Return-Path: X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.4.0 (2014-02-07) on lipkowski.org X-Spam-Level: X-Spam-Status: No, score=-2.3 required=5.0 tests=FREEMAIL_FORGED_FROMDOMAIN, FREEMAIL_FROM,HEADER_FROM_DIFFERENT_DOMAINS,HTML_FONT_LOW_CONTRAST, HTML_MESSAGE,RCVD_IN_DNSWL_MED,SPF_PASS,T_DKIM_INVALID autolearn=unavailable autolearn_force=no version=3.4.0 X-Spam-DCC: : mailn 1480; Body=2 Fuz1=4 Fuz2=2 Received: from post.thorcom.com (post.thorcom.com [195.171.43.25]) by lipkowski.org (8.14.4/8.14.4/Debian-8+deb8u2) with ESMTP id v5UIwjE2004974 for ; Fri, 30 Jun 2017 20:58:47 +0200 Received: from majordom by post.thorcom.com with local (Exim 4.14) id 1dR13E-0003zY-9m for rs_out_1@blacksheep.org; Fri, 30 Jun 2017 19:53:56 +0100 Received: from [195.171.43.32] (helo=relay1.thorcom.net) by post.thorcom.com with esmtp (Exim 4.14) id 1dR11w-0003zP-RM for rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org; Fri, 30 Jun 2017 19:52:36 +0100 Received: from mail-lf0-x236.google.com ([2a00:1450:4010:c07::236]) by relay1.thorcom.net with esmtps (TLSv1.2:ECDHE-RSA-AES256-GCM-SHA384:256) (Exim 4.89) (envelope-from ) id 1dR11s-0000Z3-Sg for rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org; Fri, 30 Jun 2017 19:52:35 +0100 Received: by mail-lf0-x236.google.com with SMTP id b207so75094431lfg.2 for ; Fri, 30 Jun 2017 11:52:32 -0700 (PDT) X-DKIM-Result: Domain=gmail.com Result=Good and Known Domain DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=gmail.com; s=20161025; h=mime-version:in-reply-to:references:from:date:message-id:subject:to; bh=wSw7QQ3LgLxtgrJBffKC0h789UFZLKs8tx7n5dsPimw=; b=ZB7Q+QZc5/eFjAQen4ha0iPYUCPBxKDzIrr6sMKTswZAnHIurxTlEBw4SZ1dwn/B7q RE7adZBIvFI6j2G+H1YZsyew6vYElfXbFhNOUoofBUPX6PS1DmdKzMT2CpeTs9IF5poR kokVuguynaK1WHAJzmxPLMLJl1vQ3HrUi6EtDmrnumwRBzv+3NN9Upy8QpmuIhc5Fsb9 9X/AUcYPDMghJGlTCJtx3gf2muc2k5mbKbx+SQH+BjOQkA6WIiuQdiH2pXBDJSZfPWi9 n1cFvgBO6gP34MdqFXnLzOrWEDTWSybZ6UYiJWjrvUbnv/gVsVGN8sdkV1zDhoO4sf/l RPdw== X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=1e100.net; s=20161025; h=x-gm-message-state:mime-version:in-reply-to:references:from:date :message-id:subject:to; bh=wSw7QQ3LgLxtgrJBffKC0h789UFZLKs8tx7n5dsPimw=; b=i511wib+iQsFwTrNR2W9xoHqOZwVh+XgJUNV7/mVORD+EN7DwhNjlONtefqX13jwUX c/s7Gxz2kznJNwwd4TDZ7Esri1kZxtZ55UIZQeLNk2woOhn75MoF6NRdDL5gXiodPQak eNxJT2TvoAtnrLJUTQL04s3mhs1qVJw498K5EBHsDQFopfGkYHNzBvOsIZo7tFC4FfVE qVp/QyGWRpfj43pUBnmvNx31lpEErxLanw82vcyKyloHm+8127dR7X3zpTU6aod4vFlc WEHlYh+PRPIoEmcgWPH/AZkBQAgUxg+OzRGt8bDxwQuwHWr7Y8O6Wtv0LctbsNELf2oR P5zQ== X-Gm-Message-State: AIVw1135pJJ2UkGvyVRfr4q3czcTSJJbXN8na+2y2x91+BSTCYElFX3n 96yKJ3rVt4CdL1xRcoHl9pKF4J35EQ== X-Received: by 10.46.92.193 with SMTP id q184mr189132ljb.105.1498848750162; Fri, 30 Jun 2017 11:52:30 -0700 (PDT) MIME-Version: 1.0 Received: by 10.25.115.91 with HTTP; Fri, 30 Jun 2017 11:52:29 -0700 (PDT) In-Reply-To: <2FC0AA0CCB404378A78ABD7BEBB0144A@gnat> References: <59568E85.20465.1E7B9F5@mike.dennison.ntlworld.com> <2FC0AA0CCB404378A78ABD7BEBB0144A@gnat> From: Andy Talbot Date: Fri, 30 Jun 2017 19:52:29 +0100 Message-ID: To: rsgb_lf_group , rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org X-Scan-Signature: 81041ccf020e50169b14819d7251c203 Subject: LF: Re: [rsgb_lf_group] Radio computer Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="f403043670d6535a79055331eb88" X-SA-Exim-Scanned: Yes Sender: owner-rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org Precedence: bulk Reply-To: rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org X-Listname: rsgb_lf_group X-SA-Exim-Rcpt-To: rs_out_1@blacksheep.org X-SA-Exim-Scanned: No; SAEximRunCond expanded to false X-Scanned-By: MIMEDefang 2.75 Status: RO X-Status: X-Keywords: X-UID: 12136 --f403043670d6535a79055331eb88 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable I recently bought a new Dell Inspiron 15000 laptop with Win 10 Home, 3GHz processor and 8G of memory. That lot was the default Dell offering buying direct from the company and I couldn't be bothered customising anything apart from opting for a rather overpriced copy of the lastest uSoft Office - just to have the latest version on at least one PC! Initially half-expecting all the various problems discussed on the Groups over the years, I was more than a bit surprised to find that every single bit of software put on worked perfectly, near enough straightaway. Two or three had to be installed in compatibility mode - but the installation process advised this at the time. In fact, MS Visual Studio - which is deprecated in Win-7 and won't install at all in Win-10 actually works better in XP comptibility mode on the laptop than it does on the Win-7 PC. Even the old 16 bit stuff all works seamlessly in Dos-Box - especially after I learnt how to decrease the deliberate latency to speed it up. So all initial fears about Win10 were unfounded. I also use a separate desktop PC under Win-7 with large dual monitors for shack use with SDRs and soundcard and DSP, so haven't yet tried to run a separate external soundcard on this new laptop. However, I have tried all the data mode software using the laptop's internal soundcard, with an