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	<title>Comments for brainwagon</title>
	
	<link>http://brainwagon.org</link>
	<description>"There is much pleasure in useless knowledge." — Bertrand Russell</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Sat, 13 Mar 2010 07:33:44 -0700</lastBuildDate>
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		<title>Comment on Gutenberg Gem: Amusements in Mathematics, be H.E. Dudeney by Veronique Philips</title>
		<link>http://brainwagon.org/2005/09/20/gutenberg-gem-amusements-in-mathematics-be-he-dudeney/comment-page-1/#comment-230682</link>
		<dc:creator>Veronique Philips</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 13 Mar 2010 07:33:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://brainwagon.org/archives/2005/09/20/1583/#comment-230682</guid>
		<description>This site I found had lots of great info on &lt;a href="http://www.hotgamedownloads.info" rel="nofollow"&gt;herbal teas&lt;/a&gt; and was really insightful. Being that its so hard to find information I thought this would help</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>This site I found had lots of great info on <a href="http://www.hotgamedownloads.info" rel="nofollow">herbal teas</a> and was really insightful. Being that its so hard to find information I thought this would help</p>
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		<title>Comment on Stealth by Jocelyn Ruopp</title>
		<link>http://brainwagon.org/2005/08/12/stealth/comment-page-1/#comment-230667</link>
		<dc:creator>Jocelyn Ruopp</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 13 Mar 2010 05:22:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://brainwagon.org/archives/2005/08/12/1495/#comment-230667</guid>
		<description>Out of money and want to play all the newest video game releases? No need to worry ever again! The &lt;a href="http://neverpayforgames.com" rel="nofollow"&gt;Never Pay For Games System&lt;/a&gt; is here and it requires only one single purchase and you can burn as many games as you want for any of your video game consoles! Imagine how much money you could save with the Never Pay For Games System! Don't hesitate, they are only selling 1,000 copies!</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Out of money and want to play all the newest video game releases? No need to worry ever again! The <a href="http://neverpayforgames.com" rel="nofollow">Never Pay For Games System</a> is here and it requires only one single purchase and you can burn as many games as you want for any of your video game consoles! Imagine how much money you could save with the Never Pay For Games System! Don&#8217;t hesitate, they are only selling 1,000 copies!</p>
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		<title>Comment on Mathematical Musings on Baseball by Virgilio Fryson</title>
		<link>http://brainwagon.org/2006/04/16/mathematical-musings-on-baseball/comment-page-1/#comment-230654</link>
		<dc:creator>Virgilio Fryson</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 13 Mar 2010 03:48:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://brainwagon.org/archives/2006/04/16/2006/#comment-230654</guid>
		<description>What a fantastic and upstanding post! All these burgers and cheetos are junk food. And these cause worst effect on body and mind.
&lt;a href="http://www.squidoo.com/hypnotism_weight_loss" rel="nofollow"&gt;Hypnotism for Weight Loss&lt;/a&gt;</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>What a fantastic and upstanding post! All these burgers and cheetos are junk food. And these cause worst effect on body and mind.<br />
<a href="http://www.squidoo.com/hypnotism_weight_loss" rel="nofollow">Hypnotism for Weight Loss</a></p>
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		<title>Comment on A potential replacement for the Kenwood TH-D7A? by Elwood Downey</title>
		<link>http://brainwagon.org/2010/03/12/a-potential-replacement-for-the-kenwood-th-d7a/comment-page-1/#comment-230649</link>
		<dc:creator>Elwood Downey</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 13 Mar 2010 03:00:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://brainwagon.org/?p=5709#comment-230649</guid>
		<description>It gets 3.9/5 rating on eham: http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/8277.
Most seem to like the radio but not the documentation. Most recent reviews are more favorable.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It gets 3.9/5 rating on eham: <a href="http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/8277" rel="nofollow">http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/8277</a>.<br />
Most seem to like the radio but not the documentation. Most recent reviews are more favorable.</p>
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		<title>Comment on My List of Ten Improvements Needed for the iPhone by buy ipad</title>
		<link>http://brainwagon.org/2007/07/10/my-list-of-ten-improvements-needed-for-the-iphone/comment-page-1/#comment-230622</link>
		<dc:creator>buy ipad</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 13 Mar 2010 00:32:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://brainwagon.org/archives/2007/07/10/2490/#comment-230622</guid>
		<description>Came across your blog when I was searching yahoo I have found the bit of info that</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Came across your blog when I was searching yahoo I have found the bit of info that</p>
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		<title>Comment on Oakland Shows Signs of Life by gold</title>
		<link>http://brainwagon.org/2005/05/31/oakland-shows-signs-of-life/comment-page-1/#comment-230617</link>
		<dc:creator>gold</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 13 Mar 2010 00:23:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://brainwagon.org/archives/2005/05/31/1311/#comment-230617</guid>
		<description>Sehr interessant. Kommt hier noch ein weiterer Beitrag? Würde sehr gern einiges mehr darüber erfahren. Könntest du mir per E-Mail eine Antwort geben?</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Sehr interessant. Kommt hier noch ein weiterer Beitrag? Würde sehr gern einiges mehr darüber erfahren. Könntest du mir per E-Mail eine Antwort geben?</p>
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		<title>Comment on Gutenberg Gem: Animal Children by Edith Brown Kirkwood by Shayne Schappach</title>
		<link>http://brainwagon.org/2006/03/01/gutenberg-gem-animal-children-by-edith-brown-kirkwood/comment-page-1/#comment-230558</link>
		<dc:creator>Shayne Schappach</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:39:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://brainwagon.org/archives/2006/03/01/1941/#comment-230558</guid>
		<description>That may be so amazing!! Continue the great job!</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>That may be so amazing!! Continue the great job!</p>
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		<title>Comment on Fujifilm Real 3D W1 Camera by levon</title>
		<link>http://brainwagon.org/2009/11/04/fujifilm-real-3d-w1-camera/comment-page-1/#comment-230359</link>
		<dc:creator>levon</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:52:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://brainwagon.org/?p=5171#comment-230359</guid>
		<description>Hi, Mark
Thanks for your sharing. This camera looks interesting.

