Windows and Mac getting along!


Win7 working smoothly on my Mac bookpro
I have been operating JT-65 lately and as most of you know who use this mode it offers a nice time management bonus……between exchanges of info you can multi task. I have taken advantage of this with blog writing, surfing the net and updating LOTW as well as EQSL. I wanted to take it a step further by utilizing my KX3 and the living room! I wanted to bring JT-65 and possibly PSK-31 to the recliner in the other room. First off I tried to use a netbook that I had gathering dust but it was just way to slow, it’s very good for email and such but not multitasking of rig software. I then decided to move my Mac laptop into the world of ham radio…but….with a small hitch. I had a copy of Parallel Desktop 8 I was using some years ago, it allows you to load windows on your Mac PC and you can switch between Mac and Windows you then have the best of both worlds. When your PC starts it starts in Mac format with a desktop icon that allows you to enter the Windows world! I loaded the program without issue and then loaded on my Win7 Pro and now I have a Mac book-pro that can run both OS’s. The main reason for doing this is to utilize my many Windows based ham programs. I have tried the free software on the internet for dual OS’s but have found they just don’t do the job. Here is what has happened up to this point I “attempted” to load Win4k3suite but I was informed that my window 7 did not have Net Frameworks 4 installed. Finding and installing this simple program was a frustrating experience. The Microsoft links just did not seem to work, I was told the “site was no longer available. Other sites (and I have experienced this many times in the past) gave you the impression you were downloading Net frameworks 4 but it turned out it was some other commercial program. When I finally and I mean FINALLY found the program it just plain refused to load! A Google search informed me this is not unusual and Microsoft has a fix that I downloaded and all worked fine then. At this point I just have Win4k3suite loaded and ready for install. This will get my rig control up and going and then it’s time to install WSJT-X software, A PSK software and then finally Meinberg NTP time server software.
Mike Weir, VE9KK, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from New Brunswick, Canada. Contact him at [email protected].

8 Responses to “Windows and Mac getting along!”

  • Phil Bridges G6DLJ:

    I’ve been using Virtual Box with Win 7 on my mac for several years, runs pretty much anything I throw at, even my DV4 mini hardware and NW Digital ThumbDV.

  • Mike VE3WDM:

    Good evening Phil. thanks for taking the time to comment and I too was looking at virtual box as well but the computer store had no copies but id have Parallel desktop so I purchased that and have been very happy with it.
    73, Mike

  • Mike W6GYC:

    Virtual Box is a free product fro Oracle. Linux has had this ability for some time as well. Wine, Virtual Box, and VMWare Player are a few of the utilities that are available.

  • Mike VE3WDM:

    Good morning Mike, well that would explain why when I asked at the store if it was in stock and was told no……I guess I was had! Oh well I am happy with Parallel Desktop it seems to do the job BUT since the other program is free you will get the latest and greatest upgrades. Thanks for the info Mike and have a great week.
    73, Mike

  • Chad KJ4VYI:

    Been thinking of loading win7 on my mac pro but have been torn between P & Vm and just cant seem to find what would be better depending on what software I run!!

    Some ham programs and a few games for windows ( when I have time ) still researching which one is better.

    Thanks for the post may try Parallels first then move to VM or vert box.

  • Mike VE3WDM:

    Good morning Chad, glad you found the post informative and if you have any questions once you load one of the programs feel free to email me.
    Have a good day 73
    Mike

  • Elwood Downey, WB0OEW:

    Perhaps I missed something but I don’t quite understand the need to wrangle Windows on top of OS X in this situation.

    I use wsjt-x version 1.6.0, which includes JT65 and JT9 as well as WSPR, with my KX3 and MacBook running El Capitan just fine. You can get it from http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx-1.6.0-Darwin.dmg .

    For logging I use Aetherlog (see http://www.aetherlog.com ), which handles LOTW and eQSL automatically, and I connect the two programs with JT Bridge (see http://jt-bridge.eller.nu).

    73, Elwood, WB0OEW

  • Jim - KH2SR:

    I hope we get more TNC iPhone apps for running data modes. Such as Olivia, JT65, JT9, FT8, & Winlink.

Leave a Comment

Subscribe FREE to AmateurRadio.com's
Amateur Radio Newsletter
News, Opinion, Giveaways & More!

E-mail 
Join over 7,000 subscribers!
We never share your e-mail address.



Also available via RSS feed, Twitter, and Facebook.


Subscribe FREE to AmateurRadio.com's
Amateur Radio Newsletter

 
We never share your e-mail address.


Do you like to write?
Interesting project to share?
Helpful tips and ideas for other hams?

Submit an article and we will review it for publication on AmateurRadio.com!

Have a ham radio product or service?
Consider advertising on our site.

Are you a reporter covering ham radio?
Find ham radio experts for your story.

How to Set Up a Ham Radio Blog
Get started in less than 15 minutes!


  • Matt W1MST, Managing Editor




Sign up for our free
Amateur Radio Newsletter

Enter your e-mail address: