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How Can You Tell if Ham Radio Programming Cable Is Usable on Mac

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Abode >  Mac for Ham Radio

Getting on the air at Diamond Head

I've been a Microsoft developer and user for many a twelvemonth. I used the Mac at work almost 20 years ago, and was impressed at the efficiency of the operating organisation. I finally made the switch from Microsoft Windows to the Apple Mac in Feb 2008. These pages chronicle the transition from Windows to OS X.

Contrary to pop opinion, I've establish better ham radio awarding software for the Mac than on the PC. At that place's still more than programs available for the PC for specialty apply, but for what I do, I no longer actually need a PC for day-to-day amateur radio utilise. With Don Agro VE3VRW's back up of satellie keplerian elements (keps) from Celestrak into MacDoppler, and Kok Chen W7AY's inclusion of CW back up into cocoaModem, I'm set.

This info does not necessarily constitute an endorsement of the products and services beneath.

Enjoy, and feel gratis to drop me an e-mail if you have whatever questions.


Why go Mac?

March i, 2009

  • If I take to buy a new computer and buy new software all once more, why not purchase it for a robust, solid platform.
  • The user interfaces are simple and clean. You lot encounter only what you lot demand to see in order to get things done. While surprising at first, it really becomes quite welcome and addicting.
  • No more unresponsive windows, especially when browsing the spider web or composing emails. I now get annoyed with XP at work when it does that to me several times a day.
  • No more Blue Screen of Death!
  • No more monthly Windows patches! There's patches for Os X, but non as frequent or intrusive.
  • The Mac asks nicely BEFORE information technology updates the software if you wish to exist bothered with a system reboot. It gives you a chance to shut all your programs Earlier you install the updates and reboot.

  • I become a lot of performance and throughput for a Core ii Duo processor. My programs starting time quickly.
  • You can start programs such as a web browser before the user interface has fully completed populating the desktop, etc. It gets to that signal faster than Windows.
  • It shuts downwards faster than Windows. Virtually 3 seconds, compared to 6-8 for Windows.
  • Pretty decent battery life. Lasts over one.v hours easily.
  • The speaker audio on the MacBook is pretty darn proficient. No need for external speakers.
  • The Mac is more expensive, but information technology has audio and video software built-in.
  • Has a born web cam and microphone. The microphone did such a practiced job that I didn't demand to hook up wires to transfer audio from an audio recorder to the laptop. I'm impressed, and and then's the recipient.
  • I similar the manner and ease of setting up backups using the congenital-in Time Machine. Real easy and simple. Once you've set information technology up, it automatically backs upward once an hour -- right out of the box. I really support my Mac once a week by connecting the external difficult bulldoze, canceling the anti-virus scan, and then click Time Machine > Back up Now. One click, ane move of the mouse, and the catastrophe click. Let information technology run while I read spider web pages and emails, and I'thou done.
  • The MacBook has WiFi and Bluetooth built-in. Information technology automobile discovers devices in a very clean user interface. It establish the Apple Mighty Mouse bluetooth device very nicely and then hands I forgot how I did it.

  • If you're into HF ham radio, you've got to see MacLoggerDX in operation with it's station automation features, including real-fourth dimension monitoring of the spot reports on the Internet. It's astonishing!
  • MacDoppler has a full screen fashion that looks like a existent-time screen saver. Very beautiful!
  • Kok Chen W7AY'south cocoaModem blows away the other PC HF digital mode programs. If you want more details on how to make a killer CW home station, click on this link.
  • I'm working on installing XASTIR when I have fourth dimension. If you've done it, send me an email.
  • I'm looking frontward to installing a dual-boot option for Windows, and so I tin can run some previous ham radio and not-ham software. That should speed up my migration from Windows to Mac Os.

  • Instead of downloading dozens of small programs to view files, the Mac has 1 "Preview" programme that tin handle many file formats. So, if it's not an Office download file like a .dr. or .ppt, there'south a skilful run a risk of viewing the file past letting it default to "Preview". Handles .jpg, .PDF, .png, etc.
  • Information technology has Unix built-in, and you tin download development tools for free.
  • The menu bar is consistently at the pinnacle of the screen, not jumping around in each window. As a upshot, you lot go to meet all the carte choices bachelor.
  • If you like to do screen shots, the Mac allows you to select the surface area and size of the screen shot right out of the box. (Command+Shift+4), drag and select the area. When you let go the mouse button, you lot hear the sound of a camera shutter, and information technology leaves the screen shot as a file on your desktop equally a .png file. You tin can and then attach it via email. How uncomplicated.

