The Flex model is a bit different in that part of the "radio" is in
hardware and part in software. Flex sells the hardware and a
collected group of open-source fanatics build the software. That is
not really the case with the K3. The hardware is Elecraft after a
bunch of advisory group input (if I read it correctly) and the dsp
code was done by the same guy who did the KDSP2 module. I do not know
the business relationship between Lyle and Elecraft but it appears to
me that it has become more formal than just when he did the KDSP2 for
them.
I have no quetstion that the K3 will be a killer rig. I have no doubt
that the O2 is a killer rig. Whether the market determines the O2 is
a grand better than a loaded K3 will be the question. Its not obvious
at this stage what that answer is. If the answer is no, it could mean
a price reduction (compete on cost) a feature enhancement (lets see
the firmware really shine) or product removal (maybe the Omni 7 is
the right price point for selling rigs.
I think the companies who are hanging their future on 10K+ rigs are
in trouble though. The old paradigm has surpassed them.
Microcontrollers and relatively cheap FGPAs, uDSPs, etc. are so
common and usable that "homebrewing" can now develop a 10K rig killer
with much less cost. Just look at the HPSDR project and you can tell
its a new world for smart guys.
As Grant says, however, its all good, life is indeed good for us.
Neal Campbell K3NC
nealk3nc@gmail.com
telnet to our DX Spotting clusters at: dxc.k3nc.com, ports 12001 and 23
"Devoted to Dogs: How to be your dog's best owner"
Great Dog Book at www.abrohamneal.com
On May 1, 2007, at 2:15 PM, Duane - N9DG wrote:
--- K4IA@aol.com wrote:
If so, how is it that Elecraft, not particularly known for
software development
can produce the software that has eluded the Orion for 4
years now?
The person responsible for the DSP piece of the K3 is from
what I can tell an "outsourced" provider and not actually a
member of Elecraft payroll. Ditto for much of the K3's
hardware design team. A similar situation appears to be the
case for the Flex-5000 as well.
So that begs the question are we seeing the beginnings of a
new trend where our radios will increasingly be designed by
"hired guns" instead of being done exclusively by a
manufacturer's own payroll staff? As you may recall a
significant part of the original Orion's design work was more
or less outsourced as well.
It will all be interesting to watch for sure.
Duane
N9DG
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com
_______________________________________________
TenTec mailing list
TenTec@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
|