The Rebel Model 506 is intended to be a platform that attracts a whole
different set of hams. Those that are software developers and want to
tinker around with some code to make the rig do what they want.
For example, at the moment, it doesn't tell you the output power level,
but, if you want it to show you the power level, we provided a hardware
hook that you can read and convert to output power level.
Display? no, there is no display on it, but, the display code is already
written, and all one has to do is buy a $10 display, plug it in, and see
what frequency they are on.
There will be optional covers in the future where you can add on as many
"shields" as you want. (A shield is a board that either the customer
designs or we design and plugs into a ChipKIT UNO32). The TEN-TEC "Radio
Shield" has the necessary connectors so that anyone can design or add their
own shield. The "Radio Shield" that TEN-TEC designed inside the 506 gives
the ChipKIT UNO32 two bands and CW capabilities. You want to add an RX
equalizer? well, the boards already exist online and all one has to do is
write the code, add it to the TEN-TEC software stack that is open source,
and you now have an equalizer. Make your own sweep board from the IF.
This is a builders kit for software developers to start.
It is also a builders kit for someone who wants to design their own circuit
board and add it on as a shield and add functionality to it.
The only limit to what this little qrp rig will do is the limit to one's
own imagination.
Hams are always asking us to make rigs that they can write the software
for, well, this is the first.
Download the code, add a switch that will switch the jumpers through a
control line, and now you don't have to change bands via the jumpers.
As software is written by the open source crowd, TEN-TEC will review it for
inclusion in future "official" TEN-TEC base code sets for the 506.
We wanted to keep it as inexpensive as possible while still providing the
software developer open source capability. To add the features that would
make it compete with much higher priced rigs, would have driven the cost up
up up.
This product is already being shown and getting rave reviews from the Maker
Faire community, and in turn, it is bringing more software programmer types
into the Amateur community. I call them the "Heathkit Kids of
Yesteryear"..... THAT is one big source of innovation that will only
improve the hobby going into the future.
But yes, jumpers? well, time will tell.
Thanks, and 73,
John Henry, KI4JPL
TEN-TEC Engineering
> internal jumpers to change bands?
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