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Question

Do you have more than one computer In your shack/house?

Results (2359 answers)

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Survey Comments

Network city! :)

I'm yet another g33k with a few computers networked. Instead of using a dedicated router, I'm using a Linux box as a firewall/router/IRLP node. Behind that is a couple of Windows machines. From there, I have a couple of VPN links to work and friends' places. There's also the P100 laptop which is the wireless router/firewall. This will eventually provide local wireless connectivity once others come within range. Currently, it allows me to take a laptop out into the sun when the weather's right. :) Also good for satellite tracking while sitting around the BBQ, can call up Heavens Above and then look to the sky. :) To me, computers are an integral part of the ham hobby, and I find myself spending as much time writing shell scripts for IRLP as I do operating. :)
Posted by VK3JED on 2002-10-28

!Wired


I have 8 computers in my house running a wireless network routed to an OC3 backbone. The network is connect to my office with a VPN over the OC3 and routed to the Internet via two OC12's and an OC48.

Two PC's are for ham radio, four for business and two for personal. I have no interference problems between the PC's and the radio or vice versa, however, my KW still plagues the TV, the XBox, the Intercom system, the baby monitor, and the kids walkie-talkies! I am certainly out numbered with a wife and four kids!

My children visit their friends homes and ask, "Dude, What's wrong with your Internet connection?"

Cisco and BellSouth both love me!

I have little time for radio in order to pay for it all...lol, j/k!
Posted by KY1V on 2002-08-25

Computers

Yes, I have four networked computers at home, one in the shack, one in each of our offices and one extra. The problem is that an old computer is just not worth selling to anybody, so, like magic, it gets networked. They're very modest machines by today's standards: P4 1.6 Ghz in the shack, P3 1.2 Ghz in my office (I have the "speedier" machines because I'm running Seti@home number-cruching software all the time), an old Toshiba laptop and an old IBM P1 166 Mhz. Of the busted computers downstairs in the basement, I hope to take all three and manage to come up with one working one -- and then network it, since it's in the radio workbench and secondary shack (i.e., the shack with no antenna!). It's *loads* of fun (all right, I admit, it is!) keeping the various machine updated and running smoothly. They can be quite ornery beasts, but at least they don't give me any backtalk!

Posted by W2RBA on 2002-08-24

Computers

Well, there are 4 people in my house, so naturally we need 5 computers, all networked - half hardwired and half wireless. No wonder I can't hear diddly on some bands!

On those rare occasions when I have time, I am on the laptop in the hamshack. There is a 350 Mhs Pentium that is dedicated to Echolink gateway service that is always on. Next to me, there is a 250Mhz Pentium running Suse Linux 8.0 . Usually, my son is on the new 1.3 Ghz. eMachine in the living room, equipped with a video card so he can watch TV, chat on IM, download music, and play Flight Simulator at the same time. Daughter or wife are usually on the 350 Mhz. Compaq upstairs in the wife's hobby room.

Lately, I've been hanging out between 9 and 10 p.m. CDT with a group of midwesterners trying to work DX on 2 meters with PSK31 and JT44. Great fun! See the PSK_UHF_VHF_HAMRADIO group at yahoogroups.com for details ...

Posted by K0RGR on 2002-08-23

Networked computers

I have 3 desktop and one notebook. One of the desktops if for the ham station. Others are business. All are wireless, 802.11b networked. Reliable and no interference from HF or 2M operations.
Posted by N5LB on 2002-08-23

FIFTY YEARS LATER

I'll miss Rosemary Clooney forever but one of her biggest hits was one she really didn't like or care about. It was called Come-On-A-My-House. Such were the times 50 years ago when novelty songs were in.

Perhaps if the lyric was written for today it would have gone something like this:



Come-on-a-my-house baby, I geev you a LAN instead of candy


Come-on-a-my-house baby, bringa you laptop and I geev you a CAT5-eee


Come-on-a-my-house baby and I geev you some of my T-3


Come-on-a-my-house baby and you can cyber with me!



My, how times have changed.


de Bill K2ANE/2


Posted by K2ANE on 2002-08-23

Computers

I have two computers in the shack networked with each other shares printer and internet only 56k but cable soon :). hope to add a 100Mhz pc for packet radio.

Peter, M3PHP
Posted by M3PHP on 2002-08-22

And the older ones for sprinkler system

I knew I was heading down the wrong path when I refused to toss out the old PC's, instead putting them to use as sprinkler system and pool filter/heater controllers. Actually, this isn't a bad use. An old PC has no cash value, but a sprinkler system controller can cost $150. Hmm, I saved money!

WB2WIK/6
Posted by WB2WIK on 2002-08-22

Computer Centric Radio?


