There are as many wishes for what a panadapter should be and how it should
be used as there are hams in the market. They fall into a few main classes
though (and no, I'm not ranking classes, just identifying, geesh, don't
shoot me. and yes, I'm glad my name is John Henry, he he he DJ0IP, lol)
Don't cut down the need for something that is a tantamount feature for
someone else. Just different is all. If there was a one size fits all, then
would it be a Wyndam antenna or a Yagi or something from those Spidery
people? Or is it a Begali or one of those from Mr. Robbins? Come on, pick
one, you can't have anything else. See, one shoe does not fit all.
There are those that will never use it, because they just want to "surf the
web", er, uh, "surf the air" to find someone popping out, the way it has
been done for many many decades. Nothing wrong with this, so, let them have
their rig, at the cost appropriate for that rig.
There are those that just want something running real time on the rig, no
real features, maybe a gain adjustment, but they want it on the rig so that
when they take it with them, it is still there, e.g. Field Day. So, maybe
it is an option to the rig of the "surf the air" user.
There are those that want a bit more functionality on the rig with the
sweep, e.g. scrolling to the freq they want to see without moving the VFO,
then hitting an Enter button, boom, they are there.
There are those that want it as a display option of the rig, like a
panadapter such as the P3. It works great with the K3, KX3, and the
frequency readouts track. Works well with others, only drawback is you lose
the scrolling on the panadapter / click button to control the rig. But,
that too is sufficient for hams, they see the band, and can move there
quickly with the rig controls, be it on a PC or on the front panel. Again,
another option.
There are those that will never give up the SDR to the sound card running
their favorite HPSDR/PowerSDR-IF/etc. In my mind, that is the ultimate
integration giving one the flexibility because they can pick the $39 SDR or
the $5k SDR to give them the performance they want that makes them happy.
Just provide the I/Q or IF output, and let this guy enjoy his world. To me,
IF output should be standard anyway on any rig produced... well, maybe not
down into the 506 cost range, but heck, 9MHz IF is on the 506 anyway, just
solder a wire, put in a buffer amp, and boom, you have a band sweep from
your $200 QRP rig, fun fun fun to some.
YOUR usage pattern is different from others and you may want something
different than their neighbor or cousin or even XYL.
So, concentrate on what you like about which one you like the best, bring
up the reason why you like it best, and be happy that your XYL can
disconnect your SDR and use it on the front panel as she / he wants it when
they are on the rig.
TEN-TEC has to find a happy medium, or provide options for all of the above.
If TEN-TEC is to satisfy the guy who wants it built into the Orion III,
then TEN-TEC has to finish the 588 sweep board to prove the concept and
then migrate it into the "next big TEN-TEC rig".
For now, get the rig you want that we have, enjoy it, and rest assured that
over time, maybe next year or the next, who knows what you will see on the
market from TEN-TEC or our competitors. We all make great stuff that fills
the shack of amateur operators. For me, the main reason for this is still
to just have fun, AND to be ready to assist others in emergency situations.
I still think there is a market for a totally analog rig, no uP, no
features other than mode/band/frequency/rfgain/afgain, the backup for the
EMP, that also means no transistors... hmmm cost, well, probably
prohibitive, but, I still wish there was a way for that rig to be made as
it would fill just about every prepper/emergency management hams shack and
sit in the background covered in dust until everything else is
non-functional.
TEN-TEC IS working on things that will tread new ground, and lead the way
in innovation in this market, and those will come out over time over this
year, next year and beyond. We are also working on things customers have
asked for, but maybe not in the way they originally thought, but, well,
better. Plant a seed, and in time it will grow. Working on things customers
haven't asked for but once we get it out, they will wonder, what they ever
did without it.... etc.
'nuff said, lots of code to write, projects to continue, etc.
Thanks, and 73,
John Henry, KI4JPL
TEN-TEC Engineering
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