wrote:
Mike Coslo wrote:

wrote:

Mike Coslo wrote:

wrote:

http://www.getboost.com/dz/sienna.htm


My thoughts.


First, the unit has a lot of promise. While I think I prefer separate
components between the computer and the rig for flexibility, this setup
might just be fun to use.


Some folks might like the integrated internal computer. It's certainly
the first rig to offer it. My only concern is that a computer's life
cycle is much shorter than most ham rigs'.

Of course, the computer would work for all the Ham radio
functions at
the time of manufacture, so it wouldn't "go" out of date.


Would you like a nice 4100 MHz Pentium 1 running Win95 for your shack
computer, Mike? Ten years ago, that was a dream machine...

I want a computer that can do the work. I can run Digipan (as well as a
lot of other soundcard software) on a P1 class computer, as well as a
lot of logging software. So assuming that there is not aome huge change
in something, the computer will continue to function, the radio will
continue to work.

Obviously an up to date laptop would be included in any modern designed
system.

And it would be upgradeable, so it wouldn't be much of a problem.


Plus my idea given down below might be a winner.



Next, I don't buy the teeny florescent screen rationale. My idea of the
modern integrated rig is more along the line of looking like a laptop,
with a folding large screen on top of the RF portions of the box. But
that's just me.


You can plug an external VGA display into the rig.

Sometimes.

But you see, here is what I'm thinking of. A computer with the RF guts,
and a laptop of some choice that plugs into the computer, and sets on
top of it. Many of the features now used in hardware could be handled by
the laptop. You would have logging, digital modes, dsp - probably not
important to you, but for a growing group of us, it would be great.


Been done. Kachina 505. Also TT Pegasus. Rigs without a front panel.

Not what I am describing. Imagine some sort of HF transciever. Size
would be similar to what we use today. A laptop or the equivalent would
be setting on top of the device. The laptop would dock into the
transciever. Functions would be controlled by the laptop. Although
transciever front panel controls would be a possibility, the ideal
method for what I am talking about would be all control via the laptop.

This would not be a unit that needed a take-along computer, or an LCD
screen, both with their own separate power supplies. It would be a unit
that you plug in, open the case and "boot" the computer and transciever.
There were a few devices that touched on the idea, including the
unmanufactured PSK rig by the Sienna people, and another PSK31 kit rig
that sits outboard of a laptop.

But this would be a full featured rig, SSB, AM, FM, CW, RTTY, PSK Hell,
and onaonaonaonaon. At least 100 watts output. DSP that is upgradeable,
logging software, and whatever else you might do with the rig.


If the laptop were to become obsolete, say if a new mode came along
that required too much horsepower, then the unit could be replaced. A
mounting kit could be made available. In fact, a radio could be designed
so that you could attach your present laptop.


Remember the Warbler?

Yup. That's about 25 percent of the way there.

In any event what you're suggesting is a rig that is controlled by the
computer - an RF modem of sorts. Great if you like that sort of thing,
but they didn't sell all that well. Maybe times have changed.

Not completely. This rig isn't "controlled by the computer, any more
than it is controlled by the transmitter. cuz if either one isn't there,
it isn't going to work.


Interesting that they chose an LDG autotuner. This is a concept that
might be expanded upon.


It would be wonderful if ham rigs were like desktop computers in the
form of standardization.

Sometimes.


Why not? Look at what it's done for PCs. Why not for ham rigs?

One of the areas in which digital people often make a mistake is in
thinking that RF is the same thing as digital. That is why they
sometimes design skunks like BPL.

The idea of an RF PCI board is a little chilling. Perhaps a very low
power UHF version, such as my PC card wireless card, of course, but not
likely any substsntial power.


Don't like the computer interface screenshot.

I really hope that they do well. I do think the price point is too
high. I would be willing to pay extra for an American made unit, but 3K
for the entry level, and 6K for the works unit is pretty high.


Perhaps - but a lot depends on how well it really performs.



Unless of course, the rig has outstanding performance. I would love to
see some test results.


Mo bettah, some actual on-air performance. Somebody wins CQWW DX with
one, then watch the fireworks...

Or to really get to the bottom of it: Is it $6000 worth of fun?

And is it 6K worth of fun for the XYL? ;^)


Who is to say that the spouse doesn't get his/her fun items too?


Hoping that they can sell enough to expand the concept, because it is a
good one....


Expand which concept? Kits have been around a long time - curious that
they never mention Elecraft or any of the other kits...

For me, the concept isn't the kit - its the idea of the integral
computer, the modular construction, even to using another manufacturers
tuner.


That *would be* a good thing!


Of course my entire main HF rig cost me less than one of
their optional
filters, so I guess everything is relative....

One more observation on price:

Go to the local Home Depot, Lowes or similar outfit, as long as they
carry a full range of appliances and such. Look at the ranges,
refrigerators, countertops, etc.

You can get a nice range for $300-400, or spend double,
triple,
quadruple that price for one with all the gizmos like self-
cleaning,
stainless steel, high-capacity oven, dissimilar burners, etc. Same for
dishwashers, refrigerators, etc. Countertops? Granite seems
to have
replaced Corian and similar materials around here, at $100 a square
foot, installed. Me, I prefer a nice laminate like
Formica, but apparently a lot of folks prefer fancier stuff.


Does a burger taste any better if it's made in such a
kitchen? I dunno,
but they must be selling the fancy stuff because they
continue to stock it.

If its involved with real estate, people will
shuck out astoundingly
foolish amounts of money.


Sure! But consider:

1) How do home values relate to incomes when adjusted for inflation? Go
back 20, 30, 40, 50 years and compare house prices to income levels.
Houses were cheap then until you look at what the typical income level
was.

There is an old paradigm about the amount of money spent on a house
should be 2X your yearly income. Perhaps 10 years ago, it went to
2.5-3X. Now it seems to have been abandoned into whatever the maximum
amount the bank will loan you.

That progression indicates that a change has happened. A lot higher
percentage goes to putting the roof over the head. That's "okay", just
get another Credit card or two!


2) A house is one of the few investments an individual can make
that can be used without selling it.

If you do the home equity thing, you sort of have sold it.



3) A house is one of the few necessities an individual can buy
that will almost certainly appreciate in value. Look at the everyday
things you own - how many of them will be worth more
in 10 years?

4) Home loan interest is a tax deduction for most people. What other
debt reduces your taxes?

All true, Jim. and all used to get people to become "house poor".




BTW, those McMansions are becoming very, very hard to resell.


Not around here!

Interesting! My XYL, who works in the industry doing a lot of high-end
houses around here, notes that the people who have 500K to a million and
up almost always insist on building their own. If you have a million
dollar property around here that you want to sell, you better be
prepared to wait a while. And oddly enough, another persom might be
building an almost identical 1 mil house on the lot next to you!

- Mike KB3EIA -