[Discuss-gnuradio] Short USRP/Ettus Research update

[Matt Ettus]

Daughterboard Status
====================
        Although not formally annnounced, the DBSRX daughterboard has been
available for nearly 2 months now.  This board is for receiving only,
and covers 800 MHz to 2.40 GHz.  While it can not be guaranteed, it
usually covers all the way to 2.50 GHz allowing for ISM band reception.
 Up to 2 DBSRX boards can be mounted on a USRP, allowing for phased
array antennas and interferometry.  The DBSRX costs $150 and is in stock
at this time.  You will need to update your GNU Radio install to a
recent CVS version in order to use the DBSRX boards.

        The transceiver daughterboards that everyone has been waiting for have
been delayed a bit more.  We are sorry for the inconvenience, but we
want to make sure they work great right out of the box.

Antennas
========
        We now sell 4 different PCB antennas, all designed by renowned antenna
designer Kent Britain.  There is a log-periodic antenna with 5-6 dBi of
gain over the 900-2.6 GHz range, a perfect match for the DBSRX board.
There are also yagis for the 900 MHz ISM band (10-11 dBi gain) and 1.2
GHz ham band (6-7 dBi gain), and a quad patch antenna for the 2.4 GHz
ISM band (11-12 dBi gain).  The log periodic antenna is $30, and the
others are all $25.  All require a small bit of soldering.  They can be
ordered from the main ordering page:

    http://www.ettus.com/custom.html

Price Changes
=============
        We will have to raise the price for the USRP and the Basic
Daughterboards.  The new prices will apply to all orders placed on or
after Sept 15th, so there is still time to get orders in at the old
prices.  All other prices will be staying the same.  This is needed in
order to cover costs for the following:

        - Hiring a shipping manager
        - The high support time and costs
        - Switching PCB manufacturers and contract manufacturers to more
expensive but more reliable and punctual ones
        - Switching to lead-free components (and redesigning around components
which aren't available lead-free) in order to comply with the upcoming
European RoHS regulations
        - Price increases and availability issues on some components

        The price of the USRP will be changing to $550 and the BasicTX and
BasicRX board will become $75 each.  The USRP is still priced
significantly below other competing products.

        There will be quantity discounts available, and members of the
following organizations will get a $25 discount on each USRP (for up to
2 USRP systems):  TAPR, SARA, AMSAT, SETI League, and ERAC.

        Shipping charges for outside of the US will also be changing due to the
large "fuel surcharges" which the major shipping companies are now charging.


Summer Closing Time
===================
        Ettus Research will be closed from Sept 3rd through Sept 11th.  Email
and phone messages arriving during this time will be responded to after
we return for business on Sept 12th.  All orders received by Sept 1st
will be processed by Sept 3rd.  All orders arriving after Sept 1st will
be processed after Sept 12th.  As always, all technical questions should
be directed to the GNU Radio mailing list.

Thanks,
Matt