[Dxbase] Building new shack computer

[Richard Detweiler]

A good place to get PCI card that has 4 or 8 serial comm ports.

http://www.byterunner.com/

73's
Rich
K5SF

>From: "FireBrick" <w9ol at billnjudy.com>
>Reply-To: FireBrick <w9ol at billnjudy.com>
>To: "DXBase List" <dxbase at mailman.qth.net>
>Subject: Re: [Dxbase] Building new shack computer
>Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2004 10:32:56 -0500
>
>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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