An Example of Something More than a Michigan Mighty Mite and/or Analog VFO.
Update May 10th, 2022, Trivia Question
What was the most commonly used transmitter/transceiver used in 1965? Today you could likely say the ICOM 7300 and probably be correct. But tomorrow it will the SDR rig featured on this blog posting. This SDR is a firestorm taking America.
Incidentally, the 1st Topless All Girl Band was the Ladybirds vintage 1966 in San Francisco.
73's
Pete N6QW
Update May 8th, 2022. Solder Smoke You Tube Podcast. (1hr, 2min the SDR)
Update May 6th, 2022. The Bonus Stuff
Several things that stand out:
1) Most
self-contained (no external display device needed) SDT's, like the Xeigu G90, have very limited spectrum width (i.e., 25kHz), while the T41 can go to 192kHz. For QRP operators
where low power often forces doing hunt-and-pounce, this wide spectrum is a huge win. The display is
color, 800x480.
2) Larger display
(5", 7" or 9" compared to G90's 1.75") means easier to read
and more info on screen
3) Noise
reduction and notch filters better than most. (I heard/saw the video!)
4) Filters have
flat tops and skirts that look like a cliff, and are settable at run time, with
visual/audio feedback. (Not a Mary Jo Shape)
5) Xmit/Rec
equalization across 14 (audio) segments
6) Built for
experimentation; seven boards at 100x100mm or less to take advantage of PCB
houses promo pricing.
7) Common runtime
operating changes done without a menu via a push button matrix. Menus are
geared to one-time change-and-forget type settings and stored in EEPROM.
An "empty" junk box will like require around $300 -- $350 to
complete the unit. It is hoped that Club comes in with their
"semi-kit" near that price
Good friend N2CQR sent me this excellent publication by Dr. Jack Purdum and Albert F. Peter.
*Get your copy by going to the SolderSmoke blog and clicking on the Amazon link.
Check the Files Section.
But there is more, as the real hardware shown on the front cover will be unveiled at Dayton and all of the backup detail like the Git Hub stuff, and construction information, Gerber Files, schematics and BOM's will be available after its debut.
I understand a semi-kit may also be in the works from a Club who makes kits available. (Semi as in the SMD components are pre-installed on the board. I have no further detail.)
There is also an active group.io. found at this link. You will have to join this group.
Needless to say, this is at the very heart of my last several blistering posts about positioning oneself for the latest technology. This is so wonderful in that the work is home grown here in the USA and a beam of light shining the path forward.
I was privy to a video demonstrating the noise reduction features of this rig. It was jaw dropping! But what was really jaw dropping was when you look behind the front panel --- not much there and I think a total of 7 small boards.
BUT the real Jewel in the Crown is that the publication tracks the build and explains in detail all the circuits and the theory behind each function and the operation. Throw away your EMRFD -- it is simply dated, as this book is the new Ham Bible for our future ham gear!
For the "BTE" hams who comment on all but build nothing lots of graphs and charts for you to devour and try to understand.
There is another side to the publication/hardware and the soon to be released information. It is indeed the acid test! If this is all foreign to you, then my prophecy has come true. Get the book and start today because if you fail to stop digging the hole, it will only get deeper!
Disclaimer I was not involved with the development of this project but just of late have seen some of the detail of Jack's and Al's work. I truly am very encouraged as this is the "Tip of the Spear" and strikes at the heart of what I have been saying of late. STOP building Analog VFO's (essentially a metaphor for moving beyond the past to what is happening today in our hobby)!
If you read the group io. you will see there will not be an electronic book -- so get over it and just order the damn book from the SolderSmoke blog through the Amazon Link.
As so typical lots of band width wasted on rehashing the why there will not be a kindle version. Those who post that crap lost the focus -- It is the technology that is the import not the medium of delivery!
73's
Pete, N6QW
