[Ham-Mac] macintosh as ham computer?

[Bert Frichot]

Dino,  Thanks for your response.  I have looked at the machamradio page and
some other on the
mac web ring, but I am not knowledgable enough to know whether all those
programs would be
enough to do all the fun things that can be done in ham radio.  The first
thing I would like to do is
to control the Icom 781 by computer and maybe the antenna tuner; is that
possible?  Please don't
start a flame war over this; figured it would not be an issue on the ham-mac
mailing list.  Thanks.
Chuck  KC0BDU


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "KL�S" <kl0s@cox.net>
To: <Ham-Mac@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, November 27, 2003 2:02 PM
Subject: Re: [Ham-Mac] macintosh as ham computer?


Chuck -- At the extreme risk of starting a major flame war....instead of
making a recommendation I'll tell you what I did faced with the same
dilemma.  As an Apple user since 1979 who still has my original Apple II and
IIe, two Mac 512Ks, Mac IIsi, Mac Classic II, two iMacs, a G4 dual, a
Powerbook 5300CS and a new 15" Powerbook enroute from the far east even as I
type, I think I can speak from a little experience.....I used my Apple II on
RTTY in the early 80's with a homebrew interface and Chuck Galfo's software
and have tried various Mac ham radio applications throughout the years with
widely varied success.  In the end after much delay and personal angst this
past August I gave up and bought (pardon whilst I spit) a new HP PC to take
advantage of the wealth of ham radio and Weather Satellite applications
available for the PC.  I still use MacRATT to do RTTY and PACTOR on the
iMac, but when it comes to PSK-31, and the wide range of other digital modes
and SSTV it's pretty hard to match the capability and ease of use in the Mac
world (apologies in advance to Chris Smolinski and MultiMode).  It's really
a shame that I have to maintain two computer systems here in the shack to
have the capabilities I want.

BUT, before you make up your mind check out the growing list of Mac specific
ham radio and electronics programs at:

http://www.machamradio.com/

where you'll find lots of stuff dedicated to the OS X world (I'm still using
OS 9.2.2 on the iMac in the shack, that is until the new Powerbook gets
here).  When it comes to satellite tracking and logging programs it's hard
to beat Don Argo's MacDoppler and MacLogger DX both of which will continue
to be used here in the shack.

Guess the bottom line depends a lot on specifically what you want to do.

Ok, I've got my asbestos suit on guys....fire away.

Dino KL�S/4
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