Now Completely Outdated - Need to modify when time allows! Interesting purely as a historical perspective.

Computers are increasingly becoming a valuable tool for use by Radio Amateur Operators. I have the use of two machines here which I use to support a number of functions associated with my amateur radio activities. Both computers are home built systems using readily available parts from a local supplier.

The main shack computer is a Pentium II fitted with an Intel 266 CPU and 64mb ram and is equipped with a suitable graphics card for sstv and digital photo manipulation. It has a 24X CD ROM and a serial data switch which provides switching between my Fuji MX-2700 digital camera, packet and SSTV equipment. I use a PS/2 mouse which leaves a spare serial port for the computer aided transceiver (C.A.T) interface. This provides me with computer control of my IC- 746 Transceiver and includes direct frequency readings for automatic logging and auto qsy facilities when used in conjunction with the DX cluster capabilities of a station management program called Turbolog. I use windows 98 software as the main operating environment but have it configured appropriately for programs which only work in a DOS environment. I have tried several software programs for sstv but find the program written by DL4SAW very suitable for my requirements. This program is  easy to set up and use and is available in a shareware version. Many more features, including thumbnail provision, are available in the reasonably priced registered version. Even with noisy, low-level signals, the software and SSTV Interface hardware  produces very good results.