Tag: fldigi

LHS Show Notes #052

Posted on by Russ Woodman

Episode 50: A milestone!

Announcements:

Topics:

  • Scott, AD7MI, posted an article on his blog about moving to an all-Linux ham shack. Richard and Russ discuss the article, including Shackbox Linux, Ham Radio Deluxe, CQRLog, and more. Ultimately, Fldigi and CQRLog resulted in "100% Linux Nirvana".
  • Scott also asks what we think would be the ideal Linux-based ham shack. Russ describes his shack, which he thinks IS ideal. Our hosts then discuss various soundcard interfaces:
  • Most sound cards work fine, and Russ recommends the SoundBlaster series over all, but suggests staying away from the SoundBlaster Audigy SE (model CA0106) sound cards as they don't seem to work well (or at all) under Linux.
  • Richard likes his Yaesu FT-897D. Most modern rigs allow a fixed-audio level connection to the computer sound card, as well as computer rig control. Russ has the Kenwood TS-570D, and it, too, is well-supported in the Linux ham libraries.
  • Russ and Richard discuss the fact that most hams don't log VHF/UHF contacts, other than in contests or toward an award.
  • The FCC, created by the Communications Act of 1934, included the requirement to maintain a log book in the rules. Sometime between 1983 and 1986, this requirement was dropped as the FCC determined that the information was of little use to them. (If someone can point us to a reference that identifies when the exact rule change occurred, please let us know. I was unable to find the specific change online. -Ed.)

Feedback:

  • Leif, KC8RWR, writes that Internet over EME (earth-moon-earth) isn't likely to work due to the high latency involved. (This may be in reference to a comment in Episode 48.) NASA and DARPA are involved in a Deep-Space Internet project.
  • Leif also asks "Isn't Morse code dead?" and wasn't it replaced by "Gerke Code"? Our hosts discuss.
  • Craig, KB5UEJ, writes that he thinks Russ' audio is louder and muddier than Richard's in episodes 46 and 47. Russ agrees that the audio on a few of the recent episodes did suffer, but should be much improved now.
  • Grant, KC9SJQ, comments that he doesn't see a link to Russ' screencast about SSL anywhere. Yes, it somehow disappeared, but Russ is working on it. He'll either find the file or redo it.
  • William, KB9TMP, sends his comments about Episode 48 where we discuss KE9V's article that questioned the relevance of amateur radio.
  • Craig, KB5UEJ, commenting about WSPR, says that you can run less than 5W on an FT-897 by reducing the audio drive from the computer to the radio. Richard points out that the reduction is often not uniform across the audio freqeuncies used, so some intelligibility may be lost. He had that problem with packet, but he'll try it with WSPR.
  • Matt wants to know the artist and title of a song in Episode 48. The song was "Endline (Choose Nothing)" by I Am Not Lefthanded from the album "Yes Means No". Check out the show notes for Episode 48 for a link to the song.

Donations:

  • Scott, AD7MI, sent a donation just before we recorded! Thanks, Scott.
  • If you'd like to help the podcast, please consider making a donation. It's easy! Just a click on the Donate button on the web site.

Contact Info:

  • Contact Richard at kb5jbv@gmail.com, Russ at k5tux@lhspodcast.info, or both at the same time at info@lhspodcast.info.
  • Listen to the live stream every other Tuesday at 8:00pm Central time. Check the LHS web site for dates.
  • 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.
  • Sign up for the MAGNetcon mailing list.
  • Thanks to Dave from Gamma Leonis for the theme music.