interface via the combined 4-pole headset jack. (Mic input via 100:1 attenuator and phones output) . Every datamode package worked perfectly. FTDI serial interfaces for COM ports all worked with the driver already and once each one of the (very many) FT232R interfaces had beee recognised, their COM port allocations remains fixed. All in all, no problems and a very nice machine. It does take a long time to set up when you fist get it - think I spent about 20 hours in all but there is an awful lot of software and data on it - nearly 30 years worth in all. The most useful thing I've learn't is to use a USB-SATA bridge to connect the hard disc from my old machine and copy all data files en-block. I also always keep installation files on disc, but in practice it's usually better to go on line and download the latest version of these for a fressh install. Andy G4JNT On 30 June 2017 at 19:21, 'Alan Melia' Alan.Melia@btinternet.com [rsgb_lf_group] wrote: > > > Hi Mike I am not up-to-date with the lates whizzy PCs but one factor in > your > current pc spec leaps out as a problem. 1GB of ram is nowhere near enough > to > run multiple windows like you were doing. I doubt now whether it is worth > upgrading just the memory as the motherboard will probably not be able to > use more than 2GB. However if it will take more memory and assuming it is > a > machine you are happy is RFI clean it might be worth just increasing the > memory. (the downside is you may not be able to use the exta modules in a > new PC) I believe the RFI problems at LF are less of a problem these days > as > modern PSUs have switching frequencies above the bands. > > It may be more appropriate to also see that your favourite programs and > soundcards will run with the installed software (invariably W10 these > days, > which tries to hide all the facilities usually needed to set up radio s/w= ) > Also make sure that the software will run on a 64 bit machine > .....compatibility mode is useful but doesnt always work. > I have had problems with EM-0202 and Delta 44 sound cards going to Win7 > where here are no drivers. > > Alan > G3NYK > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "'Mike Dennison' mike.dennison@ntlworld.com [rsgb_lf_group]" > > To: ; > Sent: Friday, June 30, 2017 6:46 PM > Subject: [rsgb_lf_group] Radio computer > > >I am looking at upgrading the computer I dedicate to my radio work > > and I am looking for some advice. It is an old office Dell running at > > 2.66GHz with 1Gb RAM. > > > > There are two reasons: > > > > Firstly, I want to de-clutter my desk and use only one computer for > > radio and everything else (mostly web browsing, email and office > > work). But I don't want to slow down the radio signal processing > > whilst I look at BBC News, for instance. > > > > Secondly, my existing computer already seems rather slow. I often run > > HDSDR, WSJT-X and Opera together, and it works more smoothly if I > > turn off the waterfall displays on these. It struggled when I ran > > OPDS. I would like to try EbNaut but I don't think it is man enough. > > It would be good to run SpecLab more or less permanently, too. The > > computer clock seems to drift when I use too many programs (heat > > problem?) so I need to use NTP software with frequent polling to keep > > the time accurate. By chance the computer has a dual video card and I > > found it useful to run two screens, but again it seemed to slow > > things down too much so I stopped. > > > > My question is: What do you think are the things to prioritise for > > your own radio computers? Processor speed - is dual processor > > essential? RAM - how much is essential? Are there reasons to have > > lots of HD space? > > > > I see advertisements for "ultra-fast gaming computers" - would these > > give any benefits? > > > > Is there a complication if I want to use two screens? > > > > Is there something important that I have missed? > > > > I want to get the best value for money but I am confused by the > > specifications. > > > > Mike, G3XDV > > =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Posted by: "Mike Dennison" > > ------------------------------------ > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > Yahoo Groups Links > > > > > > > > __._,_.___ > ------------------------------ > Posted by: "Alan Melia" > ------------------------------ > Reply via web post > > =E2=80=A2 Reply to sender > > =E2=80=A2 Reply to group > > =E2=80=A2 Start a new topic > > =E2=80=A2 Messages in this topic > > (2) > Visit Your Group > > > - New Members > > 1 > - New Photos > > 1 > > [image: Yahoo! Groups] > > =E2=80=A2 Privacy =E2=80=A2 > Unsubscribe > =E2= =80=A2 Terms > of Use > > . > > __,_._,___ > --f403043670d6535a79055331eb88 Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
I recently bought a new Dell Inspiron 15000 laptop with Wi= n 10 Home, =C2=A03GHz processor and 8G of memory. That lot was the default = Dell offering buying direct from the company and I couldn't be bothered= customising anything apart from opting for a rather overpriced copy of the= lastest uSoft Office - just to have =C2=A0the latest version on at least o= ne PC!

