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PC laptop for K3/KX3 digital modes

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Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ

Re: PC laptop for K3/KX3 digital modes

Administrator

Time to end this thread. We're way exceeding the single topic short term posting limit on this one.

73,
Eric
Lost Modulator
elecraft.com
_..._

> On Nov 20, 2013, at 4:51 AM, "Chester Alderman" <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Everyone is allowed their own opinion! Mine differs from Rick's
> significantly. I have been running Win 8.0 and now 8.1 and find it to be
> very stable and convenient to use. In my opinion MS DOES NOT need to fix
> anything because it runs very smooth. I think what folks complain about is
> our natural resistance to CHANGE and yes, Win 8.x produced 'change', but
> once you get past the media comments about how awful the user interface is,
> one can adapt quite easily. It is true that when Mr. Ford first produced a
> car, resistance was rampart, BUT look around you now!! I run N1MM Logger,
> YPlog, RBN, Skimmer, CW-Tune-In, VE7CC, and any other program I wish under
> Win 8.1 and have had no issues with it.
>
> 73,
> Tom - W4BQF
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Rick Bates
> Sent: Wednesday, November 20, 2013 12:04 AM
> To: [hidden email]; 'Dave Moorman'
> Cc: 'Elecraft Elecraft'
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] PC laptop for K3/KX3 digital modes
>
> I would NOT suggest using XP anymore. Software companies will no longer
> offer their support when Microsoft drops it next April (2014). If the
> software of your choice works, you win. If it doesn't, you're on your own.
>
> Win7 is stable, usable and is supported. It is also fairly familiar (except
> some folders are in different places per Microsoft [apparent] upgrade
> policy).
>
> And after a couple days exposure to Win8 - the interface SUX! It's the new
> Vista. Avoid it like the plague until they fix it. Nothing is where it
> should be.
>
> 73,
> Rick wa6nhc
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
>
> I would look for one that is running Windows XP or Windows7.
>
>
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Richard E Neese

Re: PC laptop for K3/KX3 digital modes

In reply to this post by Chester Alderman

Comment on window 8 ..

1) 8 and 7 are 98% the same os the only major diff is in 8 they added
the new launcher
2) they made the launch page default
3) the took away the homescreen start button

in 8.1 they made it a option to use the launcher or go back to how
windows was.

so take the time upgrade to 8.1 and you can change back to the default
look and feel.

xp = rock solid
vista= me revisited
7= next =90%stable
8/8.1 new kid on the block

--
KB3VGW
Richard E Neese

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Barry K3NDM

Re: PC laptop for K3/KX3 digital modes

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4

Don,
I'm not sure that I would recommend the change. The drop of support only has meaning if you are planning to replace hardware or upgrade software. Yes, you won't be getting updates, but at this point, so what? I would suggest moving forward in steps as you need to, like buying a new computer. Whatever version of Windows you will use at that point will allow connection to your home network. If you take this approach you will save a lot of potential grief and long hours of trouble shooting. And, remember that you're fully functional at this point. Please disregard my suggestion if you are a computer science major or want to change hobbys from radio to computers.

73,
Barry
K3NDM

----- Original Message -----

From: "Don Wilhelm" <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Sent: Wednesday, November 20, 2013 12:27:52 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] PC laptop for K3/KX3 digital modes

I am in the process of upgrading my XP computers to Win7 in anticipation
of the April 2014 "drop dead date". With a home network of 8 computers
and a NAS fileserver, it is not an overnight task. All computers must
talk to each other on the network.

I will end up with a couple of the computers running some version of
Linux to save the cost of additional copies of Win7 OS, and I am glad to
report that after 3 years of aborted attempts, I have finally found a
workable configuration file for Samba that will allow a Linux computer
to work on my home network.

BTW, I have been recommending the use of Spectrogram for the Dial
Calibration and filter alignment of the K2 (and K1), and am happy to
report that it will run just fine under the most recent version of Wine.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 11/20/2013 12:03 AM, Rick Bates wrote:

> I would NOT suggest using XP anymore. Software companies will no longer
> offer their support when Microsoft drops it next April (2014). If the
> software of your choice works, you win. If it doesn't, you're on your own.
>
> Win7 is stable, usable and is supported. It is also fairly familiar (except
> some folders are in different places per Microsoft [apparent] upgrade
> policy).
>
> And after a couple days exposure to Win8 - the interface SUX! It's the new
> Vista. Avoid it like the plague until they fix it. Nothing is where it
> should be.
>
>

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Barry K3NDM

Re: PC laptop for K3/KX3 digital modes

In reply to this post by Bill Frantz

Bill,
Be careful of running Windows on a MAC. I have run into some interesting problems doing that. I was working with two MAC Minis. One would allow access to the wireless network and the other would not. Additionally, not all sound cards play nice in this environment. The one that comes to mind is the one that FlexRadio uses in its 3000 or 5000. After weeks of effort by two of use we got it to work, but I really do not recommend going down this round; buy a cheap PC and save the grief.

