[Elecraft] LP PAN and "Point and Click"

[Paul Christensen]

Dave,

I think what's turning many folks away is the combined complexity of cables, 
temperamental drivers, high-end sound cards, and the need for a reasonably 
competent PC (owing to PowerSDR software).  That's a shame because much of 
these problems are easy to overcome with the SDR-IQ unit.  Only two cables 
are used for connectivity and it's self-powered through the USB cable.  Much 
of the needed DSP processing power is assigned to the SDR-IQ rather than the 
need to depend on PowerSDR or one of its variants that places a high CPU 
demand on the PC when using a high-end sound card.

With the SDR-IQ, I've found my PC's CPU demand is minimal -- to the point 
where I use it with an inexpensive Samsung netbook PC for point & click 
tuning through SpectraVue software.  The K3, netbook, SDR-IQ and two 
cables -- and you're done.   If the SDR-IQ is set up as only a panadpter 
without the need for its internal demods, CPU demand is reduced further.

I'm sure Elecraft will make their panadapter as powerful as possible for the 
price -- but it's pretty tough to beat the utility-to-price ratio of a $300 
netbook + $495 SDR-IQ unit -- and use it for much more than just a 
panadpter.  If the small netbook monitor is not of sufficient size, just 
plug-in a flatscreen LCD monitor of your choice.   For me, I get a powerful 
combination at home with large monitor and between the tiny SDR-IQ and 
netbook, I can quickly take it portable with the K3 in a small Pelican case.

Paul, W9AC

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dave - AB7E" <xdavid at cis-broadband.com>
To: <k8ztt at mho.com>; <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, July 23, 2009 1:13 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] LP PAN and "Point and Click"


>
> Actually, you can buy a very competent refurbished computer (with 
> warranty), a nice display, and LP-Pan for less than the price Elecraft has 
> projected for the panadapter.  Along with many others I am looking forward 
> to the Elecraft panadapter with great anticipation, but if it doesn't 
> offer performance and flexibility instead of redundant hardware I won't be 
> very impressed.
>
> 73,
> Dave   AB7E
>
>
>
>
> ------Original Mail------
> From: "Dick Williams" <k8ztt at mho.com>
> To: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Thu, 23 Jul 2009 10:37:41 -0600
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] LP PAN and "Point and Click"
>
>
> Yes, you do have to have a computer;  but what ham out there does not own 
> a
> computer (especially amateurs that have found there "niche" in the hobby
> were they want and need the capabilities of the K3)?   If you can afford a
> K3 (and the cost of a add on panadapter), I will "go out on a limb" and 
> say
> you can afford to purchase a computer.
>
>
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