Logging computer?

[Jeff Burns-3]

A recent hard drive failure in the family's main computer has me evaluating
all the computing needs at our house. One small part of the equation is the
computer I use for login. I would like to know what others think makes a
companion computer for a K2.

Currently I am using a PII 233 desktop with 196 MB of ram with my K2. It
runs Windows 2000. I use N3FPJ logging software for general logging and N1MM
for contest. Most of the time I have CW Get running. This computer is very
reliable, but is just barely fast enough. Scrolling through the log book is
slow. This setup also takes up a lot of space, and is a pain to haul out to
Field Day.

A laptop computer seems like the ideal companion for the K2. If cost was not
important I would go for one of the super rugged military grade models, but
unfortunately I will find it difficult to justify the cost of an older used
model. On e-bay I have seen laptops considerably faster than my old desktop
selling in the $150 to $200 range. The lowest priced laptops in the stores
are going for $550, but look very fragile.

I would like to have a computer dedicated to the radio. Sometimes I will use
that computer for web access if someone else is using the family computer.
If I had a laptop I might take it on vacation to download pictures from the
digital camera. This would make a USB 2 port desirable.

What model computer would work well for this kind of use? Is purchasing a
used laptop computer a smart thing to do? Where is the best place to look
for a good deal?

Jeff Burns
AD9T

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[Leigh L. Klotz Jr WA5ZNU]

Here is what I have found: Laptops often have less shielding and produce
more noise, and the switching supplies can be noisy.  I have found a
Sony Vaio to be noisy and a Toshiba Libretto and an IBM 500e to be
quieter.  The sound cards are often problematic, if you intend to do PSK
or other digital modes, and a USB soundpuck can help.
73, Leigh / WA5ZNU
On Sat, 21 May 2005 6:35 pm, Jeff Burns wrote:
> A laptop computer seems like the ideal companion for the K2.
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[k6dgw]

FWIW:  I owned a custom built laptop (until it finally died), now own a
Gateway, and when still working, had a big Dell provided by the
company.  All three suffer(ed) from serious hash getting into the sound
card (for RTTY contests) when using the AC adapter.  Can't beat the
portability that goes well with a K2, but those light, small little
switchers are real noisemakers.  Haven't tried to quiet the Gateway down
yet.

73,

Fred K6DGW
Auburn CA CM98lw

"Leigh L Klotz, Jr." wrote:
>
> Here is what I have found: Laptops often have less shielding and produce
> more noise, and the switching supplies can be noisy.  I have found a
> Sony Vaio to be noisy and a Toshiba Libretto and an IBM 500e to be
> quieter.  The sound cards are often problematic, if you intend to do PSK
> or other digital modes, and a USB soundpuck can help.

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