[Elecraft] LP PAN

[Brett Howard]

Because some of us despise being forced to run Windows to use the
product.  Some of us would also like the tools to continue working
well beyond when they are supported.  If someone quits writing
software to support a particular tool it only takes the next version
of windows to feasibly turn that product into an expensive brick.

Personally I'd be ok with just a bandscope with a nice resolution and
very fast update rate without point and click functionality.  Drop in
some more handy test type features (like Elecraft already has with the
AFV and what not)...

Honestly we already have a perfectly fine computer based solution and
it looks like its slowly getting better Linux support.  Why would we
need another.  I want my radio to perform like a radio so that I can
take it to the top of a hill and make it work sans computer.  I've
already had a blast taking it up to a few mountain tops and making a
few RTTY contacts sans computer.  Come on thats fun!

I'm still one of those guys that thinks an oscilloscope should have
knobs and buttons and no keyboard.  I also think that an oscilloscope
shouldn't take several minutes to boot up!  Some things just aren't
made better by adding a computer.

~Brett (KC7OTG)

On Thu, Jul 23, 2009 at 10:02 AM, Dave - AB7E<xdavid at cis-broadband.com> wrote:
>
> I fully agree.  Even more to the point, can anyone explain to me why it is at all important for a panadapter to be standalone, i.e., independent of a computer for either display or function?
>
> 1.  Whether I am contesting or DXing or ragchewing, my computer is always connected to my K3 for logging and other functions (digital modes, memory buffers, etc).  Why would I want to add another user interface in the form of a keyboard or mouse connected directly to the panadapter?
>
> 2.  I guarantee I would be able to upgrade my computer for function or storage capacity more easily than I could the innards of a standalone panadapter.  The more dedicated hardware in the panadapter, the more functionally stagnate it becomes.
>
> 3.  External monitors with MUCH larger screens that would be practical for a standalone panadapter are cheap, as are video cards with dual monitor ports.  What's the point of having a wide spectrum capability if the display scrunches it down to VGA dimensions?
>
> 4.  Software that controlled the panadapter from the computer would almost certainly integrate more easily into other software such as logging or rig control programs, compared with firmware residing on the panadapter.
>
>
> So ... why add cost and size in the form of panadapter hardware that can be done better and more cheaply with hardware that already exists?  Are there that many K3 owners out there that use their rig like an FT-101?
>
> 73,
> Dave   AB7E
>
>
> ------Original Mail------
> From: "R. Kevin Stover" <rkstover at mchsi.com>
> To: "N5GE" <n5ge at n5ge.com>,
>    "Elecraft Reflector" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Thu, 23 Jul 2009 11:27:38 -0500
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] LP PAN
>
> Click with what?
> Plug a mouse/keyboard into the panadapter?
> That's going to be some pretty fancy firmware programming and real
> expensive.
>
> I don't think there's any way for Elecraft to produce a standalone
> panadapter that can compete with the LP-PAN/Sound card/Computer combo
> either performance or price wise.
>
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