Michael Coslo wrote:
wrote:
Mike Coslo wrote:
wrote:
Mike Coslo wrote:
wrote:
http://www.getboost.com/dz/sienna.htm

My thoughts.
First, the unit has a lot of promise. While I think I prefer separate
components between the computer and the rig for flexibility, this setup
might just be fun to use.


Some folks might like the integrated internal computer. It's certainly
the first rig to offer it. My only concern is that a computer's life
cycle is much shorter than most ham rigs'.

Of course, the computer would work for all the Ham radio
functions at
the time of manufacture, so it wouldn't "go" out of date.


Would you like a nice

100 MHz Pentium 1 running Win95 for your shack
computer, Mike? Ten years ago, that was a dream machine...

I want a computer that can do the work. I can run Digipan (as well as a
lot of other soundcard software) on a P1 class computer, as well as a
lot of logging software. So assuming that there is not aome huge change
in something, the computer will continue to function, the radio will
continue to work.

Of course, but over time support disappears.

Obviously an up to date laptop would be included
in any modern designed system.

I think we're saying the same thing two different ways. If the
computer.

And it would be upgradeable, so it wouldn't be much of a problem.


Plus my idea given down below might be a winner.



Next, I don't buy the teeny florescent screen rationale. My idea of the
modern integrated rig is more along the line of looking like a laptop,
with a folding large screen on top of the RF portions of the box. But
that's just me.


You can plug an external VGA display into the rig.

Sometimes.

But you see, here is what I'm thinking of. A computer with the RF guts,
and a laptop of some choice that plugs into the computer, and sets on
top of it. Many of the features now used in hardware could be handled by
the laptop. You would have logging, digital modes, dsp - probably not
important to you, but for a growing group of us, it would be great.

Been done. Kachina 505. Also TT Pegasus. Rigs without a front panel.

Not what I am describing.

Except for the form factor, it's exactly what you're describing.

Imagine some sort of HF transciever. Size
would be similar to what we use today. A laptop or the
equivalent would
be setting on top of the device. The laptop would dock into the
transciever. Functions would be controlled by the laptop.
Although
transciever front panel controls would be a possibility, the
ideal
method for what I am talking about would be all control via the laptop.

Except for the docking station part, that's what a Kachina was.
And a Pegasus. Computer did all the control functions, transceiver was
an RF modem of sorts.

This would not be a unit that needed a take-along computer,
or an LCD
screen, both with their own separate power supplies.
It would be a unit
that you plug in, open the case and "boot" the computer and
transciever.

All that's really changed is the form factor. And maybe the integration
of power supply.

There were a few devices that touched on the idea, including
the
unmanufactured PSK rig by the Sienna people, and another PSK31 kit rig that sits outboard of a laptop.

You mean the Warbler?

But this would be a full featured rig, SSB, AM, FM, CW, RTTY,
PSK Hell,
and onaonaonaonaon. At least 100 watts output. DSP that is
upgradeable,
logging software, and whatever else you might do with the rig.

Right. Now who is going to bell that cat?

I can well understand your dislike of the klugey nature of many
rig-computer setups. Two different big boxes (computer and rig)
interconnected by a bunch of cables, and a bunch of little boxes too.
Bulky and clunky and very unportable.

Meanwhile, there are excellent CW rigs like the KX1 that can be
configured to be self-contained (rig, battery, ATU, even paddles)
except for antenna and headphones. Toss up a wire, plug in the 'phones,
turn on the rig and you're on the air.

You'd think the digital folk would be ahead of that curve...

If the laptop were to become obsolete, say if a new mode came along
that required too much horsepower, then the unit could be replaced. A
mounting kit could be made available. In fact, a radio could be designed
so that you could attach your present laptop.


Remember the Warbler?

Yup. That's about 25 percent of the way there.

In any event what you're suggesting is a rig that is controlled by the
computer - an RF modem of sorts. Great if you like that sort of thing,
but they didn't sell all that well. Maybe times have changed.

Not completely. This rig isn't "controlled by the computer, any more
than it is controlled by the transmitter. cuz if either one isn't there,
it isn't going to work.

Can it be used without a computer or not?

Interesting that they chose an LDG autotuner. This is a concept that
might be expanded upon.


It would be wonderful if ham rigs were like desktop computers in the
form of standardization.

Sometimes.


Why not? Look at what it's done for PCs. Why not for ham rigs?

One of the areas in which digital people often make a mistake is in
thinking that RF is the same thing as digital. That is why they
sometimes design skunks like BPL.

