"Alex" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hey Guys,

I'm a new ham radio operator, but I've been working with computers for
most of my life. I'm now in the process of setting-up my first 'ham
shack', and instead of going with the latest and greatest, I hope to
employee several classic computers to help me along. I have quite a
collection in my closet I plan on pulling out, but I'd like opinions of
others on what they would use in such a situation.

First, I do want to connect my radio to the computer, and many of the
technologies used by ham radio operators, like slow scan TV, packet
radio, etc, can be used on most of the classic computers in some form
or fashion. This I don't think I'll have a problem, no matter which
systemI go with.

One of the main things I do want to do is have the computer on my home
network. I don't need a web browser or even a GUI interface... the
main thing I would really need is Telnet and FTP. I also want
something with a word processor and spreadsheet program -- even
Visicalc would be nice to use.

And finally I want something fun.. which is the entire point of this
venture I know some older computers still have huge repositories of
software online, and whether it's a game or neat utility, I'd love to
setup a classic computer I can really use and have fun with while in my
'ham shack'.

Here's a list of computers I have around me now:
Tandy Color Computer 2
Tandy Color Computer 3 (128K model)
Commodore Amiga 500
Apple II (original, not PLUS)
Mac Classic

And though I don't currently own one, I'm looking at getting a
Commodore 128 as well, either from a friend of possibly from ebay.

Anyway, just curious what others would choose if you had to pick a
computer or even a couple of older computers to use again. Also if
there's any ham operators out there with experience with older systems,
I'd love some feedback!

Take care, and thanks in advance for any ideas.

Alex


With almost all of the ones you mention, you would probably have to buy a
Multi-Mode Controller to run any of the digital modes as several of them do
not have sound cards. In some cases, you would have to home brew a
connection cable as I believe some of them have non-standard serial ports.
Any terminal program will then suffice to run the multi-mode controller.
However, Multi-Mode Controllers are rather expensive and it might be wiser
to simply invest in a new computer with a sound card (which may very well
cost substantially less than the multi-mode controller).

Software for computers this old is almost unobtainable even via the
internet. I loved the Tandy Color Computer series (had the original, then
the 2 and finally the 3). But I got rid of them when the technology moved
substantially past them. Loading programs from floppies or cassettes just
doesn't cut it these days (no hard drive for most of these).

Dee, N8UZE