Lee, it sounds like you want to compel the user to use a computer all the
time. I think 95% of us hams don't want that. We want a stand-alone radio
that is fully functional without a computer. And it needs to be darn good.
As a beni, we appreciate the ability to control it with a computer.
Sorry, but I think you're off base here. People who want to play with that
stuff should simply buy themselves a flex radio and have at it. If Ten-Tec
wants to offer a rig for that market segment, fine, but let's not over
complicate our main rig.
73
Rick
-----Original Message-----
From: tentec-bounces@contesting.com [mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com]
On Behalf Of Lee Crocker
Sent: Monday, February 14, 2005 7:24 AM
To: tentec@contesting.com
Subject: [TenTec] TT (Orion) Future improvements!!!
I would have no problem running a front panel-less
Orion. I would like to see a high speed channel or
two implemented between the computer and the radio.
I would also like to see Ten Tec move the DSP external
from the radio and onto a host computer. They could
use high end sound cards like Flex-Radio does, or
design their own.
The advantage is that I think the RF chain of the Ten
Tec is superb and already nearly bullet proof so there
isn't a whole lot of improvement that is going to take
place on that front. Maybe a little change in the
filter line-up regarding the amplifier in the second
stage roofing filters, but you could actually make
that amp parametric and have a variable gain set by
the processor for best IMD performance. The proof of
this is that by adding a new roofing filter to the
Omni VI the radio attains specs that blow almost every
other radio out of the water. The Omni VI is a 25
year old design. Clearly Ten Tec has this aspect of
transceiver design down cold, and there is nothing
left but single digit percentage gains to be made on
this front.
I think the improvement will come in the area of
better DSP and improved signal processing code, as
well increasing processor power. On a PC these
horsepower improvements are available at commodity
prices.
This is basically what Microsoft did compared to
Apple. Apple tried to own the entire spectrum of the
computer from the hardware to the software to the
monitor, the entire experience. Microsoft was content
to let the hardware manufacturers cannibalize each
other until the PC became essentially a commodity
item. Microsoft just provided the code to make it
work. Creative is going to continue to make more
powerful and better soundcards. Intel is going to
continue to make more powerful and better CPU's. So
why not let them make these more powerful and better
hardware devices. Just write the code that maximizes
the ham radio effectiveness of the relentless ever
improving technology, as well as continue to provide
the most powerful front end available. If you demand
your radio give you a knob twisting experience, design
a breakout box that gives you the a knob experience
and plug it in a USB port, or into the back of the
radio like the Orion already does.
PC's have been simulating analogue experiences since
they developed the first joy sticks for gamers.
73 W9OY
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