Unattended recording...

Monday, February 23 2004


Jim is right about computers in the shack.


As he guessed the flat panel LCD screens do not generate any RFI...making them
perfect for use in the shack. They have come down a lot in price too. I saw
one at Sam's Club a few days ago for a bit under $ 200.
I'm considering buying another one to use as a "dual monitor" set up in the shack.

The other tricks I've learned about using the computer in the shack are
these:
Replace the computer's power supply with a heavy duty model. A top of the line
computer power supply will run around $ 100 bucks, but have much superior
RFI filtering. Most of the ones supplied with OEM computers are terrible
switching power supplies with little or no filtering. Thus lots of RFI.
I also use ferrite chokes (snap on kind, sold at Radio Shack) on all cables running
to and from the computer. And heavily shielded audio cables for input into the
sound card. These small cables can be wrapped several times through a ferrite
core to reduce noise pickup.


Total Recorder is priced under $ 20 bucks and can literally change a DX'ers life. I've
got mine set up to do daily TOH recordings...and without it, I literally wouldn't
be active in the hobby. With two teenagers and a very busy job, I just don't have
a lot of time to sit in front of the dials these days.






Les Rayburn, director
High Noon Film
100 Centerview Drive
Suite 111
Birmingham, AL 35216
(205) 824-8930
(205) 824-8960 FAX
(205) 253-4867 CELL
http://www.highnoonfilm.com
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