73,
Barry
K3NDM

----- Original Message -----

From: "Bill Frantz" <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Sent: Wednesday, November 20, 2013 3:00:12 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] PC laptop for K3/KX3 digital modes

In addition to all the PC suggestions, FLDIGI and cocoaModem
work on Mac OS and support a bunch of digital modes. RUMlog and
RUMped are decent logging programs.

It is also possible to run Windows directly on Mac hardware.
Apple makes high quality hardware and I have met people who run
Windows on MacBook computers because they want to take advantage
of the hardware and don't like Mac OS.

Cheers - Bill, AE6JV -- a non-Windows user

On 11/19/13 at 5:23 PM, [hidden email] (Dave Moorman) wrote:
>I’d like to get the K3 and KX3 on HF digital and am wondering
>if anyone can recommend a reasonably priced PC laptop which
>would do that. My experience has been only Macintosh so the PC
>laptop world is unknown territory. A decent keyboard and a
>trackpad are pretty essential, but that’s about the only
>hard-and-fast requirements.

--------------------------------------------------------------
Bill Frantz | There are now so many exceptions to the
408-356-8506 | Fourth Amendment that it operates only by
www.pwpconsult.com | accident. - William Hugh Murray

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Phil Kane-2

Re: PC laptop for K3/KX3 digital modes

In reply to this post by Rick WA6NHC

On 11/19/2013 9:03 PM, Rick Bates wrote:

> Win7 is stable, usable and is supported. It is also fairly familiar (except
> some folders are in different places per Microsoft [apparent] upgrade
> policy).

And if you are nostalgic for "the old look" there are free programs to
make it look "classic" and fix the appearance of the buttons on T-Bird
and Firefox. Works well to control my K2 as needed.

73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane
Elecraft K2/100 s/n 5402

From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest
Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon
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AF5BV

Re: PC laptop for K3/KX3 digital modes

In reply to this post by Barry K3NDM

I am also a Mac user, but agree that running Windows can create issues. I have had go luck with VMware but only use when I really have to.

My preference is to use Mac compatible programs like Fldigi and MacloggerDX. I've also used Rumlog and SdrDX with the KX3 successfully. They work well together once configured properly

Paul
AF5BV

Sent from my iPhone

> On Nov 20, 2013, at 11:05, [hidden email] wrote:
>
> Bill,
> Be careful of running Windows on a MAC. I have run into some interesting problems doing that. I was working with two MAC Minis. One would allow access to the wireless network and the other would not. Additionally, not all sound cards play nice in this environment. The one that comes to mind is the one that FlexRadio uses in its 3000 or 5000. After weeks of effort by two of use we got it to work, but I really do not recommend going down this round; buy a cheap PC and save the grief.
>
> 73,
> Barry
> K3NDM
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
>
> From: "Bill Frantz" <[hidden email]>
> To: [hidden email]
> Sent: Wednesday, November 20, 2013 3:00:12 AM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] PC laptop for K3/KX3 digital modes
>
> In addition to all the PC suggestions, FLDIGI and cocoaModem
> work on Mac OS and support a bunch of digital modes. RUMlog and
> RUMped are decent logging programs.
>
> It is also possible to run Windows directly on Mac hardware.
> Apple makes high quality hardware and I have met people who run
> Windows on MacBook computers because they want to take advantage
> of the hardware and don't like Mac OS.
>
> Cheers - Bill, AE6JV -- a non-Windows user
>
>> On 11/19/13 at 5:23 PM, [hidden email] (Dave Moorman) wrote:
>> I’d like to get the K3 and KX3 on HF digital and am wondering
>> if anyone can recommend a reasonably priced PC laptop which
>> would do that. My experience has been only Macintosh so the PC
>> laptop world is unknown territory. A decent keyboard and a
>> trackpad are pretty essential, but that’s about the only
>> hard-and-fast requirements.
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------
> Bill Frantz | There are now so many exceptions to the
> 408-356-8506 | Fourth Amendment that it operates only by
> www.pwpconsult.com | accident. - William Hugh Murray
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ

Re: PC laptop for K3/KX3 digital modes

Administrator

Folks, this thread was closed several hours ago.
73,
Eric
Moderator
elecraft.com
_..._

