LHS Episode #086: W9YA on YFKTest

A lot of interest has been focused on contest logging of late. We've had several comments and questions on the topic. With the recent passage of Field Day and Hamvention, many hams wanted to know what options there were for Linux. As it happens, YFKTest has been on our radar for some time. In order to get the full scoop, we invited Bob, W9YA, the current lead developer of YFKTest to come on the program and let us know what's going on with YFKTest, what Russ has been doing wrong with it, and where it's headed in the future.

It turns out that while simple, YFKTest is a competent and fully featured contest logger for many different contests. It works for CW and SSB logging, has rig control built in, and in the future may support network capable logging. There are many more features too numerous to name here. So sit back and let W9YA give you all the ins and outs. And stay tuned to the end of the show where our intrepid hosts tackle feedback from you, the listener. Best of luck in all your upcoming radio ventures.

73 de The LHS Guys

LHS Show Notes #044

Announcements:

  • Richard is at his father's place due to problems with his Suddenlink connection at home.
  • Ohio LinuxFest 2010 is on the horizon. Russ hopes to be a speaker this year. It will be held September 10-12, 2010 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, OH.
  • Mid-America GNU/Linux Networkers Conference (MAGNet Con). Russ and Cheryl are organizing this event, which is tentatively scheduled to be held May 6-7, 2011, at the St. Louis Union Station Marriott in St. Louis, MO.
    They're looking for speakers, sponsors, organizers, and attendees. If you're interested or can help, please visit the web site.

Donations:

  • Please consider making a donation to Linux in the Ham Shack to help defray the costs of producing the show, attending shows, file hosting, etc. There's a convenient Donate link on the web site, and you can use a credit card or PayPal.
  • You can also support the show by purchasing LHS merchandise at cafepress.com/lhspodcast or printfection.com/lhs.
  • Thank you!

Feature:

  • Russ discusses his trip to Southeast Linuxfest June 11-13, 2010.
  • Russ gave a talk on Open Source and Amateur Radio. The talk was recorded and will be available at some point.
  • Thanks to everyone involved for their efforts in organizing SELF:

    Foundation Officers

    • President: David Yates
    • Vice President: David Nalley
    • Treasurer: John Yeary
    • Secretary: Mike Major

    Board Members

    • Speaker Coordinator: Jeremy Sands
    • Community Coordinator: Amber Graner
    • Volunteer Coordinator: Jas Eckard
  • Field Day, 2010, was held June 26-27. Russ and Richard discuss the event and how it combines an emergency preparedness exercise and a contest.
  • Russ used to attend Field Day in Maine with the Aroostook Amateur Radio Association (K1FS).
    This year, he visited the Nixa Amateur Radio Club (operating as N0A) and the
    Southwest Missouri Amateur Radio Club sites.
  • One suggestion: make your Field Day sites wheelchair accessible!
  • Send us your Field Day stories!

Feedback:

  • Don, WS4E, sent us a picture of him standing outside the Red Hat Summit in Boston wearing his LHS T-shirt. Thanks, Don!
  • Jan, PA9QV, linked to us in his blog, Varying Frequencies. Thanks, Jan!
  • Eldon, WA0UWH, also linked to us on his blog. Thanks, Eldon!
  • Dave, M0DCM, in the UK writes that he enjoyed Episode 40, and comments about Fldigi, xdx, gpredict, and wsjt.  He uses Xastir, too. He wonders if there is an HD SSTV application for Linux.  His club has asked him to find a good Linux alternative to WinPack. Richard discusses. These could be topics for future shows.(Ed. note: Jean-Paul, F6FBB, has written a packet BBS application for Windows and Linux.)

Contact Info:

  • Contact Richard at kb5jbv@gmail.com, Russ at k5tux@lhspodcast.info, or both at the same time at info@lhspodcast.info.
  • Leave us a voice mail at 888-455-0305 or 417-200-4811, or record an introduction to the podcast.
  • Sign up for the LHS mailing list.
  • Send hate mail to Bill at ka9wka@lhspodcast.info. 🙂
  • Thanks to Dave from Gamma Leonis for the theme music and promo.

Music:

  • "Paper King" by Noxious from the album "Revilutia", courtesy of garageband.com.
  • "Enslaved by Pain" by Severed Fifth (Jono Bacon), from the album "Denied by Reign".