I have several computers of various ages though I rarely run more than one at time but they are network capable if I do. Perhaps a better question is how much integration is there between you computer(s) and your radio(s)? I'm herding 3 Ten Tec Pegs around the bands on a single dual monitor equipped 750MHz/256MB machine with Win2K. I can have all 3 of them listening and/or sweeping the bands and still have horsepower left over to cruise the Internet with. And during contests the logging program is also happily running along with the radios too. I for one can say the computers and the Internet have increased my radio activity, not competed with it. Also so many people get hung up on the notion that a computer is a singular entity onto itself rather than viewing and using it as a tool to enhance the things you do in Ham radio. For me they have become just as necessary as electricity to run my radio shack and it doesn't bug me a bit either. In fact there is so much more I'd like to be doing with PC/radio integration if there were software available to do it.


Posted by N9DG on 2002-08-22

Computer network

Description here:

http://www.qsl.net/ab4oj/comp/comp.html
Posted by VA7OJ on 2002-08-22

Only five machines here

There's the old P1-166 which is the hardest working puter round here. It's the firewall, NAT, proxy for everthing else. Then there's my main box..."just" a P3-733..but reliable. My son has his AMD Duron game/MP3 thingie over there and my wife and yougest son share the old PowerMac 8600. That leaves the aged Celeron 433. Hmm..why is that still here? Oh yeah..has a spare CD burner in it. Hmmm..heed to sell it or make it do something besides sit there!
Posted by KS4UA on 2002-08-20

It's all about connectivity and functionality

My setup was basically dictated by the fact that I have a wife and three kids. Trying to share a phoneline for dialup was not an option anymore. (who wants the cost of an additional phoneline anyway?) So, my setup is...


-Cable-modem service connected to a:
-LinkSys router w/8-port 10/100 switch (which provides 24x7 access for all the computers on my network, firewall, NAT...)
-Netware (v6) file server for authentication and file storage
-Windows NT file server (but NT server serves no apparent purpose - just like at work; what a POS!)
-Two networked computers in the shack and a port for my work laptop (which I connect via VPN client software to my office network)
-One networked computer in each of the kid's rooms
-One networked computer at the kitchen desk for my wife


They're all simultaneously connected to the Internet 24x7 and they all have their own ISP provided email accounts (I don't allow them to have Hotmail accounts. Hotmail is basically for perverts, adulterers, and terrorists; otherwise, they'd just setup additional ISP email boxes like we did because ISPs provide several accounts for free now anyway. And they can be accessed with a browser, if you like.).

Mike, WA9PIE
Posted by WA9PIE on 2002-08-20

Too Many Computers!

Yes, being the computer g33k that I am, every box in the house is networked!

#1 AMD 1600XP (network gateway box)
#2 AMD 750 (athlon classic)
#3 AMD K6-450 (Burning box)
#4 AMD K6-266 (just an xtra box)

All running dualboot Win2k/Win98. All have 100mb NIC. All through a switch. Why do we do this.......BECAUSE WE CAN!


Posted by KF6KDA on 2002-08-20

At work or play...

At work, I support approx 1500 pc's, 5 servers, and 2 AS400 midranges. At home, I support 3 pc's, one printer, and a Linksys router. Guess which one pays better? :)

After working w/ computers for 15 years I'd best categorize them as a necessary evil.

73 John K7FD
http://www.hamhobby.com




Posted by K7FD on 2002-08-20

3 machines networked currently (1.3GHz Athlon fer me, 500 MHz K6-2 that my wife and son use, and the old P1-166MHz downstairs in the shack, all networked (NetGear) for use with cable modem, not to each other (though I may set it up between my machine and the one in the shack so I can monitor APRS and whatnot from the groundfloor). I have an old 486 DX/4 that actually works on the network (slooowly, but works) that might get pressed into service if I find another TNC so I can run packet at the same time as APRS.
Posted by N1VLQ on 2002-08-20

Computers

Got three on the network here.
#1, 1G T-bird dual booting W2K and Gentoo Linux. #2 1G Duron running Win98. #3 K62-450 running Win98. All networked to the net (cable) and each other with a Linksys NIC's and a four port router. I can share files amongst the three in either Winders or Linux running Samba. I do this stuff for a living too but never get tired of "tweaking".

Posted by N0RKX on 2002-08-20

computers are a part of my life......

