[Elecraft] [OT] Dayton- new hf rigs?

[Don Wilhelm]

If you want an extended example of the PC implementation of SDR, take a 
look at LP-PAN.  That is an "SDR converter" (for receive only) to take 
the IF of a receiver and convert it to I/Q signals which can be further 
processed in a panadapter display on a personal computer.

One of the things Larry Phipps emphasizes is that once you get 
everything working, do NOT allow Windows to update.  While supposedly, 
Windows updates are good for security  situations, it is known that such 
updates will "upset the applecart" with the SDR handling software.

I bring this example in to point out the dependency that SDR systems 
that use a personal computer have on the operating system which can 
change from day to day.  The embedded processor does not have that 
exposure, and IMHO is much better because it is more stable.

The downloadable firmware for the K3 and KX3 definitely put those radios 
into the SDR arena.  I certainly hope Elecraft does not begin to charge 
$200 a year for firmware (and technical) support.
Yes, charging for upgrades within the software community is not unknown, 
and I do not begrudge Carl N4PY for doing that - he has an excellent 
product, but $200 a year seem a bit "steep" - Carl charges $35 per year 
- a big difference.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 5/21/2012 7:37 PM, Tony Estep wrote:
> On Mon, May 21, 2012 at 5:50 PM, Don Wilhelm<w3fpr at embarqmail.com>  wrote:
>
>> .....An SDR can be implemented by means of software in a personal computer
>> *OR* embedded computing device
>
>
>> ....other SDRs are moving toward the embedded processor approach
>> because it does away with obsolescence due to changes in personal
>> computers...
> ==============
> Don is right on. The old notion of what constitutes an SDR is no longer
> meaningful, and leads only to confusion.
>
> The embedded processor approach does a lot of good things, but not
> everything.
>
>