Running multiple apps on one pc.

[Douglas Decker]

I have been running my Meteorite Detection system, my "HL" System and my SuperSid on three different PC's.

I need to free up a PC and started to see what I could actually run on one pc.

The result has been that I can run the "HL" system and the Meteorite system on the same PC. I use EZRA for "HL" and SDR# for Meteorite detection.

I have to use virtual desktops one for each application.

The I have to unplug the rtl-sdr for the meteorite systems and start the EZRA software first. The only rti-sdr is the one that EZRA finds. After that I then open the second virtual desktop. 

I then plug in the second rtl-sdr and then sdr# finds the second rtl-sdr with no problem. I guess because the first rtl-sdr is already taken. The I start "wjstx"software.

This has been working just fine.

All I have to remember is that every time I reboot the pc for whatever reason I have to follow the same procedure. above.

Just hopes this info may help someone out there.

Doug K5WMT

[Stephen Arbogast]

I  am  not  an expert  on  pc’s  running  windows  but   there is a  tool  on  a  pc  running   windows called the  task  manager that  will  help you  figure   out  how  your pc  is   performing.

 I  use  Ubuntu  Linux   for  my  exploration.  It  has  a  tool  called  system monitor  that  shows me   how my  hardware is   performing.   

I  am  currently   exploring   modifications/changes/combinations   to  Ted  Cline’s   ezRa   and    Marcus  Leech’s  BAA  software    to use  on my AMD 64    I  bought  from  Amazon  about  a  year  ago.

I  run  gnu radio  companion   and  Stellarium at  the  same  time  with no  hardware  problems.

Also   I can run  gnu radio  companion   and  Stellarium at  the  same  time  with no  hardware  problems  on  my old  2012   Intel  iMac.

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[Alex P]

And for reliability, put the PC in  "Airplane Mode"  to ensure there are no unexpected Software Update/Restarts during acquisition,.

I have one W10 PC which has been on a long distance flight going on 3+ years now with no plans on 'landing'  as  Everything Works.

Alex P

Proj HLine3D

KK4VB

[Andrew Thornett]

Here in the UK, little i3 and i5 miniPCs are around half the price of a Raspberry PI. I tried running multiple radio experiments on single PCs but it was all very stressful, and if something went down, the whole lot would......and id forget process to get them all running again!

So I now use a miniPC per experiment. They need separate keyboard and screen - but one screen and keyboard and mouse works for all of them as my son sets them on the home network so I can remotely log in to them from my laptop.

So, now the electrically usage at LRO is about the same as it is at Jodrell Bank......

But it all seems to work.

Andy

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From: 'Alex P' via Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers <sara...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Friday, September 5, 2025 9:55:43 AM
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Subject: [SARA] Re: Running multiple apps on one pc.

 

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[Andrew Thornett]

Regarding preventing Windows updates, there is a little free app called WINDOWS UPDATE BLOCKER V1.8 which works brilliantly.

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From: Andrew Thornett <andrew....@googlemail.com>
Sent: Friday, September 5, 2025 11:19:03 AM
To: sara...@googlegroups.com <sara...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [SARA] Re: Running multiple apps on one pc.

 

[Stephen Arbogast]

My  suggestion   is do not   fool  around     with  windows  it is   crap…     I have run   my   python  gnu  radio  apps  on  Linux  for  years now …..

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[Andrew Thornett]

I am slowly getting into Linux now too

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Cc: Stephen Arbogast <sar...@icloud.com>
Subject: Re: [SARA] Running multiple apps on one pc.

 

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[edhar...@gmail.com]

Sorry, I’ve got to share my background and experiences.  I expect most people will skip the drivel… skip to the bottom and see if any of my suggestions are actionable to move forward….

 

Background: 

• I’ve delt with OS wars for many years having professionally written software for several decades.
• I’ve made a very nice wage over those many years.
• I’ve fought with both Windows and Linux and developed extremely complicated software from database engines to expert system (rule based) and for the last 20 years backup and failover code (yes, for both).
• I’ve been impressed with Linux going in a positive direction and ‘mostly’ stable and predictable now.
• I’ve fought (and lost) trying to develop with Linux… enough to leave a VERY bad taste in my mouth (due to what I was trying and the immaturity and fractured nature of Linux and lack of support.  (Yes, I can read code… very well but many people cannot nor in the many languages used.   A good reference is really not otherwise available.
• I’ve fought (and lost) trying to develop with Windows… enough to appreciate how bad 3^rd party developers are and how good Microsoft support (pathetic as it is) really is.
• I’ve gotten absolutely disgusted with Microsoft’s throwing the kitchen sink into Windows and loading down the OS with garbage.  (Advertising for quite a while now as well as the recent ‘you must want AI’.)

