Dave, I think what's turning many folks away is the combined complexity of cables, temperamental drivers, high-end sound cards, and the need for a reasonably competent PC (owing to PowerSDR software). That's a shame because much of these problems are easy to overcome with the SDR-IQ unit. Only two cables are used for connectivity and it's self-powered through the USB cable. Much of the needed DSP processing power is assigned to the SDR-IQ rather than the need to depend on PowerSDR or one of its variants that places a high CPU demand on the PC when using a high-end sound card.
With the SDR-IQ, I've found my PC's CPU demand is minimal -- to the point where I use it with an inexpensive Samsung netbook PC for point & click tuning through SpectraVue software. The K3, netbook, SDR-IQ and two cables -- and you're done. If the SDR-IQ is set up as only a panadpter without the need for its internal demods, CPU demand is reduced further. I'm sure Elecraft will make their panadapter as powerful as possible for the price -- but it's pretty tough to beat the utility-to-price ratio of a $300 netbook + $495 SDR-IQ unit -- and use it for much more than just a panadpter. If the small netbook monitor is not of sufficient size, just plug-in a flatscreen LCD monitor of your choice. For me, I get a powerful combination at home with large monitor and between the tiny SDR-IQ and netbook, I can quickly take it portable with the K3 in a small Pelican case. Paul, W9AC ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dave - AB7E" <xda...@cis-broadband.com> To: <k8...@mho.com>; <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> Sent: Thursday, July 23, 2009 1:13 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] LP PAN and "Point and Click" > > Actually, you can buy a very competent refurbished computer (with > warranty), a nice display, and LP-Pan for less than the price Elecraft has > projected for the panadapter. Along with many others I am looking forward > to the Elecraft panadapter with great anticipation, but if it doesn't > offer performance and flexibility instead of redundant hardware I won't be > very impressed. > > 73, > Dave AB7E > > > > > ------Original Mail------ > From: "Dick Williams" <k8...@mho.com> > To: <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> > Sent: Thu, 23 Jul 2009 10:37:41 -0600 > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] LP PAN and "Point and Click" > > > Yes, you do have to have a computer; but what ham out there does not own > a > computer (especially amateurs that have found there "niche" in the hobby > were they want and need the capabilities of the K3)? If you can afford a > K3 (and the cost of a add on panadapter), I will "go out on a limb" and > say > you can afford to purchase a computer. > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
