[Boatanchors] SDR unit

[David Stinson]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Cromwell" <wrcromwell at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] SDR unit


> As for 'proprietary', 'obsolete', unavailable chips..you can 
> program and build up your own 'proprietary' module to serve the 
> needed functions. Look over the block diagrams and see what the 
> dead bug used to do and then build a new module to do that job. 
> Maybe you can do it better. Blank microcontroller chips can be 
> had for pennies to a very few dollars. Adjusted for inflation, 
> compared to 1940s through 1960s dollars those parts are um... 
> virtually free. Jump in with both feet just as you once did 
> with vacuum bottles.

Thanks for writing, Bill, and I see your point.
But I just don't choose to go to that kind of trouble over
a "plastic" toy radio.  I simply don't care about them or any of 
their
"advanced" features enough to expend precious, irreplaceable
time foozling-around programming micro-controllers or struggling
to even *see* the leads to that 100-pin chip.
I don't care about being able to hear the ZZ7BingoBongo
Itchy Bootie Island DX-pedition on QRP because
I have a "computer with an antenna," and that's all it is:
a computer with an antenna.

Sooner or later they'll build them to work DXCC
automatically for you.
Just go pop popcorn,  watch "American Idol" and
get your certificate in the mail.
Yuck... That's not for me.
For those who choose to expend their time doing that
and going blind trying to fix these abominations-
God bless you.  Take my share. "Each to his own."
I want to break a sweat- maybe bleed a little to
resurrect "real" radios. ;-)

73 DE Dave AB5S