[Elecraft] Dedicated FTx Rig

[kevinr]

Another way to connect the two worlds of computers and radio would be to 
add the radio to the computer as a card on the motherboard.  Or plug it 
into a USB port on a laptop like a flash drive.  It is not quite a 
dedicated machine to do one thing but you will be able to upgrade the 
two parts separately.  You have the advantage of the power of the 
computer you choose while the radio does not need to be that complex.

    GL,

      Kevin.  KD5ONS

-

On 8/10/19 9:40 PM, Brian Hunt wrote:
>
>> On Aug 10, 2019, at 13:40, David Gilbert <xdavid at cis-broadband.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>> I'm certain this is not an original idea, but I wonder if somebody will ever come out with a dedicated all-in-one notebook-sized portable rig for the FT-type digital modes.  I'm pretty new to FT8/4 but I find it interesting that when I'm operating it all I ever do with my K3 is turn it on and make band changes since everything else is done on my computer.  I wouldn't even need to do that much on the K3 if WSJT-X had a button to make band changes.
>>
>> Possibly such a unit might look like:
>>
>> 1.  12 volt operation (10 watts output) for portable use
>>
>> 2.  large enough screen to be practical
>>
>> 3.  running modified (mouseless) version of WSJT-X  to allow up/down arrow keys for:
>>
>>      a.  band selection
>>      b.  frequency change in 2 KHz increments
>>      c.  mode selection
>>      d.  contact selection from activity window
>>      e.  TX1-TX6 sequence override
>>      f.   transmit enable/disable
>>
>> 4.  a button to momentarily press for log, press/hold to autolog
>>
>> 5.  USB port to run modified WSJT-X from flash drive for easy upgrade and log transfer
>>
>> 6.  internal antenna tuner (could be manual)
>>
>> 7.  etc.
>>
>> Rigs dedicated to specific modes have never been very popular, but I suspect that FTx might change that and I suspect an integrated low power SDR version could end up being fairly inexpensive.  A side advantage is that audio levels would be preset in hardware and we'd see less overdrive situations.  ;)
>>
>> Anybody know if there is already something like this out there?  I can find small inexpensive transceivers designed for FT8, but they still require a separate computer.
>>
>> Just some ramblings on a rainy day ...
>>
>> 73,
>> Dave   AB7E
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to huntinhmb at coastside.net
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to kevinr at coho.net
>