[Boatanchors] SDR unit

[Rob Atkinson]

On Fri, Mar 21, 2014 at 6:33 PM,  <manualman at juno.com> wrote:


> We have those same problems with some boatanchor equipment too. Maybe
> not integrated circuits, but speciality-made transformers or inductors,
> or other unique electrical or mechanical parts that were only
> manufactured for a specific boatanchor model.

Uh no.  It's not quite the same.  With vintage gear needing the
unobtainium swinging choke or some other part, there's a chance of
some sort of work around, JS perhaps, but still the rig can be made to
function in some capacity.   But, the shiny new plastic radio with
those proprietary VSLI chips, the special custom silicon wafers--if
one of those fries and they are no longer in production (which seem to
happen pretty quickly) you are pretty much DOA.  Ask the owners of
TS-850s who are constantly searching for parts rigs.  Big difference
between a hard to find mod. transformer or AX9909 and an out of
production 48 pin custom manufactured chip.

73

Rob
K5UJ