Ten-Tec_Orion-II_566_review_2006.pdf

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1、RadCom August 2006 Ten-Tec launched the Orion HF transceiver in 2003 as a high performance radio, setting the state of the art for close-in dynamic range. The company has now released the Orion II with a number of enhancements. Ten-Tec radios are invariably designed for good RF performance and I hav

2、e measured five of their models. In my league table of measured performance based on about 60 radios, and ordered by close-in dynamic range, four Ten-Tec models feature in the top six with the Orion holding the top position. Much of this is down to the architecture focusing on the amateur bands only

3、 rather than wideband general coverage. The Orion is targeted as a home station radio with a 100W transmitter and two independent and fully featured receivers. One receiver covers amateur bands only and is optimised for highest performance whereas the second receiver provides general coverage operat

4、ion. The most obvious and striking difference with the new Orion II model is the full colour display in place of the original monochrome panel. Other changes include new roofing filters and associated circuitry with improved performance, better frequency stability, faster control processor, variable

5、 line output levels for digital modes, 8-pin microphone jack and changes to enhance and compact the DSP code. It is available in two versions, model 566 without an auto ATU and model 566AT with an internal auto ATU. The feature set and architecture are virtually identical to the original Orion I rev

6、iewed in the June 2004 RadCom. The front and rear panel layouts and construction are also the same. Only a summary of the Orion II features will be covered in this review, refer to the earlier article for further details. BASIC FUNCTIONS. The Orion II is a large table-top sized 12V operated radio me

7、asuring 432mm (W) x 133mm (H) x 476mm (D) and weighs about 9.2kg. The main receiver and transmitter tune the 160m to 10m amateur bands (including the 60m allocation) with a little overlap. The second or sub receiver tunes from 100kHz to 30MHz, although the sensitivity drops sharply below 1MHz, makin

8、g the receiver unusable at the lower frequencies. Modes covered are USB, LSB, CW (upper and lower sideband), AM, FM and FSK. Both receivers in the Orion II use triple superhet architecture. The main receiver covering just the amateur bands has IFs of 9MHz, 450kHz and 14kHz. Although the main channel

9、 selectivity is achieved by DSP at the 14kHz IF, a range of narrow 9MHz roofing filters are selectable immediately following the first mixer. This ensures the very best close-in dynamic range is achieved. 20kHz, 6kHz, 2.4kHz and 1kHz bandwidth filters are fitted as standard with 1.8kHz, 600Hz and 30

10、0Hz as optional extras. All filters can be fitted simultaneously and can be selected manually or automatically according to selected channel bandwidth. Narrow preselection filters are used in the front end, a separate filter for each band with a switchable preamp and input attenuators. The main rece

11、ivers synthesiser uses a PLL operating in the 400-500MHz region with a DDS driven reference from a TCXO source. This is then divided down to the required first mixer local oscillator frequency using high- speed dividers. This technique ensures very low close-in phase noise. The sub-receiver has IFs

12、of 45MHz, 455kHz and 14kHz and uses circuitry similar to the Jupiter. The receiver front end uses half octave switchable bandpass filters, a non-switchable preamp and input attenuators. The local oscillator drive for the first mixer is derived from a single loop PLL tuning in 2.5kHz steps. The small

13、er tuning step sizes are accommodated within the DSP . Hence the signals within the IFs move by up to 2.5kHz. Both receivers use identical DSP IF and back-end circuitry. 24-bit A/D converters are used to drive the two 32-bit floating point DSPs. The PA unit on the rear panel is fitted with a heatsin

14、k but no fan. The radio runs sufficiently cool under normal circumstances without a fan. The 4-inch speaker in the case top is much larger than is normally fitted in most radios. The rear panel carries an extensive array of interface connectors. There are two main antenna sockets, a receive-only ant

15、enna socket, transverter output, interfacing to PC, QSK and non-QSK linear amplifiers, audio lines etc. The firmware in the radio can be upgraded from the Ten-Tec technical support website , as can various application notes etc. SUMMARY OF FEATURES. The radio is fitted with two 50mm-diameter VFO tun

16、ing knobs that may be assigned to either receiver or transmitter in any combination and with frequency readout continuously displayed to 1Hz resolution. 200 memories are provided. There is a conventional analogue S-meter for the main receiver but the sub-receiver is only provided with a small uncali

17、brated bargraph on the LCD panel. Most of the receiver functions can be set independently for the two receivers. This includes all the bandwidth, filtering and noise reduction facilities, RIT/XIT, RF gain, squelch and AGC. The AGC has three preset settings of fast, medium and slow and a fully progra

18、mmable setting. The two receivers have separate audio gain controls 18 PETER HART THE WILLOWS, PAICE LANE, MEDSTEAD, ALTON, HANTS GU34 5PR E-MAIL PETERG3SJX.FREESERVE.CO.UK G3SJX THE PETER HART REVIEW Second coming Peter Hart described the original Orion transceiver as “truly awesome” in his June 20

