[hpsdr] TAPR Production Update: Metis and Alex

[Scott Cowling]

Hi all,

Just a quick end-of-year update on the two current TAPR HPSDR 
production projects, Metis and Alex.

Metis PCBs arrive the first week in January. We currently have one 
part shortage that we are working on. We are scheduled for assembly 
the second week in January, provided that we get the part issue 
resolved by then.  I have a Metis prototype board that I am using to 
develop the test procedure so that we will be ready to test 
production boards as they come off the line.  Metis should be 
shipping by late January to early February (unless we get held up by 
the part issue).  TAPR is taking orders on the web page right now.

The final toroids have arrived for Alex (all 8,000 of them!).  Graham 
KE9H will complete his testing of a board set built with the 
production toroids this weekend. The board set then goes to John 
Ackerman N8UR for extensive sweep testing before we jump into 
production.  While Graham and John are completing testing, we will be 
confirming availability of all of the parts. The relays are the 
biggest concern, as we need quite a few of them. We may have to 
modify the PCB artwork to accommodate different relays if we cannot 
find enough of the current part number.  Production will follow close 
on the heels of Metis, beginning in February. It will take about 8 
weeks, plus any parts delays. Our biggest challenge during that 8 
weeks is developing a comprehensive hardware test setup and test 
software.  If everything goes well, Alex ordering will open on the 
TAPR web page in late February or early March.

Wishing everyone a healthy, happy and prosperous 2011!  It should be 
a great year for HPSDR.

73,
Scotty WA2DFI



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