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Bert Hyman · March 21st 08, 05:43 PM posted to rec.radio.amateur.moderated

(Klystron) wrote in
:

Most base-type radios, especially HF radios, have keyer circuitry
built in. On those radios where it has been optional (Icom 970,
e.g.), it has been a fairly expensive option. Can anyone estimate
the amount that it adds to the price of an HF radio? What would we
save if it were left off? Considering the ever shrinking role of
Morse, does it really make sense to insist that all HF radios
include it? It almost seems as if the various manufacturers are
afraid to go first in making it an option. It seems like it is more
of an ideological issue than a practical one.

First, the IC-970 wasn't an HF rig, so far as I remember. Also, Icom
accessories have always been terribly over-priced (priced a CT-17
lately?), so what they charged for a keyer module is no reflection on
its actual cost. Further, designing and packaging a keyer as an
optional plug-in module, and designing a radio so that it can accept
such a plug-in, probably increases the cost of both more the cost of
a standard built-in keyer.

These days, the cost of the few additional parts needed to implement a
keyer (or the few additional lines of code in the firmware) is lost in
the noise of a retail price of $2000 for a full-featured HF rig. The
cost of the key jack probably equals the cost of the keyer.

And, I question your assertion of the "shrinking role of Morse"
anyway; I think you're the one with an ideological issue.

--
Bert Hyman | St. Paul, MN |