Logging, FT8, RTTY and SSTV with Linux.
Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2023 9:43 pm
Yes, all these are very easily possible with Linux. -But how to do? If you are an old hand with Linux, ok, but if you are new to the Linux world, then let's start at the beginning.
While there are many excellent kinds of Linux, I'll stick my neck out and recommend Linux Mint https://linuxmint.com/, and the "Cinnamon" flavor of it.
I'll not go into installation, now beyond saying there are details at the Mint website and much more help is available online with your usual search app such as Google, Duckduckgo, Bing etc.
Where to get the ham apps? One great thing about Linux is they're included, free. Go to the menu, Administration > Software and choose, then click "install". It's basically as easy as that! We'll let you into a few wrinkles later to make it all go best, first time. If you are feeling just a little braver you can use the Administration > Synaptic software installer. Also easy to use, with an even bigger software selection and more options.
So, my selection of favorites:
Logging: CQRLOG -ADIF-compliant, integrates with QRX, LoTW, eQSL, ClubLog -only caveat is be sure to install MariaDB (a kind of MySQL) first.
Digital, FT8 etc: WSJT-X
Digital Ragchew: JS8Call
RTTY, PSK, Olivia...: Fldigi
SSTV: QSSTV
Install the latest versions available on the web? Absolutely not! You use the tested and reliable versions that come with the software installer bundled with your Linux. (Ok, I like to play with the latest, but I also like to compile source code and am very strange, having used Linux since the late 1990s.)
What about favorite Windows apps? Can i stick with them and avoid all the whatnot that comes with new software? Yes, some Windows apps will run with the Linux compatibility layer called Wine, but connection to your rig and internet may not be smooth -to say the least. Good projet for the tinkerer with some knowledge and not enough to do.
But all my years and years of logs are in a Windows package; I'm definitely not starting all over! Relax. Linux is a famously good team-player, so all you do is export all you contacts from Windows to a USB drive, in the universal ADIF format. CQRLOG will quickly and easily pick up your ADIF and update the CQRLOG database for immediate use. So, you see you hop from Windows to Linux without missing a beat!
Linux communicates directly with almost every rig made. Most modern rigs include a "sound card" which make the connection as simple as just one USB cable. Older rigs will need this missing newer hardware to be provided by a Rigblaster or similar interface device.
Ok, you can log with pencil and paper, but Linux can make it all faster and easier. Ever tried digital modes? SSTV? You'd be surprised how easy it is, fun too, and all the software is included with Linux, free. You just have to "get off your bottom" and try it!
Next we'll see how to do a CQRLOG installation. Hold on to your hat!....
While there are many excellent kinds of Linux, I'll stick my neck out and recommend Linux Mint https://linuxmint.com/, and the "Cinnamon" flavor of it.
I'll not go into installation, now beyond saying there are details at the Mint website and much more help is available online with your usual search app such as Google, Duckduckgo, Bing etc.
Where to get the ham apps? One great thing about Linux is they're included, free. Go to the menu, Administration > Software and choose, then click "install". It's basically as easy as that! We'll let you into a few wrinkles later to make it all go best, first time. If you are feeling just a little braver you can use the Administration > Synaptic software installer. Also easy to use, with an even bigger software selection and more options.
So, my selection of favorites:
Logging: CQRLOG -ADIF-compliant, integrates with QRX, LoTW, eQSL, ClubLog -only caveat is be sure to install MariaDB (a kind of MySQL) first.
Digital, FT8 etc: WSJT-X
Digital Ragchew: JS8Call
RTTY, PSK, Olivia...: Fldigi
SSTV: QSSTV
Install the latest versions available on the web? Absolutely not! You use the tested and reliable versions that come with the software installer bundled with your Linux. (Ok, I like to play with the latest, but I also like to compile source code and am very strange, having used Linux since the late 1990s.)
What about favorite Windows apps? Can i stick with them and avoid all the whatnot that comes with new software? Yes, some Windows apps will run with the Linux compatibility layer called Wine, but connection to your rig and internet may not be smooth -to say the least. Good projet for the tinkerer with some knowledge and not enough to do.
But all my years and years of logs are in a Windows package; I'm definitely not starting all over! Relax. Linux is a famously good team-player, so all you do is export all you contacts from Windows to a USB drive, in the universal ADIF format. CQRLOG will quickly and easily pick up your ADIF and update the CQRLOG database for immediate use. So, you see you hop from Windows to Linux without missing a beat!
Linux communicates directly with almost every rig made. Most modern rigs include a "sound card" which make the connection as simple as just one USB cable. Older rigs will need this missing newer hardware to be provided by a Rigblaster or similar interface device.
Ok, you can log with pencil and paper, but Linux can make it all faster and easier. Ever tried digital modes? SSTV? You'd be surprised how easy it is, fun too, and all the software is included with Linux, free. You just have to "get off your bottom" and try it!
Next we'll see how to do a CQRLOG installation. Hold on to your hat!....