Do we need a transceiver - or just a TX

 How about just a transmitter?

Let's think about this. Many people working 160-80-40 & 20m very often receive using WEB SDRs which are extremely popular considering the huge increase in noise at most QTHs reaching S7-9 levels.

So there has to be a case to separate TX & RX not to build transceivers at all. The Ham shack would then be a PC & Internet connection, browser and web SDR plus your own transmitter which you tune to the same frequency as reception.

So what should be the spec for a transmitter only

- Audio/MIC input with EQ & compression 

- digital; audio input for digital transmissions, and/or audio line input, no EQ or Comp

- Key input, straight and paddle

- SSB & CW 1.8-30MHz, probably SDR as much easier to get wide coverage, use ready made modules?

- 100W say, PA with ALC 5-100W selection, LPFs for all bands, relay switched

- a low level 0dBm output for transverter?

- Auto ATU with 50R coax, balanced and long wire outputs

- built-in power supply - SMPS for low dissipation.

- Front panel or remote operation. PTT & CAT commands

That's quite a list but it is do-able, ain't it? Got to define a way to switch TR between transmitter and reception on a PC...

All in all, it could save us a lot of money to have such a product. It might also stimulate better and more advanced web SDRs to be developed.