[CQ-Contest] little radio features I would like

[David Robbins K1TTT]

Any manufacturers listening out there??  How about these:
1. duplicate front panel jacks on rear... make it so I don't have to
have mic, headphone, and sometimes key/keyer plugs sticking out the
front of the radio with the cables all bent around to get out of the
way.
2. separate paddle and keyer input jacks.  So I can plug in paddles and
use the built in keyer, and also plug in a keying line from a
computer... and use both at the same time!
3. Bluetooth or 802.11 and Ethernet networking built in.... stream the
audio out and mic input in, provide a software library of network
control functions that logging program writers can use.  radios rarely
stand alone these days, its time to make them easier to integrate into
the modern shack.
4. generate ptt early, digitally delay the cw by selectable value so
amps are keyed properly, don't force logging programs to do this... and
do it for the built in keyers or from the external key input jacks
consistently.
5. put vox controls where they can be reached!  Don't hide them on the
back of the radio or under a little cover, and don't require a
screwdriver to adjust them.  Make them real knobs or a special button
that brings up the vox settings in a menu immediately... and remember
different settings for each mode, ssb delay does not equal cw delay!  My
voice needs a different vox sensitivity than the next operator's, don't
make me leave a screwdriver stuck in the little pot to make the change!
6. the same goes for side tone level, and any other little screwdriver
adjustments that are hidden on the top, bottom, or back of radios... put
them in a menu setting or give them their own knob... maybe even one
multi function encoder knob that sets whatever is selected in the menu.

If anyone has an 'in' with big radio manufacturers please pass these
along, maybe by the next time I have to upgrade radios I'll decide which
to buy by whomever has implimented the most of these.

David Robbins K1TTT
e-mail: mailto:k1ttt at arrl.net
web: http://www.k1ttt.net
AR-Cluster node: 145.69MHz or telnet://dxc.k1ttt.net