[TenTec] Advantages of computer control for s DX'er

[John L Merrill]

Duane:
What are you using for VHF/UHF radios and software?

John N1JM

-----Original Message-----
From: tentec-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:tentec-bounces at contesting.com]On Behalf Of Duane - N9DG
Sent: Monday, January 24, 2005 9:37 PM
To: tentec at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Advantages of computer control for s DX'er


I disagree, I think that all new generation radios should
have even more computer control, much of it in place of the
tired and inhibiting traditional controls. The key to it all
is to get beyond the idea of just emulating traditional
radios controls and panels in software and on the computer
screen, there is so much more that can be done in that area
for radio control using computers. Carl's program provides
just a small glimpse of what is possible without the
constraints imposed by regular knobs and buttons. It just
takes a little open mindedness to get there. But it also
takes radio hardware that allows it to be done, - something
that doesn't exist yet in ham radioland. And that is my main
disappointment of the Orion's design and is the single
biggest reason why I don't have one here now.

I'm a pretty serious VHF+ contester and do plenty of DXing
on the VHF+ bands. I for one would not go into a VHF contest
like the ARRL VHFSS this last weekend anymore without 100%
computer control of my radios. I was continuously watching
150 kHz segments on 4 separate bands (50, 144, 222, and 432
MHz) all at the same time. I could easily and quickly tune in
on the signals as I saw them pop up. Whether they were 5, 25,
50, or 100 kHz away, or even on a different band, it simply
didn't matter, they were all equally easy to get to without
ever lifting my hand off of the mouse. So I could easily tune
in and identify 3 separate signals within 10-15 seconds that
may have been 5-100+ kHz apart from each other, - or even on
different bands. Knobs and buttons radios would have had me
fumbling about reaching for VFO knobs continually between the
4 separate radios (been there, done that, - don't ever want
to do that again). And never mind the fact without spectrum
sweeps I wouldn't have even known that 50% of those signals
were even there to begin with. This is because signals on the
VHF+ bands during contests are often only present for seconds
at a time, without a spectrum sweep display and point and
click tuning I would have missed them completely. So no I'm
not just playing with a computer; on the contrary it is
modern radio at its best because I'm now pouncing on signals
that computer software now makes possible for me to know the
existence of. You simply can't spin VFO knobs fast enough to
even begin to have that same level of capability.

No doubt HF contesting and DX'ing is a different game with
plenty of signals always present and more persistent so they
are inherently easier to find. On VHF+ that's simply not the
case, you often get just one chance to find, tune in, and get
the attention of a DX signal within just 30 seconds or less.
If you miss that window of opportunity you often never get
another chance to work them again (because either they turned
their antenna further away and/or the brief propagation event
went away). So yes I do want my computer control front and
center, and the VFO knob is just a novel accessory that I can
buy to take up tabletop space.

Duane
N9DG



--- Tommy <aldermant at alltel.net> wrote:

> There is no reason to get defensive about your program, I
> did not
> mention any specific program by name. The N4PY program is
> known to
> be excellent plus add some excellent capability to the
> Orion. Most
> everyone who uses it say's they really like it. However one
> could
> argue that I can move up 5kc with my Orion just as quick as
> you can
> reach over, grab your mouse, move the cursor to the correct
> screen
> location, and then click a mouse. My personal choice is to
> not to
> use a control program, and not because anything may be
> wrong with
> it, simply because I prefer 'hands on' operation...just old
>
> fashioned maybe? But it still works for me in DX'ing and
> especially
> in contesting.
>
> Tom - W4BQF
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Carl Moreschi" <n4py at earthlink.net>
> To: "tentec" <tentec at contesting.com>
> Sent: Monday, January 24, 2005 4:52 PM
> Subject: [TenTec] Advantages of computer control for s
> DX'er
>
>
> > Tommy,
> >
> > I consider myself a serious DX'er and would not think of
> operating
> > any of my
> > radios without my control program.  I can find the caller
> in a
> > split DX
> > pileup much faster with the aid of my control program.  I
> also can
> > band hop
> > around to check out several different frequencies much
> quicker,
> > with all my
> > settings saved at each frequency.  When a DX station is
> listening
> > on his own
> > frequency and suddenly announces he is listening up 5, I
> can be
> > there in a
> > second and beat everyone else calling there.
> >
> > Carl Moreschi N4PY
> > Franklinton, NC
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Tommy" <>
> > To: <tentec at contesting.com>
> > Sent: Monday, January 24, 2005 4:44 PM
> > Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion Warranty
> >
> >
> >> The bottom line is a control program should be an
> 'addition to' a
> >> radio, but not 'in place of' parts of a radio. I think a
> lot of
> >> us
> >> much rather utilize the radio rather than play with a
> computer. I
> >> doubt that a serious DX'er or contester uses control
> programs for
> >> their operations, therefore, again, the radio should
> work
> >> stand-alone.
> >>
> >> Tom - W4BQF


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