[Elecraft] Will there be a K4

[Fred Jensen]

Ummm ... I think there are two issues here: The algorithms, coding, and 
modulation schemes for transmitting and receiving what has come to be 
known as FT8, and separately, the source code to implement all of that.  
The second is subject to the terms of the GPL V3 license, the first 
would not seem to be.  So, all Elecraft would have to do is re-invent 
the WSPR-X FT8 their own proprietary way for whatever processor they 
use.  Just a few lines of code, should take about a week. :-)

73,
Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County

On 3/25/2019 12:38 PM, Doug Person wrote:
> Even if it's just an application installed into an integrated 
> computer? This would not be folding the source into other code. It's 
> just installing it into a computer that happens to be inside another 
> device. It wouldn't be firmware. It would be the same as when I run it 
> on my Raspberry Pi.
>
> Doug --KJ0F
>
> On 3/25/2019 12:01 PM, Neil Zampella wrote:
>> FWIW .. the FT8 code is not 'open source' it is under the General Public
>> License v3.   According to the GPL v3 FAQ:
>>
>> "You cannot incorporate GPL-covered software in a proprietary system.
>> The goal of the GPL is to grant everyone the freedom to copy,
>> redistribute, understand, and modify a program. If you could incorporate
>> GPL-covered software into a nonfree system, it would have the effect of
>> making the GPL-covered software nonfree too."
>>
>> So in reality, unless the firmware is then made available under the GPL
>> v3, which I don't see Elecraft doing, you can't use FT8 in the firmware.
>>
>> Neil, KN3iLZ
>>