Re: Which type computer for gateway on VARA HF and FM
On Mon, Oct 21, 2024 at 06:55 PM, Stephen W9SK wrote:
I used Winlink frequently (with VARA-HF) during our WNC flood disaster when internet was not available (for a week at my QTH), supporting emcom for our county.
I understand that's the case for an established Winlink Express client station, where the "My Callsign" field on the WInlink Express 'Settings -> Winlink Express Setup...' screen doesn't need to be changed.
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It's problematic, though, if the "My Callsign" (and "My Password") fields need to be changed when the computer isn't connected to the internet. Unless the first connection is made to a RMS gateway station that does have an internet connection (so the call-sign / password combination can be confirmed by the Winlink system), the operator will see an "invalid password message" on all subsequent connection attempts while the internet is down on the local PC.
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The same issue occurs when installing Winlink Express on a computer for the first time, from an .exe file on a USB stick, when no internet is available.
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For further details, see ""
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Mark - AD7EF
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Re: Which type computer for gateway on VARA HF and FM
Works great into a 5G MESH system as well and sends the info a heck of a lot faster! Greg
Winlink Express client does not require an internet connection.? Quite useful when such internet connection is present, but not required for sending/receiving email using VARA.? I used Winlink frequently (with VARA-HF) during our WNC flood disaster when internet was not available (for a week at my QTH), supporting emcom for our county.? Of course, the distant RMS nodes I connected to most often had inet connections, although I connected to two that were ¡°Hybrid¡± with radio forwarding only. ? Stephen W9SK ? ? ? On Mon, Oct 21, 2024 at 05:59 PM, Lee Bengston wrote: The Win10 computer that will not go to Win11 runs the modems only - currently VARA HF and QtSoundModem
Lee; That's certainly a viable approach for continuing to support the VARA software modems with a Windows 10 computer... thanks for clarifying! However, other participants on this topic need to understand that running Winlink Express or other Winlink "sysop" apps, on a Windows PC, necessitates having on internet connection on that PC.
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Re: Which type computer for gateway on VARA HF and FM
Winlink Express client does not require an internet connection.? Quite useful when such internet connection is present, but not required for sending/receiving email using VARA.? I used Winlink frequently (with VARA-HF) during our WNC flood disaster when internet was not available (for a week at my QTH), supporting emcom for our county.? Of course, the distant RMS nodes I connected to most often had inet connections, although I connected to two that were ¡°Hybrid¡± with radio forwarding only. ? Stephen W9SK ? ?
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From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of Mark Davis Sent: Monday, October 21, 2024 9:19 PM To: [email protected]Subject: Re: [VARA-MODEM] Which type computer for gateway on VARA HF and FM ? On Mon, Oct 21, 2024 at 05:59 PM, Lee Bengston wrote: The Win10 computer that will not go to Win11 runs the modems only - currently VARA HF and QtSoundModem
Lee; That's certainly a viable approach for continuing to support the VARA software modems with a Windows 10 computer... thanks for clarifying! However, other participants on this topic need to understand that running Winlink Express or other Winlink "sysop" apps, on a Windows PC, necessitates having on internet connection on that PC.
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Re: Which type computer for gateway on VARA HF and FM
On Mon, Oct 21, 2024 at 05:59 PM, Lee Bengston wrote:
The Win10 computer that will not go to Win11 runs the modems only - currently VARA HF and QtSoundModem
Lee;
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That's certainly a viable approach for continuing to support the VARA software modems with a Windows 10 computer... thanks for clarifying!
?
However, other participants on this topic need to understand that running Winlink Express or other Winlink "sysop" apps, on a Windows PC, necessitates having on internet connection on that PC.
?
Mark - AD7EF
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Re: Which type computer for gateway on VARA HF and FM
On Mon, Oct 21, 2024 at 03:05 PM, Lee Bengston wrote:
Yes, unless the plan is to firewall the computer so that is has no internet access, which is what I'm going to do with the machine that runs VARA HF. Despite having a fairly strong CPU, it's not upgradeable to Win11.
