[TowerTalk] receivers for HF phased array

[Doug Faunt N6TQS +1-510-655-8604]

Sure, all possible obstacles, but the lack of a parallel port for a
USB-only computer isn't one.

73, doug

   Date: Sat, 10 Dec 2005 13:24:38 -0800
   From: Jim Lux <jimlux at earthlink.net>

   At 08:56 AM 12/10/2005, Doug Faunt N6TQS +1-510-655-8604 wrote:
   >Err, they've got USB to SDR-1000 parallel port adapters for sale on
   >the FlexRadio web site, $59.  This one is designed for the purpose,

   Indeed.. but you're still faced with the port enumeration problem (plug 4 
   of those into a hub, and which one is #1, #2, etc.).  Also, without knowing 
   more about the details (I'll talk to Flex) of the USB driver, it may not 
   necessarily be well behaved in this application.  The statement:

   Specially designed USB to parallel port adapter for the SDR-1000. Custom 
   software offloads control processing from the PC to improve performance.

   is "scary."

   And, then, there's all the other potential problems (multiple instances of 
   PowerSDR, audio routing, etc.).

   I'd rather spend my relatively few hours of available time working on 
   phased array software, not on radio software.  At the current time, the 
   SDR1000 isn't a "black box" radio with well defined inputs/outputs, unless 
   you packaged it with a standalone computer, and then, it's well over the 
   $1K/radio target price  (probably more like $900+$400).