Computer Applications in Amateur Radio
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 Venus
Electronics SSTV Interface hardware produces very good results.
The second computer available is another homebrew Pentium II which has
similar specifications to the shack machine but has the addition of a Mitsumi
CD ROM re-writer, Black
Widow 4830 Pro Flatbed Scanner, 4.3GB Hard Disk Drive: 64MB
SDRAM: 36x CD ROM: 56K V.90Modem: 16bit Sound Card: Diamond Stealth Graphics
Card: 17" monitor. This machine was built for my daughter, Claire, but if I
ask her nicely she allows me to use it for access to the internet and general
domestic, use !! I also use one of the serial ports to feed signals to the
computer from an interface connected to a TIME-STEP
Geostationary Weather Satellite System which
enables me to receive constant weather imagery.
Both computers have network cards to enable file and print sharing.