Music:

LHS Show Notes #048

Posted on by Russ Woodman

Feedback:

  • John, KF6EFG, commenting on the OGG vs. MP3 debate in episode 43, agrees that MP3 is the preferred file format because that it is supported by most media players. He realizes that OGG is superior, but until vendors like Apple support it, it will not gain on MP3. Richard thinks it's because Apple cannot add DRM to OGG files. Russ thinks that if Apple did use OGG, they'd sell more iPods. In any case, LHS will not drop the MP3 feed.
  • Lief, KC8RWR, writes a detailed reply to comments Randall, KC4WZE, made in episode 44 about running the same applications on cell phones and computers. There is a way to hack an Android phone to run Debian, or run Android on your desktop. Check out the TuxPhone project. Richard and Russ discuss.
  • John, EI7IG, was interested in the discussion of Logbook of The World in episode 43. He pointed us to www.rickmurphy.net/lotw for a newer version of TrustedQSL created by Rick Murphy, including a Linux version. Russ tried it and it works. (Ed. note: The softare is no longer available on Rick Murphy's site. Evidently, it has been obsoleted by Trusted QSL 1.13 from ARRL. Linux source packages to compile the library and program are available from the LoTW Instructions page.)
  • David, M0DCM, writes that he was recently at the Telford Hamfest and found that Linux was represented there, thanks to the Shropshire Linux User's Group and MAXPAK, the Midlands AX25 Packet Radio User Group. They had demonstrations of Linux machines running Fldigi and WSPR, showing just how far Linux has come. They gave away a bunch of Ubuntu CDs, some to LHS listeners! (A couple UK podcasts for ham radio and Linux are the ICQ Podcast and the Ubuntu UK Podcast.)
  • Russ was at the Joplin ARC Hamfest and had the LHS booth there. He gave away 20 Ubuntu 10.04 CDs. WebSDR was a big hit, too.

Announcements:

  • May 6-7, 2011: MAGNet Conference in St. Louis, MO. See magnetcon.info for information. If you know anyone that might be a sponsor, exhibitor, or speaker, please let us know. Application forms are available on the web site. Registration will begin December 1, 2010. There will be a live music concert and coctail hour at the close.
  • Links to LHS merchandise have been added to the LHS website. Click the SHOP! link under the banner.

Topics:

  • Websites of interest:
    • Ubuntu Linux for Hams, by Bert, AB0VI, was featured on the main ARRL web page.
    • My Ham Shack provides a free personal web page for ham radio operators. Lots of guys post pictures of their shacks, QSL info, equipment list, etc.
    • It's More Complicated Than That!. A blog by one of the Ubuntu developers, Steve Conklin, AI4QR. Recently, he's been working on controlling a Softrock software defined radio (SDR) with Linux.
  • Linux ham software:
    • More ham radio applications are showing up in the Linux repos, like PSKmail, bulletin board programs, and more. Richard begs for someone to update the 2001 Linux Amateur Radio AX.25 HOWTO.
    • CallGit, a callsign lookup tool that retrieves data from QRZ.com.
    • gPredict, a real-time satellite tracking and orbit prediction program.

Contact Info:

  • Contact Richard at kb5jbv@gmail.com, Russ at k5tux@lhspodcast.info, or both at the same time at info@lhspodcast.info.
  • Listen to the live stream every other Tuesday at 8:00pm Central time. Check the LHS web site for dates.
  • 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.
  • Thanks to Dave from Gamma Leonis for the theme music.

Music:

LHS Show Notes #046

Posted on by Russ Woodman

Announcements:

  • The eighth annual Ohio LinuxFest will be held on September 10-12, 2010 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in downtown Columbus, Ohio. Linux in the Ham Shack will be there; will you?
  • Russ is in a bad mood, tonight. Send him lots of feedback!
  • Black Sparrow Media was intended to be similar to Hacker Public Radio, a clearing house for several podcasts, and Russ has ressurected it. Currently, we have LHS, Resonant Frequency, and Russ' latest venture, the QSK Netcast.
  • Another all feedback episode.

Donations:

  • Paul, KE5WMA, sent a donation. Thanks, Paul!

