[SD-User] Using SD

[Allen Wootton]

Hello,

In general I use CW for ragchewing and casual DX operation.  Also, my main radio of early 1980 vintage predates computer - radio connection.  However, for the past few years I have been enjoying operating in a few contests in the QRP category using an FT-817 and, as I have gotten better, the need for a better logging system than paper and pencil with post contest transfer to SD has become very obvious to me.  Consequently, I would like to use SD for logging during a contest with some measure of connectivity between the computer and the FT-817 so that band and mode changes would be recorded and also so that I can send messages at the touch of a button.

When I look in my reference books and on the internet I find so many different pieces of equipment for sale and circuits that provide rig to PC connections that I feel confused about what I actually need to operate SD with an FT-817.  I would really appreciate any suggestions as to how to make a simple interface between an FT-817 and a PC that would allow me to experiment with SD.  I have an older computer that has both a serial and a parallel port as well as USB connectors and I would prefer to make my own interface rather than just buying one.

Thank you for any suggestions you may have.

73,

Allen, VE7BQO