Computer-Assisted Radio Monitoring

A Look At Charles Hinkle’s Station

by Joe Cooper

 


 

If you remember a little while back, I had asked you to send me your experiences putting together a computer-assisted radio station. Well here’s the first of what I hope will be several reader contributions.

Charles W. Hinkle, W8CFO, of Pioneer, Ohio, has been kind enough to write down some of his experiences for us (see “My Experiences With Radios And Computers”). He’s also included some photos. I hope that Charles’ contribution serves as an inspiration to you and encourages you to send in some stories about your computer-assisted monitoring station. I’d also be more than happy to publish some pictures of you at the controls, or an example of something interesting that you’ve put together.

I’d also like you to consider writing a guest column for me. I’ve been plugging away for the last year or so trying to lay down some fundamentals, but I’m sure that there are more than a few of you out there who are experimenting with either software or hardware. Speaking of that, do you know of some interesting software you’d like to tell the readers about, or maybe you’d like to do a review of some software you’ve been using and have been pleased with (or not pleased with, for that matter). Maybe some of you do some tinkering and have building projects to share? Don’t worry about the writing; just get me the main points and I’ll help you put the words together.

For The Record

Have you ever wanted to record something off-air but didn’t have the proper recording equipment? Or was the program on at a time you simply couldn’t be there to turn the recorder on? Well now there are some excellent new software programs that allow you to record your monitoring radio via your computer’s sound card on a programmable basis.

In my next column I’ll introduce you to some of the best computer-based auto programs for radio monitoring applications. You don’t need to have a compatible radio to make these programs work. For those of you who do have a computer-compatible radio, however, I’ll also show you some techniques for setting up a very sophisticated monitoring schedule so you’ll never miss a broadcast again (propagation conditions permitting, of course).

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