19、04 review. What does he have to say about its successor the Orion II? PHOTO 1. THE ORION II FRONT-ON, SHOWING THE CRISP NEW COLOUR DISPLAY 18_20_radcom_aug06 11/7/06 15:56 Page 18 19 August 2006 RadCom and the audio outputs can be routed in a number of ways, either combined or kept separate to headp

20、hone or auxiliary outputs. One interesting feature is the binaural panoramic stereo feature when used with stereo headphones. Two DSP circuits provide identical and separately controllable filtering and noise reduction facilities for the two receivers. A front panel rotary control allows the channel

21、 bandwidth to be set from 100Hz to 6kHz in 10Hz steps. The upper and lower passband edges can also be individually set and passband tuning allows the entire passband to be moved up or down in frequency. Two notch filters are provided operating at IF upfront of the DSP AGC. A manual notch with adjust

22、able centre frequency and width is particularly effective and deep. An auto-notch for voice modes will track and notch out multiple carriers and is also very effective. Adjustable DSP noise blanking and adjustable DSP noise reduction are also provided and can be effective in lowering background nois

23、e. Transmit features include VOX, speech processor and fully configurable audio. On CW, the rise and fall characteristic of the keying envelope is adjustable and a keyer is built in with adjustable weighting and speed range. Three memory stores are provided for both CW and voice modes, easy to acces

24、s via dedicated front panel buttons. The Orion also provides a spectrum sweep showing signals up to +/-36kHz on either side of the main receiver frequency and unlike other implementations of this feature it is continuous and does not interrupt the operation of the receiver. MEASUREMENTS. Measurement

25、s in the accompanying table were made with the review radio powered from a 13.8V supply and in most cases with the receiver bandwidth set to 2,400Hz. Close-in dynamic range measurements were made with a 500Hz receive bandwidth. Receiver measurements relate to the main receiver unless sub-receiver is

26、 stated. The measured figures for the Orion II were similar in most cases to the Orion but there were some differences. Sensitivity was slightly higher but the S-meter was noticeably less linear. The third order intercept and dynamic range figures of the main receiver at wide spacings were perhaps s

27、lightly worse but close-in significantly better than the original model. This is a result of the new roofing filters. With 1kHz spaced tones and the 1kHz roofing filter selected, 96dB intermodulation limited dynamic range was measured in 500Hz bandwidth (this equates to about 92dB in 2.4kHz bandwidt

28、h which I normally measure and publish). This is higher than any other radio I have measured. The sub-receiver also measures significantly better on both wideband and close-in dynamic range. The reciprocal mixing results are very similar and exhibit the unusual characteristic of improving close to t

29、he carrier (see Figure 1). These figures were measured at 21.4MHz but a set of measurements made at 1.8MHz showed a significant improvement. This is a consequence of the dividing down system employed with the synthesiser and is not seen with up-conversion radio architectures. At 1.8MHz a reciprocal

30、mixing level over 100dB was achieved at all spacings from 2kHz upwards. An oscillator phase noise result of -135dBC/Hz was measured at 2kHz offset. The IF filter skirts at the narrower bandwidth settings were much improved over the original Orion with none of the spurious peaks seen on the stopband

31、skirts. A spurious signal limited measurements of the higher bandwidth filters. The main receiver exhibited a spurious response 6kHz off-tune and only 48dB down but only on SSB modes and only with the 6kHz roofing filter selected. This was also seen on the original Orion. ON THE AIR. The Orion II pe

32、rformed in a similar fashion to the original Orion. The receiver sounded extremely clean in all situations both with weak signals and when the band was crowded with strong signals. The ability to copy weak signals cleanly amongst stronger signals was impressive, helped by the ease of varying the ban

33、dwidth, PBT and the really effective notches. The audio quality was excellent both on headphones and on the internal speaker. The larger than normal hi-fi style speaker really helps. The performance on broadcast AM was also excellent. The new colour display is very bright and easy to read and makes

34、the old monochrome display look dated. At the highest brightness setting, the display is fully readable in bright sunlight but a lower setting is preferred indoors. If the display is not viewed square-on some of the button labels can be obscured by the bezel, particularly those in the top row. On tr

35、ansmit, audio quality reports were excellent and CW QSK performed well. As with the original Orion, I found a compromise setting for the linear drop- back delay between CW and SSB modes necessary with my non-QSK linear. The QSK drop back delay and the linear drop back delay are totally separate adju

36、stments and I had some difficulty achieving a Response (dB) single tone dynamic range 0 -10 -20 -30 -40 -50 -60 -70 -80 -90 -100 -110 -120 -30-25 -20-15 -10-50+5 +10+15 +20 +25 +30 Frequency offset (KHz) Sub RX skirts due to lo phase noise Main RX skirts due to lo phase noise Main filter response FI