These day I want to study the file format about MPO and Exiftool.
I can fild the MPO format spec, but I can't find any real sample on the net.
If you don't mind, can I have one copy of MPO file direct captured by 
Fujifilm Real 3D W1.
Any scene is ok for me. I just want to study the header.

Let me know if you have any conern

Best Regards,
Levon</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Hi, Mark<br />
Thanks for your sharing. This camera looks interesting.</p>
<p>These day I want to study the file format about MPO and Exiftool.<br />
I can fild the MPO format spec, but I can&#8217;t find any real sample on the net.<br />
If you don&#8217;t mind, can I have one copy of MPO file direct captured by<br />
Fujifilm Real 3D W1.<br />
Any scene is ok for me. I just want to study the header.</p>
<p>Let me know if you have any conern</p>
<p>Best Regards,<br />
Levon</p>
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		<title>Comment on Recipe: Pulled Turkey by dayrecipe</title>
		<link>http://brainwagon.org/2005/05/26/recipe-pulled-turkey/comment-page-1/#comment-230092</link>
		<dc:creator>dayrecipe</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:13:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://brainwagon.org/archives/2005/05/26/1297/#comment-230092</guid>
		<description>Love to try this one..thanks</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Love to try this one..thanks</p>
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		<title>Comment on MathWorks on Single Sideband Modulation via the Hilbert Transform by Sebastiano S. - IZ2NYZ</title>
		<link>http://brainwagon.org/2010/03/09/mathworks-on-single-sideband-modulation-via-the-hilbert-transform/comment-page-1/#comment-229810</link>
		<dc:creator>Sebastiano S. - IZ2NYZ</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:03:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://brainwagon.org/?p=5701#comment-229810</guid>
		<description>I think I've read somewhere that the audio input into a phasing sideband exciter needs a high-pass filter to cut-off frequencies below 300hz, and not only the 3khz LPF you've already built-in.
I may be wrong though</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I think I&#8217;ve read somewhere that the audio input into a phasing sideband exciter needs a high-pass filter to cut-off frequencies below 300hz, and not only the 3khz LPF you&#8217;ve already built-in.<br />
I may be wrong though</p>
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		<title>Comment on MathWorks on Single Sideband Modulation via the Hilbert Transform by Soeren Straarup</title>
		<link>http://brainwagon.org/2010/03/09/mathworks-on-single-sideband-modulation-via-the-hilbert-transform/comment-page-1/#comment-229707</link>
		<dc:creator>Soeren Straarup</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:43:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://brainwagon.org/?p=5701#comment-229707</guid>
		<description>Any change that this is going to be open source?
Just curious.

