This whole project was created by volunteers. The design of the circuits, the software, the firmware, all of it. Apache produces their products based on the foundations laid by volunteer efforts. Apache's business is selling hardware but the basis for the entire project is due to Open Source volunteer efforts.
Something to understand about me is that my entire career is based on self-learning that was only possible by the open source efforts of the linux community and all of the communities that create not just the OS itself but all of the associated applications that are available. All of this was done predominantly by volunteers, hobbyists, industry experts, done out of passion for technology and the belief that sharing information and open collaboration has a huge benefit to all. My career in tech is derived entirely from information I learned that was made freely available by these contributors. I have no formal training at all in tech. I would have no career if not for the stunning ecosystem of Open Source software.
With regard to this project, the fact that it exists is almost miraculous. It needed the following things to all converge.
- People with the deep hardware knowledge and experience to design the hardware and circuits
- Those same people also being interested in amateur radio
- Those same people willing to apply extremely valuable market expertise and give it away for free
- The same applies to the firmware and the firmware is extremely specialized
- Very few people understand VHDL or Verilog to write the firmware
- Fewer yet are hams
- Fewer yet are willing to just do all the work for free
- The development tools cost quite a lot of money for the firmware as well, paid for by the volunteers.
When it comes to Thetis, all of the same applies equally. We are extraordinarily privileged that Dr Pratt did all the work on wdsp as well as all of the other contributors to Thetis over its legacy. The entire heart and soul of our radio was created by fellow hams and given away for all of us to enjoy. The technology used is leading edge and it is almost our pure luck to have the expertise on this project that we have.
- Nobody is being paid for their work on this software, Richie as of late is the one guy that decided to tinker for us, be thankful for that.
- The contributors are doing the work out of personal passion and the altruistic satisfaction of contributing to the enjoyment of others
- The software is open for anyone to download, modify, build and tweak for themselves, there is no point of authority that has ownership or responsibility, simply people that toil to organize the contributions
To the foot stompers, you truly need to take a minute and reflect on the fact that if you do not like something about the software, you are free to change it yourself. If you are not capable of doing so, you need to just take what you get and stop badgering the people that pour their own time into this project. There are plenty of things I'd like to change, but even with years of background in tech, this is such a specialized application that it's simply way over my head to contribute or change myself.
Realize also that Scott and many others here that assist by answering questions or helping fellow hams to configure their radios are all doing it simply out of passion for the hobby and this project itself. Nobody is obligated to support you with the software or configuration, this is how open source projects work. Projects like this are the community of users coming together to create something for all to enjoy.
If it is uncomfortable to own something that doesn't have a support desk or someone to yell at should something go wrong, there are other options in the market to consider. Just realize the incredible benefit that we all reap from the unaccounted thousands of hours of volunteer time spent by a skilled few that benefit us all.
Though we are a small, niche community, this project is a wonder of what Open Source can be at its very best.
For more of the history of this project, take a look at the parent site for the efforts The OpenHPSDR project at TAPR
Thank you to all that have contributed to make this an amazingly entertaining passion project for all of us. We are fortunate.