Launch of System Blue delayed

[W3DRM]

As far as replacement parts....
You might have trouble getting the original GPS module, from what I understand, and have to do with a different version.... perhaps with a feature missing.
The PDF document contains lists of virtually all of the parts required... however some are quite specific... for example the specially chosen LED on the E field preamplifier.
Yes,... the boards themselves were last produced a year ago.

Before I get started with the "real" part of my post, let me apologize in advance if I come off sounding like a jerk. Especially in a first post    I have nothing but respect for the developers of the project, and am truly amazed that they have put together a system of this magnitude as a purely volunteer effort without corporate or institutional funding. I also don't blame them for not open sourcing their software and algorithms. That's the product of their blood, sweat, and tears. And if anyone is ever going to get filthy rich off of that work, it should be them and not some corporate entity that found it on the internet and ran with it with no real work involved.

While sitting here tonight waiting for a large upload to happen, I went through the Red system PDF and checked the parts lists one component at t time. I can source every part needed, including the specified GPS module and LEDs, except for one part...the PC boards. (Note: I'm in the US. Outside of North America it may be harder to source everything, I honestly don't know.)

I agree totally that the developers should be focused on the development of Blue, and going back and recreating kits for Red is a massive step backwards and a major waste of their probably very limited time and money. But Gerber files for the Red boards sure would be nice.

David

David, the same questions/suggestions have been asked in many different ways on this forum. And, without being rude, suffice it to say that those suggestions have been rejected in the past and I suspect they will be rejected in the future.

Just think what it would mean for the developers to provide the Gerber files to the general public? It would/could result is total bedlam with everyone scrambling to build their own systems. Even with the Gerber files, who is going to be able to do any quality control on them to ensure they were made correctly. I've seen the results of poorly built circuit boards that caused more problems than they solved. The other side of that equation is the impact it could have on the servers and the developers who are currently preparing for the new BLUE system. They don't need to be further distracted with having to accommodate the unknown quality of any new systems coming on-line and the inherent issues that would follow in an attempt to do so.

Your interest and that of many others who are patiently waiting for the release of System Blue is well understood and appreciated. However, please try to understand why these suggestions can't be honored. You have really explained the reason for not doing what you are suggesting quite well in the first paragraph of your own post so we don't need to reiterate the same verbiage over and over again.