This is what is coming from offshore. We don't see products like this coming from a start up in Kansas or South Dakota. We must ask why this is happening? The answer is because ... You know, because of this or because of that reason.
I think it is because we let it happen with things like our education system where math and science are optional courses. It happened because parents simply left education to others and ceased to be involved. The ARRL has some significant responsibility with the loosening of the license requirements and losing focus on the technical side of the hobby. But basically, it boils down to it is because as a nation we got lazy!
It is inevitable that SDR will overtake the pure analog radios of the past. This is the fork in the road where in time you will have to decide to stay with the old horse and buggy or get an electric car.
So, what is coming or in some cases is already here.
About $260
This next radio, the Radioberry As a starter it is about $160 and has a very active io group. Although having subscribed to that group for several years is not for lightweights as the software to run the board is beyond the Nerd level. Incidentally, the heart of the Radioberry is a FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).
[This is the very crux of SDR -- no discrete component circuits but FPGA's.]
The following radio started in the UK with a design from m0nka known as the "mchf" and likely was simply ripped off by the Chinese with a bit of reverse engineering. Some suggest the ICOM IC-705 was developed to counter this $350 gem.
Perhaps the one I would choose is the Hermes Lite 2.o if only because I have had one for about four years. This was an American design but is made in China!
Hermes Lite 2.0
Don't get your underwear in a knot as the board comes built from Maker Fab. The total cost with the N2ADR LPF, Case and Shipping is right at about $400.
The user involvement is to install the board in the case and the usual software install. In truth many hams are using the HL2 as a regular station rig and since it is QRP add a 100-watt amp like the CCI AN762 and then they have a unit not unlike a FLEX or Apache Anon.
But the real clout with the HL2 is the software suites. I have four different software packages that work with the HL2 including QUISK, SDR Console, openhpsdr and Thetis.
SDR Console 40M FT-8 at 4 AM
Thetis 40M FT-8 at 4AM
I must confess that SDR Console is overwhelming in the array of buttons you can push, and I think you can have up to 6 or 8 receivers you can display. Thetis has a simpler GUI and does provide for two receivers but also has behind the scenes capabilities like an equalizer panel for independently adjusting the Receiver and Transmit audio spectrums. The noise reduction algorithm on Thetis makes the difference in no copy or 5X9. I prefer the Thetis.
QUISK works quite well with the HL2 and would make for a compact station using a RPi4. I still have not decoded how to make the RPi5 play with the HL2. The issue is the ethernet connection protocol. The RPi4 simply connects, and you are there. The RPi5 wants directions on how to do that which I haven't decoded as yet. It asks for Gateways, sub masks, MAC numbers etc.
For the products that both transmit and receive we are talking QRP and so while the price point is below $500 you will need an RF amp to compete with the Big Dawgs. An AN758 RF Linear Amp kit from Communications Concepts Inc would yield 300 watts which is appropriate for the routine consistent communications on 20M. For a more modest 100 watts the AN762 works well.
I have a lot of Boat Anchors (too many) and an extensive array of homebrew rigs. On the SDR side I have less than 6 including two commercial units and 4 homebrew SDR radios. Thus, lots of choices. Now I find less operating with the non-SDR radios because of the functionality of the SDR's and the leverage achieved via the software. I also have almost zero comments about being 20 Hertz low even with the homebrew SDR's.
So, as I initially stated -- info overload. But the story doesn't end here as this is just the first salvo. Likely new analog radio offerings will simply fade away as more SDR radio enter the marketplace (the prices will drop based on product volume and newer technologies).
Them that know can make it go!
73's
Pete N6QW