http://myqsx.net/forums/blog.php MyQSX Discussion Forum en Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:31:02 GMT vBulletin 60 http://myqsx.net/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg http://myqsx.net/forums/blog.php http://myqsx.net/forums/entry.php?34-Ham-Nation-video-cast-features-CommCat-Mobile Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:58:08 GMT I've been seeing increased interest in CommCat Mobile for the past few days, and I just found out why that may be. Leo Laporte's (W6TWT) web video cast Ham Nation featured CommCat Mobile in a segment describing iPhone apps this past week. Drew Scelba, N2RFA, who has been using CommCat and the iPhone app for some time, was the guest speaker. Thank you Drew!

You can see the show here: http://twit.tv/show/ham-nation/18

Ham Nation is produced weekly, and is co-hosted by Bob Heil, K9EID, and Gordy West, WB6NOA, along with Leo.

The segment describing CommCat Mobile is about 39 minutes into the show.


73, Howard W6HN ]]> Howard W6HN http://myqsx.net/forums/entry.php?34-Ham-Nation-video-cast-features-CommCat-Mobile http://myqsx.net/forums/entry.php?33-How-much-does-CommCat-cost Wed, 14 Sep 2011 17:35:33 GMT I often get questions about the price for CommCat, and what the purchase includes. The price to register your copy of CommCat is $49.95. *Once you... I often get questions about the price for CommCat, and what the purchase includes. The price to register your copy of CommCat is $49.95.

Once you have registered, you never have to pay for updates or new versions in the future. If you purchased CommCat in 2001, all updates since then have been free. If you registered CommCat and then went to another program for several years, your original purchase still applies if you come back. You can update to the latest version for free.

Furthermore, if at any time you feel that CommCat doesn't meet your needs and you want a refund, I'll gladly comply. Life is too short to use software you don't enjoy, or to regret a purchase that didn't work out.

CommCatLive is a subscription service that provides you with a streaming web page on the MyQSX server. There is an annual renewal fee for CommCatLive. The fee is used to help pay for the server that hosts MyQSX.net, which runs several thousand dollars per year. QSXer is a free alternative to CommCatLive that doesn't require payment. CommCatLive and QSXer are optional add-ons to CommCat. ]]> Howard W6HN http://myqsx.net/forums/entry.php?33-How-much-does-CommCat-cost http://myqsx.net/forums/entry.php?31-MyQSX-Forum-app-approved-by-Apple Thu, 19 May 2011 17:28:03 GMT Apple has approved the new MyQSX Forum app for the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad and it is available for download from the iTunes app store here... Apple has approved the new MyQSX Forum app for the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad and it is available for download from the iTunes app store here. This app provides a great way to keep up with DX bulletins, CommCat user blogs, postings, and news and help for CommCat, CommCat Mobile, QSXer, and the MyQSX web site. This is a free app.

The release of the MyQSX Forum app for iPhone follows the similar release of the app for Android phones last week.

More and more hams are using smartphones, and CommCat Mobile for iPhone gives you a way to operate your station while away from home. The free QSXer 2.0 program extends the reach of CommCat Mobile to Ham Radio Deluxe users. ]]> Howard W6HN http://myqsx.net/forums/entry.php?31-MyQSX-Forum-app-approved-by-Apple http://myqsx.net/forums/entry.php?30-New-MyQSX-Forum-app-for-Android Thu, 12 May 2011 22:35:30 GMT I've just published a new app for CommCat, CommCat Mobile, QSXer, and MyQSX.net users that lets you access the MyQSX Forum from your Android smartphone. This is my first venture into the Android world, so I'm looking forward to seeing how many copies are downloaded. If you are using an Android phone, please let me know.

Click here for the free download.

There will also be an equivalent app for iPhone users in several weeks after it has gone through the approval process. ]]> Howard W6HN http://myqsx.net/forums/entry.php?30-New-MyQSX-Forum-app-for-Android http://myqsx.net/forums/entry.php?29-CommCat-Mobile-iPhone-App Wed, 18 Aug 2010 21:46:41 GMT Last evening I received an e-mail from Apple letting me know that my new iPhone app, CommCat Mobile, had been approved for lisiting on the iTunes app... Last evening I received an e-mail from Apple letting me know that my new iPhone app, CommCat Mobile, had been approved for lisiting on the iTunes app store. This pleasant message concluded my first trip down the app path.

My biggest challenge along the way was to learn a completely new language, Objective C, and a new platform, the iPhone. I started the project in January, and now, in mid-August, the CommCat paw has taken its place among the 250,000 apps already in the store.

