Universal Digital Signal Processing
Many of you know I am an avid fan of vintage gear. In my shack in Florida I have all vintage stuff - Drake TR3's with its matching VFO and tuner, an old turner mic, even vintage test gear. My sole concession to modern times in that shack is a hybrid Kenwood TS820S. None of the transceivers have DSP. In my shack here in Uganda I brought an Icom IC 718. It is a fairly modern rig cursed with 22 miniscule buttons. It does have a tuning knob however. I was searching through the 20 meter band yesterday and it occurred to me that we possess an unsophisticated form of digital signal processing.
Now, I am fully aware that the generally understood definition of digital signal processing is the conversion of a signal into a digitized form and the application of circuitry to sample the center of the signal, filter out the rest, convert it back to analog form and send it to the audio output (in over-simplified form). It is, in it's purest since, the manipulation of a signal to find the clearest and best output.
So, I was dialing through the band when I had an epiphany. Right there, in my hand was the original digital signal processor. Every vintage rig I own has it. Every rig you own has it too. No electronic signal processing is possible unless it is proceeded by this form of digital processing. Wanna see one in action? Here it is.
So all of us boat anchor guys need not feel inadequate or behind-the-times any more. Those of us who struggle through the bands without little multi-function buttons and rely on simple rotary dials need not feel like a red-headed stepchild any more. In fact, the more I think about it, the more proud I become.
Micro-processors? We don't need no stinking micro-processors! Those of us who use this form of signal processing do it ourselves, like real men. We grab the signal by the hand(le) and force it through the output. We wrestle the signal out of the air and push it into service for ourselves.
Knowledge is power and I am more powerful today. Digital signal processing has been right there in my hand all this time and I didn't even know it. You can do it too. Don't be afraid of the power in your fingers. Grab that knob and get it touch with your alpha-male (or female) and process that signal today.
Mr. Dunnigan,
While I appreciate the opinion you represent in this article. I completely disagree with it. While being able to tune around the bands with out the help of DSP is probably a valuable skill, the fact that you somehow feel you are superior to other hams based on the fact that you prefer to use older equipment represents a horrible attitude that is all too pervasive with in the hobby.
In my opinion this type of thinking is truly holding the hobby back. All too often you hear statements like "HSMM my 1200 baud packet is fine" or "Phone who needs to use phone everyone should stick to CW"; the list goes on and on.
Leaders in the ham community with similar attitudes are likely why ham radio was once full of innovators and on the cutting edge of communication technology and is now stuck in its past with many hams reminiscing about the "glory days of old.
So my challenge to you is to push that button, adjust that digital noise filter, all while tuning around the band and listen to what you hear. You just might like it.
Sincerely,
Josh Smith
KD8HRX
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Josh, first let me say thanks for taking the time to send in your comment on this post. I always enjoy hearing from my readers and am grateful when they write in.
Second, Josh, it was a joke. Lighten up. I wrote this as a tongue-in-cheek piece. The "don't need no stinking micro-processors" should have tipped you off.
Third, we old guys have lived long enough, fought enough battles, overcome a few obstacles, and followed the flow of progress from the days of black and white television with shaky vertical hold that we are comfortable with the past. Most of us have cell phones, laptop computers, and flat screen televisions. Many of us have the money to buy any rig we want so that's what we do. Moreover, many of my generation grew up ina more mechanical, less digital era so we are fond of mechanical things, in awe of digital ones.
Fourth, i would not agree that innovation is diminished in ham radio. Consider all the new digital modes of transmission, satellite reception, and the great many homebrewers divising new gear that operate on QRSS (many of them using microprocessors). The latest issue of QST I have received here in Uganda features the interface of ham radio and the internet. I believe innovation and creativity is alive and well.
Fifth, I would love to flip on the DSP processor on my Icom but it doesn't have one. I would buy one but shipping it here would cost much more than the DSP unit and given the delivery services in Africa it is very doubtful I would ever receive it.
Sixth, you will be happy to learn I am researching DSP units for my vintage gear and intend to add one to my shack when I get back to the States.
So, all of us old guys are not anti-progress but we are able to appreciate a joke. Never forget, ham radio is a hobby, only a hobby.
Please write again, and look for your comments on the blog. I'll click the publish icon right now. And if you write again, please call me Jack. I am 59 years old but whenever I hear or read Mr. Dunigan, I always look for my father.
Jack
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