/Soeren</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Any change that this is going to be open source?<br />
Just curious.</p>
<p>/Soeren</p>
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		<title>Comment on MathWorks on Single Sideband Modulation via the Hilbert Transform by Soeren Straarup</title>
		<link>http://brainwagon.org/2010/03/09/mathworks-on-single-sideband-modulation-via-the-hilbert-transform/comment-page-1/#comment-229706</link>
		<dc:creator>Soeren Straarup</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:29:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://brainwagon.org/?p=5701#comment-229706</guid>
		<description>All the math behind something like this is what i also need to look into.

Yes i got an engineer degree, though it was never one of the hot topics when i was in school.

vy 73 de OZ2DAK, Soeren</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>All the math behind something like this is what i also need to look into.</p>
<p>Yes i got an engineer degree, though it was never one of the hot topics when i was in school.</p>
<p>vy 73 de OZ2DAK, Soeren</p>
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		<title>Comment on Back transmitting on WSPR… by Eric_SFO Area</title>
		<link>http://brainwagon.org/2010/03/07/back-transmitting-on-wspr/comment-page-1/#comment-229577</link>
		<dc:creator>Eric_SFO Area</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 05:20:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://brainwagon.org/?p=5684#comment-229577</guid>
		<description>Mark-

FB on your WSPR reports..

Have you tried WSPR 2way inside of WSJT? It takes a little while, but its fun.

Make sure there is zero ALC swing. hi

Good luck,  N6SPP Benicia,CA--  back to  jt65a on 7.076</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Mark-</p>
<p>FB on your WSPR reports..</p>
<p>Have you tried WSPR 2way inside of WSJT? It takes a little while, but its fun.</p>
<p>Make sure there is zero ALC swing. hi</p>
<p>Good luck,  N6SPP Benicia,CA&#8211;  back to  jt65a on 7.076</p>
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		<title>Comment on Platypus by Ivonne Draheim</title>
		<link>http://brainwagon.org/2008/05/29/platypus/comment-page-1/#comment-229553</link>
		<dc:creator>Ivonne Draheim</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:44:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://brainwagon.org/2008/05/29/platypus/#comment-229553</guid>
		<description>Insightful content. I can consider it be the case but not always. I most frequently don't bother to post though I wanted to chime in this time and let you know I love the blog. It have wonderful design but header doesn't always lign up whenever looked at on quite a few mobile phones. Have a fantastic day</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Insightful content. I can consider it be the case but not always. I most frequently don&#8217;t bother to post though I wanted to chime in this time and let you know I love the blog. It have wonderful design but header doesn&#8217;t always lign up whenever looked at on quite a few mobile phones. Have a fantastic day</p>
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		<title>Comment on HFAERO.jpg (3397×1781) by Patrick Show</title>
		<link>http://brainwagon.org/2010/03/03/hfaero-jpg-3397%c3%971781/comment-page-1/#comment-229501</link>
		<dc:creator>Patrick Show</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:41:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://brainwagon.org/?p=5670#comment-229501</guid>
		<description>Nothing like getting 100 hits a day! I use eAdvertisingCompany.com.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Nothing like getting 100 hits a day! I use eAdvertisingCompany.com.</p>
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		<title>Comment on Tubes?  Who uses tubes anymore? by Alan Yates</title>
		<link>http://brainwagon.org/2010/02/28/tubes-who-uses-tubes-anymore/comment-page-1/#comment-229497</link>
		<dc:creator>Alan Yates</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:05:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://brainwagon.org/?p=5646#comment-229497</guid>
		<description>Two words "build it". :)

I'd love to see a machine like that working.

Yes I meant diode ROM decoders, rectifier being an attempt at a generic term for any particular implementation technology.  I realise solid state rectifiers have been available for a very long time and wouldn't penalise any implementation that used them along with vacuum tubes.

I am indeed familiar with WireWorld.  I've built some trivial stuff in it, and always marveled at what others have managed to build with it.

Core rope ROM is probably way too slow for the kind of computer you are talking about.  Braiding core rope ROM would be a PITA compared to a diode matrix.  Of course diodes have speed limits too.

I'd still start with whatever 7400 series logic family you can get in the quantities required at a reasonable price.  First make it work, then make it fast.

