There is some confusion over what I'm looking for here.

I already have Ham Radio Deluxe (it IS great!). I'm not looking for a program for PSK31 or logging, I already have that!

I'm not having any problems setting my frequencies on my radio, either.

I have two hobbies, ham radio and computers.

What I AM looking for is a program somewhat like the Ten Tec Pegasus control program that can control as many of my 706's functions as possible.

I've seen a few out there, but I was a bit underwhelmed with them.

David, N1ZHE

Sorry for the omission!

I'm using an Intel based machine.

To be specific:

Homebrew computer
Athlon 2100+ XP CPU
512 Megs ram
2 HD's; a 20 gig and an 80 gig
NVidia video

David, N1ZHE

I have an Icom IC-706MkIIG.

I just ordered a CI-V computer interface cable for it (NOT the ultra expensive Icom model).

I have some programs (PSK31 and a logging program) that can use the interface for different functions, such as reading the frequency, etc.

Is anybody using software that will actually control the radio itself? You know, turning on/off different radio functions, etc.

If so, what software is available and what works best?

David, N1ZHE

Do you mean the exact same outlet, or the same fused electrical circuit?

David, N1ZHE

I work mostly HF digital.

I notice that 14.080 has a lot of "interference". On a lark (pardon the pun), I shut off my computer's monitor and the interference went away completely!

Changing refresh rates only moves the interference to somewhere else that I don't want it to be.

Short of buying a flat panel display, is there any way to filter the interference out? (Will a flat panel cure it?)

David, N1ZHE

Nope. Found no psk activity at all but on 20.

Thought I'd give it a try, though, considering the recent sunspot activity and the upswing of some other bands.

David, N1ZHE

DX has been really good to Europe and fair to South America the last several days here in Maine, so I thought I'd try other bands instead of 20 meters.

I'm working strictly PSK31. I tried all bands from 80 meters to 10 meters.

All was "just fine" until I tried 10 meters. As soon as I started transmitting, all kinds of crazy things started happening on my computer.

Windows were minimizing and maximizing, stuff was moving on my task bar and system tray. Obviously what was in ram was corrupted.

I had to do the "three finger salute" (which is the same as the "Microsoft Shuffle") to reboot as I could no longer control my computer nor could I make it unkey. I had to reach over and shut off the radio!

After the computer rebooted, all was fine, except the stuff that had "reorganized" it's location on my desktop. And that was easily fixed.

Here's the current setup. Computer first:

Barebones Soyo Athlon kit.

AMD XP 2100+ CPU
512 megs DDR ram
20 & 80 gig harddrives
DVD+ burner

Radio next:

Icom IC-706MkIIG
LDG AT-11MP Autotuner
6-80 meter dipole antenna

The tuner has a short (less than 6 feet) of RG58 coax to a 4:1 balun, which has about 3 feet of 450 ohm ladder line within the shack.

I don't think the balun looks very weather proof, or I'd place it outside of the shack with all the ladder line. The balun is also made by LDG.

So, it would be real nice to be able to work 10 meters when it comes back AND log with my computer.

Any (cheap, $-wise) suggestions?

Thanks!

David, N1ZHE

First of all, thanks for all the replies up to now, and for any in the future.

Let me fill in a few blanks.

The power lines by my property and through my trees appear to be of the normal neighborhood variety, but even if they only carried 10 volts, I want to stay clear of them. I have a crude dipole up now that uses the tree nearest the corner of my lot as one of it's anchor points. But I stayed below the lines for the anchor point. I figured if anything fell, it couldn't fall on the power lines this way.

Due to this, the highest point of the present antenna is about 20 feet and the lowest is about 15 feet. The lowest point attaches to the house and the antenna actually touches the house at one point. The siding on my wood frame house is stained cedar shingles.

I can spend up to about $300, give or take a little for an antenna. I would prefer not to put up something as obvious as a beam on the roof.

I also forgot to mention that I bought my house before I decided to become a ham. It is probably in the lowest part of town, in a older neighborhood with small yards (houses close together).

I wouldn't mind a vertical if you think it might work. I have worked a semi-fair amount of DX to USA stations and from this loaction, I have used a dipole cut strictly for 10 meters and worked some worldwide DX with another (cheaper) radio and 25 watts. As I recall, the 10 meter dipole was a lot quieter than my present dipole.

Again, thanks for any help, as well as any future help.

Sincerely,

David, N1ZHE

I live on a small lot. Please see a diagram at http://ftp://www.n1zhe.org . It's in the /pub folder.

I have an Icom 706MKII and a LDG autotuner. As you can see on the diagram, there are powerlines on the right of my lot. The two trees are about 25-30 feet high, but the power lines actually pass through them on the right edge, though my diagram doesn't show this too well.

My house is two storey, the garage is one storey. The roofs of both are steep, not too good for this old man to climb.

My shack is in a room near the trees on the second floor.

Any recommendations for an HF antenna?

Thanks!

David, N1ZHE

A quick check (without disconnecting the computer) showed my S9 noise level dropped to S0 and no noise when I disconnected my antenna.

David, N1ZHE

Thanks Bob. I'll try tomorrow as I must get up early for work.

David, N1ZHE

I realize a bit more info is in order.

I have an Icom 706 MkIIG. There's a short coax jumper between the radio and my LDG AT-11MP Autotuner, then I have a 10 foot run of coax to the balun. Then 100 feet of 450 Ohm ladder line to the antenna.

Most of the ladder line is coiled up. The noise level was pretty bad before I coiled up the ladder line.

David, N1ZHE

I'm running a dipole cut for 80 meters. With a tuner I can work it all the way to 6 meters.

I'm using a 4:1 balun but I have an S9 noise level on all bands. This does not sound like power line noise, and BPL isn't being used or tested in my part of Maine.

The noise level is slowly getting worse as time goes by. I can only hear the strongest stations.

Any ideas how I can eliminate or minimize to noise?

David, N1ZHE

I recently got into PSK31 and RTTY. I don't know why, but RTTY really has hooked me.

Are there any good info sites online that explain operating procedures, etc?

Any tips??

I'm using a Rascal GLX interface and MMTTY.

David, N1ZHE

I have an Icom IC-706MkIIG and I'm running a Rascal PSK31 interface and Winpskse 2.23.

I know the soundcard settings are critical and I think I just about have them sorted out, but I was wondering about the radio settings.

I have compression and DSP off, but I'm not sure where to set other settings.

Is anyone else running this setup, and if so, what settings did you change on the radio (from factory standard)?

Thanks & 73's.

David, N1ZHE