Category: General

I am often asked: “What kind of computer(s) do you take in the field for digital work?” Here I share what I take in the field – and why.

Over the last several years, I have tried many different field computer configurations. This includes:

• • Cheap laptops
  • Expensive laptops
  • Raspberry Pi’s (3 & 4)
  • Chromebooks
  • Ipad tablet
  • Samsumg tablet
  • Micro computers

Some setups worked better than others.  For field use, Here are my 6 requirements for a viable field computing solution (No particular order).

1. 1.  Power efficiency and battery life
   2.  Size & weight
   3.  Ruggedness
   4.  Screen visibility in bright sunlight
   5.  Ability to tolerate high ambiant temperatures
   6.  Networking options (Wifi Access Point)

Of course, as always, I had to deal with the age-old choice of having to choose between Windows and Linux OS’s. Bluntly – I am not a Windows fan. Closed-source, predatory marketing behavior, ridiculous pricing, and privacy issues, made me switch to Linux as my everyday computing platform in 2016.

Like it or not, there are very important Ham applications that only run on Windows. Winlink Express and Vara come to mind, along with several very popular logging apps.

At the end of the day, I figured out a way to take both platforms in the field. Here is a photo of my field computing kit.

Here is a diagram of how it all fits together.

As you can see in the above diagram, the system is straighforward. Power is provided by one of my power boxes. It powers the radio with 12V dc, the MiniPC with 12V dc, and the Mini WiFi router with 5V dc via a USB cable.

The MiniPC connects to the WiFi router via Ethernet. This ensures there are no issues getting an IP address at boot time. The mini WiFi router provides a WAP for remote computers that want to connect to the MiniPC.

The Digirig connects to the MiniPC and your radio via the required cable. Once configured, you can run any of the digital mode apps you desire.

The important components in the above diagram are the MiniPC, the Digirig, and the portable WiFi router.

1. 1. MiniPC
      I take in the field two (2) GMKtec MiniPC’s. One running Windows and the other running Linux (Ubuntu 24.04).
   2. Digirig
      Every Han should own a Digirig. This is a sound card on steroids.
   3. Mini WiFi Router
      The MiniPC connects to a mini WiFi router via Ethernet, where it gets an IP address via DHCP. I like the GL.inet. My kit has two of these. I use both if I need both computers up and running. Computers that want to connect to the MiniPC, do so via this WAP.

MiniPC
I used a RaspberryPi in the field for quite some time. It meets all of the criteria for a good field computer. What I did not like about it was, 1) It’s slow, and 2) the SDCard limitations. I also ditched using a laptop because of battery life and versatility.

1. During the Covid Pi shortage, I found the GMKtec miniPc’s, and          immediately bought one. They are terrific. Small, rugged, fan-cooled,             and plenty of power. They also run on 12V dc, which is a Ham                                 requirement for field work.

Digirig
Not much to say here. I own two,  and the cables for all my radios. As an experiment, I set out to send Winlink messages via 2M on every UHF radio I own. This includes a Yaesu FTM-300D, two Yaesu HT’s (Vx6, FT-60), an AnyTone D878UV Plus, and two Baofeng’s (TP-5, BF-F8HP).  I was able to send Winlink messages with all of them. If you do not own one – get one.

Mini WiFi Router
I has some trouble keeping the Linux MiniPC consistently running as a WiFi access point after reboots. On the Windows side, this was a nightmare. Windows allows you to create a “Hotspot”, but it is nearly impossible to configure it to run the hotspot at boot time.  (The PowerShell scripts touted on the Internet did not work for me).

I have found it much easier to use an inexpensive, lightweight, and low-power mini Wifi router. The MiniPC connects to the router via an Ethernet cable where it gets its IP address. This is super reliable. The remote connecting computer simply connects to the WiFi access point and then remotes to the MiniPC.  Elegant, affordable, and reliable.

Remote Connections
In order to use the MiniPC, you have to connect to it. I ditched VNC and all the other remote connection apps and highly prefer an application called No Machine.  It runs on anything (Pi included), is fast, reliable, versatile, and free for personal use.

You can connect to the MiniPC with any device that NoMachine runs on. I have used it on desktops, laptops, Chromebooks, Pi’s, and Ipad’s. This gives you a lot of flexibility when choosing field equipment.

Summary
If I need a computer in the field, my refined field kit has served me well. I can carry both Linux and Windows machines with me, plus a reliable WiFi access point setup, all in a small zipper pouch bag.

Footnote
If your eagle-eye noticed the two thing sticking out of the MiniPC’s in the photo above, those are HDMI dongles. Many computers will not provide a display to remotely connected computers if they do not have a monitor attached.  You can find them here. They are @$3 each and will save you a lot of hassles with display issues.