You can absolutely get the software without the radio. It's open source and
there's even a Windows executable install that can be loaded from the Flex
Radio page. I do have PowerSDR loaded here on my PC. Unfortunately, I
haven't been able to do much with it without a radio connected through the
firewire port. That's why I bought the $20 SoftRock40 SDR kit. The
SoftRock will provide something for the software to communicate with at an
affordable cost for accessibility experimentation.
As soon as I get the kit built, I'll let you know how it goes. Meanwhile,
go ahead and get a copy of PowerSDR yourself and/or look at other SDR
software and let us know what you find. It's great to see others interested
in accessible SDR software. I had posted something here a few months back
but got no replies expressing interest.
73,
Jim
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Miller" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 1:37 PM
Subject: Re: Flex radios and accessibility
Maybe there's a way you can get the software and play with it first? a demo,
or open source, maybe someone will let you try a copy? I don't know if it
will work with out the radio, but that would be interesting to see.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jerry Neufeld" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 1:04 PM
Subject: Re: Flex radios and accessibility
> Jim, sounds interesting. I just spoke to one of the developers at =
> Flex-Radio and he said that, apart from the pan adapter and waterfall, =
> pretty much all buttons, controls and boxes should be reachable and =
> non-gui items. At any rate, I'd be interested in following this up, =
> either here or, probably better, on another list.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Jerry VE3QSO
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----=20
> From: Jim Kutsch=20
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 11:51 AM
> Subject: Re: Flex radios and accessibility
>
>
> Jerry,
> I, too, have been intrigued with SDR ever since attending lots of SDR=20
> seminars at Dayton earlier this year. The PowerSDR software from Flex =
> Radio=20
> is indeed highly graphical. However, it's modular and built on base=20
> software to run the radio. Further it's all open source. So =
> theoretically=20
> it's possible to replace the GUI front end with a text based, command =
> line=20
> type interface. Such an interface is essentially available for Linux =
> but=20
> it's not specific to the Flex Radio.
>
> Go search on the topic "softrock40" and you'll find lots of stuff =
> about a=20
> SDR receiver which is available in kit form for between $20 and $70 =
> US. I=20
> ordered one and a friend is doing the kit building. Once I have that, =
> I=20
> plan to work on the accessible software interface issue. If you or =
> anyone=20
> else is interested in SDR accessibility for blind hams, let's pool our =
>
> exploration. I'd be happy to set up a group or at least a mailing =
> list.
>
> 73,
> Jim
> KY2D
>
> ----- Original Message -----=20
> From: "Jerry Neufeld" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 1:05 AM
> Subject: Flex radios and accessibility
>
>
> Good morning folks,
>
> Has anyone looked into the screenreader accessibility of the Flex =3D
> software? Intrigued as I am by the concept of a software-defined =
> radio, =3D
> potentially the ultimate in transceivers, I am a tad concerned about =
> the =3D
> interface to users, highly graphical, I suspect. Any info on this will =
> =3D
> be appreciated.
>
> Regards to all,
>
> Jerry VE3QSO=20
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