  • In short, it does things then well, I'grand non wasting any more time on Windows.

  • To migrate the files from the PC to the Mac, I simply fabricated sure all my desired PC files were on the hard drive with a USB cablevision, disconnected the difficult drive's USB cablevision from the PC, and connected it to the Mac. The Mac can read Windows' NTFS file system USB difficult drives in read-only mode. So it was a simple matter to copy the file folders from the USB hard drive to the Mac, and when it was all washed, dismount the USB hard drive using the "eject" push in Finder (the Mac'due south equivalent of Windows File Explorer). Of course, you'll need to purchase/install Mac versions of your desired programs, and Microsoft offers a Mac version of Microsoft Office.
  • Yous can migrate files betwixt a Mac and a PC by copying them to USB thumb drives which are formatted with FAT-32.

Transition to Mac Bone X

March 1, 2009

These links indicate to sites which take hardware and software I've incorporated into my Mac.

  • RAID Level one External Hard Drive for backups
  • Built-in Backup Software for OS 10 - Fourth dimension Machine
  • Anti-virus - Symantec/Norton Cyberspace Security for Mac
  • Web Browser - Firefox
  • Email Plan - Thunderbird
  • Zip and Unzip Utility - Stuffit
  • Windows Media Viewer for the Mac - Flip4Mac
  • Give-and-take, Excel, Powerpoint - Microsoft Office
  • Cyberduck - FTP Software for updating Web Pages
  • Logging Programme and Ham Shack assistant - MacLoggerDX
  • Satellite Tracker - MacDoppler for Cocoa
  • cocoaModem - HF Digital Modes program for Cocoa and the Mac

  • TNC Terminal program - MacTNC V1.two

  • EchoMac - an Echolink client for Macintosh Bone X

  • FAQ for EchoMac

  • Router settings for EchoMac

  • Open Source APRS Program - XASTIR

  • Mac software for Ham Radio

A few words near the Mac keyboard. What is marked as Backspace on the PC keyboard is marked as delete on the Mac. To become the traditional Delete function on the Mac, printing and concur the fn (role) key while pressing the delete fundamental, and you lot'll delete the grapheme to the right of the cursor.

Instead of pressing ctrl and the x, c, and 5 keys for cut, re-create and paste, you employ the command key instead of the ctrl key.

USB to Icom CI-Five Radio Command

A give-and-take about MacDoppler, MacLoggerDX and West Mount Radio RIGTallk.

I previously bought a Westward Mount Radio RIGTallk for Windows XP to control an Icom IC-910H. Since I migrated platforms to the Mac, I needed to detect a fashion to motility the connection to Mac OSX. The technique is to install the Mac OSX software commuter from West Mountain Radio (which is not officially supported, but it seems to work with Leopard. The documentation below pertains to Leopard. It no longer works with Snow Leopard, but see the note below.) Go to their back up website and download the Mac OSX Drivers for RIGTalk. When yous open the .zip file, it'll ask you confirmation to proceed, as it will do a shutdown or reboot. You should close out your other applications before proceeding. As usual, it'll ask for the countersign, prompt you for a shutdown or restart, and keep. The driver installation has to update the boot caches, which will take about 25 seconds.

When the reboot completes, open up your DogPark software application, select the carte option Preferences > Radio > Serial Port, and select WMRRIGtalkRT1. Set the to the default address of C0, or whatsoever address yous choose. You tin bank check this spider web page for more information on the default CI-V address for your radio. Use the information in the column marked addr, and exit off the "$" dollar sign. Set the baud rate to 9600 baud, or whatsoever speed you choose. Note that I use Icom radios, and so I'grand familiar with CI-Five formats. I am non familiar with Yaesu's CAT formats.

