[Elecraft] Re: radios on networks

[Doug Faunt N6TQS +1-510-655-8604]

   From: Brian Lloyd <brian-wb6rqn at lloyd.com>
   Date: Tue, 5 Jun 2007 08:36:11 -0700

   I would love to have a universal interface that would plug into the  
   ethernet and let me sample and control things in my shack. I want to  
   control my antenna switch. If I am doing weak-signal microwave stuff  
   I need to coordinate the sequencing of my IF radio, my transverter,  
   my preamp and power amp switching, etc. Lots going on. I might want  
   to let the DSP in the radio perform the low-level modulation and  
   demodulation while letting my computer perform more of the high-level  
   protocol functions.

We're getting pretty close to that with USB now, and I suspect
Ethernet equivalents aren't that far away.  Of course, some people are
going to want Bluetooth instead (which might happen first).  But given
the state of flux of the world, I think Elecraft has made a good, if
conservative, decision.  It might even be practical to add an Ethernet
to serial interface internally.  I've done a trivial mod to add
internal USB to a Z90, and it certainly looks possible to add internal
Ethernet to that unit.  But that takes software and perhaps some
administration.  I note that my printer is connected by Ethernet, but
required a driver for that.

In the meantime, look at what N8LP has done.

73, doug