Re: [TenTec] ORION and IC7800 - Kirby - GUI's

[Charles Greene <W1CG@QSL.NET>]

Hi All,

I agree that there needs to be some rethought on the interface on rig 
control software.  One needs to think "Communicating" as instead of rig 
control as an objective.  What do you need to get the job done?  This 
implies integration with logging and propagation programs.  An objective 
may be "work DX" or "Get the Remaining States for WAS" or "Get the Highest 
Contest Score" as the primary objective, and "Mode," and other functions as 
secondary objectives  The program then sets up the complete station 
including antennas, band filters, rigs and selects or scans 
bands/frequencies for those objectives.  Other secondary objectives may be 
"Reduce Interference," and various transceiver filters are set up.  The 
operator makes choices between options presented.  Of course, the operator 
has the ability to over ride and make selections himself.  To do otherwise 
is to produce what I call an "idiot" rig where, for example, if you select 
SSB the sideband and filters are automatically selected for you and you 
have no ability to use the opposite sideband or narrow filters for digital 
modes which also use sideband and a sound card.  We don't need to duplicate 
those thoughts in a rig control program.

I have used several rig control programs and most duplicate transceiver 
controls, sometimes simplifying operation of complex operations.  However, 
sometimes it is easier to use the rig controls instead of the mouse.  I 
have also used several logging programs that also use rig control, notably 
Writelog and the similar free N1MM Logger, which do a great job on logging 
for contesting and the control some of the rig functions needed to assist 
the operator do that.  They do not  do complete rig control, and the use of 
a rig control program with such programs sometimes sub-optimizes the use of 
one or the other or both.   I have also used most of the digital mode 
programs that also perform logging, most notably MixW which does a fine job 
on the digital modes and good job logging including contesting, but which 
lacks the  feel of a professional contest logging program.

Another thing is you need to consider the state of the art of transceivers 
and the ability to control functions.  I have two K2s and sometimes operate 
SO2R with them, and an Omni VI.  You can not control all functions on these 
two rigs.  New top of the line rigs like the Orion or IC-7800 are more 
amenable to complete "Objective" control.

One thing I would like to see in a rig control program is a band and 
simultaneous  controllable narrow sub spectrum displays and the ability to 
select frequencies/stations by the click of a mouse.  This would help 
operator control, and make a display do more than just provide 
information.  I you run two transceivers, have two sets of displays.  One 
thing I have done is to run two simultaneous copies of MixW, controlling 
two K2s on different bands, and transmit/receive digital signals on one or 
the other, shifting rigs by the click of a mouse and typing in the window 
that is selected.  The non transmitting rig copies the selected station 
while transmitting on the other.  Typical SO2R operation.

Just some thoughts I have this morning.

73s

Chas, W1CG

At 08:44 AM 6/27/2004, Mark Erbaugh wrote:
> I agree.  To date, most computer based radio control programs have tried to
> make the computer screen look like a traditional radio front panel.  The
> radio front panels were designed because that was an effective user
> interface given the limitations of knobs and buttons. We really need to
> think of the radio control program as a computer program and design an
> interface that works for that.
>
> I think there needs to be a 'paradigm shift' in thinking about the human -
> radio interface.  For example, most radios have two VFOs. In the old days,
> they actually had two VFO circuits, but with most radios (excluding the ones
> with dual receivers), there's now one computer based PLL that it switched
> among various frequencies as needed.
>
> I'm not sure what the improved interface is as I've been using knob and
> buttons for so long that I'm used to the way they work and tend to think of
> my interaction with the radio in those terms, but I have to believe that
> there is a totally new design out there.
>
> 73,
> Mark
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Duane A Calvin" <ac5aa@juno.com>
> To: <tentec@contesting.com>
> Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2004 12:01 AM
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] ORION and IC7800 - Kirby - GUI's
>
>
> > On Sat, 26 Jun 2004 20:04:08 EDT N0KHQ@aol.com writes:
> > ...snip ...
> > > What I would really like to see is a graphical user interface for the
> > Orion
> > > that actually looked like an Orion. I guess not many programmers know
> > how to
> > > design life like 3 dimensional GUI's. True, it does take a lot of
> > > time........but man, the end result would be amazing. I have seen some
> > GUI's that look
> > > better than the real thing.
> > ... snip ...
> >
> > That's interesting.  Why would I want a GUI that looks just like the
> > Orion?  I can get that on the Orion only better since I wouldn't have to
> > mouse around it.. I would want a GUI that lets me be more efficient, or
> > makes operation easier or more intuitive. By the way, this is not a
> > complaint - I mostly like the Orion just fine, than you!
> >
> >         73, Duane
> >
> >
> > --------------------------------------
> > Duane Calvin, AC5AA
> > Austin, Texas
> >
> > http://home.austin.rr.com/ac5aa
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> >
>
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