| WB4EDB |
Rating:  |
2020-10-12 | |
| Super CW Rig |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I have owned the Omni V along with other Ten Tec rigs for quite some time.I did the upgrade to the V9.2 chip mostly to get the tone for zero beating. This Rig has performed nearly flawlessly for me.Now as it has been said by others no bells or whistles but one sweet CW machine. You can spend a lot more and not get that much more in performance especially for general rag chewing.wb4edb After sending this rig to Steve " The Radiosmith" as usual it came back really performing in top notch condition. The receive section will definitely dig out the weak signals I did replace some of the aging Ten Tec filters with Inrads for a marked improvement also. QSK is great also. Try to find one that has been well taken of and you might be pleasantly surprised. |
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| W0RDX |
Rating: |
2018-11-08 | |
| Good Starter Radio |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
| Bought mine from K5KQK supposedly in "Excellent" condition. Well, after ~$300 in repairs, it seems to function properly now. Generic HF radio, nothing special about it. Front panel buttons a bit cheesy to say the least, basic lay out, beginner should have no trouble using the radio. Performance is okay, about a $300 to $400 radio in excellent condition. Filers are kinda hard to find and pricey, but recommended. I have the 500 Hz CW Filter in both IF slots and an additional 1.8 in the SSB slot. Improves things in CW, not real noticeable in SSB. I feel there are other radios smaller in size close to the price range with more features (TS-570SG, FT-920, etc.) that beat this radio IMHO. If you can honestly find an Omni V clean and truly in proper working condition, it will be fun to start your hobby experience. |
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| K2MFY |
Rating: |
2013-08-08 | |
| Many Years of Excellent Performance; Great Customer Service |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I purchased my Omni V new in 1990. Other than replacing the battery for the clock/date, the rig given me tens of thousands of hours of excellent performance and has not required any service until last month.
While working DX on CW the transceiver died. Could not figure anything obvious. Called Ten-Tec service and got a ham technician who suggested a few simple checks (including their external Omni Power Supply). This didn't work so I shipped just the Omni V back down to them. Since I can't be without a rig I was lucky to borrow another Omni V from a friend! When I hooked it up found out my problem was with my Omni Power Supply. As I was shipping down my power supply, Ten-Tec told me that the rig was OK; however they cleaned and adjusted all controls, aligned things and checked rig out completely.
A week later got my Omni Power Supply back (they replaced a number of transistors, etc.) Everything is working great again!
Excellent customer service and fair repair costs. It's great when you can call a factory technician (in the US) who can clearly talk with you and help you out. Also good to know that they service their products (even 23 year old rigs) at fair prices with quick turn-around (a few days). Looking to buy their Omni VII one day so I can always have a Ten-Tec in the family! |
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| KI6NQT |
Rating: |
2011-07-27 | |
| My best alt. rig |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| Nice quiet, pleasing audio. Very nice processor and no fuss transmitter. After about 10-15 minutes the VFO is very stable. If I get tired of turning knobs I always go to the T^T. Not much to the menu's and the dual VFO's are easy to program. |
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| KC6RCM |
Rating: |
2011-04-28 | |
| Fantastic receiver performance. |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I purchased my Omni V new in 1990. Other than replacing the battery for the clock/date, the rig has not required any service. It has a large, easy-to-read fluorescent display for my aging eyes. Being a ham band only transceiver, I also use a Ten Tec RX-340 general coverage receiver for shortwave, utility and NDB DXing. From my experience, the Omni V has a slight edge on the RX-340 for overall receiver sensitivity in the ham bands.
This rig, when placed along side other similarly styled Ten Tec equipment, will make an impressive lineup on any desk.
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Earlier 5-star review posted by KC6RCM on 2011-04-28
I purchased my Omni V new in 1990. Other than replacing the battery for the clock/date, the rig has not required any service. It has a large, easy-to-read fluorescent display for my aging eyes. Being a ham band only transceiver, I also use a Ten Tec RX-340 general coverage receiver for shortwave, utility and NDB DXing. From my experience, the Omni V has a slight edge on the RX-340 for overall receiver sensitivity in the ham bands.
