Lloyd, this was extremely helpful. I am told by hams around HERE that a 
Yaesu FT747 can be obtained for around $300. I do wonder if the data 
cable is sold separately. If someone on here has one of these or 
equivalent and would be willing to sell, I would love to hear from you. 
My budget is very limited. Thanks for all input so far.

Original message:
> The FT747 is pretty old, and is probably one of the earlier rigs to offer
> computer control.  For used equipment from the 80s and 90s, some of them
> used an interface which required a level converter in order to talk to
> RS232.  I think this was called CIV.  New equipment of the past 5 to 10
> years has an RS232 port.  The most recent new equipment has a USB port, but
> this may require a couple of special drivers so that the USB can be used for
> both control and audio simultaneously.  The command languages of the rigs
> are not totally standardized, but I think that a series of Kenwood or Yaesu
> or Icom rigs will have similar commands for similar functions within the
> brand.

> To see what's involved in full rig control, you could get Ham Radio Deluxe
> and select one of the radios shown under the "demo-matic" list.  You don't
> control anything that way, but you get some idea of what the screens will
> look like and how you control various functions.

> I use HRD to control some functions of my FT950, and use N1MM for logging
> with it, where I am mostly only interested in frequency control and
> feedback.  Running a transceiver fully over the internet is a lot more
> complicated, although VO1RYN is doing this with an FT450.

> In summary, I think there may not be any new radios that don't offer
> computer control one way or another.  Hope this helps.
> 73,
> Lloyd Rasmussen, W3IUU, Kensington, Maryland
> Home:  http://lras.home.sprynet.com
> Work:  http://www.loc.gov/nls


>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>> On Behalf Of Richard Wells
>> Sent: Saturday, July 02, 2011 2:04 PM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: HF Radios That Interface With Computers

>> Hello, I am in need of a comprehensive list of radios that have the
>> capability of interfacing with computers running Windows to actually
>> control the radio as in setting frequency and any other functions the
>> radio supports. Accessibility of software would also be a consideration
>> unless any logging software would do that. The only suggestion I have
>> received so far is the FT747. Thanks

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