[Dxbase] Building new shack computer

[Fred Handscombe]

Sorry this "no USB CW" comment is plain wrong!

Please see my posting in another reply about microHam

Their interface installs straight out of the box and provides CW, PTT and
rig control on one USB port.

Not being invented in the US does not mean it does exist!

Fred
G4BWP

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "FireBrick" <w9ol at billnjudy.com>
To: "DXBase List" <dxbase at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2004 4:32 PM
Subject: Re: [Dxbase] Building new shack computer


> 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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