It's the knobs! I borrowed a Flex 1000 for a month and although it has interesting characteristics, it's a pain in the butt to operate.
I see why contest operators hate SDR, too slow!
That said SDR has some niche applications no other RX is suited for i.e. skimmer RX.
But for the casual ham its not a good fit. We need fast knobs!
I am curious about these comments? I can buy in that setting up an SDR for contesting would be a little challenging if a person is not very computer savvy, but after its setup, one has added the software as I have, knobs and touch controls like I have, why would it be bad for contesting?
I would see things like the Panadaptor and tight integration with other software like DX Spotters, Logging, digital modes as very desirable for contesting.
I can see and tune my station to a signal as fast if not faster than the other radios I have or had. Can you help me understand that part of your comments better? And yes, upfront, I am not a contester so that is precisely why I would like to understand your views.
I consider myself very much a casual hammer and enjoy the challenges that building an SDR station has presented. It seems to me that these kind of technical challenges are part of the very rich enjoyment many hams in general seek?
BTW, I am not trying to start a debate on what's better, because I beleive what's best is a very individualiled and personal in nature. I would like to understand what seems like a very broad and sweeping statement about being a bad contesting platform. The real question is why is an SDR station bad for contesting in your opinion?
NI0Z