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bandwidths needed for optimal contest
operation.
Programmable AGC can also be of
tremendous value as it gives the operator
the ability to determine in their head what
large signal strengths can be
accommodated. It also will prevent fast
AGC action from chopping up weak signals
present in the passband, which can happen
with conventional AGC settings.
Setting programmable AGC value is a little
more tricky for contest operation. Obviously,
you want a good amount of gain through the
system, but limit the ability of strong signals
to "blast the operator" in between listening to
the weak ones. Setting the AGC hang value
again to 0.00, a good starting point for
threshold value would be approximately 1
uV with decay at a somewhat slow value to
prevent signal clipping of the weak ones as
noted in the weak signal DXing adjustments
for programmable AGC. This will allow
good copy of the weaker signals but allow
the AGC system to compress loud signals
and give uniform signal output for both the
weak and loud signals. Of course, there
are times when digging out the weak ones is
part of contesting as well, and the prog AGC
settings for weak signal DXing may be of
use, but setting the most optimal AGC
setting for any one signal is not always the
most practical during a contest. Setting
programmable AGC at 0.00 hang, 20 dB/s
decay and 1 uV threshold is a good
starting point but individual operators will
want to vary them according to taste and to
account for what band you're operating at
the moment.
Where do I set the DSP NR? Obviously,
with signals coming in and out, if you choose
to use NR it should be at a higher setting
like "3" or "4" to allow very quick adaptation
of each appearing signal. Setting it very
high to start could result in signal distortion
(particularly on SSB), but setting the value
too low may not allow it to act quickly
enough on the weaker signals. There is
another choice, of course, and that is to
simply leave it off – and with the Orion's RX
capabilities individual operators may find this
to be the best choice of all. Remember, like
all adaptive DSP noise reduction,
sometimes it helps, sometimes does
nothing, sometimes hinders. It all depends
565 manual
Part #74279
Printed in USA
on signal and noise at that particular
moment. Each operator will use or not use
it to taste.
EXTERNAL CW OUTPUT PLUS CW
KEYER OPERATION FROM PADDLES
Some contest logging programs use
computer generated CW for transmission of
contest data (CQ's, reports, etc.) but do not
employ the ability to send CW through any
device other than input from the computer
keyboard.
It is useful in this situation to be able to have
both an external keyer (in this case, the
computer) and the internal keyer in the
ORION both simultaneously available.
The "external keyer" is used for contest
CQ's and information, while a paddle
connected to the internal keyer can be used
by the operator for quickly repeating
necessary information.
Pin 3 on the AUX I/O connector on the
ORION rear panel is a PTT connection.
In CW modes, this will allow the radio to be
keyed by an external device in CW mode.
Connect the output of the external keyer to
pin 3 on the AUX I/O connector. Connect
your paddle either to the front panel or rear
panel key connector and use the SP button
to enable the internal keyer. ORION will
now transmit CW either through the pin 3
input or using the paddles and internal
keyer.
DRAG ADJUSTMENT FOR MAIN TUNING
KNOBS "A" AND "B"
The two main tuning knobs have individual
drag controls. To adjust the drag on either
tuning knob, hold the silver skirt still while
rotating the knob about a quarter turn.
There will be a gentle "click" feel as each
knob is loosened or tightened. Counter-
clockwise twisting will loosen them and
clockwise twisting will increase the drag.
Loosen them up or increase the drag to your
preference.
MASTER RESET
On rare occasions, it may be possible to
confuse the microprocessors in the
transceiver to the point where a master reset
may be necessary to restore operating state.
A master reset also usually needs to be
done after an upgrade for the transceiver is
sent via the serial port interface (see the
September 2003
47
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