Jim,

I take it you are using the sub-receiver of the Orion for SWLing, as the
main receiver covers just the ham bands and MARS frequency extensions +/-
10 kHz.

The sub-receiver has poorer SSB sensitivity than the main receiver (.35 uV
versus .18 uV) and poorer third-order intercept point (+5 dB versus +25dB at
20 kHz spacing). Have you found this a drawback for DXing, or is your main
receive-only use of the Orion for general SWLing (not DXing)? I'm interested
in your further comments on this.

Also, I note that both of the Orion's receivers offer just two bandwidths
for AM mode. Is this a drawback, or do you like to tune an AM signal in SSB
("ECSS"), taking advantage of the many DSP filter choices in SSB?

I know the Orion is top-notch for ham band use, and its selectable roofing
filters for the ham bands help out immensely in this regard. For tuning the
SWBC bands, though, the sub-receiver of the Orion appears to be a step down
in performance (but maybe I'm missing something in the specs... :^)

From a quietness standpoint, do you find the main & sub-receivers to be
equal, given equal bandwidths, AGC, etc.?

73,

Guy Atkins
Puyallup, WA USA



R.F. Collins wrote in message
...
On 30 Jan 2005 19:37:29 -0800, wrote:

I actually use the Ten Tec Orion more for SW listening than amateur
use. It has the best audio I have ever heard from a receiver. I use an
Icom 756 Pro II for contacts because of its ergonomics even though the
filters and audio are not as good as the Ten Tec. So there are many
things to consider when looking at a radio.

Oh yeah. If you like boat anchors you will be happy with the Ten-Tec
Orion. It is huge. It takes up more desk space than my linear amp.

Jim