Feedback:

  • We had several listeners comment about the possibility of releasing LHS only in OGG format:
    • Email from Frasier say that he votes for keeping the MP3 feed as he relies on his iPod to listen. We'll be keeping both formats for the foreseeable future. There is the RockBox OS for most iPod models, which would allow you to play OGG files, but that would replace the existing OS on the iPod and break iTunes.
    • David, KG4GIY and the ham radio editor for Linux Journal, comments on the web site that he also votes for the MP3 version, again because he subscribes with iTunes. However, in about a month, he'll be converting to Fedora and will no longer use iTunes.
    • Matt, KC8BEW, has a couple of thoughts about the MP3 vs OGG debate: if you're a Linux user, you should be able to convert to whatever format you want. However, MP3 is probably more convenient for most people. Our hosts note that xiph.org has components that make it possible to play OGG in Quicktime and iTunes, but once you take a file out of the feed, then it ends up in the iTunes music library, and not in the podcast category.
    • Charles, KJ4VEB, comments on the web site that he would be more than willing to try the OGG format. We agree that there are benefits to OGG, but there are too many listeners that rely on the MP3 feed to abandon it at this time.
  • Ross, WI0N, says he's writing a Windows TCP/IP client application that uses AGWPE (SV2AGW Packet Engine) winsock layer to get digitized packet data and satellite telemetry through a RigBlaster plug and play device, but would like a Linux solution. Does Fldigi have the lower level layer that works with the sound card to digitize and format KISS data, or does it sit on top of that layer like Ham Radio Deluxe does? Our hosts suggest reviewing the Fldigi documentation and source code and the AX.25 website.
  • Following up in a voicemail, Ross thinks the Linux soundmodem driver might provide the ASCII stream he's looking for from the /dev/soundmodem0 device. Russ agrees that it looks like the AX.25 kernel module does support getting the data stream from the soundmodem device. Richard suggests contacting Phil, KA9Q, as he's involved with this type of work.
  • WW (Bill), KB9TMP, replies to Russ' comments in episode 42 about Field Day sites not being handicapped accessible. The Hoosier Hills Ham Club in Bedford, IN does make an effort to make their activities wheelchair friendly. Thanks, Bill!
  • Paul, KE5WMA, wrote in via the live support link on the web site asking about a good Koch Morse Code trainer in Linux. There is a SourceForge project, that does both Farnsworth and Koch. There may be others. (Ed. note: Paul, you may find other CW programs via the Hamsoft Linux Software index.) Ross, in the chat room, also provides a link to the CWirc site that provides "an X-Chat plugin for sending and receiving raw Morse code over IRC". Thanks, Ross.
  • Rich, KD0BJT, from the Low SWR podcast, and Dan, KG4JCL, said they have had problems getting LHS episodes with gpodder. Firefox, too, failed to get the feed. Russ suggested deleting and re-adding the feed in gpodder, and Rich said that worked for him.
  • Randall, KC4WZE, writes a long email about episode 39: He thinks that for Linux to gain widespread acceptance, we need to create a new perception of Linux much like the difference between a PC and a Mac. Right now, most people identify PCs with Windows, so we need to create a new device name for computers running Linux, like "Tux". Most people understand the difference between a Mac and a PC, so the difference between a PC and a Tux would be similar, as long as all Tux applications can run on all Tux computers. Our hosts discuss this topic, and mention such companies as System76 and Penguin Computing, that already provide machines designed with Linux in mind and with Linux pre-installed.
  • Randall continues with a discussion of embedded Linux appliances. He suggests the possibility, for example, of the same media playing application running on your cell phone, portable video player, desktop computer, car radio, and television. Our hosts discuss the practicality of this concept.
  • Finally, Randall comments that a Linux "Tux" netbook might be the next "killer" device. Our hosts discuss this. There are already a variety of devices running Linux, such as the Android smart phone, the Archos 5 internet tablet, Archos 7 home tablet, TiVo DVR, Boxee Box media center, and Roku digital video player. (The TomTom line of GPS units also run embedded Linux. -Ed.)
  • Thanks for the thought-provoking email, Randall.

