[amsat-bb] fcd pro +

[Ken M]

The consumer does not lose. In fact the consumer wins because technology 
companies can innovate, develop, protect their intellectual property, 
and ultimately be rewarded for their efforts, as they bring ever more 
advanced products to market at a lower cost-per-function. Radios today 
are probably priced much the same as radios in the eighties but in 2019 
dollars and with much greater functionality.

With respect to hardware, new radio gear densely packed with surface 
mount components and, even more significantly, embedded software 
(firmware) is more-or-less un-repairable and un-modifiable by almost all 
hobbyists unless they have expert knowledge and specialized equipment, 
even if a schematic is provided. There are a few exceptions like power 
supply repairs, MARS/CAP frequency modifications, and IF taps, but 
realistically, for MOST people, not too much.

73 Ken VA7KBM

On 2019-05-15 7:54 a.m., Hans BX2ABT via AMSAT-BB wrote:
> 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
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>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. 
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>>
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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