"Ron Natalie" wrote in message

Frankly, what I suggested to him maybe 10 years ago, and I think would
still be intersting in pursuing is to have a com radio unit where the
radio parts were preassembled/certificated but with no real user
interface parts, just a digital interface of some sort that avionics
hackers could integrate with their own electronic panel.

This is exactly what got me started on my own project! What I really
wanted was a set of very small "modules" (e.g. Com, Nav, GPS, etc.)
that were "headless" black boxes. No user interface - rather a serial
(Rs232/422) or, preferably, CAN I/O scheme. Then the user control,
display, et. al. can be as simple or as sophisticated as you'd like.

Advantages are that the modules can be mounted anywhere it's
convenient while taking up very little space. The panel space needed
can be user selectable dpending on how fancy they want to get. And
the level of integration with other systems opens up some really
interesting possibilities.

Still working on it - but who knows if it will go anywhere. The
possibilities
are really intriguing however so I continue to bash on the things. In a
perfect world if I could get someone like Jim to collaborate and/or
critique the RF portions I'd be *very* tempted to move forward with
the FCC and other certifications. Surely there are others who could
use these widgets - particularly if the cost can be held to some
reasonable level. Would probably always be a niche market with
relatively modest volumes but that's fine with me.......8-) Already did
the big-ticket, high-volume drill for years and don't care to go back!

If anyone here has any comments or wants to get involved let me
know........

Bill