Initially half-expecting all the various problems= discussed on the Groups over the years, I was more than a bit surprised to= find that every single bit of software put on worked perfectly, near enoug= h straightaway.=C2=A0 Two or three had to be installed in compatibility mod= e - but the installation process advised this at the time. In fact, MS Visu= al Studio - which is deprecated in Win-7 and won't install at all in Wi= n-10 actually works better in XP comptibility mode on the laptop than it do= es on the Win-7 PC. Even the old 16 bit stuff all works seamlessly in Dos-B= ox - especially after I learnt how to decrease the deliberate latency to sp= eed it up.

So all initial fears about Win10 w= ere unfounded. =C2=A0 I also use a separate desktop PC under Win-7 =C2=A0wi= th large dual monitors for shack use with SDRs and soundcard and DSP, so ha= ven't yet tried to run a separate external soundcard on this new laptop= . =C2=A0 However, I have tried all the data mode software using the laptop&= #39;s internal soundcard, with an interface via the combined 4-pole headset= jack. =C2=A0 (Mic input via 100:1 attenuator and phones output) . =C2=A0 E= very datamode package worked perfectly. =C2=A0 =C2=A0FTDI serial interfaces= for COM ports all worked with the driver already and once each one of the = (very many) FT232R interfaces had beee recognised, their COM port allocatio= ns remains fixed.

