We have a choice in what we do with our hobby! There are those who love to contest or perhaps achieving DXCC using only FT-8. Then there are those of us who like to homebrew (Radios not Beer). Still others just like to work Parks On The Air (POTA).
I have come to realize that homebrewing is a generational phenomenon. In the old days if you wanted something -- you figured out how to build it. Today if you want something it is figuring out who has the best price on the Internet. Often that jewel comes from a land afar and not here in the USA. But even then, using DHL maybe 3 days to the bench.
The generational thing is related to hardware and software where the OT's may want to stick with an LC VFO. The new generation thinks nothing of using micro python to do the task with a Raspberry Pi Pico or even a Pi Zero. I often remark that watts to antenna can come from tubes, transistors or even out of a computer, thus the tent is quite large.
As for me it is obvious I like to build things because coming from the older generation I saw things that would be really great to have -- but the technology just was not there. I shied away from building Phasing Rigs because I had an HT-37 and a GSB-100, and the phasing was always out of whack! Today we have a technology explosion of products that were once only a dream.
But what comes around goes around and although well disguised, many of I Q type SDR rigs are nothing, but phasing rigs updated to the 21st century. But as was pointed out to me by N2CQR, the I Q approach in light of DDC is akin to Brain Surgery with a Rusty Spoon. So now the jump is to DDC. BTW even though from the old school, I no longer build LC VFO's!
Choices for Today
(HB SDR Based on the ZL2CTM Design)
IC-7300
I guess for many the choice is the IC7300. But for me the HB rig signifies something besides a shiny small box with a waterfall. The HB rig takes advantage of the new technology and requires skills beyond pushing the Buy It Now button. Plus, there is no finer joy than to be able to say that the rig on this end is homebrew.
It all comes down to WYKSYCDS.
73's
Pete N6QW