The idea of having one board with all the basic functions on it and adding plug in BPF and LPF filters to change operating bands has merit . This would allow hams from all over the world to "plug in " the filters for the ham band that is the most popular and active in their part of the world. ?For example , I would like to be able to operate 160 m QRP at night as there is quite a bit of activity on the west coast of USA and Canada at the moment on 160 . The advantage of plug in modules., is that you would have the option to go back to "40m " if one wanted to do so .
The alternative , would be to come up with a conversion?list specifying the parts to be replaced and the values required for operation of the BITX40 board on the different ham bands. The issue with this is that the parts required are not always readily available locally to a lot of hams around the world.
?I view the BITX40 as a Global Experimental Radio Project ( GERP ) and as such , to maximize the opportunities to experiment with the board , I think a conversion kit to other radio bands makes the most sense.
If a conversion kit was made available, 160 M conversion (for example) . ?Once the conversion kit was received , one could modify the BITX board following some basic instructions to the new band of interest , with the option to convert back if one wanted to do so at a later date .
The addition of conversion kits for other bands, should enhance the amount of interest in the BITX40 as a global basic platform for amateur radio enthusiasts to experiment with around the world.?
Any additional thoughts on this ?
