This is one thing that's gotten better. The IC-701 and IC-720 receivers
were not better than what we now buy, and a good thing, too. Receivers
have improved a LOT since the first PLL synthesized, "Gee, we can do this
with a microprocessor!" rigs. Just look at the ARRL test archives to see
that. The reason they COST less is bootstrapping on improved, mass-market
technologies.
Cortland, KA5S
John Geiger <johngeig@yahoo.com> wrote:
> I would suspect that our receivers have a little part
> of the blame also. I used to own an Icom 720A. This
> rig had 160-10 meters only, no DSP, no built in keyer,
> no memories, and it routinely sold around $1200 when
> it first came out. Today a comparable rig costs
> around $600 new, and you will probably get an internal
> keyer, memories, and some sort of DSP if you are
> luckily. The cost difference had to come from
> somewhere-maybe in receiver design?
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