> On Nov 20, 2013, at 10:35 AM, Anthony Marriott <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I am also a Mac user, but agree that running Windows can create issues. I have had go luck with VMware but only use when I really have to.
>
> My preference is to use Mac compatible programs like Fldigi and MacloggerDX. I've also used Rumlog and SdrDX with the KX3 successfully. They work well together once configured properly
>
> Paul
> AF5BV
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Nov 20, 2013, at 11:05, [hidden email] wrote:
>>
>> Bill,
>> Be careful of running Windows on a MAC. I have run into some interesting problems doing that. I was working with two MAC Minis. One would allow access to the wireless network and the other would not. Additionally, not all sound cards play nice in this environment. The one that comes to mind is the one that FlexRadio uses in its 3000 or 5000. After weeks of effort by two of use we got it to work, but I really do not recommend going down this round; buy a cheap PC and save the grief.
>>
>> 73,
>> Barry
>> K3NDM
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>>
>> From: "Bill Frantz" <[hidden email]>
>> To: [hidden email]
>> Sent: Wednesday, November 20, 2013 3:00:12 AM
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] PC laptop for K3/KX3 digital modes
>>
>> In addition to all the PC suggestions, FLDIGI and cocoaModem
>> work on Mac OS and support a bunch of digital modes. RUMlog and
>> RUMped are decent logging programs.
>>
>> It is also possible to run Windows directly on Mac hardware.
>> Apple makes high quality hardware and I have met people who run
>> Windows on MacBook computers because they want to take advantage
>> of the hardware and don't like Mac OS.
>>
>> Cheers - Bill, AE6JV -- a non-Windows user
>>
>>> On 11/19/13 at 5:23 PM, [hidden email] (Dave Moorman) wrote:
>>> I’d like to get the K3 and KX3 on HF digital and am wondering
>>> if anyone can recommend a reasonably priced PC laptop which
>>> would do that. My experience has been only Macintosh so the PC
>>> laptop world is unknown territory. A decent keyboard and a
>>> trackpad are pretty essential, but that’s about the only
>>> hard-and-fast requirements.
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------------------
>> Bill Frantz | There are now so many exceptions to the
>> 408-356-8506 | Fourth Amendment that it operates only by
>> www.pwpconsult.com | accident. - William Hugh Murray
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> ______________________________________________________________
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g8kbvdave

Re: PC laptop for K3/KX3 digital modes

In reply to this post by Dave Moorman

<Quote>
Win7 is a good choice if you can get it on new laptops. It?s not always
available anymore and Win8 is a PIA.
<UnQuote>

Win7 is indeed OK.

Win8 is fine, it's the crappy "Metro" desktop that's bad.

There are also alternative UI's, that give you a "conventional" desktop for Win8 if
you desire.

What I've used and setup for others, is "Classic Shell", an open source project,
that works just fine. http://www.classicshell.net/

Easy to install (and remove if needed!)

The price is right! :-) (But you can donate if you wish.)

It can be taylored to look like Win7, Vista or XP if you wish.

It works very well, start button and all. And by default comes up after a boot.
The Metro interface is still available if needed.

The icon in the start button by default is a blue shell, but that can be changed if
you need, and perhaps have a screen grab of the usual suspect.

Enjoy! My three friends I've set it up for certainly do, and they are not Ham
types, just ordinary domestic PC users....

With both W7 and W8 for Ham use, you do need to tweak the power settings, so
that the OS doesn't power down the peripherals etc (USB subsystem) after a
period of inactivity (no keyboard and mouse usage, nothing to do with any
programs running.)

However... For small lower powered portable or older PC's, Lubuntu (linux)
takes some beating. WiFi even generaly works OK without fuss, battery life is
good, and Fldigi/Flrig etc work very well, as does QSSTV (once you spend the
time to compile and build all the QT related dependancies.)

And of course the KX3 Utility runs on Linux too, though the way you manually
install it is more windows like, than following Linux practices, but it works well.

I've got it all running on a second hand Acer One "net tot" PC. If you can find
one of them, they are brilliant bits of kit.

Other non Ham stuff? "Stelarium" is brilliant to have too if you like the outdoors
lifestyle. http://stelarium.com/

Audacity of course (if not already installed) for sound recording / editing /
processing etc.

And of course, there are any number of web browsers and email tools.

I've not yet seen any Ham stuff that is realy viable/useful for Android devices
yet, also there are serious limitations connecting "stuff" (rigs etc) to them.
(Stelarium is not free for 'droid either!)

I have no experience of Mac's or iPads. (I'm not an apple fan, I see it as over
priced landfill for those who don't want to learn first.)

I have yet to try PcBSD.
(FreeBSD based, more Unix like than Linux, with a GUI desktop) It is said that
Fldigi etc builds and runs on it too.

73.

Dave G0WBX.

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