The time has come to replace the aging WinME machines after many year of
admirable service at NK7U. What advice do all of you have regarding the
best PC+Outboard device configuration for a WriteLog system these days? If
you were going to start from scratch what would you do?
As background our current configuration is:
* Windows ME PC -- various flavors but typically a Pentium in the 200-600MHz
range with a few MB of memory .
* Parallel port drives a Top 10 band decoder and the CW keyer built into it.
The band decoder drives a Dunestar bandpass filter set.
* One serial port used for rig control
* Sound board used for Voice Keyer and RTTY using Writelog's built in
RTTYRITE module using AFSK. (We have been advised not to try MMTTY with this
PC configuration.) We use WriteLog's Sound Board control application to
adjust audio levels and we use many RF Chokes in the audio path to eliminate
RFI & feedback problems.
* Network port for multi-op configuration.
* No SO2R operation as we typically do Multi-Op instead of Single Op.
* VGA port for a single 19" flat panel display
* The only external boxes we have beyond the PCs and Radios (FT1000MP
MarkV) are the Top 10 Band Decoder and a small box with an audio isolation
transformer. There are no RIGblasters, Winkeyers, Micro Keyer's, etc.
Looking forward we want the PC, Radio and external boxes to:
* Run WriteLog in a multi-op network environment
* Operate in SSB, CW, an RTTY (upgrading to MMTTY and FSK)
* Still have computer control of the Radio's (stating the obvious)
* Be dual monitor capable (Realizing it is pretty easy to throw a second
monitor board in just about any PC to make it dual monitor capable.)
* Have an audio path that is easily adjusted and is RFI immune.
* Driving the Top 10 Band Decoder from the PC & External Box is optional
because we can also drive them directly from the Band Data port on the Mark
V. Or for that matter if there is a better way control the Dunestart
bandpass filter we don't have to use the Top 10 Band Decoder.
*SO2R operation is not required.
* Have modern PC security capabilities
* The PC's would be dedicated to radio and contesting operation they do not
need capabilities to run MS Office, do games and photo editing, etc.
So, given this what do recommend?
* PC and operating system? If you have a specific brand and model please
state them.
* What port configuration on the PC?
* What external boxes would you use
* What is the resulting system configuration -- what is plugged into what
and how do you operate in the different modes?
Thanks everyone for your advice.
Scott/K7ZO
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