[TenTec] New Radios in the Future

[Richards]

This is one of your best bits, Rick.   Newer radios have more options, 
settings, features, etc.  Unless we increase front panel real estate to 
allow for more knobs and buttons, we must resort to some other 
interface, as Rich suggests.   Previously, manufacturers met the demand 
for more controls by adding a MENU system, but even this is becoming 
cumbersome and difficult to manage easily and quickly.   One of my 
radios has 196 menu items.  That is kinda nutty, and difficult to manage 
looking at just a few at a time.   It can get awkward scrolling up or 
down to change settings.

Hence, the need for an alternative interface that is inexpensive to 
build, but which provides quick access to a myriad of controls. Computer 
based interfaces can help, but then we lose touch with the rig, itself, 
so perhaps the interface of the future will be a combination of a few, 
well chosen, front panel controls,  and another mode that provides quick 
access and adjustment of other controls.    I still like my Omni VII and 
how the most used controls are on the front panel, with a simple, one 
level menu for less often used controls.   I also liked my TS-590 which 
had buttons and knobs for many items, and other controls were easily 
accessed using either Kenwood's control program or Carl's N4PY control 
program.   The ability to access, view and modify the entire menu system 
on a single screen is golden.  Having a few key knobs that are easy to 
use is also golden.

Rick's and Carl's comments hit the spot.    Having the right interface 
will be key in the future.

------------------   K8JHR  ----------------------------



On 10/31/2014 7:26 PM, Rick - DJ0IP / NJ0IP wrote:
>   In the future there will be multiple companies offering various Human
> Interfaces.
> Our choice of human interface will be just as important as our choice of SDR
> radio that goes behind it.
>
>
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