In my relatively quiet RFI and radio environment my QS1R's done well, but as mentioned in earlier posts I've built an attenuator/pre-selector/pre-amp based on the DL2NBU low impedance (5 ohms) series tuned circuits. Similar circuit showed up later in QSX and also copied by MFJ. My preamp has 20db gain but fairly high 4db noise figure.
Even more than preamplification especially on lower frequencies, I think attenuation coupled with selectivity is required for many ham applications, e.g., 'field day.' Even on 20, 17, 15, 12 and 10 attenuation and selectivity is paramount if other transmitters or harmonics thereof from Ham or BC xmitt'rs are present.
Phil's the first manufacturer I've heard of in a long time being honest to a potential customer base..... perhaps this could be interpreted as trying to 'discourage' potential buyers from buying a product. He reminds me of Steve Wozniak looking for a Jobs
I suspect he's overwhelmed by the response to his survey where 70% or so wanted RFFE1's immediately. Soldering those damn surface mount components takes a lot of time and steady hand on small piece work scale. He's also concious of cost; believe it or not. Even if relatively expensive, the RFFE1 coupled with the QS1R in the same 4" x 6" by 2" box makes excellent commercial sense.
Attached is pix of my kludged homebrew BC filter slotted just above the QS1R; this is where the RFFE will fit, along with pre-drilled and etched cover plates. Cathy's also making great headway with the 3rd gen GUI SDRMaxIII. The GUI will now have to have software buttons for the RFFE control so I suspect that's another reason Phil's being deliberate.
