Let me add a vote of support to this idea. Like Steve, I have been talking with vendors for a while now, at places like Dayton. I have gone to my favorite company, ICOM, every year now and asked about all sorts of things like weak signal equipment, the lack of 222Mhz gear, lack of multi-band HTs like the ic-T81a, etc.
Only when politely pummelled with queries will they think about changing. I'm sure that the big three are very nervous about the future with Chinese companies making inroads with usually checp not great products, but if they don't don't offer what people want, they will die. It will be interesting to see what Chinese ham companies do in the future.
Lastly, try to influence American companies to make ham gear. I am thankful for Elecraft and Ten-Tec and hope there will be more. There should be. Not disparaging the kit-based SDR people--they're great but I think there is room for all.
--STeve Andre' wb8wsf en72
On 03/19/17 18:33, Steve May wrote:
One thing I always try to do when I'm at a hamfest and a manufacturer is present is to mention the features I want on a radio. In my experience I have found that that they will listen when I say that I want a 2m/70cm full duplex SSB radio, and often say that they have heard other operators say that they want those features. But when I mention the word "satellite" they immediately brush me off by saying that it is just a niche area of the hobby.
I always encourage hams to voice their frustrations with the manufacturers in not being able to find a radio today that will really do what we need. If everyone continues to bug them at places like Dayton perhaps one day at least one manufacturer will listen and help us.
Steve May, W5IEM Amateur Extra - Georgetown, KY (520) 261-7847 - Cell Skype: USHorseman Steve.W5IEM@gmail.com
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On Sun, Mar 19, 2017 at 6:22 PM, Mike Sprenger mikesprenger@gmail.com wrote:
Hi Ken,
Welcome, and glad you've found fascination with the Amateur Satellites
Theres always the opportunity to acquire gear from a fellow satellite enthusiast which you can inquire with folks here on the BB (I've got no surplus gear right now)
Check out how many all mode rigs are available if you recognize them, they're often inexpensive if you find them on a hamfest table:
http://www.rigpix.com/index.shtml
There's lots of fun to be had on the satellites, I look forward to hearing you on the air !
(BTW, even the most modern gear by any definition can only make "Ancient SSB" sound so good)
Mike W4UOO
On Sun, Mar 19, 2017 at 11:51 AM, Bill Booth ve3nxk@gmail.com wrote:
On 2017-03-19 1:53 AM, Ken M wrote:
Thanks for indulging my shopping frustrations, and my inexperience, but I have to think there are others new to the hobby that are having similar thoughts. Do Amsat members see this as a problem?
Well Ken I am of the same thinking but a bit different. I have an old
970
and it works great for the birds, but like to do some EME as well at
23cm.
The field is like you say do it all or nothing. The 9100 is nice but has HF in it. and looks real small sitting next to my 7700 HF rig.
I bet the next rigs will be SDR driven and the size of your phone........
-- Bill Booth VE3NXK Sundridge ON, Canada 79.23.37 W x 45.46.18 N FN05ns
Visit my weather WebCam at http://www.almaguin.com/
wxcurrent/weather.html
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