[UK-CONTEST] Radios and computers

[John Lemay]

Morning all

This may be slightly off topic, but I know that this is a large and useful
reflector so I'm anticipating that help could be forthcoming.

My query relates to two issues of radio and computer interfacing. It's
actually about vhf, eme and meteor scatter, but the principals are much the
same. I'm only a radio "amateur" and I know even less about computers ! As
for getting the two to co-operate, well ........

Firstly, I've been playing with radio control programmes such a Ham Radio
Deluxe, and I've found that my Dell desktop is fully compatible with both my
TS2000 and my FT1000MP using a "straight" lead, (I haven't tried absolutely
every option but it looks very promising from a quick test yesterday).
However my HP Laptop, with a Prolific usb to serial converter works with the
TS2000 (initialisation is very slow), but not with the FT1000MP. Should I
regard the converter as the culprit and , as the HRD site suggests, get a
"better" one, or do I need to look elsewhere in my system ?

Secondly, regarding digital modes. Many laptops apparently have a poor
on-board soundcard, and I noted an improvement in decoding when I use my
Dell desktop (admittedly it's also a faster machine). The Dell also has
on-board sound, and I can't imagine it's high spec. I'm wondering if I can
expect a further improvement by installing a "good" soundcard in the Dell,
perhaps something from Creative or Audidgy. Can I expect it to be "plug and
play" under XP ?

Many thanks

John G4ZTR