[Elecraft] Elecraft KX4

[Alan]

Not publishing the source code is no guarantee that someone won't rip 
off the software.  Remember "NET/ROM"?

https://www.tapr.org/pr_intro.html#NR

It was a pre-programmed memory chip that you plug into a packet TNC to 
give it super-digipeater capability.  The software was copyrighted, but 
that didn't prevent some hams (in Germany as I recall) from running a 
reverse compiler on the code, making a few minor changes, and 
re-compiling it so they could make pirate chips.

It's not like the copyright owner was making a killing on the product.  
I don't remember the price, but as I recall it was reasonable.  But too 
expensive for some people who can't resist a "bargain".

Alan N1AL



On 7/1/19 10:33 AM, Bob McGraw K4TAX wrote:
> Oh my.   It seems that folks keep designing good stuff, circuits, 
> software,radios and the like, and for economic reasons end up with 
> Chinese manufacturing some of the boards or assemblies.    It doesn't 
> take them long to figure out what makes it tick and end up with a 
> clone available at 1/2 the price or so.   And they don't care about 
> copy-write laws or patients either.   "ok, so sue me".
>
> I'm not naming names, but just look around and find the "Made in 
> China" or the likes.
>
> No way would I write any computer code and make it open source. Thus I 
> say if you want something different, then learn to write code.  Oh, it 
> only takes thousands of hours and many years experience.    And 
> someone wants it for FREE!!!!!!
>
> 73
>
> Bob, K4TAX
>
>
> On 7/1/2019 10:54 AM, John Harper wrote:
...
>> The firmware is open source, thus all the clones. Chris recently 
>> complained
>> that he is now expected and often asked to provide support for the 
>> Chinese
>> clones! That's gotta burn...
...