Software programs for amateur radio use have explode over the past decade. Logging programs, soundcard programs, computer assisted tuning (CAT) pgroams for transceiver operations - all have come a long way! Today, many if not most hams use software to perform operations that were unthinkable not many years ago. My transceiver is controlled by a logging/rig control program written by Dave, AA6YQ, that tunes the rig to the frequency of a "DX spot" - a report from other hams around the world that a particular station is operating on a particular frequency, and logs the contact once I've worked the station. The DX spotting program I use is written by Lee, VE7CC, and is called AR User. Simply clicking on the DX spot will tune my transceiver to that frequency. I also use a program called PST Rotator , by Codrut, YO3DMU, that will automatically turn my beam antenna to that station's location. Although the only program I use that is not free, it's very reasonably priced ($20) and worth the purchase. Excellent support and updates are provided by the author. The logging program I use is the DX Lab Suite of software written by Dave, AA6YQ - and it's free! Excellent support and frequent updates give the amateur radio community the latest in features. Dave hosts a forum on the internet to allow users to post questions and receive answers from fellow users - and more frequently - from Dave himself. JE3HHT, Makoto Mori, an early contributor to the advent of new digital mode use through soundcard programs, is the author of MMTTY, and MMSSTV. Mako-san has provided these programs to the ham fraternity for free. Hams world-wide owe Mako-san an enthusiastic THANKS!! A Nobel winning physicist, Joe Taylor, K1JT, has provided some exceptional software for "weak signal" users. You can download - for free - his software at his web site. Among his contributions is a program called WSJT and WSPR. Using only 5 watts of pwoer, I've talked to stations around the world. He also offers a program I've used to talk to other hams by bouncing signals off of passing meteors - another fascinating option for amateur radio operators. Many thanks to Joe for these programs!