[R-1051] R-1051 software defined radio

[Nick England]

Here's an interesting tidbit about the "next" R-1051 model....

---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
From:    "M. Simon" <msimon6808 at yahoo.com>
Date:    Sat, November 17, 2012 10:16 pm
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I just wanted to say that the 1051 was
one of my favorites. Loved the PLLs. I worked on an upgrade for Stewart
Warner back in the early 80s. As part of a prototype I put two Z-80
systems in the space between the front panel and the main gear. Part of
its purpose was to interface to the 1553 bus. I also implemented a DDS in
TTL for fine tuning. I still like tube front ends for mil radios for
ruggedness. But you can't sell it because of wear out issues.

The Navy didn't buy in to the prototype. Collins beat us. The code for the
processors was written in Forth. The Navy "code inspector" said it was
some of the best written code he had seen in several years. We also could
complete a design cycle - including code - in a month. The Collins boys
had a team 10X as large as ours (we had 3). And it took them 6 months to
complete a design cycle using "C". I was project manager and lead
engineer. I was mostly hardware but I did some software and rode herd on
the coders. Forth was my idea.

I also put a Z-80 inside the companion 1KW transmitter. The RF inside the
transmitter was a few volts per inch. I used a sealed box and a  lot of
feed through filters. It worked the first time.

I also worked with the gear in Navy ETA school. And went on to become a
Nuke so I didn't see that radio gear again until about 15 years later.

Simon
http://www.ecnmag.com/blogs/2012/07/i-put-my-finger-it