CommCat Mobile is the first app for hams that does spot management, radio control, and logging. It uses Skype for audio, so you must have a recent iPhone or iPod that uses iOS4 or later. It is fun to be away from home, listening to the bands, controlling your radio, and working needed DX. ]]> Howard W6HN http://myqsx.net/forums/entry.php?29-CommCat-Mobile-iPhone-App http://myqsx.net/forums/entry.php?28-CommCat-4-Released Sat, 03 Apr 2010 20:40:30 GMT The latest CommCat version, 4.0, is ready for download. If you are using any CommCat version prior to 4.0, the update is free. Go to the CommCat... The latest CommCat version, 4.0, is ready for download. If you are using any CommCat version prior to 4.0, the update is free. Go to the CommCat downloads page to get the Demo or update version.

CommCat 4 comes with a new installation program that is compatible with Windows 7 (and Vista). No more "Run as administrator" for CommCat.

The CommCat Help system has also received a major makeover. You will find new ways to look for help, and even a button to send e-mail to CommCat support from any Help page. The PDF (Adobe Acrobat) version of the manual also reflects the new style.

I've added a PSK module to CommCat in 4.0 so you can operate using this mode from within the program. The PSK module uses the MMVARI engine developed by Mako, JE3HHT. Mako also wrote the RTTY engine I added in 3.10, so you will already be familiar with the new window.

To round out the additions to 4.0, I've added several radios and one rotor to the list of supported devices.

Thanks to all who helped with the testing of CommCat 4.0, especially Ange, W8ERN, and Chuck, N6OJ. ]]> Howard W6HN http://myqsx.net/forums/entry.php?28-CommCat-4-Released http://myqsx.net/forums/entry.php?26-CommCat-3.10-now-RTTY! Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:54:33 GMT It has been a long time since I last wrote software for the RTTY mode. The newly released version 3.10 adds RTTY to CommCat using the MMTTY engine.... It has been a long time since I last wrote software for the RTTY mode. The newly released version 3.10 adds RTTY to CommCat using the MMTTY engine. My first RTTY program, RTTY89, was released in 1979. Much has changed since then.

RTTY stands for "Radio TeleType". Most RTTY operation in 1979 used a mechanical teleprinter for printing and Terminal Unit (TU) for demodulating the two-tone audio signals fed from the receiver. The most desired teleprinter of the day was the Model 28, made by the TeleType Corporation. It was a mechanical wonder. Here is a link to a YouTube video showing the Model 28 in action.

The first program I wrote for the Heathkit H8 was a driver that enabled the use of a teleprinter as a system printer. No matter that the Model 28 and its predecessors were upper case only...for a computer that used a cassette recorder to load programs, any printer at all was amazing. The video monitor kit sold by Heathkit was also upper case only, so nothing was lost.

The next programming challenge after the driver was a send/receive RTTY program. Version 1 was provided on cassette tape. After Heath released the floppy disk drive and a disk operating system for the H8, I added more features to the program and released it on disk. This program was sold through the Heathkit catalog as RTTY89, with sales in the hundreds.

RTTY89 was the last ham program I wrote until I started CommCat in 1999. For a number of years, digital mode programs have used the computer's sound card in place of a TU. RTTY has been joined by scores of new digital mode programs as the FCC has relaxed rules.

Through the generosity of Makoto Mori, JE3HHT, the hard work creating sound card software has been made easy by the freeware MMTTY engine. Even so, there were a number of speed bumps along the way. This has been a learning experience for me! It is nice to offer a new RTTY program, 30 years later. ]]> Howard W6HN http://myqsx.net/forums/entry.php?26-CommCat-3.10-now-RTTY! http://myqsx.net/forums/entry.php?25-CommCat-Version-3.9-Released Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:15:32 GMT CommCat version 3.9 is now ready for download. As usual, there is no charge for this update. The formatting problems with DX Summit have been... CommCat version 3.9 is now ready for download. As usual, there is no charge for this update. The formatting problems with DX Summit have been fixed, a number of bugs have been stomped, and several new features have been added. To learn more, click here. ]]> Howard W6HN http://myqsx.net/forums/entry.php?25-CommCat-Version-3.9-Released http://myqsx.net/forums/entry.php?24-Are-you-on-Facebook Sat, 13 Jun 2009 19:15:38 GMT If you are using Facebook, I've set up a new group for CommCat. Click this link to check it out. Please join us there! ]]> Howard W6HN http://myqsx.net/forums/entry.php?24-Are-you-on-Facebook http://myqsx.net/forums/entry.php?23-CommCat-3.8-a-major-update-released-today Thu, 23 Apr 2009 18:56:09 GMT My work on this update has been fun since there are so many noticeable changes. There are new looks and new features. For a complete list of new... My work on this update has been fun since there are so many noticeable changes. There are new looks and new features. For a complete list of new goodies, click here.