That computer (firewalled off of the internet) won't be very useful for running an RMS gateway system, or even just running a Winlink client system.
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Mark - AD7EF
VARA HF is a port on my BPQ node. BPQ runs on a different (Linux) computer that will continue to have Internet access. The Win10 computer that will not go to Win11 runs the modems only - currently VARA HF and QtSoundModem, but others could be added in the future such as VARA FM.? BPQ already works as a Winlink client, so I don't need that capability on the Windows computer.? Also in my case VARA HF is used for BBS message forwarding with other BBS's - no Winlink involved.
Lee K5DAT
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Re: Which type computer for gateway on VARA HF and FM
The only reason for the *average* computer user to update from Win10 to Win11 is to maintain Microsoft updates for the OS and its security system.? It is easier for the average user to maintain a smooth running and secure computer by using the later Microsoft OS updates/patches.? Yes, that can mean occasional inconveniences of temporary app compatibility. ? If you¡¯re a ¡°power user¡± of Windows like me, there is not a compelling reason to update currently.? I have computers running both (in addition to several Linux, and one Win7 boat anchor).? With that said, I will be updating those Win10 computers when MS security updates end next year.? I¡¯m an infosec pro, painfully aware of the cyberwar taking place out there, so am concerned about closing the doors, locking them, and sealing the cracks without dedicating more time to it than I have to¡admittedly somewhat unusual in our oblivious society who believe that flood will never happen to their house.? And, no, I have never experienced a hack, unlike many of my friends, so it can be worth it. ? Stephen W9SK ? ?
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From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of Lee Bengston Sent: Monday, October 21, 2024 6:05 PM To: [email protected]Subject: Re: [VARA-MODEM] Which type computer for gateway on VARA HF and FM ? ? On Mon, Oct 21, 2024, 12:35 PM Kenneth G. Gordon via <kgordon2006=[email protected]> wrote: On 21 Oct 2024 at 10:06, n3ae2000 via wrote:
> Is there some compelling reason for updating to Windows 11 to run
> VARA??
None, whatever, at this point.
I agree that there's no reason now to upgrade to Windows 11.
As someone mentioned, when the free security updates to Win10 are stopped, it would then
probably be adviseable to switch to Win 11.
Yes, unless the plan is to firewall the computer so that is has no internet access, which is what I'm going to do with the machine that runs VARA HF. Despite having a fairly strong CPU, it's not upgradeable to Win11.
By then, Microsoft will have had a year to get all the small bugs out of Win11. Such bugs
inevitably occur with ALL software. It is certainly not unique to Windows.
As I have mentioned, while I was an IT Pro at the University of Idaho for over 30 years,. I
always insisted that the users whom I supported would never change to a new version of
software until at least a year after it was published.
The release date of Windows 11 was October 5, 2021.
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Re: Which type computer for gateway on VARA HF and FM
Hello everyone.
Just a note: I have a Microsoft Surface 4 Laptop that originally ran on Windows?10 in May 2021. Microsoft force?download Windows 11 in 2023. And right now VARA HF, FM, P2P, & AC works.?
Had an issue on VARA HF but was resolved by changing one VARA HF settings.? WSJT-X works too and no adjustments were?done. And that is my report on this Station. Stay Safe.
73 Ruben Tiosejo KD6CWI
On Mon, Oct 21, 2024 at 03:05 PM, Lee Bengston wrote:
Yes, unless the plan is to firewall the computer so that is has no internet access, which is what I'm going to do with the machine that runs VARA HF. Despite having a fairly strong CPU, it's not upgradeable to Win11.
That computer (firewalled off of the internet) won't be very useful for running an RMS gateway system, or even just running a Winlink client system.
?
