[hpsdr] Type of kits forthcoming?...

[John Koster]

On Fri, 21 Jul 2006, Bruce K3CMZ wrote:

> ***** High Performance Software Defined Radio Discussion List *****
> 
> I think we should ask:
> 
>  What is TAPR willing to provide?
> 

We'd like to be able to provide all the options.  However, willing is one 
thing and able is another.

The office is staffed by one person.  Currently he has been kitting the 
Atlas parts kit.  And will shortly be shipping bare PCB as well.  It's 
been a bit of a hill to climb, but we reconized that most everyone would 
be willing to attempt a simple SMT project (if I ever get caught up, I'll 
be doing my own).  

After cutting a lot of parts from reels of parts, being very careful to 
keep them segragated, it's obvious to me that the pick and place machine 
is much more efficient at doing this.  Bob has already addressed the 
economics of having all the SMT farmed out vs. just the 'big-uns'.  I 
would submit that's it's not a efficient use of a volunteers time either.  
They will have their hands full processing orders and shipping kits.  This 
will probably be the biggest thing since the TNC2.  There's no longer a 
core of volunteers all in one city.  We're scattered all over the planet 
now.

So my personal peference would be C.  Send all the SMT parts and boards to 
a contract manufacturer.  Add the through hole parts to the kit at TAPR 
and ship.  

Fully assembled does need to be examinded, just to see what the cost
differential might be.  However, there's another issue with a fully
assembled board.  That's whether or not it needs to be certified.  Also
what about import duties.  Doesn't a kit get by cheaper?  Export has been 
1/3 or more of the Atlas orders.  

If we were to offer a second choice, then I suspect it would be the bare
board, on your own for parts.

We have to keep the number of SKU to a minimum. 

That's my dos centavos and only one opinion.

-- 
73,
John, W9DDD



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