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Shack Control Using Ham Radio Deluxe (HRD)
I
use a wonderful program called Ham Radio Deluxe to control almost all
functions of my shack. I control the transceiver (s), my logbook, my
rotor, my antenna selection via my SteppIR controller, and my SWR/Power
(PowerMaster) meter. I also monitor my DX web cluster with the package.
The program allows me to do
all modes I am interested in and some that I am not. I have done most of
the digital modes even SSTV with the setup and everything work as advertised
with the program never missing a beat. You can remote the package from
anywhere in the world over the Internet using a laptop and a
connection. I have not done that yet, but plan on doing so soon.
Below is a screen shot
showing how I have the screen setup on a daily basis as I operate. This
particular day I was on my Icom 746Pro, but it works equally well with
my Pro III as it did with my Yaesu and Kenwood rigs. The package allows me to have total control of my equipment and my station. As am
working someone, I can add them to my log. Have the package lookup the
information of the guy I am working from QRZ and put all that stuff
automatically in my log without me doing any other functions.
I use a Griffin Technology tuning knob
to change frequency just like using your big knob on your rig, and I use a
track ball to do all other things the rig is capable of doing by
developing sliders and buttons to do the functions I use on the rig.
There are really some things you can do to the rig via HRD that you can
not do with the knobs and buttons that are physically on the rig.
HRD is free and is always
being updated. The screen shot below is of the latest released
version of the package but already a new package is scheduled to come
out that will have many more features. I have a wide 20 inch LCD monitor
so I put everything up at once side by side and up and down. You could
just run one or all applications at once if you like. The systems seems
to run very responsive but to do all at once you better have a big boy
computer.
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