[UK-CONTEST] Radios and computers

[Jim Martin - MM0BQI]

Hi  John
I think your query is of interest to the reflector and on topic.
I would dig deeper into the set-up for the MP on the laptop.  If the TS 
works fine it is more likely to be something in the set-up.  My Prolific 
USB/Serial works a treat on the laptops with MP and IC7400, I currently use 
it to control the IC for SO2R
Regarding quality of sound for data modes I have had a couple of HP laptops 
(Xe2 and 6000) and they have certainly given the same performance as the 
SoundBlaster fitted to the desktop machine.  There are many ways to 'tweek' 
programs like MMTTY for decoding RTTY and I would experiment first before 
going to further expense or complication.
I think the watch words here are 'keep it simple'!
Have a look at http://www.aa5au.com/rtty.html for more information.
73
Jim,  MM0BQI

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Lemay" <john at carltonhouse.eclipse.co.uk>
To: "Uk-Contest at Contesting.Com" <uk-contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Sunday, February 12, 2006 9:41 AM
Subject: [UK-CONTEST] Radios and computers


> 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
>
>
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