Welcome to the future
Casey TI2/NA7U recently wrote in his blog about the Elecraft KX3 which has a rather outdated look. Of course that’s just a opinion. Others will tell that it has just what they search for in a radio. But…I would rather have a flexible design were I can design my own front and knobs instead of being dependable of what the designer has in mind. With the technology of today it should not be that difficult. So, I was thinking and searching on the internet for pictures and found the site of WoodBoxRadio which already invented and sell part of my idea, the FXpad. It’s basically a Ipad for your SDR (Flexradio system) or of course any other radio. Now, you think that probabely costs a lot of money. Well just look around at that site. FXpad is just software. The pad itself only costs 179 euro, that’s not too expensive if you compare it with for example a Ipad or similair. I remind you it’s only a touchscreen, not a computer! I certainly want to have a screen like this in my new shack! Anyway, to get back to a idea for a new (QRP) radio with such a configurable touchscreen instead of knobs buttons and a display. What about a radio that is for example just as thick as a Elecraft KX3 but then with a configurable touchscreen. Software/hardware options like a internal keyer, digital modem, build in wireless LAN, progammable voiceprocessing, software updates for new features. There are endless possebilities. Just for example if you want it to look like a old Argonaut radio or just the KX3 if you like, you just change the display and it’s features to what you like. Another idea I would like is a self learning mike connection, a kind of USB plug for your mike. Just plug in any brand of mike and the radiocomputer learns the connections itself. That should be on the radio of the future….any other ideas? You’re welcome to write it as a comment on this post.