Contact Info:

  • Contact Richard at kb5jbv@gmail.com, Russ at k5tux@lhspodcast.info, or both at the same time at info@lhspodcast.info.
  • Listen to the live stream every other Tuesday at 8:00pm Central time. Check the LHS web site for dates.
  • 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.
  • Thanks to Dave from Gamma Leonis for the theme music and promo.

Music:

LHS Show Notes #042

Posted on by Russ Woodman

Feedback:

  • This will be an all-feedback episode, ala the Going Linux show.
  • Warren, N0XLT, wrote to Russ back in May. He's catching up on the podcasts, and wonders what programs are available for Linux with similar features to Ham Radio Deluxe or DX Labs,, such as rig control, logging, digital modes, etc. Fldigi, xdx, xlog, gpredict, Hamlib and more have been mentioned on previous episodes. Our hosts discuss.
  • Google alert: LHS was mentioned at K7JM's web site. Thanks, John.
  • Google alert: LinuxPR press release for Southeast LinuxFest, and Russ was a presenter.
  • Bob, no call, enjoys the podcast. He wonders why the Ogg version of the podcast doesn't play on VLC under Windows. Russ has tested the Ogg files with VLC on Windows 7, Mac OS-X and Linux. Maybe a newer version of VLC will help. Let us know what you discover, Bob.
  • Danny, KJ4UHI, is a new linux user and uses Orca as a screen reader for the visually impaired. A future episode will cover Linux accessibility tools for the handicapped. Any listeners with experience with Orca or other accessibility software, contact us!
  • Jonathan, no call, recently listened to Episode 38. He is a daily Orca user, and offers his assistance. Thanks, Jonathan.
  • John, KF6EFG, wrote asking for a small section of the show that covers changes to the licensing and privileges regulations over the years, and trends in the hobby. He also notes that the web site has been slow. (The ARRL has a nice band plan map on their site.)
  • Doug, KB3TOA, met Russ at the Dayton Hamvention, and is catching up on old episodes. He's trying to follow the show on Twitter. Follow the podcast on Twitter with the user name "lhspodcast". Doug also sent a donation. Thanks, Doug! Listen to a future episode for the results of the drawing.
  • Danny asks how he might hear the unedited podcast. Click on the LHS Up All Night link under the Streaming Audio heading on the right side of the page. You'll need an application that will play an Ogg stream, like Totem or VLC, etc. Or join us on UStream for the live show.
  • Danny also asks if Richard is kidding about wearing a kilt, and if not, is it from Utilikilts?
  • The Northwest Tasmania ATV Group has been running episodes of LHS on Tuesday evenings. Thanks, guys! They operate on a linked repeater system and IRLP nodes 6616 and 6124.
  • Lynn, K5AVJ, asks what people use for calendaring. Paper? Phone app? Web app? Program? Smart phone? Mozilla Sunbird, Apple iCal, Mozilla Lightning, Google Calendar, and Scalix are some possibilities.
  • Listeners William and Frasier made donations to the show. Thanks!
  • Larry Bushey of the Going Linux podcast commented on the web site that he listens to the podcast and loves us, too.
  • Don, WS4E, writes that he's been a long-time listener to LHS and Resonant Frequency. He's tried many ham radio applications under Linux. What are the current favorite programs for rig control, logging, digital modes, award tracking, etc. That will likely be an entire episode. (And see the links earlier in this show notes page.)
  • "xPureEvilx" in the chat room asks what is the best Linux distribution for an older, slower machine? Richard recommends Crunchbang Linux Lite. He uses it on his 133MHz Dell Latitude with 128MB of memory. There are others, like Damn Small Linux and Puppy Linux. Check out Ted's site, https://wa0eir.ham.org, and look at his applications, too.

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 1-888-455-0305  or 1-417-200-4811. Note the new number!

Music: