RE: [Elecraft] Dayton Discovery [OT]
The most popular HF remote "auto tuner" I've seen hanging on the funnels of large ships, right at the base of a 22 ft fiberglass 'whip', is SGC 230 sold to hams as the "Smarttuner(TM)" Today there are over 46,000 large ships in the International Maritime fleet, all of which carry (or soon will carry) several HF radios of the same type of interest to Hams. That's a potential market in the hundreds of thousands of radios; radios with relatively short lifetimes due to accident and changing technology. These radios operate SSB and various digital modes, similar to Ham operation, must be frequency-agile so the Global Marine Disaster and Safety System (GMDSS) operator can easily QSY to the frequencies in the HF range that promise the best path for the distance and propagation conditions, interface with LANs and personal computers, and must be very stable and (almost) idiot-proof. While GMDSS operators, like their Ham counterparts, are very savvy in operating procedures and how to make contacts with the needed stations, they, like many Hams today, are typically *not* technicians who know what goes on "under the hood" inside the radio. Their skill is in operating the radio, not fixing it, just as fewer and fewer Hams have an interest in working on their radios. (Indeed, a GMDSS operator is *not* allowed to try to fix a broken radio. They carry spares in case of failure or they carry a specially-licensed GMDSS Maintainer who is a technician with the tools and knowledge to carry out repairs. That's why most ships have several radios on board.) This service requires very reliable, flexible HF radios almost identical to what Hams use. Certainly, the needs of the GMDSS operator at sea will drive the design of modern radios from those manufacturers. That is, Ham rigs from many large manufactures will be (some already are) rigs designed for the maritime service that have been adapted for the Ham market. I find it somewhat humorous to notice a popular rig on large ships, (the Icom IC-M700Pro) offers SSB(USB) AM, CW FSK and AFSK modes. (CW? On a ship? Not today ;-) Indeed, one of the first things I expect to see is pressure on Hams to adopt USB as the "standard" sideband on all Amateur bands so the manufacturers don't have to consider sideband switching in their product offering. Ron AC7AC -- From: "Brendan Minish" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > I do! Providing it can work properly down to around 11vdc input, it > looks to be an Ideal maritime mobile radio. In MM setups the ATU is > typically an auto tuner located away from the antenna so an internal > tuner is no use. Cooling and ruggedness are big issues. > Having 'ears' to mount it securely with is a big plus. > The USB interface is a great asset here too, allowing for HF fax > reception, rig control etc over a single USB connection. > Finally the time might be nearing to replace all the ic-735's and > ic-728's that are bobbing about out there! > ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Dayton Discovery [OT]
The only thing I don't have is the boat :-) Simon Brown, HB9DRV -- From: "Brendan Minish" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I do! Providing it can work properly down to around 11vdc input, it looks to be an Ideal maritime mobile radio. In MM setups the ATU is typically an auto tuner located away from the antenna so an internal tuner is no use. Cooling and ruggedness are big issues. Having 'ears' to mount it securely with is a big plus. The USB interface is a great asset here too, allowing for HF fax reception, rig control etc over a single USB connection. Finally the time might be nearing to replace all the ic-735's and ic-728's that are bobbing about out there! ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Dayton Discovery [OT]
On Fri, 2008-05-23 at 18:48 +0200, Simon Brown (HB9DRV) wrote: > Myself I don't see the niche for the IC-7200 - no ATU and quite heavy. > However, as always, I hope they sell a million of them. I do! Providing it can work properly down to around 11vdc input, it looks to be an Ideal maritime mobile radio. In MM setups the ATU is typically an auto tuner located away from the antenna so an internal tuner is no use. Cooling and ruggedness are big issues. Having 'ears' to mount it securely with is a big plus. The USB interface is a great asset here too, allowing for HF fax reception, rig control etc over a single USB connection. Finally the time might be nearing to replace all the ic-735's and ic-728's that are bobbing about out there! 73 Brendan EI6IZ ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Dayton Discovery [OT]
