation/compression of big signals
· The Main (Ant1) and 2. RX (Ant1) input VSWR (scalar match to 50 Ohm) is not instrument grade as for the purists in Flex5KC, regardless of using the preamp (worse case 24MHz 8dB RL = VSWR 2.3). Putting RX2 on Ant1 will cause a noticeable degradation in small signal reception and reduce the S-Meter reading/sensitivity (calibration typ. down by to -6dB).
· Antenna tuner has no memory
· The Ant 1 to Ant 2 port isolation is only 47 dB on 160m.
· Ant1 to RX AUX port (rear) is 67dB on 160 and 62dB on 10m, a reasonable Ant switch value
As a summary I can state, keeping the Orion 2 is a nice backup for the new Flex 5000C, now mostly used (PAN Adapter, Filters, DSP!) here. With the O2 I have been successfully running many QSOs, CW contests and done a lot of Dxing, both in CW/SSB. QRQ QSK (fast vox)CW is really fun and now (after board A7 change) smooth as silk!
Would I buy it again? Probably not, because now the small K3 is more attractive, also as a potentially portable, contest and DXpedition rig. I am glad the O2 works fine back home on my desk. In the shack with typ. <7V/m RF field strength from the 2x25m doublet 12m and the 3 el trap Yagi 30 to 10m ,5m above the roof. Working with O2 portable, no way, because of all the extra EMC protection needed, as experienced in my initial H26 portable HB9-contest type of operation,in April 2007.
Andy HB9CVQ
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N9LBW
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 1, 2009 03:11
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Excellent Transceiver
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I just purchased an almost new ORION II and I must say I do like it. It is the only modern radio that can compete with my Kenwood TS-950SDX. THe SDX has better receive audio fidelity, but other wise the ORION II works as good as if not better, especially the selectivity and sensitivity are a little better on the ORION II, plus it has all the advantages of a modern rig.
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SV9GPV
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 14, 2008 09:33
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BEST RADIO
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Hello
after 40.000 qso with Tentec Orion 2 and 14 months i think is one off the best radio.
Orion 2 is fantastic in contests has great tools for dx and contests .The receiver is simply the best !!!!The ability to hear weak signals very close to very strong signals is better on this receiver than any other ham radio receiver .Very good hardware NB !!!.The transmitter works extremely well audio is like broadcasting i have a Heil PR-40 mic and the Behringer dsp 1124 and the Behringer mic 2200 . If you are looking for the best, this is it!!!!!
BEST 73
SV9GPV
GEORGE
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K0ZR
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 30, 2008 17:14
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Unparalleled Performance - One Opinion
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I completed the CQWW-CW contest about an hour ago. I used my Orion II and Centurion amplifier throughout. My technical words of 8/14/2007 were more than backed-up by the performance of this duo over 40+ hours of the contest. It may not be perfect, but very close to it.
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K8DO
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 11, 2008 13:31
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Does what they claim
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have had the O-II for 2 years and through two contest seasons and casual operations... It has not crashed... It has the best receiver in my 45 years of ham radio...
I have to say that I do not find/see most of the complaints I read on the Ten Tec reflector and I cannot reproduce most of their so called problems.. When I read the complaints that this or that does't work "right" (meaning not the way the op wants it) I do it the way it is designed and it works FB... Maybe I'm too easy to please...
When you go back like I do, to the era of separate Rx and Tx with manual switching for the antenna, and preselectors to tune, and crystal control, and straight keys, and had to dip and tune multiple stages in a transmitter after you change frequency, and AM heterodynes everywhere - very little bothers you after that..
I did bother to read the manual, and especially Scott's tutorial... Those who complain of a noisy receiver did not read the manual - obviously...
Is this radio perfect? - Nope...
I would have done some things differently if I were involved... But bang-for-the-buck, it is the best out there for now... So, util something better comes along, I'm keeping mine...
denny / k8do
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TI2TL
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 24, 2008 19:47
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Superb Noise Blanker
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Well let me tell you that I love this radio for what it was capable to solve in my shack.
I have at the moment a ICOM 775-DSP but I had a lot of radios in use in the shack and I have a mayor problem in 20-17 meters. I have a QRM at S6 on any radio and this makes it impossible to make a QSO.
At the beginning I thought that it was a normal situation with low propagation in those bands, and I started using only the 40 meter band. I hooked up the Orion II and basically I got the same results until I switched on the Hardware Noise Blanker. This gave me a INCREDIBLE surprise ALL THE NOISE was gone, and I could clearly hear stations coming in at S1.
