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I'd like to announce that the W0AYE-10 VaraFM gateway and W0AYE-4 digipeater is online and passing traffic. The gateway is currently at my QTH in Olivia for testing but will be moved to the Willmar area after I'm comfortable with it's performance.
The current frequency for both the gateway and digipeater is 145.690 no tone, no offset.
Antenna is a 4el yagi at 35' pointed NNE, but will get switched to an Omni directional vertical when the gateway gets moved. The gateway radio is a Yaesu ftm-6000 running 25 watts.
Anyone is welcome to connect and use both the gateway and digipeater.

I've distilled the two main terms were learned about at the meeting - Winlink and VARA.
While the term Winlink encompasses a whole suit of email handlers, we are mostly interested in the user program, Winlink Express.

Winlink Express can be compared to your computer's email program like Thunderbird or Outlook.?
You start it like any program and with it you can write, edit, attach files, send and receive emails.

VARA is a modem Winlink can use to transfer mail on our wireless Internet using a soundcard and transceiver.
It's made to "talk" to another VARA modem.
It's popular because it's so fast.
Winlink can also use other "modems" like packet radio and the Internet itself to move the mail.

Hello members, the next quarterly meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 23rd 6:30 pm located at the Kandiyohi Rescue Squad building 213 Lakeland Dr NE, Willmar, MN 56201
There will be a short presentation and discussion on Winlink and Vara after the club business is handled.?

Local pick up in Grove City.
Contact kc0cgm04@...
See pics below ?

As I alluded to Ben when he handed me this radio, I've built a fox transmit controller out of an old Byonics TinyTrak-3 (TT3).
It is hard coded to tx for 30 sec and quiet for 90. The tones are synthesized by a PIC micro and the repurposed hardware has everything needed to interface to the fox transmitter.
Current is less than 10 milliamps, so a 9v battery goes long term.
I was abit rusty writing code again after a couple years away. Use it or lose it I guess. I originally wrote the program it was based on back in 2004, according to the file.

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Happy Hunting & 73
Mike N0QBH

A Windows computer or Raspberry pi running RMS RELAY and an external soundcard (signalink, digirig or RDA board) interfaced with the radio is the extent of equipment involved.?

What does a RMS gateway look like and would it replace the TNC on the 2m side?

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RMS RELAY which is a requirement of the Winlink gateway also doubles as a digipeater to "hop"? VaraFM messages similar to the way 2m packet does.

I have read that VaraFM has been done through 2m repeaters, but requires that there is no tone set on the repeater.

Hi Ben, will VARA FM work thru the 440 repeater?? My gut says it should, but...
That would be a great ad hoc way to have cake and eat it.

The map I posted shows a lot of VARA activity. Are you going to be able to do some show & tell at the meeting?
73
Mike N0QBH

I've found that a lot of the newer radios with similar features that have that issue. I have two radios that do the same thing on RX when monitoring for WX alerts on the NOAA frequencies.

Mike, I had briefly talked to you about my Vara FM gateway project and just to let you know that my Windows 10 ISO install on the Rpi4 did not turn out well. The Rpi4 will boot but crashes soon after. I suspect it's a lack of memory (ROM) issue but will have to investigate. I have a Windows 11 mini-PC ordered for the time being but will update you as I get everything configured.

NTS 2.0 Update: A Radiogram Portal

Jonathan Taylor, K1RFD

The Working Group on Updated Access and Delivery Methods has been putting the finishing touches on a project called The Radiogram Portal.

Creation of Radiogram

It's a new website that introduces Radiograms to the general public and provides an easy way for the public to submit messages that can be originated as formal traffic.

The Portal has two goals in mind: First, to explain what amateur radio messaging is all about, to an audience that might not be familiar with Radiograms - or for that matter, amateur radio in general. And second, to provide a quick and easy way to boost the volume of true third-party traffic into NTS.

Traffic List and Formatted Radiogram

Here's how it works: Someone, typically a non-ham, discovers the Radiogram Portal home page on the web, and fills out a simple form to compose a message to send to a friend or relative. The message is stored in a special database that also tracks the NTS region in which the submitter lives. Any volunteer traffic handler who has registered in advance to pick up traffic from the Portal, can visit the site from time to time to look for newly submitted messages.

Radiogram Assigned for Origination

Finding one, he or she clicks "Pick Up," the site converts the message to standard Radiogram format, and the volunteer traffic handler then originates the message into NTS in the usual way using any available mode -- phone, digital, or CW. From there, the message makes its way to its destination and final delivery.

NTS Resources

The National Traffic System^? (NTS) is a network of amateur radio operators who move information during disasters and other emergencies. General messages offering well wishes also move through the NTS to help test the system and to help amateur radio operators build traffic handling skills. While the NTS is primarily set up to serve the United States and Canada, it is possible to move traffic internationally through the NTS through various local, regional, area, and international network connections.

Sign up to Receive The NTS Letter

The NTS Letter is published monthly and is free of charge to ARRL members. Subscribe:

Editor: Marcia Forde, KW1U, Section Traffic Manager -- Eastern Massachusetts, Western Massachusetts, and Rhode Island

ARRL Director of Emergency Management: Josh Johnston, KE5MHV

ARRL Emergency Management Planner: Jeremy Dunkley, KC1SIV

Support NTS: Join ARRL

NTS is a program of ^?. No other organization works harder than ARRL to promote and protect amateur radio! ARRL members enjoy many benefits and services including digital magazines, e-newsletters, online learning (), and technical support. Membership also supports programs for radio clubs, on-air contests, Logbook of The World^?, ARRL Field Day, and the all-volunteer ARRL Field Organization.

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I got this map of some digital resources here in MN.

Because the Yaesu FTM-200 is a single receiver transceiver, when operating in it's pseudo dual receive mode, it cuts away from the main frequency to check for activity on the second frequency.
It's the only way you can operate APRS and monitor a repeater. However, it's also annoying.
The easy work around is to disable dual receive with a function key on the mic when someone calls you on the main voice frequency.
This stops the annoying interruptions and APRS reporting. When the conversation is over pressing the key returns to the dual receive mode and APRS function resumes.

Using the FTM-200's menu item #27 you want to select the "DW" option for key 2, 3 or 4. Save it.
That's it!? ?Now when you press the function key you selected, it will toggle dual receive mode.

73
Mike

Thanks again, Ben.
Despite my best efforts to thin the radio herd here, it was quid pro pro.??
Somehow, an FT-60 followed me home...
73
Mike N0QBH