Re: [Discuss-gnuradio] Re: A Humble Request....for allowing to copy Circuit into PCB

[Markus Heller M.A. (relix GmbH)]

Dear list,

I also purchased a USRP2 for one very important reason. I am a HAM radio
operator (DL8RDS), but I see that this device will open up a completely
new field of technology. 

I didn't want to run predefined experiments such as those you can do
with SoftRock or Perseus kind of tools, but I wanted a toolkit for
experiments that is up to the current state of scientific research. I
didn't want a toy, but I wanted a serious learning and research
platform. 

The USRP2 meets those criteria, and you can see it because several
universities around the world use it as a research platform. It's not a
toy. 

For this reason I think that it is well worth those 1400$. 

I am also a professional trainer in the software industry and I see that
an average ticket for an ordinary 3 day class costs 2000 €. Given this
price, I find that such a powerful and versatile research platform is
rather cheap. 

I must say that I am very grateful to Matt Ettus for providing the USRP
platform at this price which is in my eyes decent and reasonable and
comfortable enough for everyone who is seriously going to be involved
with SDR. 

People who just want to play around have a complete set of other,
cheaper platforms with less capabilities, but which make up a perfect
playground for sub-professional experiments. 

For most of these applications, it needn't be a high precision 16 bit
400 MSpS ADC and a 100 MSpS DAC. 

I don't want to discourage anyone who wants to do his first steps into
building a SDR himself/herself, but given the value of SDR knowledge you
can acquire with this tool, the expenses for the tool are really
tolerable. As in most cases in the software industry, the value of
knowledge far exceeds the value of our tools. 

If you're a student, never be afraid of buying expensive learning
materials, the're all worth the money. And if you are a student, ask
your institute. If you're a good student, the institute should not
hesitate and order the according devices. 

BR (=vy73)
Markus
dl8rds

Am Dienstag, den 11.01.2011, 16:23 +0100 schrieb Patrick Strasser:
> schrieb James Hall am 2011-01-11 13:16:
> >     > It's not much for the tax-payer or commercial clients.
> > 
> >     Why should that be?
> > 
> > I'm not the guy you're replying to but you know you kinda cut this
> > thought in half and replied to it out of context. "It's not too
> > expensive for the tax-payer or commercial clients, But it's a lot for a
> > hobbyist" 
> 
> Sorry, I read "It's _more_ for the tax-payer or commercial clients." I
> got it wrong.
> 
> > Why is it that the USRP was $450, then discontinued to bring out the
> > USRP2 for $700 now it's being discontinued for a new design that will be
> > marketed at $1700?
> 
> I see all three available. The USRP2 is not a replacement, but rather an
> additional choice for different requirements. Same for the USRP N200.
> 
> > It's what they dig out of the couch cushions. That or hams that can
> > afford luxury radios in the $2-4k+ range.
> 
> USRPs are not the cheapo DIY kit hardware for small experiments. It's
> rather very capable hardware for a fair price with flexibility that
> other systems can not offer.
> If you want that range of capabilities you have to pay the price. If you
> do not need that much, you will probably better served by an SoftRock
> and Soundcard.
> 
> If you want it especially for hams, compare these:
> QuickSilver QS1R Receiver
>   http://www.philcovington.com/QuickSilver/
> Perseus
>   http://www.microtelecom.it/perseus/distributors.html
> Flexradio Flex 1500 or Flex 3000
>   http://www.flex-radio.com/
> ICOM 9100
>   http://www.icomamerica.com/en/products/amateur/hf/9100/default.aspx
> RF-Space SDR-14
>  http://www.rfspace.com/RFSPACE/SDR-14.html
> 
> These are all great devices and sold as amateur radio equipment. Not all
> hams and DIYs are young and have no money for expensive hardware. Some
> people like to spend all their extra money in cars, some in new TV sets
> (I saw people buy TV systems for >5000€ in less than half an our...),
> some enjoy their holidays in exotic locations, some by ham equipment.
> On the other side there are hams that build all there equipment
> themselves with low budget and low power, and still do great things.
> 
> If your requirements exceed your budget you can at least modify your
> requirements easily to get them matching. Or you can spend some extra
> cycles of your free brain power on it and maybe get a clever solution ;-).
> 
> Fortunately out there exists a big range of different devices for all
> kind of funds. A good compilation of SDR systems from cheap to expensive
> can be found at
>   http://f4dan.free.fr/sdr_eng.html
> 
> Regards
> 
> Patrick
> 
> PS: More links can be found on
> http://www.delicious.com/trapicki/sdr