Now I don't really know what is causing this Noise I have but one thing is for sure, after this experience I hooked up a FT-1000MP a Collins HF380 and the Icom proII and none where capable of getting the noise out of the shack.
I personaly think that the radio is not well finished as the Japanese radios and the "feel" of the radio is not TOP OF LINE.
The Icom 756 Pro feels much better and it is much easier to use, and the scope is pretty much useless.
In any case with all it's defects, witch it has many in design, ergonomics, and feeling I can't give it lower vote than a 5 since it solved all my problems in the 20-17 meter band. I can finally use the bands as before.
BTW the receiver performance is just as good, but not better, than Icom if there is no Noise present, but to obtain the same results it takes a lot of adjustments while Icom is much easyer.
As for comments that I heard that the radio is very noisy in normal band conditions, this are people that don't know how to adjust the radio since it can become as quiet as a FM 2 meter radio.
The transmitter is superb, audio is broadcasting. I have a Audiotechnica studio mic and the W2IHY 8 band EQ and the EQPlus and it is the best audio I got from any radio at the moment.
I highly recommend to take your time to get used to the radio and to understand how it works because it takes some time and some reading.
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NA1A
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Rating: 5/5
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May 15, 2008 21:33
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Outstanding ESSB Radio
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I first saw the Orion II up close (but not too personal) at the 2007 Dayton Hamfest. Recently, I was fortunate enough to purchase a second hand (6 months old) unit with the most current software. I spent two hours at the seller’s QTH evaluating this radio against his newly purchased Icom IC-7700. I tuned around on 20M and 17M, trying to find some weak signals to see how the two receivers compare to each other. I found a New England station in QSO with a station in the midwest. The New England was very weak with some fast and furious QSB. Both radios (Orion II and IC-7700) were able to pull that weak station from New England through with no problem. However, I noticed that the when New England station went into deep fades, the Orion II was able to capture him clearer than the IC-7700. Now, this did not mean that the IC-7700 could not pull that weak signal through, both rig were able to pull it through but the Orion II just had a better clarity, thus made the readability easier.
When I brought the Orion II home and hooked it up to my audio rack (I’m into Hi-Fidelity audio), this radio just came to life! The receiver was so smooth and quiet, it literally surpassed my Flex radio.
Coming from using the Flex Radio for more than three years, I find maneuvering through the menu in the Orion II a breeze. It definitely is different from any other radios that I have had in the past (FT-1000MP Mark V, FT-2000, FTDX-9000D, IC-765PRO III, TS-950SDX), but by no means to say that it is difficult. Like most if not all menu driven transceivers now a day, one needs to spend time to read the manual and get acquainted with the menus. There is simply no quick and easy way around it.
Some of the negatives comments I’ve heard from other Orion II owners such as, the transmitter was not good, the monitor audio was tiny. I’m pleasantly surprised with my Orion II that not only the transmit audio sounds fantastic, the monitor audio is dead on accurate as well.
I’m not into contesting nor DX-chasing, so my review shall omit on how the Orion II performs under those conditions. One thing I can tell you for sure is that this radio has a brick-walled front end. I put this radio to several tests on 75M where I have a neighboring ham who is very big into AM. He has big tube transmitters that runs KW easily and he runs wide AM broadcast quality audio. Worse yet, he is only five houses away from me. Every time this OM keys up, my 75M operating is pretty much gone. For several months, I was in the dog house with my Flex radio when this happened. I could not even hear anything even when I was 100KC away! Now with the Orion II, that problem is solved. I can copy the station whom I'm in QSO with even at 15KC away from my neighbor's big AM transmission. The Orion II is a real winner in this case.
I truly believe that there is no other tranceiver in the world today that can top the Orion II, even in the 5 digit dollar amount.
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DL2AVC
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Rating: 5/5
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May 13, 2008 14:45
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Best Receiver around
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I am using the Orion II for five month now. Before I was using an FT920 from Yaesu. Also a good radio but not comparable. The ORION II is totally different from japanese transceivers. There are good things and bad things on the ORION II. Bad thing is the building quality, especially tuningknobs. The receiver is the best I have ever had. To play with the roofing filters makes a lot of fun!! You have to know how to use the receiver for the best performance. This is from time to time a little bit tricky and difficult, so you have to learn and learn how to use the ORION. You can adjust so many things! The SSB audio is very good (HEIL Proset HC4). Other stations given me always very good audio reports. There where times I love the OII and there where times i hate it!!! All in all an transceiver with a very good performance.
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