1.) Is your “daily driver” computer a laptop, or a desktop, or do you just use your phone?
Dell DeskTop.
2.) If your main box is a desktop computer, is it a commercially branded machine, (ie, Dell, HP, Sony, eMachines etc.) or is it a home built system?
CLX Basically a mid range Gamming computer (Better Graphics Card, Solid state Hard drives (2 of them)
I do zero gaming but Wanted extra horse power in my Ham Shack
I use Flex Radios and there are no front display panels on my rigs
Control of the Flex Radios (2 of them) is by way of computers
I also almost always have a MacBook Pro in the Shack (Mostly I use it for Section Manager work) Building presentations etc.
As well as a Windows NUC from Geekom it is always connected to One of the Flex 6600’s
All computers in the shack and one in our house are LAN connected, as well as the two Flex rigs and the Flex accessories
All machines with exception of the MacBook are using Windows 11 Software for the Operating system
3.) If it is a home built system, was it a matter of expedience and parts availability, or was it a well researched and designed build?
N/A
4.) Was it designed for a specific purpose? (ie. running a business, graphics, video production, ham shack ops center or just a surfing/email utility box?)
N/A
5.) If your daily driver is a laptop, is it the latest and greatest, or is it getting kinda long in the tooth? (more than 7 years old)
OLX as mentioned above
6.) If you have more than one computer at home, do you use it/them networked on a Local Area Network (LAN)?
Yes
7.) Which operating system(s) do you run?
Windows 11 and The Mac Latest software
8.) Which operating system – and version – is your favorite … and why?
Windows because Most Ham Radio software supports Windows
Which is why on my MacBook I also have and use Parallels Desktop Software to be able to use Windows Tools
When I am on the Road at Ham Radio Clubs and Ham Fest I only carry The MacBook Pro
even though I still have a Win Lap Top as well as a spare in the shack.
By the way my Main CPU in the shack the OLX Gamming one has Four Monitors connected to it
As well as Eight Com USB Com ports used for Remote control of Antenna Rotors and other Ham Radio Equipment
All The Flex Radio Gear and accessories is LAN connected
Therefore I have a large LAN Switch (18 Ports)
It was not on your list,
However, I am also using a tool from Elgato Called Stream Deck
OH! I almost forgot I use a Raspberry Pi which is used as a server for a software tool called Node Red
Basically helps me control all my peripherals (equipment) from One dedicated Monitor
Two Antenna Rotors, Flex Amplifier, Antenna Switches, Antenna Tuner as well as steer heading of the Shared Apex Loop Receiving array
My station is Totally remote controllable, I usually use AnyDesk for that on the MacBook
when away from the station, I allowed a buddy of mine in Louisiana to work Bouvet Island 3y0B
while I was there visiting him the first week that Bouvet was on the air
I worked them the following week while here in the station.
There is almost always at least one Op connected remotely to my station,
Both of them have helped me with Hardware and other Infrastructure of my station
and they both know I have priority in use of the station and can occasionally bump them off.
I think I got a bit long winded and covered more than you asked for Dan,
but there it is.
Cheers!
Steve
KG5VK