I started in computers in 1969 with the use of the GE MarkII timeshare. Since then I have had 15 computers starting with an Altair in 1975 with a Soroc monitor and then a SWTP unit. It goes from there, OSI, TRS-80, Sinclair , etc. I love them. I met my wife on the net and we both are online a lot every day visiting friends we have made online over the past 5 years. Even though many may consider me old since I am retired, I still try to keep up to date on whats new with computers. I don't even try to guess what the next 5 - 10 years will bring. Our kids and grandkids will live in a world we can't even imagine.
73
Frank
KL7IPV
Posted by KL7IPV on 2002-08-19

computers

Too many!
1-200 mhz Packard Bell...I know... but it runs..in the shack for general purpose and internet.
2-E-Machines 500-mhz in the living room fer the xyl and harmonics.
3-Compaq lte 5300 laptop fer travelin' and digital ops...my ham 'puter.
4-486 33mhz !!! Thinkpad running APRS...unbelievably stable!
5-100mhz...I dunno what, but it works and lives in the utility building!
and I'm looking fer #6..a new laptop!
Posted by KF4ZGZ on 2002-08-19

Stats skewed

Because... hams with computers tend to use eHam. If hams don't have a computer they probably won't be on eHam, and thus are not contributing to this survey. Instant bias toward those heavily into computers.

BTW, I guess I'm in the minority. One system at home, although I do ALL of my Internet stuff from work where they have a T1 running into the building.


Posted by AD7DB on 2002-08-19

A Lot

A Win98 Machine for Internet access (cable modem) and general use. Another Win98 Machine for the Wife's games and a Win98 Laptop. I also have an MSDos Desktop in the shack along with a dot-matrix printer. I also have an HP Palmtop MSDos machine (the MSDos machines are not networked) A SUSE Linux server with two Pentium processors and a RedHat workstation. I have a large format HP Inkjet printer also networked and a label printer. I have a DAT Tape drive and two CD Burners along with an 8 port hub and a 4 channel KVM switch. These are all maintained on four UPS units of various capacities. And to top it off, five Floor to ceiling bookcase filled with software and manuals.
Posted by KG4RUL on 2002-08-19

Stats skewed...so what?

All the surveys on eHam have skewed results...by their very nature...so what?

Mike N2MG
webmaster
Posted by N2MG on 2002-08-19

Up to 4 at once

My wife and I both have an office computer on the wired network. The ham PC downstairs is on the wireless network. And I can use one of my two work laptops (company or client) on the wireless network (I only have one wireless card). Equipment includes Toshiba cable modem and SMC Barricade wired/wireless router (7004WBR). It's nice to be able to work from the porch or dining room.

Posted by AD1C on 2002-08-19

InterNetwork...

My wife and I each have our own PCs that are networked thru the internet (not PC to PC). Mine is for Ham radio and digital HF stuff and she uses her PC for E-Trading and record keeping.
Posted by NB6Z on 2002-08-19

The Fantastic Computer

Use 11 computers hourly. Run NT PDC and BDC with several client computers. Also, run three Linux machines one client, one server, and one web server. All have data stored on a Dot Hill raid array. Most all OS’s are running save Apple.
Posted by KA9CSG on 2002-08-19

PUTERS?

Good Grief Charlie Brown - Some of you guys are computer nuts. I cannot imagine why anyone would have a half dozen or more computers running at home at any given time. I spend all day with about 400 machines running NT, Win 98 , Win 2000 Professional, and now 24 with XP professional, and the last thing I wanna do is play "network" with a dozen at home. I have two online here, and those two share a lousy 28k telephone line (when Im lucky), by attaching one to the phone line, and then the other (unplugging the first). Yeah , Im gonna network those two, so my daughter can do her "chat" (EMachine 466) while mine (MX 200 home brew) watches the spot nets.
Im looking to buy a 1+gig kit to replace my 200MX unit, which is too slow to run the spot net, and Hamscope, and YPlog all at the same time. Wish I knew where you guys walk down the street and find these computers in the trash. The used computers around here cost as much as buying inexpensive new units from Tigertronics, or others like that.
Posted by N7DC on 2002-08-19

Computers

I have been making my own since they started offering parts back in the XT days in the few magazines of the time. I love radio but if given a choice one or the other I would pick computers! I'm just happy that I can use both! At the moment while writing this on your Ham site I'm listening to 50.125 and can input a callsign and get instant information or search for cooking info. for my Wife in the kitchen. Can't wait to finish building my next one then I will get a Cable Modem Router and connect them all. At this point My wife and my 5 year old all fight for computer time!
Posted by W1XLR on 2002-08-18

Computers

I have 5 networked at 100 mbs on the "In house lan". Most came from a Thrift store at very low cost with $39 the most expencive, it's an Intell PII 350 mhz. The least expencive was a P 100 mhz from a local trash can! I use it for the Radio bench but the others are used by my son and his friends to play "Lan war games" I do have one "real" computer I built from new parts. The first thing I do with the old stuff is format the hard drives. I can't understand why people will discard a computer with the hard drive full of there private information like Names with phone number and address. I have even found credit card numbers with all the required information saved so they don't "forget" the information! Being the honest person I am I just simply format the drive and reload an OS on it.
Posted by N4ZOU on 2002-08-18

networked. indeed.

