[Dxbase] Building new shack computer

[FireBrick]

Ed.
This is a good subject for the entire reflector.
Been a year or so since I built a machine. And the tech. keeps changing.

What I would suggest is this. Go to www.tigerdirect.com and look at their mboard/cpu
combos.
Same with www.newegg.com.
Both are around the cheapest vendors. YMMV.

The thing you have to watch for....is comports. Most of the new mboards do not have serial
com ports, just USB.
And USB will almost never work with cw or fsk.
So if your planning on these modes, you have to look for a older style mboard.

Now here where it can get interesting.
If you purchase a medium line laptop, it will have a PCMCIA slot.
Those slots will accept PCMCIA to serial adapters.
I just bought a surplus, top of the line PCMCIA dual com port card for $50 delivered on
Ebay.
That gives me, 2 serial ports to control ptt/cw/fsk and rotator, and two USB ports to
control rigs.

Plus, when you go to Scarborough Reef to give me that last DXCC entity I need, you will
have a full portable to handle the job.

USB can usually handle rig control and 'many' of the rotor controllers.
It rarely can handle cw/fsk.

Good luck, hope this helps.

PS: I'm seeing lots of people having difficulties with RigBlasters on USB also.
I think they get it sorted out eventually but it's an exercise in frustration.
In honesty though, I have heard of people that had success right out of the box.




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ed W4EP" <ed at privette.com>
To: <dxbase at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2004 9:18 AM
Subject: [Dxbase] Building new shack computer


>
>
>
> I need some advice.
> I just took a "hit" on my shack computer and need to assemble a new one. I
> "thought" I knew how to select motherboards (the last one I built was four
> years ago) but the descriptions and capabilities are totally alien.
>
> Any of you who have built a stable shack machine lately who might suggest
> CPU/motherboard combo and sources would be much appreciated. It will be
> used primarily for digital modes, equipment control and internet.
>
> Please reply direct.
> 73, Ed W4EP
>
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