[hpsdr] Where do I watch for Minerva/DFC [Solved]

[John Ackermann N8UR]

Given the recent discussion about the role of TAPR, Apache Labs, etc., I 
thought I should jump in since I was involved in a lot of this history. 
I am *not* speaking officially for TAPR in the following.

1.  TAPR views itself as a technology incubator, not a radio company. 
When we provide kits or assembled products, we usually do it because 
that item isn't available anywhere else.  We don't want to compete with 
someone who is willing to do a commercial product.  In fact, if a 
company is able to make a commercial success from an open hardware 
project, that's a *good* thing!

2.  The TAPR OHL was created at the request of the original HPSDR 
developers, and the HPSDR boards were the first guinea pigs for its use. 
  The NCL version in particular was an attempt to walk a tightrope that 
in the end didn't work as planned; we no longer recommend its use.

3.  TAPR never owned the HPSDR designs; we just provided manufacturing 
and other support to the project.

4.  I won't go into specifics about the way Hermes development occurred, 
or how Apache Labs got involved.  The position that Apache took with 
respect to the Hermes board layout was consistent with the way 
intellectual property licensing works, but was also not what TAPR had 
expected.  I'll just say that the lack of common understanding resulted 
from the newness of the open hardware concept and lack of clear written 
agreement.  There is really no blame on anyone.  We've all learned from 
that experience.

5.  As a result of that learning, TAPR's current policy is to fund 
production of OHL projects only where the developers agree in writing on 
some requirements in exchange for support.  Our biggest concern is not 
to get stuck with inventory because someone decides to use the Gerbers 
to manufacture the product in competition with us.  The up-front 
production cost is a very big deal for our small organization, so we 
need to protect that investment.

6.  The requirements are mainly that in exchange for support, the 
developers agree to use the OHL, but not to release Gerbers or other 
manufacturing documentation until after the TAPR production run is sold 
out.  This protects our investment.  We strongly encourage early release 
of other documentation (schematics, code, etc.).

6.  Finally, TAPR isn't a market research company.  We normally get 
involved in a project when developers come to us asking for support.  If 
they don't ask for help, we can't provide it.

I hope this helps clarify the situation.

73,
John
----
On 06/28/2018 05:08 AM, Isaac Weksler wrote:
> ***** High Performance Software Defined Radio Discussion List *****
> 
> Friends,
> 
> I joined the openHPSDR project in the beginning of 2010. I owned a Kenwood
> TS-850  then but I got so excited by the new, SDR, era in HAM radio, that I
> immediately decided to go for it. I purchased the hardware - then
> Mercury/Magister/Penelope based - from TAPR and Hercules amp from Gerd
> DJ8AY. This system - a complete SDR TRX with 100 Watts out on HF+6M - was
> about $1500. All this on the "as is" basis - no warranty or support in
> commercial sense. But instead we got the "open source" style support - by
> the community - that has been great. I even got from TAPR a free replacement
> for Metis that failed - never mind the "as is". That in my opinion has been
> the real HAM and Open Source spirit. And not only in spirit but in fact SW
> and HW has been completely open. Including Hermes offered by TAPR. But I
> purposely went for Mercury/Penny as it kept open the perspective of
> upgrading and experimenting with the system configuration (or so I thought
> then).
> And then Apache Labs has grabbed all this and turned it corporate. I do not
> know what "TAPR NCL" license (mentioned by Bill KC9XG) means but a Hermes
> based 100W output system in a nice enclosure became NON-OPEN and more than
> double in price. Why? Probably "to make a reasonable profit..." quoting
> Warren. And there went the Radio Amateur and Open Source spirit! Now it's
> all about making money... I could go on with expressing my feelings, but the
> moderator won't let me.
> 
> So I'll just say: So long openHPSDR, it was great while it lasted.
> 
> 73 Isaac 4Z1AO
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Hpsdr <hpsdr-bounces at lists.openhpsdr.org> On Behalf Of Scott Traurig
> Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2018 2:28 PM
> To: hpsdr <hpsdr at lists.openhpsdr.org>
> Subject: Re: [hpsdr] Where do I watch for Minerva/DFC [Solved]
> 
> ***** High Performance Software Defined Radio Discussion List *****
> 
> 
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