 

I am quite jaded with both (in general).  I’m quite impressed with both (in the right circumstances).

 

Windows is a very good OS

• With good software and hardware, Windows is very stable.
• I had a LOT of bad experiences with HP and any device driver they wrote about 10-15 years ago.
• With good drivers and hardware, Windows is actually extremely stable.
• Finding references on its basic usage are trivial to get.
• Without a domain controller to shut down the garbage, the personal edition:
• Runs too much garbage that disrupts timing.
• Consumes too much memory that is needed for near real-time analysis (HI line)
• Has a time slicer that is designed for user interaction rather than predictable for low-latency programming.
• As setting up a DC correctly is beyond the abilities (financial as well as configuration) of most people this makes the personal version problematic at best.
• The software for RA is few and far between. 
• There is a reasonable amount available for Windows.
• Some is new.  A lot is old.  Some is abandon.
• Software written almost 30 years ago WILL still work today.

 

All that said, I would not recommend it for scientific work like is being discussed.

 

Linux is a very good OS

• There is no ADWARE baked into the OS.
• With the “right distribution” and hardware, Linux is very stable.
• Installation is straight forward (now).
• Drivers are available for a lot (most) of consumer hardware now.
• References are available but for newbie’s is confusing.  People are (generally) accustom to GUIs and GUIs are not where you need to be.
• The command line is terse (to say the least), well documented but not trivial.  It was the primary interface for many for a very long time (going back to Unix) and is its’ most powerful feature (in my opinion).
• Configuration of Linux is not quite straight forward.
• Selecting the basic options is trivial…
• Figuring out the advanced configuration settings needed for some things is not trivial nor documented.  Finding a current reference is often problematic.
• What needs to be shut down and how?  Where is that list?
• How do I configure a clock that is updated every 15 minutes instead of the default?  How about using a local GPS disciplined clock?
• How often does this list need to be updated versus the online references?
• What is unique about my distribution instead of the one used by author X of the software I want to use?
• The time slicer is more predictable, BUT IT IS NOT A REAL TIME OS.  At least not the version anyone is going to install.
• Even if you run a real-time variant, the software available is NOT real-time unless you’ve written it yourself and you are an excellent developer.  (Developing real-time software is anything but trivial.  It must be reentrant, extremely quick, non-blocking and resource constrained… that is the short list.)
• The software for RA is vast
• If you want professional software (that has often been abandon.
• For amateur software, a fair amount is available, but getting it to run can be problematic.
• You must use Python XXX, Numpy  XXX, ….
• Software written more that a few years ago is often difficult to run.
• You must find and often co-install Python XXX, Numpy  XXX, ….

 

All that said, I don’t like Linux (due to my early experiences) BUT I would recommend it.

 

Enough of the drivel… on to some suggestions…

++++++++++

 

Using Linux is not for the faint hearted as there are too many options.  It’s like being a kid in a Walmart sized candy store.  It can be overwhelming.  I expect everyone will have different opinions as to what ‘should’ be done.  (Been there, heard that many times before.)

 

We need to settle on a ‘primary’ distribution to be used.  One for data collection and one for analysis.  The analysis machine is mainly insensitive to the options and therefore I’ll only discuss my thoughts for a data collection machine.

• Someone knowledgeable needs to define the recommended setup.
• Which distribution should be used.
• Which version should be used
• The version should be reviewed with each release.
• What is easy to configure.
• What needs to be disabled.
• What is easy to setup software upon.
• For collection, what basic supporting software/hardware COULD be added.
• Could something be done on the ‘cheap’?
• Raspberry Pi as the primary data collector.
• They are cheap
• Have enough horse power for many people starting.  Have been used many time (see the forums)

 

Directions on basic maintenance of the machine are needed once operational.  (There is no such thing as 24/7/365 operation… you MUST apply updates to prevent abuse of the machine.)  Command line options need to be known and understood.  “Old timers” often do this work using muscle reflexes… never a thought about that.  Sometimes they are even scripted so we don’t even remember they are being done behind the scenes.

