[WriteLog] The "Dream" Computer for Writelog

[Jim McDonald]

Mike,

I have an IBM T20 Thinkpad at work (owned by my employer).  I don't use it
for radio, but I do love the machine.  It's a 700 MHz, I think, with 256M
RAM.  Has one each serial, parallel, and USB.  Built in NIC and 56K modem
and still has 2 PCMCIA slots.  Display is an awesome LCD, though I don't
remember the size (it's large).  Has a small docking station to make it easy
to dock/undock.  It runs Win 2000, but the emblems say it was designed that
and Win 98.  Has the eraser-head pointer, which I like better than the
touchpad for traveling.  The included mouse is a USB IBM optical mouse,
meant to work without a mouse pad.  The resolution with an external monitor
is high (1280X1024?).  With a notebook, no slots to plug in a video card for
K5DJ-style 2-monitor operation.

Your peripherals would require external USB converters as one serial port
isn't enough.

I use Network Black Ice for firewall purposes with my broadband; I like it.

This is the money-is-no-object machine(for most hams), as it's expensive.

Jim N7US


----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael M. Raskin" <mraskin@mediaone.net>
To: <Writelog@contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2001 8:25 PM
Subject: [WriteLog] The "Dream" Computer for Writelog



This is a theoretical question from a Writelog newbie trying to learn
the meaning of life and other esoteric questions, such as how can one
make Writelog work the way it's supposed to (or at least the way it
works for K5DJ).

?I would like to dedicate a computer exclusively to daily logging and
contesting.
      1)  It should be a laptop since I would like to be able to take
it on DXpeditions.
      2)  It should have a NIC as well as a phone modem so I can
connect to DX telnet by
     either high-speed data port or telephone.
      3)  It should be able to support CW, phone, and RTTY contests
without a separate
     terminal.
      4)  It should be able to bandswitch a FT-1000MP and a Top Ten
Devices Band
     Decoder.
      5)  It should be able to take full advantage of SO2R technology,
with mic,
     headphones, and keying switching automatically
      6)  It should have a firewall, such as Zone Labs, since it will
be connected to DX
     telnet.
      7)  Norton, Acrobat Reader, and WinZip should be available for
downloading updates
     and upgrades, but should not be part of the start up programs; in
fact, nothing that
     is not necessary for logging and contesting should be on the hard
drive.
      8)  A printer driver should be installed for those times when
you need to print a log or
     instructions, but should not be on the start up menu.
      9)  A RocketPort USB serial hub should be used so that the
laptop and rigs can
     connect.

What would you recommend if cost was no object (laptops are relatively
inexpensive these days)
to produce a nearly turnkey computer with the appropriate cables to
connect a FT-1000MP with
the laptop, Band Decoders, mic, headphones, paddle, etc., with all the
appropriate software
installed?  Should Windows Me or 2000 be avoided?  Does anyone provide
such a plug and play service?  In other words, how would you do it
better if you had to start from scratch?

73,
Mike, W4UM (ex-K4KUZ) mraskin@mediaone.net or w4um@arrl.net
Florida Contest Group   http://www.qsl.net/fcg/
South Florida DX Association   http://www.qsl.net/k4fk/


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Administrative requests:  writelog-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems:                 owner-writelog@contesting.com