Alternative technologies you have hinted at using RF lines and non-linear elements as switches would be interesting, but I suspect extremely frustrating to build and debug.  At least something like that would be vaguely similar to optical computers and could test the general concepts.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Two words &#8220;build it&#8221;. <img src='http://brainwagon.org/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p>I&#8217;d love to see a machine like that working.</p>
<p>Yes I meant diode ROM decoders, rectifier being an attempt at a generic term for any particular implementation technology.  I realise solid state rectifiers have been available for a very long time and wouldn&#8217;t penalise any implementation that used them along with vacuum tubes.</p>
<p>I am indeed familiar with WireWorld.  I&#8217;ve built some trivial stuff in it, and always marveled at what others have managed to build with it.</p>
<p>Core rope ROM is probably way too slow for the kind of computer you are talking about.  Braiding core rope ROM would be a PITA compared to a diode matrix.  Of course diodes have speed limits too.</p>
<p>I&#8217;d still start with whatever 7400 series logic family you can get in the quantities required at a reasonable price.  First make it work, then make it fast.</p>
<p>Alternative technologies you have hinted at using RF lines and non-linear elements as switches would be interesting, but I suspect extremely frustrating to build and debug.  At least something like that would be vaguely similar to optical computers and could test the general concepts.</p>
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		<title>Comment on Where are the visionaries in ham radio? by Jeff, KE9V</title>
		<link>http://brainwagon.org/2010/03/07/where-are-the-visionaries-in-ham-radio/comment-page-1/#comment-229465</link>
		<dc:creator>Jeff, KE9V</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:17:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://brainwagon.org/?p=5687#comment-229465</guid>
		<description>Necessity is the mother of invention and  apparently, we have little need of more invention. If tomorrow the FCC said that our bandwidth on all modes had to be cut in half by a given date, we would no doubt innovate as required.

Given that we are under no such "gun", radio is a hobby and many of us work on a PC all day and look forward to a break from it when we come home at night.

I don't think it non-visionary to call a spade a spade. I think that root canals have served mankind well but I don't want to celebrate them! :-)

Other than the Softrock kits, I wasn't aware that any of the others you mentioned included transceivers -- I thought they were receive only.

I think the best place for the computer and software is embedded deeply inside the rig where I don't have to deal with it. I like my computer for computer things and my radio for radio things and see no reason why the two should be shared.

But I do understand that desire makes me a curmudgeon and out of the mainstream of current thought. No matter, I also believe that those who believe in techno-triumphalism will eventually come around to my way of thinking. :-)

73, Jeff</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Necessity is the mother of invention and  apparently, we have little need of more invention. If tomorrow the FCC said that our bandwidth on all modes had to be cut in half by a given date, we would no doubt innovate as required.</p>
<p>Given that we are under no such &#8220;gun&#8221;, radio is a hobby and many of us work on a PC all day and look forward to a break from it when we come home at night.</p>
<p>I don&#8217;t think it non-visionary to call a spade a spade. I think that root canals have served mankind well but I don&#8217;t want to celebrate them! <img src='http://brainwagon.org/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':-)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p>Other than the Softrock kits, I wasn&#8217;t aware that any of the others you mentioned included transceivers &#8212; I thought they were receive only.</p>
<p>I think the best place for the computer and software is embedded deeply inside the rig where I don&#8217;t have to deal with it. I like my computer for computer things and my radio for radio things and see no reason why the two should be shared.</p>
<p>But I do understand that desire makes me a curmudgeon and out of the mainstream of current thought. No matter, I also believe that those who believe in techno-triumphalism will eventually come around to my way of thinking. <img src='http://brainwagon.org/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':-)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p>73, Jeff</p>
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		<title>Comment on Where are the visionaries in ham radio? by Mark</title>
		<link>http://brainwagon.org/2010/03/07/where-are-the-visionaries-in-ham-radio/comment-page-1/#comment-229460</link>
		<dc:creator>Mark</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:57:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://brainwagon.org/?p=5687#comment-229460</guid>
		<description>This is precisely the kind of comment that made me comment about "lack of vision".   It's certainly true that the software component of an SDR need be no more noticeable than the software components that live inside your DVD player or your cell phone or your wrist watch.   In fact, most high end and even moderate end amateur radios &lt;em&gt;already&lt;/em&gt; have a very significant software component inside them.   This usually takes the form of DSP units to provide filtering, or modems to supply modes like RTTY or packet radio.   To most users, the fact that there is software inside the box is something that they choose to mostly ignore.