37、GURE 1 RADCOM 764 FIGURE 1. THE ORION IIS RECIPROCAL MIXING EXHIBITS THE UNUSUAL CHARACTERISTIC OF IMPROVING CLOSE TO THE CARRIER PHOTO 2. UNDERNEATH THE TOP COVER SHOWING IF, LPF AND SUB RX BOARDS 18_20_radcom_aug06 11/7/06 15:56 Page 19 20 RadCom August 2006 THE PETER HART REVIEW suitable balance

38、between the two. On CW, you do not want the linear dropping back to receive between words but on SSB when you release the PTT you want the linear to drop back to receive immediately. The linear drop back delay is applied to all modes but on CW should really only take effect after the QSK delay has f

39、inished. Control ergonomics are generally a matter of personal taste and it takes a little time to get the best out of the Orion and become fully acquainted with all its facets. I largely prefer dedicated controls rather than the multipurpose rotary control and selector buttons used on the Orion. I

40、often found myself setting the sub-receiver instead of the main or vice versa as the appropriate button had not been selected. It requires a minimum of two button presses to change modes and I observed some key bounce at times. The main receiver has separate band buttons but changing bands on the su

41、b-receiver requires several key presses and there is no provision for quick-split setting. My biggest disappointment concerns the VFO tuning knob resolution. These are nice and large and can tune in a variety of step sizes from 1Hz to 100kHz but at only 62 (default) or 250 steps per knob revolution.

42、 This may be fine for tuning the CW ends of the lower bands but is not ideal for the wider SSB sectors on the higher bands. Even 20 years ago, 1000 steps per knob revolution was the norm in top end radios and this degree of resolution has been used since then in the most popular models. It gives a g

43、ood compromise between small step size for accurate tuning and fast band navigation. With the Orion, it is necessary to switch back and forth between step sizes when tuning across the SSB sectors. A button is provided for this purpose. CONCLUSION. The Orion transceiver established the benchmark for

44、close-in performance. The new Orion II improves further on this important parameter to achieve a performance figure currently unsurpassed by any other radio on the amateur market. With a bright new multicolour display and other enhancements, it will appeal particularly to the serious CW operator and

45、 technically minded DX chaser, or the contest operator who desires the very best in terms of performance. I have some doubts regarding certain ergonomic aspects but these tend to be down to individual preferences. The Orion is available in the UK with a list price of 3349 or 3599 if fitted with the

46、auto antenna tuner. This is a 30 per cent increase in price over the original Orion from two years ago. TEN-TEC ORION II MEASURED PERFORMANCE Receiver measurements SENSITIVITY SSB 10dBs+n:nINPUT FOR S9 FREQUENCYPREAMP INPREAMP OUTSUB RXPREAMP INPREAMP OUT 1.8 MHz0.28V (-118dBm)0.56V (-112dBm)0.45V (

47、-114dBm)18V80V 3.5 MHz0.28V (-118dBm)0.63V (-111dBm)0.32V (-117dBm)16V70V 5.4 MHz0.28V (-118dBm)0.63uV (-111dBm)0.28V (-118dBm)14V63V 7 MHz0.32V (-117dBm)0.70V (-110dBm)0.32V (-117dBm)18V70V 10 MHz0.40V (-115dBm)0.90V (-108dBm)0.35V (-116dBm)20V80V 14 MHz0.28V (-118dBm)0.70uV (-110dBm)0.32V (-117dBm

48、)18V80V 18 MHz0.28V (-118dBm)0.80V (-109dBm)0.35V (-116dBm)20V90V 21 MHz0.32V (-117dBm)0.90V (-108dBm)0.35V (-116dBm)22V100V 24 MHz0.32V (-117dBm)1.0V (-107dBm)0.32V (-117dBm)22V100V 28 MHz0.35V (-116dBm)1.0V (-107dBm)0.35V (-116dBm)22V100V AM sensitivity (28MHz): 1.6V for 10dBs+n:n at 30% mod depth

49、 FM sensitivity (28MHz): 1.0V for 12dB SINAD 3kHz pk deviation AGC attack time: 2-3ms AGC decay time: 250ms (fast), 500ms (med), 1.5s (slow) + variable Max audio at 10% distortion: 2.0W into 4 Inband intermodulation products: -35dB to -50dB S-READINGINPUT LEVEL SSB (7MHz)PREAMP INPREAMP OUT S31.6V7V S53.5V14V S77.0V28V S918V70V S9+2063V250V S9+40320V1.3mV BANDWIDTHIF BANDWIDTH SET TO-6dB-60dB-70dB-80dB 6000Hz5922Hz6339Hz7053Hz8738Hz 4000Hz3933Hzsee textsee textsee text 2400Hz2341Hz2724Hz2905Hz3480Hz 1800Hz1745Hz2120Hz2158Hz2611Hz 1000Hz934Hz1307Hz1337Hz1476Hz 500Hz477Hz809Hz840Hz960Hz