All in all, no problems and a ve= ry nice machine. =C2=A0 It does take a long time to set up when you fist ge= t it - think I spent about 20 hours in all but there is an awful lot of sof= tware and data on it - nearly 30 years worth in all. =C2=A0 The most useful= thing I've learn't =C2=A0is to use a USB-SATA bridge to connect th= e hard disc from my old machine and copy all data files en-block.=C2=A0 I a= lso always keep installation files on disc, but in practice it's usuall= y better to go on line and download the latest version of these for a fress= h install.

Andy =C2=A0G4JNT

On 30 June 2017 at 19:= 21, 'Alan Melia' Alan.= Melia@btinternet.com [rsgb_lf_group] <rsgb_lf_group@yaho= ogroups.co.uk> wrote:
=20
=C2=A0
=20 =20

Hi Mike I am not up-to-date with the lates whizzy PCs but one fact= or in your
current pc spec leaps out as a problem. 1GB of ram is nowhere near enough t= o
run multiple windows like you were doing. I doubt now whether it is worth <= br> upgrading just the memory as the motherboard will probably not be able to <= br> use more than 2GB. However if it will take more memory and assuming it is = a
machine you are happy is RFI clean it might be worth just increasing the memory. (the downside is you may not be able to use the exta modules in a <= br> new PC) I believe the RFI problems at LF are less of a problem these days a= s
modern PSUs have switching frequencies above the bands.

It may be more appropriate to also see that your favourite programs and soundcards will run with the installed software (invariably W10 these days,=
which tries to hide all the facilities usually needed to set up radio s/w) =
Also make sure that the software will run on a 64 bit machine
.....compatibility mode is useful but doesnt always work.
I have had problems with EM-0202 and Delta 44 sound cards going to Win7 where here are no drivers.

Alan
G3NYK

----- Original Message -----
From: "'Mike Dennison' mike.dennison@ntlworld.com [rsgb_lf_group]&quo= t;
<rs= gb_lf_group@yahoogroups.co.uk>
To: <r= sgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org>; <rsgb_lf_group@yahoogroups.co.u= k>
Sent: Friday, June 30, 2017 6:46 PM
Subject: [rsgb_lf_group] Radio computer

>I am looking at upgrading the computer I dedicate to my radio work
> and I am looking for some advice. It is an old office Dell running at<= br> > 2.66GHz with 1Gb RAM.
>
> There are two reasons:
>
> Firstly, I want to de-clutter my desk and use only one computer for > radio and everything else (mostly web browsing, email and office
> work). But I don't want to slow down the radio signal processing > whilst I look at BBC News, for instance.
>
> Secondly, my existing computer already seems rather slow. I often run<= br> > HDSDR, WSJT-X and Opera together, and it works more smoothly if I
> turn off the waterfall displays on these. It struggled when I ran
> OPDS. I would like to try EbNaut but I don't think it is man enoug= h.
> It would be good to run SpecLab more or less permanently, too. The
> computer clock seems to drift when I use too many programs (heat
> problem?) so I need to use NTP software with frequent polling to keep<= br> > the time accurate. By chance the computer has a dual video card and I<= br> > found it useful to run two screens, but again it seemed to slow
> things down too much so I stopped.
>
> My question is: What do you think are the things to prioritise for
> your own radio computers? Processor speed - is dual processor
> essential? RAM - how much is essential? Are there reasons to have
> lots of HD space?
>
> I see advertisements for "ultra-fast gaming computers" - wou= ld these
> give any benefits?
>
> Is there a complication if I want to use two screens?
>
> Is there something important that I have missed?
>
> I want to get the best value for money but I am confused by the
> specifications.
>
> Mike, G3XDV
> =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
> Posted by: "Mike Dennison" <mike.dennison@ntlworld.com>
> ------------------------------------
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo Groups Links
>
>
>

=20 =20
__._,_.___
=20 =20 =20 =20
Posted by: "Alan Melia" <alan.melia@btinternet.com> =
Reply via w= eb post =E2=80=A2 Reply to sender =E2=80=A2 Reply to group =E2=80=A2 Start= a new topic =E2=80=A2 Messages in this topic (2)
=20 =20
3D"Yahoo!
=E2=80=A2 Privacy =E2=80=A2 Unsubscribe =E2=80=A2 Terms of Use

=20 =20 =20 =20
=20
.
=
= =20
__,_._,___
=20

--f403043670d6535a79055331eb88--