Dave N2IRO reports on October 5, 2009 that he had trouble with the RIGTalk Mac driver and Snow Leopard. Ron KF5JRA reports on June 3, 2022 that the RIGTalk Mac drivers for Snowfall Leopard tin can be found at this link. New

In the meantime, you tin also use the USB interface 2. If you have Snow Leopard, the suggested interface is the Microham USB Interface III).).

USB to RS-232C adapter

For the programs such as MacTNC using the KPC-3Plus (and other) TNC, I just happen to have a Cables Unlimited USB-2920 USB two.0 to RS-232C DB-9M Series Adapter lying effectually. The following documents what I did. It is not an endorsement or recommendation. Also, check the web site for the latest and advisable versions.

I installed the VCD Drivers. The PDF instructions are here.

Download the Mac OSX (Intel) driver on this web page. Download the V2.2.9 driver DMG volume. Follow the instructions, and start the installation plan. The install process requires a restart. Let for more time at the blueish screen upon startup.

When the desktop appears, plug in the device. To verify that the device is visible, get to Awarding > System Preferences > Network. Information technology should show a new USB Serial device detected. Modify the configuration as needed. You lot can then configure MacTNC as needed. Works fine with the Kantronics KPC-three+.

cocoaModem: The Ultimate Home Computer-Morse Lawmaking Radio Setup?

March one, 2009, Updated: May viii, 2009

Trying to figure out the ultimate home estimator setup to run morse lawmaking? Give this a look. I've been at this a long time, and believe this is the simplest, most robust solution to keyboarding morse code (CW) on a home computer right into your ham radio.

  • Icom IC-706 MK Ii G, or any decent HF radio with a 6-pin Mini DIN data/packet connector in the rear
  • Tigertronics SignalLink USB interface/sound card, exist sure to get the SLUSB6PM assembly/vi-pin Mini DIN cable
  • A MacBook, not a PC
  • Kok Chen W7AY'south cocoaModem for the Mac, configured for CW

I've looked at CWGET on the PC. The program is a good programme, simply it'south just not as slick and polished as what W7AY has done with cocoaModem.

Ernie, NH7L clued me in to Kok Chen W7AY's work when I first got my Mac. It took a while for me to go around to trying out this plan, but when I took a look at it, I was very pleased. A part of it was it took me a while to purchase a Tigertronics Signalink USB. I owned the not-USB version and finally got around to ordering the USB version to Richard Garriott W5KWQ's work with SSTV aboard the ISS in Nov 2008. I never got the ISS, SSTV fashion and the PC at the same place and same time, then that attempt failed. Iii months after, I fabricated the time to endeavor out cocoaModem on the Mac.

cocoaModem does all the popular HF digital modes, including CW Morse Lawmaking. It uses only the audio card interface to hook upwardly the computer to the radio. You don't have to fool around with an actress RS-232 Comm port cable or parallel printer port cable (which are getting harder to do with USB computers) to go the radio to transmit. The Tigertronics SignalLink USB does all the interfacing for CW. If yous want to simultaneously use frequency command with MacLoggerDX, you need to add a computer control interface, such as the RigTALK above.

I plugged all the elements together, spent about ten minutes configuring cocoaModem for CW, and it was on the air!

Audio/PTT Interface using the SignaLink USB

If yous use the TigerTronics SignaLink USB, configure the jumper wires within the SignaLink USB for the radio connector(s) you are using, then just plug in the USB end into the USB port on the Mac, and the radio connector(s) end into the radio. If you lot use the vi-pivot mini-DIN (preferred, if your radio has that connector), then it's just one connection, commonly to the dorsum of the radio and y'all leave your microphone and speaker connections untouched.

Annotation that the vi-pivot mini-DIN data connectors are establish on some mobile/base radios manufactured since 1995. It was advanced by the amateur radio manufacturers as a ways of standardizing connecting a packet TNC to VHF/UHF radios. The half-dozen-pin mini-DIN brings out the mike sound, Push button-to-talk, discriminator receiver sound and the equalized post-discriminator receiver sound to the connector at the back of the radio.

To verify that the SignaLink USB picked upward the drivers correctly, in your Finder window, click on:

  • Application
  • Organization Preferences
  • Hardware Audio
  • Output

You should encounter this screen, showing that USB Audio CODEC has been loaded.