Running a UNIX server since 1993, with in-house Ethernet since 1995, Internet connectivity since 1997... now two servers, three client machines, one for my audio processing, one for ham radio, and one for my wife. Even another laptop. And even three more if counting the HP100LX and 200LX...

I can't imagine DXing without QRZ.com, Buck com, and the DX Summit. And eham.net indeed for exchanging opinions with various hams. PSK31 empowered small stations to DXing - with a lot of help from digital signal processing ability of PCs.

73 de JJ1BDX/3 Kenji Rikitake
Posted by JJ1BDX on 2002-08-18

need to combine selections

Yes, they are all networked and I hate computers... there are at least four on the network at any time, with as many as 10. I normally run Windows 2000, but have at least two running Win9x to be able to access the old programs. If my community ever joins the 21st Century and we are finally able to get either cable internet or xDSL service, I willl be adding Linux box for a firewall. My network is Server/Client, except for the Win9x boxes are Peer to Peer. I also have three printers on the network, an inkjet, laser and dot matrix for those times when I need one or two labels or multi-copy forms.
Posted by K8YS on 2002-08-18

you asked!

11 as of now; Solaris, Linux (2 flavors), MAC (2, one sys 10; like it so far), Windoze (flavors vary, none work all that well, but 2K seems the most stable); network is ethernet -- switched 100BaseT to each CPU, plus a 80211b system for the laptops and a remote printer.
Frac T1 (512) for Internet, big UPS's. Yep, you guessed right, I'm in the business... ;-)
It's interesting how many Hams are in computers (or is the other way around)?
S
Posted by WA0LSS on 2002-08-18

Computers in shack

Yes, I have at least 2 and probably 3 if I count all the spare parts floating around. I find computers can be really handy in logging, looking up calls and of course, designing web pages to show off the old shack. Now days, I can't imagine a shack without at least one.
Posted by WB8HJX on 2002-08-17

Computers

I have 3. A 5 year old Dell D300 running Suse 8 Linux (I'm using it to write this), an Apple 500Mhz ibook and a new Dell 2200.
I started running Linux 3 months ago and really love it. The ibook was the only Mac I thouoght was price competitive and worthy of buying and I wanted a laptop. The new Dell is nice and I'll probably install Linux on it in the future. XP is o.k. but I don't do any interneting on it, for that I use Linux or the ibook.
Posted by KB2SMS on 2002-08-17

Four too many...

I have four computers. One; my last "business" PC running Win 98 which is now my dedicated Ham Radio computer, two; an old Macintosh that is dedicated to packet radio, three; my laptop (also running Win 98) which serves double-duty as my business PC when I am on trips and for PSK-31 and the like as well, and finally four; my newest PC (also running Win 98) that I use for my business and for my other Internet activities. I just got a Sony 21" monitor for this one so I can see if from across the room, which is a nice step up from 17 inches. (Eventually when I do another custom-built PC to replace this one, this one will become my next dedicated Ham Radio computer.) Anyway the only problem with this is trying to keep all four computers maintained and updated -- it's nearly a full-time job! :^) 73 Clinton AB7RG
Posted by AB7RG on 2002-08-17

Toooo Many

We're computer geeks. My wife and I each have a 1700 Athlon and a 350 AMD. Then there's the file server,the print server, the webserver, the test machine, a laptop, the ham 'puter and a couple of clunkers. We have one router, one switch, and 10 kva of ups. Most of these machines are on kvm switches. I don't know where they all came from, but at least she understands why I need more than one radio and amplifier.
Posted by KB8ELK on 2002-08-17

cutting down

At one point I had 27 computers, most of them on the LAN. Now I am down to 5, four of which are on the LAN. I gave most of the systems away. It's amazing what turns up on the street, perfectly good computers just a couple of years old. The other day I found a Pentium3 666 mhz system with 512 MB of ram in the trash! This one I am keeping. It will get Debian Linux, like my other systems.
Posted by N1YRK on 2002-08-17

Computers

The XYL has one in the house.

I have in the shack: my I'net 'puter, the
Packet BBS Computer, the SEDAN 'puter, the APRSDAT station
'puter, the 30<>2 Meter APRS Gate 'puter
and the hurricane trackin' 'puter.

Also, a Teletype Corp Model 15 KSR
for RTTY.

73 de Ronnie
Posted by WA4MJF on 2002-08-17