I don't think what Mark Phillips G7LTT/NI2O and Fred van Kempen PA4YBR are doing with their "Satoshi" clone boards is shady, though their customers may end up with questionable practices.
Mark Phillips wrote this on another reflector -- "Satoshi's original design (from which mine is derived) is nothing more than a collection of application notes for which he does not hold the copyright to. His later designs may or may not be original work. As I haven't seen them I cannot say but his current work does differ significantly from mine/Fred's. Fred and I have worked together to bring more of these boards to the masses." Both Mark and Fred refuse to give their customers copies of Satoshi's firmware, nor will they give information about where it can be found. So they are not being shady, in my opinion. I have read of people who bought an early version of the Satoshi board, got a legal copy of the firmware, and later bought a clone board -- so those people are also not doing anything shady. But I have to assume there are also people who've gotten a bootleg copy of Satoshi's firmware. I have chosen not to do that. Based on Mark McGregor KB9KHM's recent note to this reflector, "New non-Satoshi firmware will be available 'very soon'." So before long, in my opinion G7LTT and PA4YBR will be shipping their "legal" boards and their own firmware. I guess all this turbulence is part of a natural process as D-Star takes off. I believe the homebrew movement will help D-Star grow and will be good for everyone who is interested in this technology. Jim - K6JM ----- Original Message ----- From: ka2ugz To: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, January 20, 2010 8:53 AM Subject: [DSTAR_DIGITAL] Re: Purchasing a Node Adapter Thanks for the link Fran. Seems like these guys have the not-so-mini-hot-spot for sale but they tell you you still need to get the firmware from Satoshi... kind of a circular path. I guess they are fulfilling the need for hardware but in a way that seems kind of shady. If I am going to do this it will be on the up and up. Is there anyone else developing an adapter that is not dependant on Satoshi's firmware? 73 de KA2UGZ - Jay --- In [email protected], Francis Miele <f...@...> wrote: > > based on my experience you will be lucky if you ever hear from him. > > try here instead http://www.enicomms.com/ > > Fran Signature > > -- > > Fran, W1FJM >
