Ham Radio Deluxe

[OLLIE]

I've been messing with HRD connected to my FT-857 in my rig for about a week now. I love the control it gives my while monitoring mobile HF. It's much easier to control the radio from HRD than to look down and monitor or mess with dials in the faceplate. Power setting, and everything are a click away with HRD. The other nice thing is when I have my presets set to ALPHA on my display I can see what the frequency actually is on HRD. So when my radio says Keller the HRD display shows the frequency. I often have to go back and forth from ALPHA to FREQ on my radio to recall what frequency a repeater is or vise-versa, what repeater I'm on when on a certain frequency.

OLLIE,
You might try the Yaesu MH-59 mike with the 857d. Most of the hams that use the 857 for mobile will use this mike. It will do all the functions you mentioned above and more with the push of a button and and VFO wheel placement, you'll be operating every function on the radio will accomplish these functions in a safer manner. Once you get experienced with it's button without ever taking your eyes off the road. You have to interface directly with the faceplate on the radio and is much easier and safer than having to look over toward or reach over and interface with a computer.
Granted this mike isn't as sexy as the HRD display and probably won't impress your offroad buddies, but it makes a lot more sense than using logging software to control a radio while operating mobile. HRD would be fine to have on-board for portable functions (while parked), but the HRD team never intended for it to be used for mobile purposes.

http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/4898

When ever I buy a Yaesu radio I automatically purchase the DTMF mic with it. The Yaesus generally never come with them. I already have one on my 857. I have two extras laying in my garage too. I just have never gotten into the habit of using the mic to control the radio other than scrolling through the presets. I agree that the software is much more suitable for use while parked. Next time we see eachother I'd like you to show me just what the software can do.

[xtatik]

When ever I buy a Yaesu radio I automatically purchase the DTMF mic with it. The Yaesus generally never come with them. I already have one on my 857. I have two extras laying in my garage too. I just have never gotten into the habit of using the mic to control the radio other than scrolling through the presets. I agree that the software is much more suitable for use while parked. Next time we see eachother I'd like you to show me just what the software can do.

I don't bother getting DTMF's for my base or portable radios, but like you, I always have with mobile rigs.
I'd be glad to show you what I've done with HRD. I might load my recent 450 presets and log into the laptop and schlep it to the M&G....I've been thinking about swinging by, but I just hate spending stoopid money at the flyshop in that stoopid store .
There are also a bunch of shortcuts to using the MH-59 as well. When you get a minute, have a quick read of the functions it performs with the 857 beginning on pg. 125 of the 857 manual.....you'll be surprised. Takes a while to get used to, but once you get the hang of it...nothing could replace it.

[OLLIE]

When ever I buy a Yaesu radio I automatically purchase the DTMF mic with it. The Yaesus generally never come with them. I already have one on my 857. I have two extras laying in my garage too. I just have never gotten into the habit of using the mic to control the radio other than scrolling through the presets. I agree that the software is much more suitable for use while parked. Next time we see eachother I'd like you to show me just what the software can do.

I don't bother getting DTMF's for my base or portable radios, but like you, I always have with mobile rigs.
I'd be glad to show you what I've done with HRD. I might load my recent 450 presets and log into the laptop and schlep it to the M&G....I've been thinking about swinging by, but I just hate spending stoopid money at the flyshop in that stoopid store .
There are also a bunch of shortcuts to using the MH-59 as well. When you get a minute, have a quick read of the functions it performs with the 857 beginning on pg. 125 of the 857 manual.....you'll be surprised. Takes a while to get used to, but once you get the hang of it...nothing could replace it.

It would be great to see you at the M&G. I'll take a look at the manual.