I've replaced the menu and toolbar system with modernized versions. The original toolbar component I used is now 10 years old! Our ideas about what looks good in screen design have changed quite a bit in the past decade.

You can change the skin of the CommCat windows. Now CommCat can look just like iTunes!

Sidebars have been added to the DX Spot Manager and Advanced Log windows. The sidebars provide tools to help filter spots, to learn more about DX stations and their operating habits, plus much more.

CommCatLive users can use the commcat account on Twitter to let others know as they work stations. You can see the Twitter page for CommCat at http://www.twitter.com/commcat.

Many of the new features in CommCat 3.8 were suggested by CommCat users. Please keep your ideas and suggestions coming! ]]> Howard W6HN http://myqsx.net/forums/entry.php?23-CommCat-3.8-a-major-update-released-today http://myqsx.net/forums/entry.php?22-Heathkit-Memories Sat, 06 Dec 2008 17:45:48 GMT From 1964 through 1980, my dad, Dave Nurse, W8GCD, worked for the Heath Company in Benton Harbor, Michigan. (Heath was actually located in St.... From 1964 through 1980, my dad, Dave Nurse, W8GCD, worked for the Heath Company in Benton Harbor, Michigan. (Heath was actually located in St. Joseph, MI, but the Benton Harbor post office had a branch at the Heath plant.)

Several years ago, Make Magazine ran an article that described some of my early experiences building kits...starting long before my dad went to Heath. Needless to say, when the job opportunity came up, I was fully supportive!

Make has moved the article to a public place on their site. Click here to go directly to the article. ]]> Howard W6HN http://myqsx.net/forums/entry.php?22-Heathkit-Memories http://myqsx.net/forums/entry.php?21-Power-Monitoring Sun, 23 Nov 2008 17:31:04 GMT Our house in Sonoma County uses electricity for everything...cooking, heating, hamming, well water, and more. I recently installed a power monitor,... Our house in Sonoma County uses electricity for everything...cooking, heating, hamming, well water, and more. I recently installed a power monitor, the TED Model 1001, to let us eavesdrop on our power use. The TED measures power consumption each second and posts the results on a small monitor. In addition, the monitor is connected through a USB port to a computer so data can be recorded, processed, and displayed through a graphics program.

I've written a few simple programs to do some further exploring. For example, the current KW and voltage readings are sent to a web site so I can check up on current power consumption anywhere in the world through the browser on my cell phone. (That's fun, if not completely useful.)

If you have a CommCatLive site and a TED power monitor, drop me a line and I'll be pleased to share some of the programs I've written. ]]> Howard W6HN http://myqsx.net/forums/entry.php?21-Power-Monitoring http://myqsx.net/forums/entry.php?20-CommCat-in-June Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:58:48 GMT A big welcome to all new CommCat users who have joined our community in June. A combination of the CommCat review in the June issue of QST, and the... A big welcome to all new CommCat users who have joined our community in June. A combination of the CommCat review in the June issue of QST, and the special package price, has more than doubled the number of CommCat/CommCatLive users.

The CommCat 3 special package price will end this Tuesday, July 1. If you are ready to sign up, now is the time!

For more information on the CommCat 3/CommCatLive package, visit the CommCat web site. ]]> Howard W6HN http://myqsx.net/forums/entry.php?20-CommCat-in-June http://myqsx.net/forums/entry.php?19-CommCat-CommCatLive-Sale Sat, 17 May 2008 16:39:49 GMT From now through July 1, I've created a special package price for CommCat and CommCatLive. The normal price of $99.95 is reduced to just $50 while the sale lasts. This low price gives you the CommCat logging and rig control program and a 1-year subscription to MyQSX where you will have your own streaming home page.

For more information, visit the CommCat site. You can purchase using PayPal, but you do not need a PayPal account...all major credit cards are accepted.

Once I receive word from PayPal that you have ordered the package, I'll send you the registration code for CommCat and set up your server on MyQSX.net. The process is usually complete within a few hours.

I'm looking forward to seeing you on MyQSX.net! ]]> Howard W6HN http://myqsx.net/forums/entry.php?19-CommCat-CommCatLive-Sale http://myqsx.net/forums/entry.php?18-Welcome-new-CommCat-Users! Sat, 17 May 2008 16:29:04 GMT I'm pleased to welcome a number of new CommCat and CommCatLive users to the family. As a result of the review in the June issue of QST, I'm thrilled to see increased interest. If you have been with us for some time, please watch for new calls in the Active list and give newcomers a welcome on-the-air. ]]> Howard W6HN http://myqsx.net/forums/entry.php?18-Welcome-new-CommCat-Users!