[Boatanchors] Fw: Question from an admitted 'Newbie'

[Radio AI2Q]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Radio AI2Q" <ai2q at roadrunner.com>
To: "Rob Atkinson" <ranchorobbo at gmail.com>; "Boat Anchors List" 
<boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, September 06, 2014 1:09 PM
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Question from an admitted 'Newbie'


> Rob, your analysis is cogent and compelling.
>
> Fact is, however, we shouldn't overlook the point that generating a really 
> high quality SSB signal is more readily accomplished these days than in 
> the "transition" days when AMers discovered SSB.  Nowadays, you can 
> assemble a 14-bit direct digital synthesizer, and operate it nicely under 
> control of a 50-cent microcontroller (that you can program at home). Not a 
> 12 bit synthesizer like that found in the venerated K3, but a higher 
> resolution low distortion RF output generator, to boot (no pun intended).
>
> You can also generate (and receive) ultra-high quality SSB with nothing 
> more than a low cost 32-bit DSP chip and companion CODEC. Low cost roofing 
> filters abound.
>
> What's more, virtually any signal can be processed this way.  How about 
> DSB, or independent SSB, perhaps running a SSTV Skype-like QSO on one 
> sideband, while conversing on fone on the other sideband?
>
> BTW, my ol' Apache certainly is a boat anchor. My back can attest to the 
> fact.
>
> Vy 73, AI2Q, Alex
> Member: ARRL, FOC, RSGB, CWops, QRP-L, Antique Wireless Association, New 
> England Radio Discussion Society, DXCC Honor Roll, 16ØM DXCC, 8ØM DXCC
> http://home.roadrunner.com/~alexmm
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Rob Atkinson" <ranchorobbo at gmail.com>
> To: "Boat Anchors List" <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Saturday, September 06, 2014 6:27 AM
> Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Question from an admitted 'Newbie'
>
>
>> It's not about weight.  It has to do with design, function and period.
>>  Gear designed for low duty cycle slopbucket with no AM or AM as an
>> afterthought isn't a "boatanchor."  This includes S-Line, SBE, Swan,
>> Drake 3, 4 line and later, Heathkit SB and HW SSB rigs, and of course
>> anything solid state.
>>
>> But, to illustrate, Johnson Navigator, Ranger, Heath DX20, for example
>> are "boatanchors" even though they don't weigh much because they are
>> tube CW or CW / phone rigs that pre-date the advent of cheap IF filter
>> SSB rigs built light to exploit the low duty cycle.
>>
>> Another example to illustrate:
>>
>> Heathkit HW10 and Chippewa amps:  "boatanchor" because they were built
>> to handle AM duty cycle.
>> SB220:  Not a "boatanchor" because it was built cheap to handle at
>> most 50% duty cycle CW and even lower slopbucket duty cycle.
>>
>> hope this helps.
>>
>> 73
>>
>> Rob
>> K5UJ
>