Some of your questions are sort of "which taste better -- apples or oranges?" and you may get all sorts of different answers depending on personal preference. I'll give you some of what I believe are the differentiating factors. I'll also tell you my personal decisions but they are mine and others will not agree because it's a personal thing.
HRD vs. Others: There are a couple of programs like HRD, FLDIGI, and MixW (plus a few others whose names escape me at the moment) that are multimode and can do pretty much any of the "soundcard modes" (i.e., those digital modes that can be done with soundcards and don't require special modems, special TNCs, etc.). Then there are those built for individual "soundcard modes" such as Digipan for PSK and MMTTY for RTTY. In my opinion (and it's only my opinion), the primary difference is that if you go with a multimode program, there is a higher learning curve up front to get started on your first mode but then almost no learning curve to go to the next mode and the next mode and ... If you go with a specific program, you have a moderate learning curve up front for your first mode and then a similar learning for the next mode and ... Essentially, if you're going to do multiple modes it comes down to "pay me now or pay me later". Of course, you'll have the learning curve of best operating practices for each mode, but that has nothing to do with which software you're using. When it comes to capabilities to work in a given mode, I believe that the major multimode programs are as good as the equivalent single mode programs. For example, I believe that HRD or FLDIGI are just as good in PSK as is Digipan or any of the other PSK programs. Personally, I decided to go for a multimode program. I like the fact that I only had to learn the user interface once and could then quickly pick up additional modes. I regularly switch back and forth between PSK, RTTY, Domino, MFSK, MT-63, Olivia, etc. depending on what I'm hearing on the air, and being able to do it by clicking a button rather than shutting down software and opening up software is a major benefit in my mind (others may disagree, especially if they prefer to work one mode only). I would also say that if you have the smarts to get your general or extra ticket, the learning curve on HRD (or on FLDIGI) is not going to be a hindrance to you. As to outboard vs. inboard soundcard -- again a matter of preference. When you go "inboard" soundcard, you're depending on the soundcard that comes with the computer and you're depending on the computer having enough speed and memory to run the soundcard and the software at the same time. Not all computers do -- especially some of the cheaper or older computers. When you buy an "outboard" like the SignaLink, you know you're getting a soundcard that works well for this purpose and does not take much memory or processor speed. I prefer the "outboard". My primary ham radio computer is an Acer netbook and the internal soundcard is not as good as the soundcard in my "outboard" (a SignaLink USB), which means that I do better with the SignaLink on that computer. I do a lot of EMCOMM work and I like the fact that I can move the SignaLink from computer to computer without having to worry about whether or not the computer's soundcard is adequate. Cables -- believe it or not, another preference thing. If you buy one of the major soundcard interfaces such as a SignaLink or RIGblaster, they come with the cables you will need (you will specify which rig you have and they will include the right cables). There are people who prefer to build their own cables and even build their own interfaces. Depends on whether or not you like to tinker with a soldering iron. Knowing how many things I've ruined with soldering irons -- having built an Elecraft K1 AND two Elecraft K2s -- I didn't want to do any more soldering for a while. Note that the cables that come with the soundcard interfaces are for the digital mode, they are not the cables for rig control (actually changing frequency, power, and other settings through the computer). The 756 has good capabilities for that if you want to use them (you don't have to -- you can control the rig manually, which is what I like to do). If you decide to do computer rig control, you will need an additional cable and you will certainly need software that can do the controlling. Your 756 user manual specifies the cable needed for that (or you can build your own). Both HRD and FLDIGI do rig control as well as digital modes, and that might be an argument for one of them if you decide you want computer rig control. Wow, I've written a book. Sorry about that. I hope this helps and I hope I haven't started a flame war by expressing my preferences. Jon KB1QBZ --- In digitalradio@yahoogroups.com, "Stephen" <smyer...@...> wrote: > > Is HRD the program to use, or should I start out with somethig that is more > simple? Do I get an "outboard" sound card? What cables do I need? Any advice > will be appreciated.
