wrote:
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the time of manufacture, so it wouldn't "go" out of date.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.

I pretty much have to support myself with my old Icom.

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.

Whoops - think we missed something there.

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.

The form factor, having several different pieces of equipment to hook
together, cabling, and different power supplies.

Imagine a rig that has a 15 - 17 inch screen and a keyboard that
otherwise looks like a typical HF rig. You turn it on and use it.

You arent going to use the Pegasus unless you plug it into a computer.

IMO, those things are similar, but in the same way that a transciever
and separate transmitter/reciever setups are similar.

In fact, I see this sort of thing as as a natural progression, just
like from separates to transcivers.


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 system would be much more highly integrated.

You might thiink of this as a system that someone would consider using
in their automobile. I doubt that there were too many mobile Pegasus
setups. 8^) Of course, I don't suggest using a keyboard while mobile!
But that is okay, the rig would perform all the other functions.


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.


I guess I'm having trouble making myself clear.


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?

Oh, I imagine someone will eventually. I can't imagine that I'm the
only one begging for better system integration.

The Warbler, the unmanufactured kit, and a lot of the others are
interesting, but they are toys by comparison - thats not an insult, just
an observation, because I enjoy toys too.

But the new Sienna HF rig is where it is starting to come together

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...

We're trying! Seems some people don't like our ideas though! ;^)


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?

Nope.


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.

It is an interesting concept. We wouldn't get all the advantadges that
the PC people would have, given that we wouldn't have the economy of
scale. But one *very* nice feature is that the homebrewers could make up
their own subassy boards.

I guess that should wait until after the warranty is over!!


did some snipping

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.

For that house, they do. But the longer the term, the greater the
future impact. No free lunch. More house now by stretching the paymoents
out, the less capital available later



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.

Kinda like renting, eh?

The money isn't free, yaknow. I have a relative who has refied her
house ever time she could. She bought her place a few years before we
bought ours. The house prices were almost the same. We are almost
finished with our mortgage (15 years), and she's still paying, as every
time she refied, she reset the mortgage. Looks like she'll be making
mortgage payments for her entire life.



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?


Living within ones means. When we bought our place, we spent around
100K less than we were "approved" for. The banks thought we were nuts,
the real estate people thought we were nuts (as well as making for a
smaller commission) Big deal - we bought a nice place, and have
discretionary money for investment and other stuff. And the dot.com
folks thought we were nuts for not investing in them, too.....


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.

Sometimes it is just nice to not live in a city too.



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.

Philadelphia area right? No doubt that they are more expensive.

But 500K isn't really the high end around here.

And it will sell in a week.


As I said, all those "benefits" of owning a house convince people to do
extrordinarily stupid things...

- Mike KB3EIA -