[ale] Any ham radio operators among us? Linux in the shack?

[Alex Carver]

On 2021-10-17 22:52, Ben Coleman via Ale wrote:
> On 10/17/2021 11:15 PM, Allen Beddingfield via Ale wrote:
>> I was wondering if there are any other ham radio operators on the list?
> 
> There are several.
> 
>> If so, I'm curious what Linux applications you make use of in the 
>> shack for logging, digital modes, or anything else interesting?
> 
> I'll have to admit that though I used to run Linux in the shack, 
> nowadays I'm heavily into contesting, and I'm running Windows, as N1MM+ 
> covers a lot more contests, out-of-the-box, than any Linux contest 
> loggers I know of.
> 
> Back when I was running Linux in the shack, I was using Xlog for daily 
> logging, and tlf or yfktest for contest logging.  I was also a 
> maintainer for the Alinco DX-77T section of Hamlib (Hamlib is a library 
> for controlling radios, rotators, and other ham computer-controllable 
> hardware.  Most Linux apps that need to interface with radios use it.
> 
>> Also, problems dealing with RFI from PCs and power supplies?
> 
> I'm using an Astron analog power supply, so I don't have much problems 
> with RFI from the power supply.  I've mostly had to deal with RFI the 
> other way, with RF in the shack affecting devices connected between the 
> PC and the radio.  That's been dealt with by the selective application 
> of cables with ferrite beads build in, or by the user of snap-on ferrites.
> 
>> I've got a fairly new PowerSpec from Microcenter that jumps me from S3 
>> to S9  of noise floor on 20m when switched on
> 
> Some of that may be coming from cables from the computer, which might be 
> handled by snap-on or wrap-around ferrite chokes (Palomar Engineers has 
> a nice kit).  Some of my issues were helped by tying my radio and 
> computer hardware to a common ground bus.  Also check the cables on the 
> monitor.

I've got loads of both linear and switching power supplies in and around 
the desk but I spent lots of time putting chokes on everything to keep 
it clean.  I also usually spend a bit more on the supplies.  Most of my 
switchers are DIN-rail mount units or similar industrial units that have 
filters in them and don't radiate much because they're intended to be in 
close proximity to other sensitive devices like PLCs.  Nearly everything 
at my desk that used to have a 5V wall wart is now sharing one of three 
5V/10A DIN rail units. I have an enclosure at the end of the desk with a 
single C14 inlet with integrated magnetic filter (like this 
https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/schaffner-emc-inc/FN9260B-10-06/1929075) 
and terminal blocks that I use to wire appropriate patch cords to power 
the devices.  I did the same for a couple higher voltage items (mainly 
24V devices) and anything that was network related now runs PoE. I used 
to have over 40 wall warts and I'm now down to two because they're 
oddball voltages (one is 7.5, the other is 15).

I also usually put in ground breaks on all the audio lines between the 
radios and computers.  Most of my radios are patched through a couple 
Behringer mixers so I can route audio to different places (headphones, 
computers, speakers, etc.) but I find that a good portion of audio 
problems almost always stems from ground loops.  I buy the ground 
isolators intended for automotive applications and patch them inline 
with the radios.  The good ones are transformer units so you get 
galvanic isolation on the audio lines as well as the ground break.

I've got three VHF/UHF stations and one HF station and no issues from my 
operating area.  Nearly all my noise is from the neighborhood coming 
into the antenna.