[TrunkCom] does anyone know how the new scanners will handle both data and voice from the same channel?

[Arthur-Bryan E. Phelps]

>On Thu, 6 Jun 2002 23:43:10 -0400 "Trunktracker"
><trnktrkr@tampabay.rr.com> writes:
>> So you mean the hardware inside the radio is already there ?  The 
>> radio already HAS the ability to do digital or encrypted right out of
>the 
>> box ?
>
>Not exactly - encryption always requires an add-on board.  But on models
>like the XTS-3000 the Astro digital capability is all there and does not
>have to be enabled.  It is other features that have to be flashed, like
>number of channels, the type of digital, etc.
>
>
>> Why should you have to purchase additional flash software just to 
>> use a feature that the radio is already physically capable of ?
>
>Because you are purchasing a radio with specific features for a specific
>price.  If you want more features you pay the extra price for those
>features.  Besides, what difference does it make whether an "upgrade" is
>done with hardware or software?  You're still going to have to pay for
>it.  
>
>
>> To me, it would seem that to add additional talkgroup memory, you 
>> would have to open the radio and add a chip or something.  But you
>don't ?  
>> That memory capability is already there ?
>
>Yep.
>
> 
>> I think that's rediculous !
>
>Then you don't understand today's technology.  Almost everything has
>moved from hardware-based features to software-based.  They add the
>hardware components that work with everything then use software to enable
>or disable specific features depending on what you've purchased. 
>Software is much cheaper and easier than designing and building hardware
>components for each and every feature.  Why go through the production
>costs of making 5 add-on boards when you can instead make just ONE board
>in the radio with software enabling capabilities?
>
>
>
>> Could you imagine having to purchase extra
>> software just to program an EDACS system into a trunktracker ?  Or 
>> having to buy another radio programming application to just use the
>digital 
>> feature on the upcoming digital scanners ?  What a rip off.
>
>Not at all.  Think about this scenario - what if you didn't need EDACS
>capabilities, and you could buy a 780xlt for $100 cheaper because it did
>not have EDACS? (but could be added later for a fee)  Or what if you
>didn't need trunking at all but wanted the other features of the 780xlt
>and could get that for $150 cheaper?  A software-based 780xlt would be an
>excellent idea and could allow Uniden to offer 3 or 4 versions of the
>780xlt with different prices, for example the full-blown model for $350,
>a Motorola-only model for $250, a non-trunking model for $175, etc.  And
>at the same time offer "upgrades" for a fee.  Yes, the scanner is capable
>of doing everything.  But the amount you pay affects what features will
>be enabled.
>
>And think of the upcoming digital scanners.  Not everyone needs the
>digital board and thus does not need or want to spend an extra $250.  So,
>if Uniden offered the digital add-on as a software upgrade instead of the
>card, what difference does it make whether you have to pay $250 for a
>digital card or pay $250 to have a Uniden engineer re-flash the scanner? 
>You're still going to have to pay $250.
>
>--
>
>The Scanner Dude
>Brian J. Cathcart - KE4PMJ
>South Florida Frequency & Trunking Guide - 6th Edition (On CD-ROM too!)
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>
>Gads!  I think I missed something.  I think we are talking about Motorola radios
- Astro Spectra?  Does someone intend to purchase such a unit?