My guess is that it presents itself just like a USB soundcard - for example the Tigertronics SignaLink USB. It's possible - even probable that the transmitted audio is available through this link. Myself I don't see the niche for the IC-7200 - no ATU and quite heavy. However, as always, I hope they sell a million of them. Simon Brown, HB9DRV -- From: "Joe Subich, W4TV" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> It will be interesting to see what USB CODEC they chose and how they deal with the audio level issues. I seriously doubt that they have made provision to use the radio microphone to record DVK type messages on the computer. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] Dayton Discovery [OT]
> FWIW the new ICOM IC-7200 has a USB port which supplies a > CI-V interface (serial port for radio control) *and* audio > input / output, so for full radio / digital mode support all > that is needed is a single USB cable and computer :-) It will be interesting to see what USB CODEC they chose and how they deal with the audio level issues. I seriously doubt that they have made provision to use the radio microphone to record DVK type messages on the computer. 73, ... Joe, W4TV ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Dayton Discovery
On the other hand new laptops can have a much longer battery life, especially some of the new sub notebooks. Only important if you actually venture out of the shack into the big scary green area :-) Simon Brown, HB9DRV -- From: "Kenneth Waites" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Used laptops can be very cheap. I would go for a cheap laptop and MIXW. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Dayton Discovery
Used laptops can be very cheap. I would go for a cheap laptop and MIXW. Ken http://www.cashcowhunter.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Dayton Discovery [OT]
FWIW the new ICOM IC-7200 has a USB port which supplies a CI-V interface (serial port for radio control) *and* audio input / output, so for full radio / digital mode support all that is needed is a single USB cable and computer :-) Simon Brown, HB9DRV -- From: "G4ILO" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ... and a pair of sound card audio cables will do the job ... ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Dayton Discovery
There are quite a few low-price sub notebooks announced in the last few months, one which has caught my attention is the MSI Wind PC running Windows XP (for I am a Windows programmer by choice). The CPU chip is very low power, performance more than adequate for any current digital mode program. These sub notebooks are not big, not heavy and there's the extra bonus of using a PC - larger fonts, logging and archiving of received audio for later playback. Simon Brown, HB9DRV -- From: "G4ILO" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> If you would like to use data modes without a full sized computer then a basic Asus Eee PC, Fldigi and a pair of sound card audio cables will do the job, plus it will support more modes than just PSK31 and RTTY, and display more than a few characters of text. It would be not much bigger and probably not cost much more than a custom keyboard which would be required to interface with the K3's proprietary connector. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Dayton Discovery
David Wilburn wrote: > > It has been talked about before, and I was under the impression it was > off the table as for as future availability. Your discussion with > Wayne indicates otherwise. > > The connector is used for testing and equipment interaction when they > build the unit at the factory. Others can add more. I had my hopes > up at one point that they were going to make that a keyboard port, and > looking at this response from one of the field testers, it looks like > it may still be on the 'list'. > When this feature was originally mentioned in discussion on the reflector about a year ago it was a definite "plus" for buying a K3 for me. However having subsequently been given the impression that this was not a planned enhancement I have found an alternative. If you would like to use data modes without a full sized computer then a basic Asus Eee PC, Fldigi and a pair of sound card audio cables will do the job, plus it will support more modes than just PSK31 and RTTY, and display more than a few characters of text. It would be not much bigger and probably not cost much more than a custom keyboard which would be required to interface with the K3's proprietary connector. Unfortunately due to the policy of Fldigi's author of only supporting the latest mainstream Linux distributions you will need to replace the Linux that comes with the Eee with something else because the latest version of Fldigi won't run on the Eee PC. Alternatively in the Eee PC ham radio forum at Zerobeat you can find where to download the last version that works on the standard Eee PC OS. >From what I have read there are now other small, cheap Linux based laptops that could easily be used as a simple data modes terminal besides the Asus Eee PC. - Julian, G4ILO K3 s/n: 222 K2 s/n: 392 G4ILO's Shack: www.g4ilo.com Zerobeat Ham Forums: www.zerobeat.net/smf -- View this message in context: http://www.nabble.com/Dayton-Discovery-tp17296879p17300496.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Dayton Discovery
