[Elecraft] Flex Radio - is it real?

[George, W5YR]

I have the SDR-1000. It is very real and has enormous potential. Presently,
it is a work in progress in that it is not yet, in my view, ready to occupy
the center position on your operating desk as your main rig. The K2 is in no
danger!   [g]

But,. looking to the future, this architecture possesses both performance
and cost advantages that are bound to play a dynamic role in shaping future
radios. As SDR radios go, the SDR-1000 is rather basic, but it is
surprisingly capable for a first effort by Flex Radio. With its open
software, development is going on all over the world and the software is
rapidly approaching a superior level of utility and stability, with features
being added weekly. The hardware is soundly designed and implemented and is
being upgraded and improved regularly.

This is a company and architecture to watch. It will NOT replace our beloved
K1, K2, et al - at least not for a long time in my view. But the Quadrature
Sampling Detector approach really works and provides (with a suitable
soundcard) a highly competitive dynamic range, etc..

Eventually, the radio will morph into a few chips on a board as have so many
other products - then portable or mobile operation sans "computer" will be a
reasonable use.

73, George W5YR
Fairview, TX
w5yr at att.net
http://www.w5yr.com


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lee Buller" <k0wa at swbell.net>
To: "Elecraft Reflector" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, May 28, 2004 9:54 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] Flex Radio - is it real?


> Elecrafters,
>
> I stopped by the Flex Radio booth at Dayton this year and spoke to one of
the evangelists touting the new software defined radio using quadrature
sampling.  I wonder if any of you techies (I really am not a techie, just a
wannabe) have looked at this system?  The numbers seem to be very good on
the receiver and the hardware seems to be quite simple or maybe minimal.
The Quad Sampling method uses "direct conversion" using a DDS VFO going up
to 54 Mhz.  Now, I know this is not "mixing" but they doing a sampling of
the frequency and giving an output (Inphase - Quadphase) to be numerically
processed by software.
>
> I am just curious about what you guys think about this interesting piece
of technology?  I am really interested in the DDS VFO because you could use
one of those on old boat anchors that are crystal bound.  But, I am
impressed with the technology and the "numbers" they are giving for receive
figures.  Is this the future of HF?  I am not sure I want to have to haul a
computer along with me when I go portable or mobile.
>
> Anyone want to comment?
>
> Lee - K0WA
>
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