[Boatanchors] SDR unit

[Brian Harris]

The problem is what I will refer to as 'the mix'.  An SDR consists primarily of a mix of highly integrated semiconductors, moderate power RF semiconductors and software.  While the RF products may be relatively easy to trouble and replace, the software is proprietary, so you can't fix it. The highly integrated components will be difficult for many older people to repair because of eyesight and/or lack of the proper tools.  Of course there is also the very real fact that semiconductor companies often only make highly integrated circuits for 5-10 years maximum before discontinuing them due to technology improvements and/or manufacturing processes which become obsolete.  Assuming one can obtain the replacements parts forever, I suppose one could say if you can fix anything that goes wrong with the computer required to run the SDR then you could probably fix anything that goes wrong with your SDR. I don't own one and probably never will because I like simplicity and they aren't.  

Brian wa5uek
Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 21, 2014, at 3:23 PM, Rob Atkinson <ranchorobbo at gmail.com> wrote:

> On Fri, Mar 21, 2014 at 1:53 PM,  <manualman at juno.com> wrote:
>> I've fixed my share of boatanchors over the years. I've also trouble
>> shooted and fixed my Flex 5000A (fixed a an intermittent relay) and fixed
>> a transmitter oscillating problem in my IC-756 Pro II. Circuits are
>> circuits; todays circuit components are a lot smaller and more dense, but
>> if you have the right tools and can follow circuit schematics and logic,
>> repair is no different then a 60 year old boatanchor.
> 
> Yeah?  Really?   You unsolder one of those 200 pin chip jobbies and replace it?
> 
> Rob
> K5UJ
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