TOAST - QRP Transceiver
of the Near Future

The QRP transceiver of the near future will be almost indistinguishable from a normal notebook. More exactly, what you see will be a notebook. Only an expert will be able to find it on the Ham desk.

The virtual front panel of the transceiver with the control elements will be displayed on the smaller part of the notebook`s display, driven by a trackball. The call signs of all stations up the time on band and their frequencies will be on the bigger part of the display. Also displayed are geographic location and distance, signal strength, date of the last connection with these stations and if we have their QSL cards and what diplomas they are authorized for. On request, a record of the last connection can be displayed.

The operator can change the look and contents of the virtual front panel according to personal preference.

The extremely high stability of the frequency will be provided by receiving exact signals from satelites.

The operator will choose from the displayed stations and will click on one call sign. In this way, the transmitter will be automatically tuned to the frequency of the selected station. The connection is almost fully automatic. The computers exchange basic information about their operators such as name, address, personal photo, data and picture of their transceiver, picture of their town, local time, and other circles of interest the station offers as a subject of discussion. This information is displayed on the screen and during the connection, a complex picture of the other operator is shown. Both operators can then react to, and discuss the displayed information.

The station logbook will be automatically filled out. The stations will be able to automatically exchange virtual QSL cards during a connection and the "cards" will be stored in the PC memory.

A true luxury will be the printing of a classical (paper) QSL card, and having it sent via “snail mail”. By request only!

The transceiver will be in the form of a very thin box, located under the notebook as a pad.

The changing of bands will be achieved by exchanging the whole transceiver. Each of these will be optimally adjusted to one band.

Because of its shape, it will be known as TOAST. Who makes them?

Appendix:
When the “toasts” will become widely available, there will be a second wave of “Back to the Roots”. Simple schematics and old fashioned discrete devices with simple straight keys and good old fashioned Morse code will be used again. Home made accumulating battery and home made wind power station will supply these. The biggest hit will be the direct conversion rig using historic bottles. By the books of the begining of the 20th century we will make a replica of the bottles at home.

Petr Prause
OK1DPX