[amsat-bb] fcd pro +

[Hans BX2ABT]

You can open a case, but with proprietary components, designs and code 
little repair can be done. Chuck it in the bin and buy another. I come 
from a different era, where designs were documented and repairs could be 
done by oneself or independent repair men. Products had a value that 
spanned more than a few years.

So yes, I am one of those in the ham community that thinks schematics 
and code should be "handed to me" (paraphrased from what you wrote 
below) when I request it. I know this goes against the interests of 
companies putting out products and nowadays it seems companies have more 
might than consumers, so the companies win, the consumer loses.

But I agree with you that comments on this BB will not help with repairs 
or support in any way.

73 de Hans

BX2ABT


On 05/15/2019 10:24 PM, Peter Goodhall (2M0SQL) wrote:
> Think you jumped to conclusions Hans I didn't say I agreed with
> anything I pointed out the fact, no access to repair has been stopped
> you can open the case? I know ICOM/Kenwood don't provide the source
> code, most electronics companies don't that's just how it is.
>
> Peter.
>
> On Wed, 15 May 2019 at 14:48, Hans BX2ABT via AMSAT-BB
> <amsat-bb at amsat.org> wrote:
>> The trend is to keep everything under lid and a secret and not share
>> source code or schematics. You might agree with this, but when I spend
>> money to buy something I own it and I want the right to repair and that
>> means documentation. It used to be like that, because I can easily
>> repair my old ham rigs from ICOM and Kenwood because they provide this
>> kind of information. And yes, if there is no documentation then I will
>> steer clear of buying that product or other products from that company.
>> Thanks for the heads-up: will never buy a FCD+, that's for sure.
>>
>> Hans
>>
>> BX2ABT
>>
>>
>> On 05/15/2019 09:27 PM, Peter Goodhall (2M0SQL) via AMSAT-BB wrote:
>>> I'd guess that the first place to get support would be to email
>>> Hanlincrest Ltd (Howard) who makes and supports the Funcube Dongle
>>> email being g6lvb at amsat.org, I don't think rewriting a comment on his
>>> website is how anyone should expect to get support.
>>>
>>> Most commercial products don't provide schematic or access to firmware
>>> code but for some reason, some of the ham radio community seems to
>>> think they should be handed it.
>>>
>>> 73,
>>>
>>> Peter, 2M0SQL
>>>
>>> On Wed, 15 May 2019 at 01:37, Zach Metzinger via AMSAT-BB
>>> <amsat-bb at amsat.org> wrote:
>>>> On 05/14/19 05:04, Nick Pugh via AMSAT-BB wrote:
>>>>> My FCD Pro+ is broken how do I get it fixed?
>>>>> Where can I get a schematic?
>>>> Hello Nick,
>>>>
>>>> Howard Long, G6LVB, hasn't made a post on the funcubedongle.com website
>>>> in ~4 years. He does not respond to comments on that website regarding
>>>> the USB bugs in the FCDP+, so I don't think he'll be very responsive to
>>>> broken hardware/schematic requests, either.
>>>>
>>>> Appealing directly to AMSAT-UK may have some effect.
>>>>
>>>> I believe that the secrecy surrounding this dongle stems from the NDA-ed
>>>> silicon tuner and a desire to keep it from being cloned.
>>>>
>>>> It is unfortunate that such a wonderful gadget is both closed source and
>>>> closed hardware.
>>>>
>>>> --- Zach
>>>> N0ZGO
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
>>>> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed
>>>> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA.
>>>> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
>>>> Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
>>> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed
>>> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA.
>>> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
>>> Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>>>
>>>
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
>> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed
>> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA.
>> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
>> Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>
>