"Robert Casey" wrote in message
...



Do you think every ham understands how their radios work?

Few do.

At what level of expertise do you need here? Simple concepts on how
superheterodynes work (block level diagrams) or precise knowledge
on RF analog chip design?

My *personal* view is that the former (basic block diagram level
understanding)
should be the minimum. More detailed knowledge is something that folks can
and should, ideally, strive for ... however, RF chip design is an area for
the pros
.... hams can't fab RF chips in their workshops ... BUT, they CAN "fab" all
sorts
of interesting things with FPGAs and other programmable logic devices - with
affordable "eval" boards and inexpensive (sometimes free) software.

A few years ago (at work, I admit, but I could just as easily have done it
at home, as I have the tools) I designed an all-digital (I mean nothing but
gates) modem for orthogonal BFSK that performs within 1.2 dB of
theoretical ideal, yet was coded in VHDL and synthesized into an FPGA
for the proof of concept model. While the VHDL was later re-targeted
into a custom ASIC along with some other stuff, the cost of an FPGA that
would be more than capable has come down to the point where home
experimenters and "cottage industry shops" catering to the amateur market
(which is, comparatively, a "niche market") could use this method of
producing all sorts of useful stuff.

So, to sumarize, my *personal* view is that block diagram understanding
is a minimum "entry level". More than that is "a good thing" and should
be a goal. Not every ham is going to be/can be an RF engineer, nor do
they need to be, but the overall average level of technical knowledge
could, in my *personal* opinion, be increased if ham radio was focused
a *bit* more on the radio/electronics and a bit less on "operating,"

73,
Carl - wk3c