[Elecraft] K3 pan-adapter question

[Dave-Boat Guy]

Hi,  
I was looking at the Clifton Laboratories (Jack
Smith)website and comparing his panoramic adapter to
TelepostInc (Larry Phipps) LP-PAN.

It seems to me that the Clifton Laboratories adapter
is a sophisticated spectrum analyzer with a lot of
well developed software and requisite electronics. 
>From what I can tell, the LP-PAN is an integration
effort of a basic SoftRock module, isolation
amplifier, and isolation transformers...nothing too
sophisticated and no software.

I am curious if the mentioned prices for the LP-PAN
are accurate ($300-$500).  That puts it in the same
price range as a more sophisticated piece of hardware
(and SW), the Clifton Laboratories spectrum monitor. 
With the cost of parts for a SoftRock module and an
isolation amplifier and some transformers and perhaps
some LDO regulators, I can't see how there is more
than $15-$25 worth of parts, another $10-$20 for a
board, and perhaps $20 for a chassis.  From my school
of thought, sophisticated electronics (with
software/firmware) normally is priced from 2.4 to 3X
material costs, so the LP-PAN anticipated cost seems
really high...unless I'm missing something.  I'm just
trying to figure out the cost of a K3 ala panoramic
display station.

Thanks

Dave


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