So as of late SDRs have peaked my interest. And I have heard a lot about them over the past couple of years. But it seems that I am just a little disappointed, but then again I might have my expectations set to high. So maybe someone here can help me get a better grasp on things or straighten out my thoughts on the subject. So anyway as I understand an SDR it is simply a radio that uses rudimentary hardware to provide the basic functions of the radio while relying upon software to do preform the more complex functions such as DSP, SSB operations, and digital modes. So with that being said it would seem that the hardware that I have seen in severely limited in its ability. In other words everything I seem to find is all geared strictly towards hams in the HF bands Why is this?
Like I said before my expectations my be set to high. But it would seem to me that an truly developed and fully functional SDR is very capable of being a complete ham shack in a box (or two). In other words a receiver that is capable of wide band receive all bands including HAM, would he capable of both analog and digital operations (you know things like Echolink, D-star, CW, RTTY, etc...), and be capable of keeping up with changing tech such as APCO 25 systems. I know APCO 25 is not a HAM thing but I guess I'm thinking more along the lines of comm shack in box then just a ham shack. I know this is a lot to pack into any single device but with the SDR concept it would seem very possible.
What I am getting at is this simple question. Have I missed something or has SDR simply not comes this far? Guys I appreciate all the assistance.
Like I said before my expectations my be set to high. But it would seem to me that an truly developed and fully functional SDR is very capable of being a complete ham shack in a box (or two). In other words a receiver that is capable of wide band receive all bands including HAM, would he capable of both analog and digital operations (you know things like Echolink, D-star, CW, RTTY, etc...), and be capable of keeping up with changing tech such as APCO 25 systems. I know APCO 25 is not a HAM thing but I guess I'm thinking more along the lines of comm shack in box then just a ham shack. I know this is a lot to pack into any single device but with the SDR concept it would seem very possible.
What I am getting at is this simple question. Have I missed something or has SDR simply not comes this far? Guys I appreciate all the assistance.
