Pete, you just hit on a dynamite point - the serial port.
In the second half of this year, the PC is going to go through
its biggest re-work in its history.
It's almost easier to list what doesn't change than to list what
does.
Anyway, here's what does:
- New cabinets (called "BTX) to replace the ATX
- New power supplies (BTX)
- New BTX Motherboards (called Mainboards over here)
- New interconnect for the graphic boards
- New graphic boards with the new interconnect
- Serial ATA completely replacing parallel ATA except for a slow
version (just one) to connect CD or DVD, but that will dissapear
too as the opitcal drives transition soon after to SATA.
- PCI bus goes 64 bit (which is what the graphics will use)
- I suspect the floppy will finally meet its fate too
And none of this is compatible with the old stuff so you have to
scrap almost everything and buy new.
I'm not certain because I haven't seen the exact spec yet, but it
wouldn't surprise me if the serial ports and parallel ports
dissapear entirely from the standard connections on the back
pannel. If so, I suspect there will still be one of each
somewhere on the initial BTX motherboards and you have to use a
separate bezel on the back panel to connect them (just as in the
pre-ATX days). Eventually these will dissapear too.
I fear the serial port's days are numbered!
What we need to come up with is a list of good USB2 to Serial
adapters (make and model number) that work with the Orion.
73
Rick
-----Original Message-----
From: tentec-bounces@contesting.com
[mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com]On Behalf Of
ac5e@comcast.net
Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2004 4:07 AM
To: tentec@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TenTec] IC 7800/FT2000D/TenTec-?
Doug is good, but I suspect Doug is not the only talent out
there. From some things I have seen there are some very good
designers looking for work. So all is not lost, by any means.
The questionaire that came around last summer indicates the
factory is at least thinking about the next generation high end
rig, but after all the criticism of the Orion's delivery time I
would think they would keep mum about it until they were ready to
take the first orders. However, I am also pretty sure someone is
keeping track of the wish list!
Personally, I would like to see a dual receive rig with identical
receivers and perhaps SO2R switching and filtering built in. And
dual memory tuners. Wide range ones.
I don't need a color display, but twice as many "send's" would be
nice - as would a separate AGC threshold control. I suppose the
next generation will have to have PTT CW, although it's a feature
I do not and would not use. An autonotch a bit closer to the Omni
VI's would be a hit.
A built in Ethernet adapter would suit some, but I would be
satisfied with a USB port instead of an RS232. What else?
Full time dual sweep? It would probably have to have dual
processors, but what the heck! While we are wishing we might as
well wish big.
73 Pete Allen AC5E
>
> > With Doug Smith gone, Hopefully they still have the
> > engineering expertise left to design and build a "Harris
> > commercial Grade" equivalent to stay in the new high
> > end game.
>
>
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