[Ham-Mac] Confused on a mac

[Eddy Martinez]

Hi Jim, All, 

On May 29, 2012, at 4:15 PM, Jim Lee wrote:

>>>  Have you set up your
>>> antenna to resonate on the band(s) you operate on, or are you relying on
>>> the auto-tuner to do the matching?
>> Auto Tuner only. I thought that would be enough.
>> I've been looking at an MFJ tuner, forget model number.
>> I will buy it, if it helps.
>> 
> This is where I think you should concentrate your efforts - the 
> antenna.  Don't worry about another tuner for now.  The tuner is only 
> supposed to make up for SLIGHT impedance mismatches between the rig and 
> antenna system.  It is not going to increase your antenna's efficiency.

Okay….

> Since you're using a Buddipole, I assume you are using either their 
> 8-foot or 16-foot mast.

8 footer. 


>  If you have configured the antenna as a 
> horizontal dipole, then on the lower bands your antenna will have NVIS 
> (near vertical incidence skywave).  This means that most of your signal 
> goes nearly straight UP and comes back down within a couple hundred 
> miles or so.  This is good if you want to talk to other people in SoCal, 
> but not good for DX.


Okay, yes, this is how I had it setup. 


> Try setting up the Buddipole as a vertical.  This will give you a lower 
> takeoff angle, and you can tune it easily by varying the length of the 
> counterpoise wire.

I did not setup any additional wires. I'll look over the Buddipole forums for instructions on this. 

> An antenna analyzer such as the MFJ-259B --REALLY-- 
> helps here.  If you are going to spend any more money, that's the first 
> place I'd spend it!

Okay. Looks to go for about $240. 


>> . What I don't understand, or have not been able to connect the dots 
>> on, is - What program do I use to tune the radio (select frequencies)? 
>> What program do I use to do PSK 31? How do I know the software is 
>> connected to the Radio via the C-IV cable?
> 
> To control the radio, you can use flrig or RUMtrol7k on the Mac.  I use 
> flrig.  For PSK31, there are a number of choices - fldigi, cocoamodem, 
> multiscan, etc.  I would choose fldigi because it can do many other 
> things as well.

Copy. Will re-download it. 

>  The CI-V cable (DigiMaster Pro) is only half of the 
> equation - with the IC-7000, it ONLY allows you to control the radio - 
> set frequency, mode, filters, etc.

UGH! Not as advertised. 

>  You can't operate any of the digital 
> modes unless you also have a sound card interface.

It comes with plugs for audio in and out. 

So you can NOT use the headphone and mic jack built-in on a Macbook pro?

>  One that several 
> friends of mine use is the SignaLinkUSB.  There's also the RigBlaster 
> and several others.  Most are supported natively on the Mac - no drivers 
> necessary.

Very good. Will save some money for these additional pieces. 

Thanks for taking the time to spell out the list of needed components. 

Eddy
KG6SPL

> 73,
> Jim W7JLL
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--
Eddy Martinez
eddy at fasteddy.org
760-529-3278