[Premium-Rx] better receivers...the human interface

[Gary Geissinger]

I got into an argument over this issue with another engineer.  

The other guy wanted everything to be point and click on a computer
display.  That way the operator could be in another room or across
country from the receiver.

I agreed on the distance part, but my point was that the human interface
needed to be better than a mouse or a touch screen.  I argued for a high
quality optical encoder with high quality bearings, some friction, and a
flywheel.  Of course he simply wanted to buy COTS computers, so the
argument went on (and on and...).

I felt that the operators should help define the front panel, and then
let the engineers implement it using a combination of high quality
hardware and perhaps an LCD or other soft display.  Maybe something like
the WJ-8718A MFP or even the WJ-8615D would be a good starting point.
Now I guess the IC-9000 / IC-7800 are a better place to begin.  

Folks who drive receivers for a living really like knobs; however, I did
find out that they will settle for a high quality track-ball.

Gary   


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-----Original Message-----
From: premium-rx-bounces at ml.skirrow.org
[mailto:premium-rx-bounces at ml.skirrow.org] On Behalf Of Cecil Acuff
Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2005 3:49 PM
To: Michael O'Beirne; Premium-Radio
Subject: Re: [Premium-Rx] better receivers.


I second Michaels thoughts....I'm a hands on radio guy.  I like lots of 
knobs, buttons, displays\meters and a large weighted flywheel tuning
knob. 
As long as that is the interface I can live with all the high tech DSP
or 
whatever technology behind the front panel.  The PC based or web based
radio 
interface leaves me cold.  No interest at all!  Of course that's
probably 
not the wave of the future but that's OK I'll just continue to use the
best 
of the old stuff.

Cecil...
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael O'Beirne" <michaelob at tiscali.co.uk>
To: "Premium-Radio" <premium-rx at ml.skirrow.org>
Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2005 3:01 PM
Subject: [Premium-Rx] better receivers.


Evening folks,

I have read some of the recent offerings on newer and better radios.  I
am 
afraid to say, in best Irish manner, include me out of this new mania
for 
radios controlled entirely by the PC. If it hasn't got a robust 19 inch 
panel, a decent handsome layout, big chunky knobs and, essentially, a
super 
smooth flywheel-weighted tuning knob, then I'm not interested.

I do very much approve of Steve Stutman's thoughts on Swiss ball
bearings. 
You'll find some in the gearbox of the Plessey PR155 (and with
incredible 
skew cut gears as well) and don't think of the cost!!!

No gents, when the radio is reduced to a PC buried deep inside the PC
with 
linear predictive encoded speech (ie some Oriental voice) and Lord knows

what else, why bother with HF, cut off the antenna and just use the Web.

For me the fun is the unpredictability of the medium and using super
high 
quality radio in a form that is pleasing to me.  That's why all the
awful 
black rice boxes are best passed by on the other side.

73s to all,
Michael O'Beirne
G8MOB



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