Howard,

Here are  a few things you can do with  a pc in the shack, in no particular
order:

Log contacts  with the  rig inserting  the freq and mode and the pc
inserting the  date and time.

With the right software, complete  rig control of all  knobs, buttons, and
funtcions from the pc keyboard.

Send cw from the keyboard. Should be no problem  with the 480 or any other
rig.

Send canned  cw messages  for contest exchanges or cookie cutter qso's.
Also use the soundcard to record and later transmit  canned ssb messages.
DVK, Digital voice  keying.

Keep track of awards, counties, states, or dxcc needed.

Generate  contest logs and submit  via e-mail to contest sponsers.

Get  short and long path beam headings.  If your rotor control has a serial
port, you can have the rotor  turn automaticly based on the other guys
prefix or  grid square.

Back up all  the rig's menu and memory settings.  If you have to  reset  the
rig sometime, it's easy  to  reload the settings from the pc.
A free logger that some of the  folks on the list use and offers some, but
not  all, of the above is xmlog at xmlog.com

There are probably 50 other things you can use the pc for.  Once you get set
up, you will never want to go back.  Some of the above will require
additional cables or interfaces.

73 Steve KW3A


----- Original Message -----
From: "Howard Kaufman" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, December 27, 2005 3:09 AM
Subject: computer in the shack


> Soon I am going to be able to install a dedicated computer in the shack.
> This brings up a number of questions, in the vein of what to do with
> a computer in the shack?
> I am running windows XP Pro, will have an Internet connection,
> window-eyes 5.5, IE and Firefox.
> So, hear are a few questions.
>
> 1.  What loging software works well with that setup?
> 2.  What has anybody done with a ts480 and a computer?
> 3.  Does psk31 work, and if yes, is it worth it?
> 4.  I hear their is self voicing dx cluster software out
> there?  Anybody tried it?
>
> In summary, now that I can, why should I do it?
> How hard is it to run the 480 on cw from the computer keyboard?
>
>
>