[Elecraft] An FT8 Radio- just dreaming

[Julia Tuttle]

Are you talking barebones FT8, or one of the extensions that allows
freeform conversation?

Are you planning on relegating CW/SSB/etc. to a "nice-to-have"
usability-wise, or are you trying to keep those usable while making digital
modes more intuitive and straightforward?

I would want both the latters in a product I'd buy.

I'd love to see a hybrid UI like the KX3 + PX3, but with a drastically more
sophisticated UI on the panadapter side. I don't want my radio and computer
in the same box, but I'd *love* a compact, purpose-built computer for
digital modes, logging, and so on. (I'd generally caution you against
buying or making all-in-one devices, since if one part breaks, you've gotta
send the entire thing in for service.)

Really, if you're okay with a KX2 or KX3 hanging off the side, you could do
most of this with a RPi (or your favorite single-board computer) and a 7"
or 10" display and a few adapters for audio and radio control and a bunch
of software work.

I don't think it's realistic for Elecraft to cram every new digital mode
into the firmware for every rig they've ever made (although I would be more
than happy to provide a wishlist!), but something like this could be a good
compromise between "your choice of RTTY, PSK31, or PSK63" and "schlep an
entire laptop and a bunch of wires.

Cheers,

Julie

On Sun, Feb 21, 2021, 22:37 Doug Millar via Elecraft <
elecraft at mailman.qth.net> wrote:

> I have been wondering for some time- How will FT8 change ham radio
> equipment?  Right off I imagine a radio and computer in one box maybe with
> the display. (FT8 should vastly simplify the first interface with the
> radio, with menus reaching deeper into its control. Most of today's designs
> are not well enough integrated and I think are hampered by preconceptions.
> Nor do they take advantage of graphic user interfaces that are common in
> say cell phones.  I think it could be one box with voice and touch control
> with keyboard and mouse optional. How about an internal projector so that
> the screen can be projected onto another surface making monitors optional?
> If it is going to be worth it, It has to be not different but do things
> differently.
>     Has anyone else had any thoughts?
>       Doug K6JEY
>
>
>
>
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