Visual Basic

[AB0TJ]

Anybody here good with Visual Basic programming? I am very good at it but my latest idea is going to take a lot of work and maybe somebody could help. Anyway, the idea is, a program that not only does the soundcard digital modes but interfaces with a TNC to do those other 'obscure' modes. It also has radio control for freq. setting etc. Like I said, quite a bit of work (but it is realistic. I have a very good start). Also, anybody want to be a 'beta' tester for when I/we get it running?

73,
Alex/AB0TJ
(I know, not really a youth forum topic, but I think it would be cool to have 'big gun' hams use a program written by 'two kids' or 'a bunch of kids')

[KD5OWO]

There you go alex working your best to get the young hams up on top.  I would be prud to test anything you program and if you can email me some more details I would be happy to help the best way I can I spend much of my time on the computer.  

73
Steve,KD5OWO

[M3PHP]

I would be happy to test it.

Peter, M3PHP
Email - M3PHP@aol.com

[KB5WY]

I believe you would be better off using c or c++ as it would give you better access to the hardware.  It would also operate much faster.

elmo kb5wy
professor of computer science

[AB0TJ]

"I believe you would be better off using c or c++ as it would give you better access to the hardware. It would also operate much faster." Ya, but with Visual Studio.NET the difference is almost none. And you can mix languages for the hardware access stuff. Finally Microsoft does very good with a programming package.

73 and tnx fr the reply,
Alex

[KG4NXW]

I don't know much on VB... but... if you're planning on commmunicating with the radio itself.. you may want to talk with the large distributors such as Icom, Ten Tec, or Yeasu.  They may have some code that is publically available for just this task... I'd like to see the program when you get it finished... and if there is anything I can help with let me know.. there is no problem anyone can't solve with a little reading

Best Wishes,

KG4NXW
Scott

[KG4NXW]

I don't know much on VB... but... if you're planning on commmunicating with the radio itself.. you may want to talk with the large distributors such as Icom, Ten Tec, or Yeasu.  They may have some code that is publically available for just this task... I'd like to see the program when you get it finished... and if there is anything I can help with let me know.. there is no problem anyone can't solve with a little reading

Best Wishes,

KG4NXW
Scott

[VE3SWF]

Yes, You Will Have To Add A Control To Interface With The Serial Port And Sound Card. You Will Also Need To Probably Find Some Source Code (Documented) That Will Show You What You Need To Do To Interface In A
Computer -> TNC -> Radio Setup Or A
Computer -> Sound Card -> Radio Setup. Also, You Will Need To Keep The Code Simple, And Remember To Document It, Or Else You Will Be Lost In The Dust When You Are Debugging It. If You Need Some Help, You Can Email Me At The Adress Below. Good Luck!

Stuart Williams    VE3SWF
cybo2001@hotmail.com

[WB7OFC]

As a guy who's been writing commercial software for a living for (mumble) years, I agree that you should use higher level languages (VB) for as much of the application as makes sense. Push the low level routines into a DLL or ActiveX control if you need to (or better yet, find an ActiveX control that already exists and does what you need - I'm guessing that basic serial communication is all you'll need, but I've never interfaced to a rig before so..).
You can be a lot more productive on the front end with VB, and if the user has the software installed on a decent machine, the performance of a VB app should be pretty decent.

Do spend some time doing some thinking and do some design on paper before you start shredding code. If you want some help with your software design or your development process, drop me a note.

Knock 'em dead!

ron