[WriteLog] Time to Upgrade Hardware

[Ken Claerbout]

Hi Guys - been spinning my wheels on this for awhile so I'm hoping to get 
some guidance.  I've searched the archives and some of it has been covered, 
although maybe new options have since become available.  For years I have 
been using an old Windows 95 machine with an internal sound card and the 
W5XD Multi-keyer for SO2R SSB contesting.  When I first started with this 
configuration, I had to get another sound card as the one on the motherboard 
generated too much noise.  The arrangement has been working great for years! 
But I would like to be able to use my Dell Inspiron running XP for the same 
thing.  The soundboard in the Dell scores 6f which does not support full two 
radio operation.  So the first question, where can I find a sound card that 
I can pop into the Dell that will support full two radio operation like I 
have in my Windows 95 machine?  I'd prefer to avoid the trial and error 
method of buying a card, installing it, and crossing my fingers that it will 
do the trick.  Thought about taking the card from the 95 machine but drivers 
are not available for XP.  The card is about 8 years old.

Next question, I have a Dell Inspiron laptop and was thinking it would be 
cool to do SO2R with it.  The obvious issue is no serial port(s) to connect 
to the radios and W5XD keyer.  Is anyone running SO2R with a laptop?  Any 
recommendations for how one might go about doing so?

Thanks
Ken K4ZW