[Ham-Mac] macintosh as ham computer?

[Aaron Dickey]

On Thursday, November 27, 2003, at 02:43  PM, Bert Frichot wrote:

> I am trying to decide whether to use a macintosh OSX or Windows XP Pro=20=

> as my ham computer.  I am a new ham operator and prefer to use the Mac=20=

> when possible, but don't know which would be the wiser choice.  I have=20=

> an Icom 781 and would like to do most of my ham control via the=20
> computer.  Are there enough programs for OSX to keep you happy using=20=

> the Mac?  Would appreciate your thoughts and any advice.  Thanks. =20
> Chuck KC0BDU

Well, let me start by posting the disclaimer that I've only been=20
licensed since August and have yet to even make my first QSO (I just=20
can't afford a radio right now, not even a used one, unless someone can=20=

point me to some AMAZING deals out there that I'm unaware of). But=20
while there is some great Mac software out there, there's simply no=20
question that there is far far more ham software available for Windows.=20=

PCs have ~90% of the market, while Macs have ~5%, and most developers=20
would rather create programs for the larger pool of potential users.=20
(To say nothing of the fact that they're almost 20 times more likely to=20=

be PC owners themselves.)

So, if you're going to look at the issue from a purely logical=20
perspective, namely "Which OS will all me the greatest amount of rig=20
control, with the greatest number of options?", the only truthful=20
answer is "Windows".

I would agree with Dino KL=D8S/4: Keep your Mac, and use it whenever you=20=

can find appropriate software that you think does a good job. But at=20
the same time, you should seriously consider purchasing a PC to=20
maximize your options. It doesn't have to be anywhere near a=20
latest-and-greatest 3+Ghz Pentium 4 - most ham software doesn't need=20
anywhere near that much power - so you could probably get a perfectly=20
fine system for a few hundred bucks. (You could also consider getting=20
VirtualPC for the Mac, but that WILL run slowly enough that a number of=20=

ham programs may not function properly with it.)

I would also suggest buying the biggest hard drive you can afford and=20
partitioning it so that you can run WinXP on one half and Linux on the=20=

other; you might as well get the best of all three worlds if you're=20
going to spend the money. (You can partition your Mac drive or just add=20=

an external one and run Linux off it as well, of course...)

Good luck and 73,
Aaron KC8YGU=