I'm not talking about using PC methods, just the basic idea. The rig
would have certain standard insides that could be made by a variety of
sources.

Example: Suppose we decide on a basic architecture with a given IF,
LO/BFO frequencies, power voltages, control signals, signal & impedance
levels, and form factor.

Once those things are set, the parts could come from anywhere. Want a
DDS VFO? All it has to do is meet the interface requirements. PLL? Same
difference.

e idea of an RF PCI board is a little chilling. Perhaps a very low
power UHF version, such as my PC card wireless card, of course, but not
likely any substsntial power.


Don't like the computer interface screenshot.

I really hope that they do well. I do think the price point is too
high. I would be willing to pay extra for an American made unit, but 3K
for the entry level, and 6K for the works unit is pretty high.


Perhaps - but a lot depends on how well it really performs.



Unless of course, the rig has outstanding performance. I would love to
see some test results.


Mo bettah, some actual on-air performance. Somebody wins CQWW DX with
one, then watch the fireworks...

Or to really get to the bottom of it: Is it $6000 worth of fun?

And is it 6K worth of fun for the XYL? ;^)


Who is to say that the spouse doesn't get his/her fun items too?


Hoping that they can sell enough to expand the concept, because it is a
good one....


Expand which concept? Kits have been around a long time - curious that
they never mention Elecraft or any of the other kits...

For me, the concept isn't the kit - its the idea of the integral
computer, the modular construction, even to using another manufacturers
tuner.


That *would be* a good thing!


Of course my entire main HF rig cost me less than one of
their optional
filters, so I guess everything is relative....

One more observation on price:

Go to the local Home Depot, Lowes or similar outfit, as long as they
carry a full range of appliances and such. Look at the ranges,
refrigerators, countertops, etc.

You can get a nice range for $300-400, or spend double,
triple,
quadruple that price for one with all the gizmos like self-
cleaning,
stainless steel, high-capacity oven, dissimilar burners, etc. Same for
dishwashers, refrigerators, etc. Countertops? Granite seems
to have
replaced Corian and similar materials around here, at $100 a square
foot, installed. Me, I prefer a nice laminate like
Formica, but apparently a lot of folks prefer fancier stuff.


Does a burger taste any better if it's made in such a
kitchen? I dunno,
but they must be selling the fancy stuff because they
continue to stock it.

If its involved with real estate, people will
shuck out astoundingly
foolish amounts of money.


Sure! But consider:

1) How do home values relate to incomes when adjusted for inflation? Go
back 20, 30, 40, 50 years and compare house prices to income levels.
Houses were cheap then until you look at what the typical income level
was.

There is an old paradigm about the amount of money spent on a house
should be 2X your yearly income.

Not as I remember it!

The old rule was that your *mortgage* should not exceed 2x your annual
income. But that was in the days when most people were SILKs, not
DINKs.

Perhaps 10 years ago, it went to
2.5-3X. Now it seems to have been abandoned into whatever the
maximum
amount the bank will loan you.

That's due in part to lower interest rates, and in part to a big flow
of money from the stock market to real estate.

That progression indicates that a change has happened. A lot higher
percentage goes to putting the roof over the head. That's "okay", just
get another Credit card or two!

There are lots of other factors. For example, longer term mortgages
increase buying power. Two-income families, and
delayed family starts, have their own effects.

The biggest change is that RE values vary widely with location. *Very*
widely.

2) A house is one of the few investments an individual can
make that can be used without selling it.

If you do the home equity thing, you sort of have sold it.

Not at all! You still live there.

3) A house is one of the few necessities an individual can buy
that will almost certainly appreciate in value. Look at the
everyday
things you own - how many of them will be worth more
in 10 years?

4) Home loan interest is a tax deduction for most people.
What other debt reduces your taxes?

All true, Jim. and all used to get people to become "house poor".

What's the alternative, Mike?

Some people resort to living a long way from their jobs in order to pay
less for a house, get away from CC&Rs and HOAs, etc. Trouble is, they
spend lots of time and money commuting, and are at the mercy of
weather, traffic and fuel prices.

BTW, those McMansions are becoming very, very hard to resell.

Not around here!

Interesting! My XYL, who works in the industry doing a lot of high-end
houses around here, notes that the people who have 500K to a million and
up almost always insist on building their own.

Where *you* are, $500K is high end. Around here, $500K is a 30-40 year
old 4 br 2-1/2 ba Cape Cod tract house on a half-acre lot that needs a
bit of work.

And it will sell in a week.

73 de Jim, N2EY