In software defined radios, software is responsible for additional functionality such as mixing or modulation.   You could choose to ignore that of course.    If the functionality that you got is equivalent to a radio you already use and like, and presents the same interface, maybe that's cool.   But to me, software represents an upgradeable component that is inexpensive to modify (no hardware changes) and even better, can be redistributed cheaply (bits are cheap to mail). 

As a practical example, consider making a phasing SSB exciter.   Traditionally, what you would do is take your audio input, and pass it through some carefully constructed all pass phasing networks.  These would then be mixed with the carrier frequency in quadrature and then either added or subtracted to generate the appropriate upper or lower sideband.   Depending on the accuracy of the phasing network, you get good or not so good sideband cancellation.

But, let's imagine something different: instead of using an all pass network, let's &lt;em&gt;compute&lt;/em&gt; the phase shift using a Hilbert transform.   A simple dsPIC costs a few dollars, and has no difficulty whatsoever computing a Hilbert transform at audio signal rates in real time, and takes just a few ma of current.   In addition, you can fold in all sorts of other functionality (filtering, compression, whatever) at no additional cost beyond just writing the software.   

Once you begin integrating microprocessors into radios, then you can begin to do all sorts of fun stuff.   Integrate SWR and power meters.   Good battery indicators.  Frequency counters.   Time synchronization via GPS.  Satellite tracking and Doppler tuning.  Even provide streaming audio from the radio via Ethernet.    The addition of each of these features is very cheap, because compute power is just about free inside of radios.

Having compute power also means that we can make better displays.   Why does the average HT have such a crappy display compared to even the cheapest of cell-phones?      If you surf over to &lt;a href="http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=710" rel="nofollow"&gt;sparkfun you can find nice graphic lcds for about $20&lt;/a&gt;.    Instead of wiring in a bunch of 7 segment LEDS, why not create a generic interface that can display all kinds of information (I am always baffled why HT's don't include a time display that shows both local and UTC time).   

Flex-Radio isn't the only game in town either.   At the low end, we see things like the Softrock kits.   Moving up the ladder we see things like Genesis Radio.  GNU radio.   HPSDR from TAPR.  RFSpace's SDR-IQ, SDR-14 and SDR-IP.    

Let's not be so curmudgeonly that we draw a line between radios and computing.   One enhances the other.   I'm teaching myself RF design, I wonder why so few statesmen for ham radio work on teaching themself DSP and software design.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>This is precisely the kind of comment that made me comment about &#8220;lack of vision&#8221;.   It&#8217;s certainly true that the software component of an SDR need be no more noticeable than the software components that live inside your DVD player or your cell phone or your wrist watch.   In fact, most high end and even moderate end amateur radios <em>already</em> have a very significant software component inside them.   This usually takes the form of DSP units to provide filtering, or modems to supply modes like RTTY or packet radio.   To most users, the fact that there is software inside the box is something that they choose to mostly ignore.</p>
<p>In software defined radios, software is responsible for additional functionality such as mixing or modulation.   You could choose to ignore that of course.    If the functionality that you got is equivalent to a radio you already use and like, and presents the same interface, maybe that&#8217;s cool.   But to me, software represents an upgradeable component that is inexpensive to modify (no hardware changes) and even better, can be redistributed cheaply (bits are cheap to mail). </p>
<p>As a practical example, consider making a phasing SSB exciter.   Traditionally, what you would do is take your audio input, and pass it through some carefully constructed all pass phasing networks.  These would then be mixed with the carrier frequency in quadrature and then either added or subtracted to generate the appropriate upper or lower sideband.   Depending on the accuracy of the phasing network, you get good or not so good sideband cancellation.</p>
<p>But, let&#8217;s imagine something different: instead of using an all pass network, let&#8217;s <em>compute</em> the phase shift using a Hilbert transform.   A simple dsPIC costs a few dollars, and has no difficulty whatsoever computing a Hilbert transform at audio signal rates in real time, and takes just a few ma of current.   In addition, you can fold in all sorts of other functionality (filtering, compression, whatever) at no additional cost beyond just writing the software.   </p>
<p>Once you begin integrating microprocessors into radios, then you can begin to do all sorts of fun stuff.   Integrate SWR and power meters.   Good battery indicators.  Frequency counters.   Time synchronization via GPS.  Satellite tracking and Doppler tuning.  Even provide streaming audio from the radio via Ethernet.    The addition of each of these features is very cheap, because compute power is just about free inside of radios.</p>
<p>Having compute power also means that we can make better displays.   Why does the average HT have such a crappy display compared to even the cheapest of cell-phones?      If you surf over to <a href="http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=710" rel="nofollow">sparkfun you can find nice graphic lcds for about $20</a>.    Instead of wiring in a bunch of 7 segment LEDS, why not create a generic interface that can display all kinds of information (I am always baffled why HT&#8217;s don&#8217;t include a time display that shows both local and UTC time).   </p>
<p>Flex-Radio isn&#8217;t the only game in town either.   At the low end, we see things like the Softrock kits.   Moving up the ladder we see things like Genesis Radio.  GNU radio.   HPSDR from TAPR.  RFSpace&#8217;s SDR-IQ, SDR-14 and SDR-IP.    </p>
<p>Let&#8217;s not be so curmudgeonly that we draw a line between radios and computing.   One enhances the other.   I&#8217;m teaching myself RF design, I wonder why so few statesmen for ham radio work on teaching themself DSP and software design.</p>
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		<title>Comment on Where are the visionaries in ham radio? by Jeff, KE9V</title>
		<link>http://brainwagon.org/2010/03/07/where-are-the-visionaries-in-ham-radio/comment-page-1/#comment-229431</link>
		<dc:creator>Jeff, KE9V</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:44:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://brainwagon.org/?p=5687#comment-229431</guid>
		<description>While the 'innards' of new equipment may all be based in software and onboard processing power, this doesn't have to be apparent to the user. What's wrong with an amateur transceiver just being another electronic gadget?

