[TMRA] N4PY Software/Pan-Adapter/ using SDR Receiver add to HF Rig question:

[Robert Hall]

I have a question:  With all of the discussion of pan-adapters and
waterfall band views and the benefits recently (like exist in the Flex SDR
interfaces or radios like the ICOM 7330 which include it in the display), I
have been researching some options of adding a Pan-adapter to my home HF
(IC-9100) rig to get some of those benefits....

I'm just starting to dig into this a bit, and I'd like to gather some
comments on options.  I'm finding out that it may be just as easy, maybe
better (and include additional benefits) by adding a simpler Flex 1000 or
Flex 1500 SDR receiver and antenna switch for use with sofware like the
N4PY software (http://www.n4py.com/).  This then also adds the second
receiver, and allows me to control the radio similar to a standard SDR with
the integration software (while still allowing some local radio control as
well)....The idea would be to use the SDR Receiver and my IC-9100
transmitter together through the software..  This allows for better
integration of the dx cluster one-touch tuning, etc, as well...

Has anyone done that with their radio before?  I admit that I'm nervous
about the switching timing between switching the Flex receiver in/out and
my amplifier tx drop-out time.  How well did it work for you?  Timing
issues?  Any other suggestions other than the N4PY software for this?

I suspect that some people will just say, "Go invest in the SDR radio and
leave the Icom for VHF/UHF".. lol

Thanks in advance for any related advice!

73,
Rob - KV8P