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Just learning, Orion NewB...

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kd0ezq

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After running Motorola and Kenwood stuff forever. Ive decided to try to get a Dual Radio, Single Control Head Orion setup running. I have only seen one or two of them, and never actually played with one.

I know I want a a 440-470mhz 110w Drawer, a 136-150mhz 110w drawer, a system control head, a dual radio cable, and the normal power and control cables.

I have already purchased a 40w UHF (D2PMG4) setup that has a NOS systems head and cables and have found a 110w 440-470 (D2UHG7). But I can only found a 150-174mhz (D2HHCX) drawer.

I have read that the Orions dont do well out of band, so is a 150-174 able to be moved down to 146? I have also read that the firmware needs to be the same version to work properly, but cant find information on updating firmware anywhere.

Also, I am having problems finding a programming cable for them.

If any of you can help me out, I would appreciate the help! I have tried to find a turn key setup, but I guess I am going to try to piece it together to make it work..

Thanks

Tim B.
 

DisasterGuy

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You will indeed want the low split. The 150 split will not go to 2 meters. Firmware is locked up on Harris' TechLink for people that subscribe to FX (expensive).


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timkilbride

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If you can afford to lose the top end of a 150-174 radio, you can adjust the VCO so it will go down to 144mhz. I did some for a whole county and my fleet as well. I do know mine will work 144 up to the WX channels at 162.XXX with a 150-174 split radio doing the VCO adjustment. Basically you need to join the GE-Orion yahoogroup and do some reading.

Tim
 

timkilbride

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Everything you will need will show up on eBay at some point. With the dual radio cable probably being last. Everything else is probably on there right now. Some Orion's go for $10, buy those for spares and hope it comes with a good firmware or other features. My first ever UHF Orion came with AEGIS board installed and working. How lucky!

Tim
 

mancow

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Everything you will need will show up on eBay at some point. With the dual radio cable probably being last. Everything else is probably on there right now. Some Orion's go for $10, buy those for spares and hope it comes with a good firmware or other features. My first ever UHF Orion came with AEGIS board installed and working. How lucky!

Tim

I still need to get you those pics of the cables. Been busy with work. I have three more of the same radios too.
 

jparks29

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You will indeed want the low split. The 150 split will not go to 2 meters. Firmware is locked up on Harris' TechLink for people that subscribe to FX (expensive).


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Not true.. But they can be finicky...


I've had multiple high split orions moved to 144 without issue..

I've also had multiple high split orions that refuse to move down past 146..

I have noticed that the newer 512k, switchable (narrowband) units are the ones that usually go out of band, and the older 256k non-switchable units do pretty poorly..

YMMV
 

timkilbride

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Not true.. But they can be finicky...


I've had multiple high split orions moved to 144 without issue..

I've also had multiple high split orions that refuse to move down past 146..

I have noticed that the newer 512k, switchable (narrowband) units are the ones that usually go out of band, and the older 256k non-switchable units do pretty poorly..

YMMV

I have never had a issue getting either a 256k or 512k down to 144mhz. Like you said, the 512k radio's do so without hassle. On some of my 256k radio's, they will re-boot around 3 times and then finally lock. I have since phased out all my VHF Orion's and went with VHF M7100's.

Tim
 

DisasterGuy

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Interesting, it has been a while since I have attempted but I was never able to get a high split to perform acceptable down to 144 due to filtering. It had VERY poor sensitivity.


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