[Elecraft] Will there be a K4

[Doug Person]

If the FT8 program is running on a separate "loosely coupled" computer 
that is internal, I don't see a problem.

Doug --KJ0F

On 3/25/2019 3:59 PM, Fred Jensen wrote:
> 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
>>>
>
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-- 
73 de Doug -- KJ0F