This rig, when placed along side other similar styled Ten Tec equipment, will make an impressive lineup on any desk. |
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| WB0FDJ |
Rating: |
2010-12-30 | |
| Built like a tank. Effective. |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Final update 12/31/10: Radio is returned from factory and needed only a complete alignment (the 30 and 40 meters had aged out of alignment). My frequency counter says I'm within 4 Hz on each band. It's now working as great as the day I bought it new in 1992. Using a SignaLink USB I'm running digital, making a bunch of contacts mostly with JT65 & PSK. I am awed by the quality of this radio. Recent review follows:
Well I've had a hard earned week off. Goofing around with the radios a lot. It's been a while since I'd been down on CW so I take the brand new rig (5 months old) and start digging around on the CW portion of the band, where it's not really spent any time and notice that it really lacks something. I listen on my 703+ and it actually does a little better "hearing" CW in A/B testing. Hmmmm....lets get out the ole OMNI V and see how thats doing.
I tune to 20 CW and signals jump out of the air. Clear signals. Unaffected by nearby stations. Stuff down in the dirt is easily copyable. I compare this to the new rig and there is no comparison. Theres a certain clarity listening to CW on the V that can only be appreciated when you hear it. So I go to 40 meters, recently made useless by continuous S8-9 noise (likely power line stuff). The new rig with DSP and a zillion filters can't hear anything. Nada. Zip. The OMNI, with the use of the PBT, fade/BP control and filters actually does BETTER! I discover that one can run PSK with the OMNI V. Hmmm again. I read the manual. It says if you want to run 100% duty cycle at full power then it can survive 20 minutes but keeping it at 10 minutes on, 10 off is recommended. These are nuclear proof finals here!
My OMNI V was benched because it needed some service and over time it just sat on the shelf, ignored, collecting dust. Last time I used it very much at all was probably 2003 and 7 years later it just turns on and works very very well. No DSP. No menus. No coffee maker or band scopes or arm rests.... And yes, a few warts. But for digging out weak CW in the wee hours of the morning its a definite keeper. So today I sent it off to Ten Tec's legendary service dept for a 100,000 mile oil change and some repairs. Then back to the main operating bench to be THE rig. Best money I have ever spent on a radio. What follows is my original review of January 2001...
I second what the other op's have said. This has the hottest receiver that I've ever listened to. And with additional filters, you can suck signals out of the ether with the best of them.
I run 99% CW: this is a CW mans rig. But the SSB on this rig is excellent. Very good.
Even used, this is an excellent rig. Only had mine in the factory shop once (it had been a demo and got dusted up). They brought it up to factory specs, replaced some knobs, recal'd etc. About $80! Wow!!! R
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Earlier 5-star review posted by WB0FDJ on 2010-12-03
Well I've had a hard earned week off. Goofing around with the radios a lot. It's been a while since I'd been down on CW so I take the brand new rig (5 months old) and start digging around on the CW portion of the band, where it's not really spent any time and notice that it really lacks something. I listen on my 703+ and it actually does a little better "hearing" CW in A/B testing. Hmmmm....lets get out the ole OMNI V and see how thats doing.
I tune to 20 CW and signals jump out of the air. Clear signals. Unaffected by nearby stations. Stuff down in the dirt is easily copyable. I compare this to the new rig and there is no comparison. Theres a certain clarity listening to CW on the V that can only be appreciated when you hear it. So I go to 40 meters, recently made useless by continuous S8-9 noise (likely power line stuff). The new rig with DSP and a zillion filters can't hear anything. Nada. Zip. The OMNI, with the use of the PBT, fade/BP control and filters actually does BETTER! I discover that one can run PSK with the OMNI V. Hmmm again. I read the manual. It says if you want to run 100% duty cycle at full power then it can survive 20 minutes but keeping it at 10 minutes on, 10 off is recommended. These are nuclear proof finals here!
My OMNI V was benched because it needed some service and over time it just sat on the shelf, ignored, collecting dust. Last time I used it very much at all was probably 2003 and 7 years later it just turns on and works very very well. No DSP. No menus. No coffee maker or band scopes or arm rests.... And yes, a few warts. But for digging out weak CW in the wee hours of the morning its a definite keeper. So today I sent it off to Ten Tec's legendary service dept for a 100,000 mile oil change and some repairs. Then back to the main operating bench to be THE rig. Best money I have ever spent on a radio. What follows is my original review of January 2001...