Mark - AD7EF
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Re: Which type computer for gateway on VARA HF and FM
On Mon, Oct 21, 2024 at 03:05 PM, Lee Bengston wrote:
Yes, unless the plan is to firewall the computer so that is has no internet access, which is what I'm going to do with the machine that runs VARA HF. Despite having a fairly strong CPU, it's not upgradeable to Win11.
That computer (firewalled off of the internet) won't be very useful for running an RMS gateway system, or even just running a Winlink client system.
?
Mark - AD7EF
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Re: Which type computer for gateway on VARA HF and FM
On Mon, Oct 21, 2024, 12:35 PM Kenneth G. Gordon via <kgordon2006= [email protected]> wrote: On 21 Oct 2024 at 10:06, n3ae2000 via wrote:
> Is there some compelling reason for updating to Windows 11 to run
> VARA??
None, whatever, at this point.
I agree that there's no reason now to upgrade to Windows 11.
As someone mentioned, when the free security updates to Win10 are stopped, it would then
probably be adviseable to switch to Win 11.
Yes, unless the plan is to firewall the computer so that is has no internet access, which is what I'm going to do with the machine that runs VARA HF. Despite having a fairly strong CPU, it's not upgradeable to Win11.
By then, Microsoft will have had a year to get all the small bugs out of Win11. Such bugs
inevitably occur with ALL software. It is certainly not unique to Windows.
As I have mentioned, while I was an IT Pro at the University of Idaho for over 30 years,. I
always insisted that the users whom I supported would never change to a new version of
software until at least a year after it was published.
The release date of Windows 11 was October 5, 2021.
73, Lee K5DAT?
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Re: Updating Vara modem SW
Ok, all points well taken. Thanks.
Todd
AL7PX
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Re: Updating Vara modem SW
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Re: Updating Vara modem SW
Remember that usually you have to move the installation file to the PC screen in order to be able to right-click on it and then select ¡±Run as administrator¡±.
73/Torbjorn
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I am sure you do. But so do I.
Your situation was not the same as mine.
I won't argue with you, from your prespective, and I would appreciate the same from you.
There ARE some issues with the way Win11 deals with the sound system. I will post a few examples as soon as I can.
Thanks.
Ken W7EKB
Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, an AT&T 5G smartphone
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-------- Original message -------- From: Bob AF9W <af9w@...> Date: 10/21/24 10:50 (GMT-08:00) Subject: Re: [VARA-MODEM] Computers vs VARA
Ken, I spent 13 years managing the team in the IBM PC Division that dealt with Windows compatibility with IBM PC hardware.? We were even able to see the Windows source code.? I know what I am talking about.??
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Re: Updating Vara modem SW
Nothing special needed. Download and extract new version. Right click and run the installer "Run as Administrator"
New files will over-write the old, leaving all configuration files intact.
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On the other hand, a ritual sacrifice can never hurt.
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Thomas? /WDT
KF7RSF
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Re: Updating Vara modem SW
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Actually, there are additional problems caused by Win11's weirdnesses with the way it connects to and controls the computers' sound system. That is very much different from the way Win10 does it.
I will dig out and post the details here asap.
OF COURSE, the additional bloatware from HP and Dell most certainly causes big problems. I, like Scott, delete all that garbage, or simply install a basic opsys.
The issues are not just simply the bloatware.
In fact, there MAY be hardware issues involved, although I have not, yet, seen any.
Ken W7EKB
Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, an AT&T 5G smartphone
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-------- Original message -------- From: Kevin Custer <kuggie@...> Date: 10/21/24 11:13 (GMT-08:00) Subject: Re: [VARA-MODEM] Computers vs VARA
There are plenty of problems with Dell
and HP computers and Sound Cards of any brand.? This is NOT a
Windows 11 problem - it's a problem with manufacturers that think
they are helping - when in fact they are not.? Sure - for Zoom
Meetings - AGC and all that other automatic (enhancement) software
can be beneficial for the computer illiterate.? But - for digital
applications like VARA - they do nothing but cause grief.?
