RX side by side comparisons of K3 and Orion (II)

[Henning, DL1OJ]

Hello all,

has anyone made receiver side by side comparisons of a K3 and a TenTec
Orion/Orion II?
As far as I know the conversion principle of both transceivers is quite
similar. I'm not sure about the concept of roofing filters...

As one may expect an improvement because of the newer design of the K3
against the Orion, is this remarkable in contest situations e.g.?

Any comment is appreciated and may be also interesting for other list
readers.


73 de Henning, DL1OJ
(k2 #1444, k3 #???? 2nd prod. run)



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[Buck - k4ia]

I can compare the Orion 1 to the K3.

Size  - the Orion is a suitcase, the K3 is a lunch box -much smaller and  
lighter.  As a result the K3s buttons and knobs are smaller and closer  together.
 The K3 is portable, the Orion is not.

Bandscope - the  Orion's may be primitive but it works.  The K3s will be a
separate unit and  is still planned for the future.  Someone may come up with a
box to attach  to a computer monitor.

Price - you'll have to add that up yourself.  

Ease of use issues:

Orion has one button band switching and 4  stacking registers.  The K3 cycles
through the bands and has  memories.

Orion is 2 button pushes to change mode, K3 cycles  through  modes.

Orion has a low power tuning function that makes it  easier to pre-tune your
amplifier.  This is a firmware upgrade planned for  the K3.

In my opinion, the K3s bandwidth adjustments are much easier to  use.  I have
never gotten used to the Orion's.  

Some functions  are not as handy on the K3 because they are in a menu but
they are functions you  don't tend to change much.  Most functions in the Orion
are no more than  two button pushes and a knob adjustment.  On the other hand,
a lot of  functions you do change are activated on the K3 by pushing the
adjustment knob  and that makes more sense and is easier to follow than the Orion's
menu  selection and multifunction knob.

Firmware:
Orion 1 had never been  "right."  It is better now as the mysterious crashing
seems to be  cured.  The latest versions do not implement NR very well (if at
all) and  TT may be done with any further improvements.  The K3 is very good
as it is  and Elecraft is working to add features. I feel better being on the
edge of an  improving product.

Receiver
I think the specs give the advantage to  the K3 and I haven't had mine long
enough to test it in all conditions.  I  do think the K3 sounds better.  I have
the 500hz roofing filter in the K3  and a 600hz in the Orion's 1khz slot
(that is to solve another TT design issue  that is too complicated to go into here
but was fixed in the Orion 2).  The  K3 seems to resolve close-in loud
interference better but the difference is  marginal.  

Summary
I think they are very close in  performance.  I give the edge to the K3 but
it is slight.  I would say  the decision between the two is driven more by the
"ease of use" issues.   Both companies have reputations for good customer
service but I would say  Elecraft's is superior.

k4ia
Craig "Buck"
Fredericksburg, Virginia  USA  




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[N5GE]

On Sun, 09 Dec 2007 02:20:38 +0000, you wrote:

>Hello all,
>
>has anyone made receiver side by side comparisons of a K3 and a TenTec
>Orion/Orion II?
>As far as I know the conversion principle of both transceivers is quite
>similar. I'm not sure about the concept of roofing filters...
>
>As one may expect an improvement because of the newer design of the K3
>against the Orion, is this remarkable in contest situations e.g.?
>
>Any comment is appreciated and may be also interesting for other list
>readers.
>
>
>73 de Henning, DL1OJ
>(k2 #1444, k3 #???? 2nd prod. run)

I have an Orion II to compare the K3 to.  When I receive the K3 (late Jan) I
will make RX comparisons.  I'm hoping that the K3 does not suffer from the RX
hiss the Orion II suffers when not connected to an antenna.

As to changing bands;  The only time I change bands rapidly is when using
cluster reports.  The remote control of modern rigs solves the band change issue
for me, so, although having band change buttons is more convenient it's not an
issue for me.

In addition the Orion II Main and Sub receivers are not synched well.  It is
irritating to set B to the frequency of A and hear the resulting warble caused
by the 6hz mismatch between the VFOs when listening to both.  I've never
experienced this on any other rig with two VFOs.  I believe the K3 doesn't
suffer from this issue.
Tom, N5GE - SWOT 3537 - Grid EM12jq

They that can give up essential liberty
to obtain a little temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety.

http://www.n5ge.com
http://www.eQSL.cc/Member.cfm?N5GE

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