I second what the other op's have said. This has the hottest receiver that I've ever listened to. And with additional filters, you can suck signals out of the ether with the best of them.
I run 99% CW: this is a CW mans rig. But the SSB on this rig is excellent. Very good.
Even used, this is an excellent rig. Only had mine in the factory shop once (it had been a demo and got dusted up). They brought it up to factory specs, replaced some knobs, recal'd etc. About $80! Wow!!!
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Earlier 5-star review posted by WB0FDJ on 2001-01-29
I second what the other op's have said. This has the hottest receiver that I've ever listened to. And with additional filters, you can suck signals out of the ether with the best of them.
I run 99% CW: this is a CW mans rig. But the SSB on this rig is excellent. Very good.
Even used, this is an excellent rig. Only had mine in the factory shop once (it had been a demo and got dusted up). They brought it up to factory specs, replaced some knobs, recal'd etc. About $80! Wow!!!
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|
| KA1YUW |
Rating: |
2010-10-10 | |
| Great rig and American made! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have had this rig for 4 years now and works as good if not better than my icom ic-765. The receiver is as quiet as any of these new dsp rigs. I'm all through with the Japinese rigs. I got my eye on the new Eagle. I'll wait till Arrl tests it out and w8ji tests it. I'm also interested in the orions. Ten Tec gives the best service on all their rigs they have made. Can't say that about the rest of the Japenese companies! I also have the Ten Tec 6&2 meter rig which also has a very quiet receiver. And best of all it's American made!
73's
John
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Earlier 5-star review posted by KA1YUW on 2007-02-18
I just got the Omni V and I like it so far. I put in the Inrad 2.1 filters and great selectivity. I work mostly ssb and some cw. Nice quiet reciever. I also have the Ten Tec 238 Tuner and the 6n2 transciever. I'm sold on TenTec. They make great equipment. I'll be saving up for the Orion II. |
|
| AE6ZW |
Rating: |
2010-10-02 | |
| Easy Maintenance |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
all of the connector on this radio are marked with numbers, as well as matching numbers on PC board. so when you unplug the connector, it is easy to plug back in.
all of the sub units PCB are removable.
circuit is all easy to understand, does not require special jig to tune up.
bigger through hole mount parts, and spaced out layout in large case with plenty of room.
manual on TEN TEC web site include, schematic, PCB layout, tune up procedure. and they claim they still sell repair parts for this radio.
I gave 5 for reason above.
I got this radio, because I enjoy working on the radio, only do CW in HF.
for those who want to do digital such as PSK31, the frequency stability is probably not good enough for that use.
for SSB voice, todays DSP IF radio might remove noise and QRM, beat sound better. |
|
| AA8KY |
Rating: |
2010-01-05 | |
| Great Rig |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| Best CW rig for my use. Works well on FM and sideband too. I will keep this rig forever. |
|
| K4IDD |
Rating: |
2009-08-26 | |
| Still a great receiver |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| The Omni V is an excellent transceiver and, for its current sales prices, a steal - especially with either of N4PY's V.9 or V.9 v.2 chips (better memory management, bandstacking registers, simple and quick split operation, etc). I bought mine used from Ten-Tec and never regretted it. For cw operators, the filters, PBT, and ability to peak the audio provide the capability to work stations who are not moving the S meter. The Omni hears everything my TS-850 does, sometimes better than the 850 with weak cw. The received audio is great - cw has a bell-like sound like I remember from the better tube receivers of many years ago. It is less tiring to listen to than my TS-850, and the QRN (while still annoying) is more tolerable. Tastes vary of course, but I rarely use the 250 hz PBT filter, However, the 500 hz filter (narrow) in the 9 mhz i.f. is magical for weak signals as much as for interference. Although mine is mostly used for cw, my Heil Proset mic drives the rig easily, and the received ssb audio is also very good. Although the V.9 v.2 chip was the best change I made, the new Ten-Tec soft trim ring on the tuning knob added a lot to the "feel" of the rig. Since Ten-Tec still services these rigs, I would recommend them to anyone looking for an economical rig with great receiver. |
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