If yous wish to use your internal sound menu (usable, but not recommended), and not an external sound menu (which is highly recommended), you lot'll need to go a USB-to-RS-232 adapter to derive signalling to drive the PTT (button-to-talk) to the radio. Kok Chen describes the hardware PTT interfacing and the software PTT interfacing on his web page.

You could endeavour this interface for additional information, but yous're on your own. Echolink interface. Here's a second web site.

If y'all are using walkies to key the CW, you're going to take a much harder time interfacing the PTT for the walkie. Each walkie manufacturer has their own ways of keying the PTT for their walkie.

Configuring your radio

Assuming yous are using cocoaModem for morse lawmaking (CW), set your radio to USB (Upper Side Band) mode.

I take not tried the setup for PSK or RTTY, so I'll entertain an email from someone who'southward tried it and has made a contact. I believe information technology's USB for PSK-31, and LSB for RTTY.

You'll demand to conform the audio levels on the SignaLink USB interface to find the right balance for transmit and receive. If you're using the half dozen-pin mini-DIN interface, that's the just audio level y'all demand to adjust. If yous're connected to the radio's microphone and speaker jacks, you lot'll demand to too adjust the mike proceeds and radio receiver book to find the right balance with the SignaLink USB device. (For that reason, I use the 6-pin mini-DIN jack -- y'all only have to adjust the audio level on the external SignaLink USB, equally the internal levels take been preset at the factory for a reasonably good transmit and receive level.)

It helps if you tin get some other friend on the air to listen to your signal, and report back the volume and clarity as y'all fix and endeavour this for the beginning time.

Configuring CocoaModem for the SignaLink USB Audio Interface/PTT

To configure CocoaModem for the SignaLink USB, in the Window > Config section,

  • for the "Primary Receiver", set the Input to USB Audio Codec.
  • for the "Sub Receiver", fix the Input to USB Audio Codec.
  • for the "Transmitter", prepare the Output to USB Sound Codec.
  • If yous want to hear sidetone while you transmit, for "Audible", fix the Output to Built-in Output and click in the "Active" button.

You lot can besides verify the other settings for the Main/Sub receivers, and the Transmitter.

I set the carrier frequency in the waterfall display to 500 Hz, to pick upward the incoming morse code. A vertical hairline should announced at the 500 Hz location. Adapted the audio levels on the SignalLink (RX knob at the 12 o'clock position), and in the program. Set the speed to "25 wpm" or any speed yous desire.

In this instance, when you tune your radio, fix it for the USB mode, and tune the radio frequency 500 Hz below where you desire the CW carrier to appear. Yous tin modify the starting time frequency in the Window > Config > Transmitter window to 500 Hz. You can change the combination of the receive and transmit offset frequencies to suit your needs.

To prepare the transmitter, on the Tx Select, click in the Master button. Y'all also want to ready/verify that QSK on the right is pressed in. Gear up the speed to "25 wpm" or whatever speed y'all desire. When you lot are prepare, click the Transmit push button on the right side to enable the setup and the keyboard.

You tin can program macro key definitions by clicking on the Edit button in the lower right hand corner, and keying in the definitions to your i-click buttons. To actuate the macro keys, press and hold the "command" key to the left or right of the space key, and printing the number 1, ii, 3, etc keys. That will send the sequence of characters you've previously defined.

All this computing horsepower makes operating CW a joy!

MacLoggerDX: Great Logging Software for the Mac

May ix, 2009, Updated: May 10, 2009

If yous're looking for a good logging software tool that goes beyond logging, take a look at MacLogger DX. Not only does keep your contacts organized in a logging database, simply it likewise monitors the DX spots on the Net, tunes your HF radio to the spot automatically so you tin determine if you tin hear that station -- and if you practise, get right ahead and make the contact. If you confirm the contact, just fill up in the balance of the entry and press a push button, and information technology'll log the contact for you!

Configuring MacLoggerDX for your station

To configure MacLoggerDX with data your station, in the card, click File > Station Info...

  • enter your callsign.
  • enter your registration code.
  • enter your location information, accost, etc.

