Linux for Amateur Radio Applications
The use of Linux for Amateur Radio applications is fast growing, as a fast, reliable operating system, as an alternative to Microsoft's Windows platform. Linux is great for amateur radio applications, as you dont need the latest and greatest PC to run your application, old junked PC's make great hardware platforms for running Linux on, even an old 386 PC can be used to tasks like a Packet Radio node with older versions of Linux. In the past I started with Redhat 5.2 Linux, then later migrated to Debian/GNU Linux 3.0r2 and also Fedora1. Debian/GNU Linux was known for its amateur radio related functionality already built into the kernel that grabbed my attention in terms of playing with packet radio, the AX25 library was built into the kernel, (thanks to people like Terry Dawson, VK2KTJ). In terms of a "free" Linux operating system for personal use: I am now running Ubuntu (GNOME) Desktop v8.10 and also Ubuntu server 8.10 at home, I did also install and evaluated Fedora 9 & 10, Debian GNU/Linux 4.0r3 and 4.0r5 in both Gnome(GUI) and Server(Text) configurations. I chose Ubuntu for home use, based on it providing a clear cut choice of GNOME and KDE install choices, plus a Server version, also that Ubuntu is based on Debian and provided a good selection of amateur radio packages to choose from. Ubuntu also provides an Educational version called Edubuntu geared for children which provides a good foundation for children to embrace Linux. Also have recently dabbled with RedHat Enteprise Linux ( EL4 & EL5) where it is in use at my work QTH. Now running Ubuntu 8.10 Gnome, Fedora10 Gnome and Debian5.0 Gnome. Also using Ubuntu 8.10 GNOME along with WineHQ to run Echolink. If starting off from scratch then Ubuntu or Fedora is a good start, as both are a breeze to install, whereas Debian takes a little more understanding and work, but better suited for development, although later versions i.e. 4.0r5 are coming up on par for easy installation and usability when compared with Ubuntu (v8.10) and Fedora (v10). All pretty much offer a choice of GNOME Desktop or KDE desktop environments, some are easier to select, i.e. Kubuntu is a installer for Ubuntu with KDE desktop, a matter of personal taste of which desktop you prefer, or what specific software packages that you may require to run, as you will encounter specific packages created for either GNOME or KDE environments. Other choices include Xfce, LXDE or SUGAR desktop environments, but these are stripped down in functionality, compared to GNOME and KDE. Debian 5.0 offers the five DE's above to choose from, or install all and choose which one you wish to use at power on. There are other flavours of Linux such as SUSE, KNOPPIX, Gentoo, GeeXbox, Slackware, Mandriva, Damn Small Linux, SLAX, BackTrack, some are commercial products some are free, I have not tried these other Linux packages yet. I originally tried RedHat 5.2 as it was the first branding of Linux I had come across, later moving to Fedora 1 (after the split of RedHat and creation of Fedora as two separate commercial/free entities) then I tried Debian GNU/Linux 3r2 based on recommendation and later again when I tried Ubuntu it was also on recommendation. Ubuntu also drew my attention, as it was itself based on Debian GNU/Linux. Again, if using the "latest" hardware, you need to check which Linux will support your new hardware, in terms of specific drivers. Using old PC hardware, then your choices of Linux open up. Other software for Linux, where does one start, plenty of Amateur Radio software around for Linux, which is another draw card for Ubuntu & Debian, just download through the Ubuntu (or Debian) software utility. Also Fedora is catching up by including many Amateur Radio packages in recent releases (i.e. Fedora 11). If you are running dedicated application on an older PC, requiring a desktop environment, then consider a Linux base with the Xfcs Desktop Environment, instead of KDE or Gnome. The Xfce DE is trim and lightweight of all the fancy applications you get with Gnome and KDE. A good example if Xubuntu, which is the Ubuntu base but running the Xfce DE instead of Gnome DE. Development software, again plenty of "free" packages for all sorts of utilities and programming lanaguages downloadable, which is great for the home Linux user, see the GNU link below, you don't have to pay for expensive development packages just so you can dabble and appease your curiosity in home computing. From a "corporate" view of Linux, Redhat EL4 and EL5 provide good packages for a commercial "Enterprise" level. I have had customers using SUSE, but RedHat seems to be most prolific in my customer's organisations. Look at the NASA website, one of the most frequented websites in the world, NASA use RedHat for their servers. NASA put men on the moon and a robot on Mars, so if they use RedHat, then it must be ok. April 2009 - just did the upgrade of Ubuntu 8.10 (Gnome) to 9.04 as part of the software updates - now that was very easy. June 2009 - ran up Xastir APRS client on Xubuntu 8.10 and Debian 5.0 both work well. Now running Xastir node on Ubuntu 9.04 July 2009 - upgraded my Fedora 10(Gnome) to Fedora 11, which was easy & painless. Aug 2009 - been operating Echolink on Ubuntu 9.04 (Gnome) with WINE, but now realised, that to operate properly, you need a decent powered machine, ie Intel 2GHz or faster with 300MB RAM or greater, it works on receive audio from IP to radio ok, but radio to IP audio loses chunks, due to latency delays. The same rated machine with just Win XP copes ok. Maybe try Xubuntu (Xfce) instead of Ubuntu as a trim, cleaner version for low powered machines. Sep 2009 - have tried Xubuntu (Xfce DE) and Xubuntu with LXDE instead of Xfce for the DE, yes, they running faster than straight Ubuntu on old hardware e.g. P2-400, P3-500, K6-450 with smaller memory footprint, reduced CPU uage and generally just run faster at the DE. Overall it seems worth the trouble in pursueing the more lighweight DE's to gain performance. Also notinced in the latest Fedora 11 release notes that they stepping up with more amateur radio and electronics packages included.