 

Directions on basic usage of the machine need to be available.  (Pointer to a directions for the distribution and specific version if needed. 

 

Old references need to be cached if different.  How many people are still using Windows 7?  Linux distros that are no longer supported?  Who will host this info?  (Who will take it over after this person no longer wants the job???  Is the Wayback machine the answer?)

 

Marcus Fisher’s “The BYTE” in the newsletter is a great beginning.  Even if ONE solution is documented, it would be a great help.  Obviously what I’m suggesting above is quite the task and would take some significant time.  WHO will help him?

 

Ed

[Captain Anne Flint]

Hi Ed, 

Any thoughts on Linux on a Mac OS? 

Thanks, 

Wende 

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[Edmund Harfmann]

No experience with Mac nor linux on Mac.

(Pure heresay, assumptions and guesswork...)

Mac would be a serious option as a host as what I've heard and read makes me think it's a robust hardware system given Apples' reputation/control over the hardware.

IF the software would run native, I would expect a stable/fast system.  That said, running a "linux subsystem' bares the potential of lowering the stability.  (Not necessarily the components but their interface to the native core.)

My biggest concern is price.  Software for Apple (native) is expensive.  Hardware is expensive.  Used hardware can be found, but how long will it be supported?  If not supportted (maintained), then you are open to being hacked or unsupported.

Regardless of the hardware/OS/software used, I believe it must be maintained from the bottom up.  If it's not, you run risks.  I would rather do what I must to not be a victum.  Individuals may be willing to take that risk.  As a group giving instruction, I don't think we should.

My opionions...

Ed

[Wende Waters]

Thanks, Ed.
I am of the "what can I do with this old Mac" (yes, too expensive to
toss) school of thought, and couldn't find a reference to it in your
email.
I am fond of Mac, mainly because their updates have been less
disruptive in my daily life (so far), and I believe their security is
better than Windows.
I used to work for a company that made hardware and/or software
interfaces, and spent a good amount of time listening to quite
brilliant
people cuss & discuss these issues. Unfortunately it left me with the
attitude that a person can do anything if they are good enough ... and
if you can't,
grab a floating log and start swimming.
On we go!
Wende

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[Andrew Thornett]

We could really do with creating a SARA-endorsed radio astronomy installation script for Linux to install the most common key apps and dependencies.

Andy

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Sent: Saturday, September 6, 2025 2:37:42 AM
To: sara...@googlegroups.com <sara...@googlegroups.com>

Subject: Re: [SARA] Running multiple apps on one pc.

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[Stephen Arbogast]

To  boil  down   the  situation  for me....

I  too  have  been  writing  software professionally  since the  days  of  OS2....  remember  IBM's challenge to  Windows?

Any system has  both  good  and  bad points.

What irks me the most about Microsoft Windows, these days, is they  seem  to assume what is  best  for the user and  they bake in  attempts to force  customers to subscribe  to there  services.

The reason  I have  Windows 11 is that it came  installed on my mini PC...  I minimize   using it.  I  do all of my  GNU Radio  exploring on   Ubuntu Linux.

I still  have my  iMac  from  2012   and now  run Ubuntu on it  from  an external  SSD, love the  27 inch screen.  I am  afraid it may stop  working  soon because the  fan is making  loud  noises.   I started  with an  Apple ][   about   1978.   I have  always preferred Apple, just not  the price!

To  sum  up  this  a great  hobby,  so much fun to explore all  approaches but   perhaps  for  a  new  novice  two  packages  with  thoroughly tested  install  script for  both  Windows  and Ubuntu Linux  would  be  good.

Stephen

[b alex pettit jr]

      a    "Turn Key"    Novice Software Package   w/ 

 Real_Time Background Curve Correction        Drift Normalization       Cold_Sky ref  Calibrated Plots       Process Tested & Validated

 

If you prefer to write your own code, include these fundamental processing steps and complement them with more complex features.

Alex Pettit

 HLine3D

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