Ubuntu

[KJ6JYF]

While I determine what rig and antler(s), I been thinking about my software packages and I run Ubuntu 10.04... anyway, I am not seeing any great HAM SW out there... I see a lot of stuff for Windows... which, I am so happy to be off of... well, main computer for Wife is XP.

Anyone with experience with Ubuntu and Linux SW for Ham radio?

(I have to submit paperwork and cash to the Japanese Ministry to get a license to operate in Japan, so I am pondering setup.  Thinking Yaesu FT-857D or 897D).  Another HAM here, uses Echolink...  gee whiz... I would like to bounce some HF off the F layer and hit you guys back in the states.  Of course, some great contacts can be achieved from here as well.  

Thoughts?  Recommendations?

Peace.

r/ Greg

[2E0AIV]

I also run Ubuntu 10.4 - there is plenty of free software in the respositorys - and you can run echolink under wine as well as many other windows software, but no point in using linux if you are going to run it as an emulator all the time.  I dont know what your understanding is of linux, but i have run ham radio programs on linux, although it is not for the beginner or faint hearted lol .

Depends if you just want to quickly get on the air then a small windows computer will prob suit you better as a starter, and then leave your main machine for when you have some time to configure and play around with the Ham Radio Linux software.

Remember, as i like to say , Ham radio is about experimentation and if you want to buy a black box and hook it up to your windows box then fine, but that takes all the fun out of running your system.

Have fun
Andy

[N5XTR]

I ran Ubuntu for a while but got irritated that all my favorite software had to be run with WINE.
eventually went back to XP

[KB9WVI]

I'm a nube to Linux but have been using Kubuntu 10.4 (the KDE desktop instead of the Gnome desktop in Ubuntu) for a couple months and using Fldigi, klog, Hamscope to start out. There is a massive Linux ham suit that is set in its own OS called ShackBox that includes about every Linux radio client available.
I think you'll be happy with Ubuntu if you did not have any trouble getting started. I had hardware problems and had to try several OS's until I landed on Kubuntu. I run an Acer 5515 laptop and the cooling fans did not run under Ubuntu, Puppy Linux, Suse, or Mendriva. Seems to be a manufacturers incomparability issue. Now that I have the frightening heat shut off crash solved, I'm learning my way around the desktop and the filing system. Linux has a learning curve but if I can get going and solve the problem I encountered with help from the Internet, then anyone surely can.
Try several and find one you like and enjoy!

[K4LMP]

Just install VirtualBox under your Ubuntu, then you can run whatever software you want.  I have VirtualBox on my Fedora machine, with both Windows XP, and Windows 7 installed, and what I can't run in Linux, I run on VB.  I never use Wine, with VB, there is no need.  If it runs under Windows, it will work.  I use Ham Radio Deluxe sometimes for rig control, and VB runs it fine.

https://www.virtualbox.org/

Jeff
K4LMP

[N7RRB]

I use Ubuntu exclusively - with the exception of one system at work.  Here are two recommendations for ham related software right off.  I use others  - there is a nice echolink package I can't remember the name of off hand and satellite tracking software etc.   Just search for HAM and/or Amateur Radio in the software centre.

CQRlog - pretty much the Ham Radio Deluxe for Linux.  Fantastic program. Rig control, LOTW and E-QSL automation, automatic call lookups with QRZ and others...
FLdigi - for digital modes.  Interfaces really nicely with CQRlog.  If you have a rig that can be computer controlled you can totally automate your digital QSOs with these two packages.

Since you are on a recent version of Ubuntu I'd recommend installing WINE. It pretty much makes windows software just work.  For example I run things like Netlogger, the windows version of Echolink and even the Windows based version of my HT programming software (with a little USB fiddling) in it.    Virtual box is really nice as well but you will still need a windows licence and installer to get it going. Plus since you are actually running windows in a VM it needs a system with at least a couple gigs of RAM and a fairly stout processor to perform reasonably.

[AC4FS]

Hey Greg, I've been a Linux user for the past 13+ years now, and have been using the following software for ham radio:

Xlog - simple logging program with rig control.  CQRlog looks very good though, so I may give it a try.
Fldigi - outstanding cross-platform digital mode software package
qrq - high speed Morse code trainer program
ibp - viewer for the International Beacon Project

I don't use echolink, so I don't have any experience with setting it up under WINE, but a couple of local hams do, and say it works pretty good.

My recommendation for using Fldigi is to skip the version in the Ubuntu archives and just download the binary from the author's website.  The instructions for installing are directly below the link, in the README file, and are simple to follow.  The version in the Ubuntu archives is always several releases old.  Fldigi download page:

http://www.w1hkj.com/download.html

73, Howard
AC4FS

[N7RRB]

Couldn't remember the Echolink or satellite apps I use earlier today.  Just got home and checked on the shack computer -
Qtel for Echolink.
Gnome Predict for Sat Tracking.