Subj : Re: QRP
To   : Spaceman Spiff
From : Angus Mcleod
Date : Sat Dec 11 2004 08:14 am

  Re: Re: QRP
  By: Spaceman Spiff to K0neo on Fri Dec 10 2004 21:04:00

 > Ah an think if you can go with larger diameter coax and shorter feed lines t
 > the antenna, if you could get that extra 3 dB back it would be like 1600 wat
 > :) It really makes sense.

Rig of the Future
=================

The next generation rig will be in two pieces, like a split-system air 
conditioner.  The first of these will be a control head.  It will include 
all the display and control hardware.  Frequency readout, S-meter, 
whatever else is needed, along with VFO dial, band-switches, filter on\off 
controls, etc.  It will also have jacks for inputs and outputs like mic., 
key, TNC, and so forth.  This unit will be small and lightweight.  It will 
communicate with the second part of the rig via a fibre-optic link-cable 
which can be any length required.

The second part of the rig will be a sealed, hardened, RF-proof, water- 
proof unit.  It will be designed for remote mounting, in the attic, or on 
the tower itself.  It will have connections for input power, the fibre- 
optic link-cable, and coax output.  It's shape and design will allow it to 
fit to a standard rotor-mounting bracket.  It will also be possible with 
an adapter plate to be mounted on a tubular mast.  The design will allow 
units to be stacked and bolted together with optional hardware and other 
accessories.

Optional hardware and accessories will include

	* DC power supply to drive the rig and all other accessories
	* Linear amplifiers of varying output power
	* ATU or RTU (remote tuning unit controlled manually via the
	  fibre-optic link-cable)
	* Rotor

All of these units will 'stack' like lego bricks, and attach to the rotor 
mounting plate on the tower.

This design will eliminate lengthy coax runs and will allow antenna 
placement to be made without feedline loss being a contributing factor to 
placement.  Moving the RF components to the masthead will reduce RF in the 
home and eliminate any possible danger to excess exposure.  Use of fibre- 
optics for the link-cable will eliminate any path for home-generated EFI 
to reach the RF sections and should help keep the RF out of the domestic 
appliances, too.

Oh yeah...  it will probably be built by Icom.....  ;-)



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