[hpsdr] Pandora Update: another potential enclosure.

[Ben Hall]

Hi Chris!

Chris Albertson wrote:
> I read on the Wiki "...the backplane can be fitted into a standard PC
> enclosure."  Is this true?

Absolutely!  Any reasonably-sized PC case (IE: AT/ATX, not ITX) with six 
or more card slots will hold an Atlas populated with six of the largest 
100 by 220mm cards.

> If so why not source a good quality PC case.  There are many
> that are small and well built.  If one needs controls build those
> into a box that has the size of a CD-ROM drive.  

This is a very good option for some users of the HPSDR.  I believe one 
reason the Atlas design chose an 0.800" center to center card spacing is 
to accommodate the use of a PC case as an HPSDR case.  In addition, it 
already has a power supply!  Shielding may be a concern - I've seen some 
lousy shielding even in good quality PC cases.

There is a gentleman here who even has a webpage with a drawing of the 
HPSDR fitted into a very fancy PC case.  It's very, very nice!  I dare 
say it's art museum worthy - like a very fine piece of high-end stereo 
gear.  I can't seem to locate his message with the link, so hopefully 
he'll respond and share the link to his page.

For other users with limited space or those desiring portable operation, 
a PC case is simply too large and bulky.  An AT/ATX case with six slots 
is fairly large with much empty space inside.  Or, better said, I've not 
been able to find a rather small PC case that has six slots in the rear 
that doesn't waste a lot of space.  Many, including me, just don't have 
room in the shack for another computer sized box.

Pandora is meant to be both a solution for this smaller case need, as 
well as provide a buffet of parts for those who, say for instance, want 
a rack-mount HPSDR.  To me, one of the wonderful things of the HPSDR 
concept is that each of us can choose the case we want, the cards we 
want, and I'm probably jumping the gun in saying this, but also the 
software we want.

HPSDR - have it your way!  My apologies to Burger King.  (I wish we had 
a good Burger King here, but alas, they are all awful.)

thanks much,
ben, kd5byb
-- 
Thanks and 73,
Ben, KD5BYB


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