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

[kg4ttq]

100% Linux in my shack ... am not into contesting, so the list below 
meets my needs.  Here's what i use:
     - Logging: cqrlog (built from src)
     - FT8: wsjtx (built from src)
     - PSK: fldigi (built from src)
     - LOTW: trustedqsl (installed the .deb from arrl)
     - SDR: gqrx and cubicsdr (built from src). Planning to test 
sdrpp(sdrPlusPlus)
These run on a homebrew intel box with debian bullseye.
:::AJ

On 10/18/21 4:45 AM, Alex Carver via Ale wrote:
> 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.
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