I don't look at my toaster, for instance, and think to myself, I need to hack the software in that to make it a better toaster. I simply plug it in and use it to make toast.

The same goes for my DvD player, my television, the list goes on.

It is simply someone's opinion that a ham transceiver is made better by connecting it to a personal computer and applying a lot more software. The person who believes this rarely takes into consideration the diminishing returns of having to use a specific hardware platform with a specific operating system to achieve optimal results.

Some day, when this is truly an 'open' field of endeavor, things might get a little more interesting. Until then, SDR in the world of amateur radio is a one-trick pony named Flex-Radio.

Not saying that's bad, I'm just saying...</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>While the &#8216;innards&#8217; of new equipment may all be based in software and onboard processing power, this doesn&#8217;t have to be apparent to the user. What&#8217;s wrong with an amateur transceiver just being another electronic gadget?</p>
<p>I don&#8217;t look at my toaster, for instance, and think to myself, I need to hack the software in that to make it a better toaster. I simply plug it in and use it to make toast.</p>
<p>The same goes for my DvD player, my television, the list goes on.</p>
<p>It is simply someone&#8217;s opinion that a ham transceiver is made better by connecting it to a personal computer and applying a lot more software. The person who believes this rarely takes into consideration the diminishing returns of having to use a specific hardware platform with a specific operating system to achieve optimal results.</p>
<p>Some day, when this is truly an &#8216;open&#8217; field of endeavor, things might get a little more interesting. Until then, SDR in the world of amateur radio is a one-trick pony named Flex-Radio.</p>
<p>Not saying that&#8217;s bad, I&#8217;m just saying&#8230;</p>
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		<title>Comment on New DX spot via WSPR… by Etienne Swart ZS6Y</title>
		<link>http://brainwagon.org/2010/03/05/new-dx-spot-via-wspr/comment-page-1/#comment-229423</link>
		<dc:creator>Etienne Swart ZS6Y</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:08:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://brainwagon.org/?p=5678#comment-229423</guid>
		<description>Another 2 months and our Lightning storms would have passed.
then it will be time to play on WSPR mode. Unattended at night.
Run 5 watts into a G5RV full size with ATU.
See you then!
73's Etienne
ZS6Y
Johannesburg South Africa</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Another 2 months and our Lightning storms would have passed.<br />
then it will be time to play on WSPR mode. Unattended at night.<br />
Run 5 watts into a G5RV full size with ATU.<br />
See you then!<br />
73&#8217;s Etienne<br />
ZS6Y<br />
Johannesburg South Africa</p>
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		<title>Comment on A New Weight Loss Experiment: Twittering My Weight by robbie</title>
		<link>http://brainwagon.org/2010/02/04/a-new-weight-loss-experiment-twittering-my-weight/comment-page-1/#comment-229418</link>
		<dc:creator>robbie</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:54:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://brainwagon.org/?p=5537#comment-229418</guid>
		<description>I had been working steadily away before I discovered your content - at this moment my mind seriously is not on my work! Many thanks - I suppose! :-)</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I had been working steadily away before I discovered your content &#8211; at this moment my mind seriously is not on my work! Many thanks &#8211; I suppose! <img src='http://brainwagon.org/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':-)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
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		<title>Comment on Where are the visionaries in ham radio? by Tom</title>
		<link>http://brainwagon.org/2010/03/07/where-are-the-visionaries-in-ham-radio/comment-page-1/#comment-229413</link>
		<dc:creator>Tom</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:43:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://brainwagon.org/?p=5687#comment-229413</guid>
		<description>As one who designs software defined radios professionally (in FPGAs), I am always tempted to get my amateur radio license and do some new digital packet radio stuff.  However, each time I look into it, I get disappointed by the unwilling community, the antiquated rules on usage, and the lack of interest.  The unlicensed bands, even with their restrictions, are more attractive.

