LHS Episode #024: Darth Hideous
In this latest installment of Linux in the HAM Shack, we air the second half of our interview with Bill, KA9WKA, from Episode #022. While the first part of the interview focused on Linux Mint and EeePC netbooks, this part is mostly about amateur radio, answering questions from the chat room and generally having a good time. In fact, it's like a good old fashioned ragchew. Not ones to leave out actual content and learning, we address questions from listener feedback, and Richard talks about using rig control software under WINE for Icom, Yaesu and Kenwood radios. And of course there are other topics thrown into the mix as well. Thank you to all of our listeners, old and new, for downloading this latest episode. Please tell all your friends about us and send us feedback, whether by e-mail, forum or voice mail. Hope to see everyone in Belton, TX on October 3rd or in Columbus, OH from September 25-27. And may the force be with you.
Richard and Russ are the Penn and Teller of Amateur Radio podcasting.
Contributors:
Doug, N6LMX, recently acquired an old Dell Inspiron 3500 notebook and decided to try Linux Mint on it. For some reason, probably processor and memory, it stalled before it got started. Same with Ubuntu 9.04. However, Xubuntu 9.04 works like a charm.
Joe, NE3R, sent an audio message about minicom. Thanks, Joe. Look for it in a future show.
Google alert about a LHS mention in John’s Blog.
Paul in the chatroom asks about connecting a Linux machine to a shared Windows printer. Russ suggests browsing to https://localhost:631 to bring up the CUPS administration page and configuring the printer there.
Announcements:
New streaming audio on the web site. New URL: https://stream.lhsinfo.org:8008, or go to https://lhsinfo.org and look for the links on the right side of the page.
Look for Richard at the Belton HamEXPO on October 3rd. in Belton, TX. Russ will be at Ohio Linux Fest on September 25-27 in Columbus, OH.
Welcome Bill, KA9WKA, as the newest member of the Black Sparrow Media production team. Bill will be compiling the show notes for Resonant Frequency. (And, now, LHS too. Email comments, corrections, suggestions to ka9wka at blacksparrowmedia dot com. -Ed.)
Interview:
This is the remaining portion of the interview with Bill, KA9WKA, where we discuss various amateur radio topics.
135’ Doublet antenna (similar to Figure 3 here)
D-Star DV Dongle
Replackaged Icom equipment at the DX Store
Topic:
Richard discusses programming radios using Linux
Richard tries programming his Vertex VX-150 using Wine under Linux. The programming software installed fine, but when he tried downloading the data from the radio to the computer, he received errors, probably due to a mismatch in the serial port speed. Next, he tried programming his Icom IC-91AD. The software installed and recognized his serial port, COM1, and he was able to program the radio.
Tim, KI6BGE, in the chatroom, says the IC2200H D-Star program works the same way.
KB3GTN in the chatroom says he’s had good luck programming his Kenwood TS480 within Linux, using his own program.
Tim, KI6BGE, says the Icom ID800 and IC2200H use the same programming cable, but different software.
A Ustreamer asks which Linux distributions we’re using. The summary is Linux Mint, Ubuntu, Xubuntu, Kubuntu, SpearMint, CentOS, OpenSUSE, and Debian.
Music:
“Terra Firma” by Garrett Wall from the album “Sky Pointing”
“All of the Above” by Garrett Wall from the album “Sky Pointing”