Picking correct PC to program with

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radioman23
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Picking correct PC to program with

Post by radioman23 »

I am trying to find a old computer that I could use to program radios with. I have found some on eBay for sell. Can someone list exactly what I need in the computer to program? I am still very new to radio programming and need some help. I read this post http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.p ... 00#p365904 and that is how I got started looking in the right direction of what I need. I am not 100% sure of what kind of computer I need.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Rare-IBM-51 ... dZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-TOSHIBA-T44 ... dZViewItem
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Tom in D.C.
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What radios do you own?: Progreso soup can with CRT

Re: Picking correct PC to program with

Post by Tom in D.C. »

If you would please narrow down the radios you need to program and maybe even
the RSS/CPS software you intend to use it would help us to help you better.
Tom in D.C.
In 1920, the U.S. Post Office Department ruled
that children may not be sent by parcel post.
radioman23
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Re: Picking correct PC to program with

Post by radioman23 »

I guess that would help... Image

I currently have Motorola HT1000 and Motorola MT2000. For the HT1000 I have the Motorola RSS Version R03.02.01 dated June 28, 1996. For the MT2000 I have the Motorola RSS & I don't know the version currently.
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Tom in D.C.
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What radios do you own?: Progreso soup can with CRT

Re: Picking correct PC to program with

Post by Tom in D.C. »

The 486 (as a type) in the eBay auction would be ideal for your situation. The IBM dinosaur
would, believe it or not, be far too slow, even for the old RSS programs, and it
doesn't have the disk drive you need, and of course it won't accomodate a CD.
However, when you buy a laptop you put all your eggs into one basket, and if
the display fails, or the keyboard gets funky you're usually stuck because parts
for laptops this old are hard to find. (Been there, done that with a T3300).
Probably better to locate a desktop unit with separate display and keyboard so
you can switch peripherals when necessary.

When you run the RSS you have be sure that the computer is running in pure
DOS and not in the "fake DOS" that runs under Windows 98, XP, etc. You can
download DOS 6.22 from several sites at no charge.
Tom in D.C.
In 1920, the U.S. Post Office Department ruled
that children may not be sent by parcel post.
radioman23
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Re: Picking correct PC to program with

Post by radioman23 »

I forgot about a computer here that I got in the late 1990's...not sure what year. This computer was built by some small time computer company so I don't have any papers that have the specs. I has this processor below. Will this computer work?

Am5x86 processor - http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/Pro ... 68,00.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Am5x86
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Tom in D.C.
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Re: Picking correct PC to program with

Post by Tom in D.C. »

If you feel adventurous you could try the 586 and see it works with your programs.
I run an old 486 which has a processor speed of 60 mHz but it also has a "slow"
mode that I run the RSS on at 25 mHz. The best I can tell you is that the 586
SHOULD work okay but there's a chance it might not. Perhaps some helpful person
will chime in with more info to help you.
Tom in D.C.
In 1920, the U.S. Post Office Department ruled
that children may not be sent by parcel post.
akardam
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Re: Picking correct PC to program with

Post by akardam »

Keep in mind that many RSS packages are Pentium-friendly, an in fact should run on pretty much any speed computer as long as you're running the One True Ring er I mean DOS. There's a stickied post at the top of the programming forum that can give you a general feel if your software is OK to use on a faster computer. Personally, I've yet to run into a problem running any version of RSS produced after 1995 on faster PC's. It's really just the ancient stuff like Syntor and Saber that need older, slower computers.
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