Configuring MacLoggerDX for the RigTALK Interface (Leopard)

If you're going to use the RigTALK with MacLoggerDX, it's best to plug in the RigTALK to your Mac and radio before you start the MacLoggerDX plan. To configure MacLoggerDX for the RigTALK interface, on the main display click the Prefs push button towards the right, or in the carte, select Panels > Preferences

  • in the lower correct hand section, select your Radio.
  • for the "Port", select WMRRIGtalkRT1.
  • for the "Type", select Serial Port.
  • for the "Radio", select your radio.
  • for the "CI-V", select the accost in hexadecimal that represents your radio. You can check this web page for more data on the default CI-V address for your radio. Apply the information in the cavalcade marked addr, and go out off the "$" dollar sign.

Configuring MacLoggerDX for DXCluster Spots

Y'all tin use MacLoggerDX to monitor the DX Cluster spots if you have an Net connection, or a package radio connexion to a DX Cluster host server. I'yard just familiar with how to make an Cyberspace connexion

  • To configure MacLoggerDX for the DX Cluster spots, on the chief display, select DX Cluster.
  • On the right mitt side, click on DX Nodes.
  • Chose one of the nodes on the list.
  • When MacLoggerDX logs into one of these nodes, you lot may take register your callsign and name.
  • Yous may chose to check on the option "Reconnect to DXCluster Automatically".

Configuring MacLoggerDX for your station log

As y'all make contacts in the DX Cluster mode, you can press the Log QSO button and log the QSO information.

Integrating MacLoggerDX and cocoaModem

Information technology's possible to integrate and combine MacLoggerDX and cocoaModem, then that your digital mode contacts from cocoaModem can be logged into MacLoggerDX. I haven't tried this myself, but according to the documentation, it should piece of work. These are my notes, which I'1000 researching and writing upwardly earlier I test it out in a live hookup. You can try this at your own risk and permit me know the results.

According to the MacLoggerDX FAQ, in MacLoggerDX:

  • (This is a placeholder for future comments).

In cocoaModem:

  • Y'all can add together an AppleScript which should assist you lot in logging from cocoaModem to MacLoggerDX. An AppleScript from Richard Proven�al (VE2OTT) is bachelor through this MacLoggerDX web page. Download information technology into i of your folders.
  • Select Menu > cocoaModem 2.0 > Preferences... > AppleScript.
  • In the QSO Log section, click on the Browse button, navigate to the location where you stored the downloaded Applescript, and click Open up.
  • Select Menu > Window > Config > Transmitter.
  • Click on the PTT pulldown, and change it from VOX to MacLoggerDX.

If you've configured the QSK style in cocoaModem (printing in the QSK button on the right side of the transmit section of the brandish), cocoaModem should key upward the radio through MacLoggerDX.

I'll write more than in the days to come.

MacDoppler: Satellite Tracking Software for the Mac

May 9, 2009, Updated: May 10, 2009

If you work any of the satellites, yous should check out MacDoppler. It's very easy to utilize, and updates your screen with information about the electric current and upcoming satellite passes. It can also auto-tune your radio for compensating for the doppler shifts, if you have a conputer assisted tuning (Cat) interface, such as the RigTALK from Due west Mountain Radio.

Configuring MacDoppler for the RigTALK Interface

If you're going to use the RigTALK with MacDoppler, it's best to plug in the RigTALK to your Mac and radio before yous start the MacDoppler program. To configure MacDoppler for the RigTALK interface, in the menu, select MacDoppler > Preferences

  • select Radio.
  • for "Radio Driver", select your Radio.
  • for the "Serial Port", select WMRRIGtalkRT1.
  • for the "Baud Rate", select 9600, or whatever baud radio that take set your radio.
  • for the "Icom CI-V Address", select the address in hexadecimal that represents your radio. You can check this web page for more information on the default CI-V accost for your radio. Apply the information in the column marked addr, and get out off the "$" dollar sign.

I download my keplerian elements from Celstrak. Yous can go it from Menu > File > Download Keps (Celestrak).

Software by W1HKJ

March 28, 2012

W1HKJ writes cross-platform software that uses the sound card and a radio to provide transfers of data and letters. Take a await at W1HKJ's spider web page.

Notice out more by contacting:  rhashiro(remove this part)@hawaiiantel.internet
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March 9, 2008 Updated: January 12, 2013 DISCLAIMER: Ron Hashiro Web Site is non responsible for the content at
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Source: https://www.qsl.net/ah6rh/am-radio/mac/

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