With help from others - I've compiled two articles for people
using HP or Dell computers that have the bloatware that Bob
mentions below.
Again - this is NOT a Windows (11) problem, and it is NOT a sound
card manufacturer problem.? It's (some) computer manufacturers
that think we aren't smart enough to set our own levels - -
catering to the masses.
Kevin W3KKC
On 10/21/2024 1:50 PM, Bob AF9W wrote:
Some things to look at - 1) Make sure all the advanced
settings like AGC, etc are off on the sound card.? You can do
this via the Windows Control Panel Sounds interface.? 2) if
the computer is a Dell or HP, make sure the funky sound system
they ship with the computer is turned off or better yet,
uninstalled.??
?
Also, if you change the USB port that the sound card is
plugged into, all system defaults will be reinstalled because
Windows will think you have installed a new device, unless you
go into sound properties and change the default name of the
device.? This helps Windows identify a particular advice.?
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There are plenty of problems with Dell
and HP computers and Sound Cards of any brand.? This is NOT a
Windows 11 problem - it's a problem with manufacturers that think
they are helping - when in fact they are not.? Sure - for Zoom
Meetings - AGC and all that other automatic (enhancement) software
can be beneficial for the computer illiterate.? But - for digital
applications like VARA - they do nothing but cause grief.?
With help from others - I've compiled two articles for people
using HP or Dell computers that have the bloatware that Bob
mentions below.
Again - this is NOT a Windows (11) problem, and it is NOT a sound
card manufacturer problem.? It's (some) computer manufacturers
that think we aren't smart enough to set our own levels - -
catering to the masses.
Kevin W3KKC
On 10/21/2024 1:50 PM, Bob AF9W wrote:
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Some things to look at - 1) Make sure all the advanced
settings like AGC, etc are off on the sound card.? You can do
this via the Windows Control Panel Sounds interface.? 2) if
the computer is a Dell or HP, make sure the funky sound system
they ship with the computer is turned off or better yet,
uninstalled.??
?
Also, if you change the USB port that the sound card is
plugged into, all system defaults will be reinstalled because
Windows will think you have installed a new device, unless you
go into sound properties and change the default name of the
device.? This helps Windows identify a particular advice.?
|
Some things to look at - 1) Make sure all the advanced settings like AGC, etc are off on the sound card.? You can do this via the Windows Control Panel Sounds interface.? 2) if the computer is a Dell or HP, make sure the funky sound system they ship with the computer is turned off or better yet, uninstalled.??
?
Also, if you change the USB port that the sound card is plugged into, all system defaults will be reinstalled because Windows will think you have installed a new device, unless you go into sound properties and change the default name of the device.? This helps Windows identify a particular advice.??
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Ken, I spent 13 years managing the team in the IBM PC Division that dealt with Windows compatibility with IBM PC hardware.? We were even able to see the Windows source code.? I know what I am talking about.??
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Re: Which type computer for gateway on VARA HF and FM
On 21 Oct 2024 at 10:06, n3ae2000 via groups.io wrote: Is there some compelling reason for updating to Windows 11 to run
VARA?? None, whatever, at this point. As someone mentioned, when the free security updates to Win10 are stopped, it would then probably be adviseable to switch to Win 11. By then, Microsoft will have had a year to get all the small bugs out of Win11. Such bugs inevitably occur with ALL software. It is certainly not unique to Windows. As I have mentioned, while I was an IT Pro at the University of Idaho for over 30 years,. I always insisted that the users whom I supported would never change to a new version of software until at least a year after it was published. At one time, I advised Microsoft's technical staff of the solution to a networking problem with early Win10. Their response was, "Sweet!! Thanks!! <Click>" :-) Ken W7EKB -- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. www.avast.com
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Mark Davis
Stephen W9SK
Juan Jim¨¦nez
Thomas KF7RSF
Kevin Custer
Bob AF9W