This wasn't meant to be as negative as it sounds, now that I read over it.  I just feel that a few small changes in different areas could help out ham radio quite a bit.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As one who designs software defined radios professionally (in FPGAs), I am always tempted to get my amateur radio license and do some new digital packet radio stuff.  However, each time I look into it, I get disappointed by the unwilling community, the antiquated rules on usage, and the lack of interest.  The unlicensed bands, even with their restrictions, are more attractive.</p>
<p>This wasn&#8217;t meant to be as negative as it sounds, now that I read over it.  I just feel that a few small changes in different areas could help out ham radio quite a bit.</p>
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		<title>Comment on Where are the visionaries in ham radio? by marxy</title>
		<link>http://brainwagon.org/2010/03/07/where-are-the-visionaries-in-ham-radio/comment-page-1/#comment-229369</link>
		<dc:creator>marxy</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:13:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://brainwagon.org/?p=5687#comment-229369</guid>
		<description>The popularity of WSPR shows that despite our fascination with old technology, hams are still pushing the envelope of the new.

Software defined radio is the future. I think our phones are already using this technology. 

The thing I think we should fear is that the age of home brew may come to an end when the only components are surface mount and too small for us to work with.

Nice post.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The popularity of WSPR shows that despite our fascination with old technology, hams are still pushing the envelope of the new.</p>
<p>Software defined radio is the future. I think our phones are already using this technology. </p>
<p>The thing I think we should fear is that the age of home brew may come to an end when the only components are surface mount and too small for us to work with.</p>
<p>Nice post.</p>
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		<title>Comment on Back transmitting on WSPR… by Mark VandeWettering</title>
		<link>http://brainwagon.org/2010/03/07/back-transmitting-on-wspr/comment-page-1/#comment-229257</link>
		<dc:creator>Mark VandeWettering</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:48:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://brainwagon.org/?p=5684#comment-229257</guid>
		<description>I haven't noticed, but its only a day old.  I'll keep an eye out for it, and let you know if I hear anything unusual.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I haven&#8217;t noticed, but its only a day old.  I&#8217;ll keep an eye out for it, and let you know if I hear anything unusual.</p>
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		<title>Comment on Back transmitting on WSPR… by Eric (WY7USA)</title>
		<link>http://brainwagon.org/2010/03/07/back-transmitting-on-wspr/comment-page-1/#comment-229222</link>
		<dc:creator>Eric (WY7USA)</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:02:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://brainwagon.org/?p=5684#comment-229222</guid>
		<description>I too have a Signalink USB, so I decided to hook it up to my FT-817 with a Miracle Whip antenna sitting on my desk and you immediately popped up on WSPR. This is the first time I am trying it with the whip antenna, but it looks like you heard me with 1 watt.

Just curious, does you Signallink have a low frequency rumble on receive?

73

Eric</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I too have a Signalink USB, so I decided to hook it up to my FT-817 with a Miracle Whip antenna sitting on my desk and you immediately popped up on WSPR. This is the first time I am trying it with the whip antenna, but it looks like you heard me with 1 watt.</p>
<p>Just curious, does you Signallink have a low frequency rumble on receive?</p>
<p>73</p>
<p>Eric</p>
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