[Ham-Mac] Mac and PSK-31

[Chris Smolinski]

>Chris,- Can you comment on the suggested system requirements  for MultiMode
>4.2.0?
>
>What processors is it compatible with, what is the eminimum reecommended
>processor speed, and how much memory is required? What versions of OSX are
>required?
>
>I have played around with MultiMode 3.9.6 on a recetnly acqquired 233 MHz
>G-3 AIO. Performance improved substantially when I increased the memory form
>32 MB to 160 MB. Those having trouble with MultiMode might consider this.

Yes, more memory would help. MM 3.x itself wants around 20MB or so, 
as I recall. A system with only 32MB total is going to be very 
strapped for memory. G3/G4/G5 processor definately recommended. I do 
run it from time to time on a 300 MHz iBook (which again has 160MB 
RAM).

My development system is a 400 MHz G4, slow by todays standards. So 
anything better than that, and you're in good shape ;-)

>I find that one of the biggest problems in using MultiMode is the slow (0.5
>sec or so) update of the tuning indicator. It is difficult for me to tune
>with this slow an update. Is there any way this update rate can be changed?
>Would going to a faster processor help?

No, it wouldn't help. The update rate is fixed. Faster updates are 
possible, but would use more CPU time. One possibility would be to 
adjust the update rate based on CPU time available, or make it 
user-selectable. Also, OSX itself does window buffering, which will 
place some limits on maximum update rates.

>I am seriously considering going to OSX and if MultiMode is more usable in
>OSX then 9, that might tip the scales in its favor.

Well, development of the 3.x version for Mac OS 8/9 has stopped. 
Version 4.x is presently OSX only, although it may work on OS9 since 
it is carbon. I haven't spent that much time on OS9 since my download 
stats for other programs, including my other ham related programs, 
show OSX downloads far exceed classic downloads, by ratios of 3:1 to 
10:1.

I upgraded to Panther Friday, from 10.2, and it is very nice. 
Personally, I can't imagine going back to running MacOS 9 at this 
point. I've yet to crash the system to the point where I had to 
re-boot. Even while debugging MultiMode ;-)

Well, I was trying to get some more 20m PSK31 screenshots, but old 
Sol isn't cooperating, X1.3 flare as i type this, and 20m is pretty 
dead here. Good luck to the contesters out there.
-- 

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Chris Smolinski
Black Cat Systems
http://www.blackcatsystems.com