I know that computer-based radios have their advantages. But I like to have
a separate piece of hardware as my radio.

If you have, say, an ICF2010 (or 2001D in my case), then you've probably had
it quite some years. My point is, if I buy a "traditional" radio, then I
don't necessarily see any "end-of-life" for it - I'll keep it until it
doesn't work any more and can't be fixed.

With a Winradio, I wonder for how many years will it correctly interface
with my PC? In five years, will its interface be an "old" standard,
rendering it a redundant device, even though there's nothing wrong with it?
And what of the accompanying PC software? What happens when you finally
trade in your PC (which you'd probably do more often than upgrading your
radio)? Will the latest, greatest (i.e. this month's!) PC and OS still run
your software and talk to your Winradio?

Also, doesn't conjur up the same atmosphere of sitting in the shack, lights
down low, struggling to see the keyboard and mouse (you've got arthritis
remember, so maybe the vision is fading too!) to tune in that DX signal.

Just my thoughts!

Mark.


"m II" wrote in message
news:t06Xc.44065$S55.34787@clgrps12...
Ok..this is all in the imaginary 'Wish List' category..


An elderly aunt has died and left you a small sum of money(1).

You need another radio, (I know, I know) just to round out things a bit.
The Drake R8b has excellent specs, as does the Winradio 313i. You
suspect that you'll be getting arthritis in the tuning hand in the next
few years, so manual control of the set isn't that important. Function,
sensitivity and dependability is EVERYTHING.

Which of the two radios would provide a better fit for those
requirements? With the 180 Mhz extension and the 10Mhz module, the
Winradio would cost almost the same as a Drake.


So, as the cost is the same, which is the best radio?


I would have to give some thought as to waterproofing either setup, as
it may see a lot of use in the back yard when I'm locked out of the
house by one of those non-understanding types whose main purpose in life
seems to be questioning the value of radios


(1) In dxAce's case, his bail bondsman




mike