[Icom] Introduction of the IC-7800

[Matt Erickson]

Since ICOM's source code is the "Holy Grail" in some ways, they can't risk allowing users to see it, at any cost. 
They did pretty good on the P2, didn't they? Got it right, the first time I would say.

On DSP, ICOM has a total of (4) DSP chip sets operating in the 7800, which allows the task load to be drastically reduced on any one set. Even though the DSP IF is only 36KHz (just like the P1 & P2) the task loading is so low, it allows an effective quadrupling of the overall performance while only operating them at 36KHz.  Commercial radios are operating in the 100+ KHz DSP IF range now, but are only using single chip sets, task load is very high, so little head-room is left over.
I don't think ICOM has much to fear from other ham radio competitors, ICOM has deeper pockets...

73 de Matt KK5DR

At 03:48 PM 5/21/03 , you wrote:
>Hi Matt-
>
>If Icom does not provide for flash upgrades in a radio at this price point,
>they certainly better get it right the first time! :-) And I think in a few
>short years they may find themselves left behind to rapid development by
>competitors who do provide for such upgrades. Is it feasible, if one wanted
>to, to also allow for user replaceable DSP chips ( similar to replacing
>memory or processors in a PC )?
>
>TI and others have some amazing DSP designs in the pipeline, fueled in part
>by the cellphone-Wi-Fi explosion. IMHO, we ain't seen nothing yet regarding
>the full potential application of cheap DSP to ham radios! George??
>
>Andy K5VM
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Matt Erickson" <kk5dr@ev1.net>
>To: <icom@mailman.qth.net>
>Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2003 2:50 PM
>Subject: Re: [Icom] Introduction of the IC-7800
>
>
> > The marketing guys with ICOM told me that the CF card is for user
>configurations that are then portable to other 7800's, such as in a
>contest/DX station where there may be several units, and operators change
>often. Using the CF card the users can retain his/her favorite user
>settings,and then transport them instantly to any of the other 7800's in the
>contest station, or back at home.
> > The CF card does NOT contain the OS, only user settings.  The OS will be
>"hard-coded" into the firmware on-board the radio. No "flash" upgrades will
>be done. Much like ICOM radios such as the PRO series, no upgrades will be
>offered, nor will the source code ever be released to the public or any
>dealers.
>
>----
>Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan W6OLD, icom-owner@mailman.qth.net
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