[amsat-bb] Re: D-STAR experiment on Cubesat

[David B. Toth]

At 01:35 PM 6/9/2008, Mark Vandewettering wrote:

>It is my understanding that it is simple a relabeled Icom radio.  If
>it really weren't an issue for other manufacturers, one might
>reasonably ask why we aren't seeing D-Star radios from other
>manufacturers.  Granted, there could be other reasons, but something
>is apparently keeping other manufacturers from building these radios.
>This means that essentially we are in a single source situation, where
>we can expect D-Star to remain fairly expensive.   Indeed, the codec
>chip costs $20, but we see the price differential for these radios to
>be well over $100, even on an HT which is fairly expensive to begin
>with.  That's a pretty high markup.  (IC-91AD is $524, IC-91A is $408
>at universal radio).  The UT-118 to do an upgrade is $189.   The DV-
>Dongle is $200.

Well, those prices seem high but I guess the recent price increase 
pushed things up to compensate for the drop in the US dollar.
The 91AD was less than $350 at Dayton so your price seems too high. I 
got a 92AD for $516 ...  I just checked the price of the 91AD at HRO 
and it is $434.95, so you need to shop elsewhere I guess.

But to be fair, you need to use the Universal site properly. The LIST 
price for the 91AD is $524 - you need to push the button and see that 
their price is $399.95  ... I don't want to start an argument here 
but a big part of your argument surrounds cost   and you are 
presenting VERY inflated prices to back your argument.

I understand all of your other points but do not believe that these 
are show-stoppers. If you are quoting Universal prices, you may live 
near Columbus .... they apparently have a D-STAR system on down there 
so you can check things out.

73,
Dave  VE3GYQ/W8
Spencerville, OH