Hi Frank, The reason that many of us use Multipsk is because it really is the only available program of its kind. No other program has all those modes available in one program at any price. In addition, some of the modes are specific to Multipsk and not available anywhere else. So if you want to use these modes, you must use Multipsk even if there might be other things about the program that you dislike. This is particularly true of the FAE modes, the RSID system, and the constant development by Patrick. No other developer has invented so many modes or tweaked existing modes.
Otherwise, it really is a Fords vs Chevy thing (as we might say here in the U.S.:) But even there, the answer is very easy as Chevy's are almost always better:) As time goes on, there will be more choices. The Ham Radio Deluxe Program, which used to be limited to a PSK31 module, now has a full blown digital add on (Digital Master 780) which is superior from an interface and operational standpoint even when compared to programs that cost money. It does seem to require some substantial computer power. The flDigi (Linux) and VBDigi (Windows) programs along with flarq to make up the NBEMS system has seen the addition of many of the most commonly used modes and I can recommend this package. If you are a DXer or contester, you may want to stay with one program and really become proficient with its use. The issue of logging is also a concern since having many different programs and combining logs is not that easy. Multipsk has another feature that provides interoperability with DXLab DX Keeper logging module, via the DXLab Commander module. For those who use the ARRL LoTW this is likely important as I am not sure how many other digital programs can do this. From a personal perspective, my long term goal is to move at least some of my computing to Linux, not so much because I like Linux, but because MS has made so many bad decisions with their current OS and the explosive situation that is going to continue happening in developing countries and other countires outside the U.S. with Linux adoption. While I have not really considered reloading the Vista OS again using the vLite program, (Vista is the easiest OS I have ever reloaded), I am impressed that some of the top programming people at Microsoft have admitted that Vista is bloated and Windows 7 is planned to have a very big change in drastically slimming down. It appears that they will ask, or are already asking programmers to think differently and use a stripped down version of the new OS. However, this new OS is not planned until 2010 so that likely really means 2015 or beyond. Because the world is moving toward free and open software, including the OS, Linux or something evolving from it is very likely in the long term. That means that if you move some of your applications to the new OS, and the programs you now use can not follow as native mode applications, you must move to new ones. That is why almost all the programs my wife and I use have moved or are moving toward open source/cross platform as much as we can. We are probably too old really to be overly concerned, but may we have another 10 or 20 years, you never know. The two stumbling blocks for me - the much better visual rendering that Vista does on my equipment, which is slightly better than XP and much better than Linux at this time. - the access to ham radio programs that are only available on MS Windows at this time. So for now I am going to primarily use the programs that have the modes I want to use, or can legally use. If they become available on Linux as a native mode someday, then that could change. At this time only Multipsk has almost all of the sound card modes in one program and that is only available on MS Windows. 73, Rick, KV9U Tooner wrote: > > I understand the specifications, as also found in Sholto's excellent > post of "Here's a rundown...". What I haven't seen a reply that > answers the original question of "Any big fans of MULTIPSK that might > like offer why they use it?". If it's the unique modes it offers, > what modes have you successfully used? If it's the layout, what do > you like about it compared to others? > > Again, this wasn't about Fords-vs-Chevys. We all have our tastes. I > was trying to find out what others like. > > I hope I didn't offend anyone in this pursuit of curiosity. It wasn't > meant to devalue as it was to raise awareness. If only my own. > > 73. Frank K2NCC > >