It has been talked about before, and I was under the impression it was off the table as for as future availability. Your discussion with Wayne indicates otherwise. The connector is used for testing and equipment interaction when they build the unit at the factory. Others can add more. I had my hopes up at one point that they were going to make that a keyboard port, and looking at this response from one of the field testers, it looks like it may still be on the 'list'. http://www.nabble.com/forum/ViewPost.jtp?post=14037060&framed=y Dave Wilburn K4DGW K2/100 - S/N 5982 K3/100 - S/N 766 "For those who fought for it, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know." Ed Berbari wrote: I have been monitoring this reflector for over 3 months as I have making up my mind about getting a K3. Arrived at this decision with an unusual point of view - I will save this for another post. I ordered a well equipped K3 on May 6 presumably ahead of the Dayton rush. Anyway I still have a lot of questions and had a chance to talk with Wayne this afternoon at the booth. I wondered about the requirement of using the keyer for standalone PSK or RTTY operation. He said the feature was there because he doesn't always like to turn on his computer to operate these modes. I agreed but noted that I can type faster than I can send code. So why not a more flexible way to connect just a keyboard. He then pointed out the RJ-45 connector on the bottom/front of the rig. He just sort of smiled about this, but after reading the mail for several months and reading the owners manual fairly thoroughly this was the first I heard of this feature (yet unused). Following his coy smile he just indicated that the keyboard was probably not a front burner issue. Does anybody on the list have more info on the RJ-45 that they would like to share? Ed, W9EJB ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Dayton Discovery
Ed, That connector is currently only used in the factory test. There was talk of a keyboard for it last year at Dayton, but I have heard nothing more. Your conversation with Wayne indicates that there is still hope. 73, Don W3FPR Ed Berbari wrote: I have been monitoring this reflector for over 3 months as I have making up my mind about getting a K3. Arrived at this decision with an unusual point of view - I will save this for another post. I ordered a well equipped K3 on May 6 presumably ahead of the Dayton rush. Anyway I still have a lot of questions and had a chance to talk with Wayne this afternoon at the booth. I wondered about the requirement of using the keyer for standalone PSK or RTTY operation. He said the feature was there because he doesn't always like to turn on his computer to operate these modes. I agreed but noted that I can type faster than I can send code. So why not a more flexible way to connect just a keyboard. He then pointed out the RJ-45 connector on the bottom/front of the rig. He just sort of smiled about this, but after reading the mail for several months and reading the owners manual fairly thoroughly this was the first I heard of this feature (yet unused). Following his coy smile he just indicated that the keyboard was probably not a front burner issue. Does anybody on the list have more info on the RJ-45 that they would like to share? Ed, W9EJB ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Dayton Discovery
I have been monitoring this reflector for over 3 months as I have making up my mind about getting a K3. Arrived at this decision with an unusual point of view - I will save this for another post. I ordered a well equipped K3 on May 6 presumably ahead of the Dayton rush. Anyway I still have a lot of questions and had a chance to talk with Wayne this afternoon at the booth. I wondered about the requirement of using the keyer for standalone PSK or RTTY operation. He said the feature was there because he doesn't always like to turn on his computer to operate these modes. I agreed but noted that I can type faster than I can send code. So why not a more flexible way to connect just a keyboard. He then pointed out the RJ-45 connector on the bottom/front of the rig. He just sort of smiled about this, but after reading the mail for several months and reading the owners manual fairly thoroughly this was the first I heard of this feature (yet unused). Following his coy smile he just indicated that the keyboard was probably not a front burner issue. Does anybody on the list have more info on the RJ-45 that they would like to share? Ed, W9EJB ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com