The local Winlink gateway has been on line for several days as I type this and it has been working well.
I have been sending and receiving my Ham radio related emails in this manner and in the process, learning the ropes of operation.
Presently, the only connections are VARA FM mode on 145.070 MHz. Ben tells me 1200 baud packet access will be added on the same frequency.
Winlink packet is not quite the same as regular packet, but it uses the same hardware and can digipeat thru packet nodes to another Winlink station.
Which brings us to "How do I do get and use Winlink?"
You need a Windows 10 or newer computer to use Winlink and VARA.
The two programs are Winlink Express set up in the user programs area and you want VARA FM set up in the VARA products subdirectory.
Both programs download as zip files. I recommend extracting while still in the downloads directory.
The unpacked result is a installer program .
The Winlink program will want to install in the root directory. Use it's recommendation.
I learned the hard way that programs I installed in the program files directories are in protected memory.
Windows won't let anything write in there, meaning saving configs that normally live with the program don't happen.
To use Winlink you have to be registered (free). You register from within the Winlink Express program.
It involves giving your valid callsign as your user name and you chose a recovery password.
Then, assuming you have Internet, it will Telnet your application into headquarters and you are set.
You will need a software modem to let Winlink communicate via radio. Around here VARA FM is the best method.
VARA FM is downloaded and treated the same as Winlink - unzip and install it where it wants to go.
You will need to run the installer as administrator (right click mouse) and select that option.
Next, is determining how to connect the radio to the computer. There are several ways, I've tried many of them.
Digirig is far in a way my favorite. Small, inexpensive ($50) and a great selection of cables for oodles of different radios, all under $30 ea.
USB soundcards can be intimidating to set up. Digirig's audio is "plug n play" - no drivers.
The serial side is apt to need a driver download. Silicone Labs CP210x Universal Windows driver is what you will need.
The install page on the Digirig web site shows how to install the new driver, if needed. It's important as it controls the PTT of the radio.
It's a good resource and I recommend reading it first.
Once you have your Winlink VARA FM station all talking to and hearing the radio, you will need to make a note of what USB port on the computer you are using.
To keep life simple, always use that same port. If it isn't possible, you may need to reload the USB driver to the new port in order for the serial PTT to function.
Another thing I've noticed with Windows and USB just seems to take time, sometimes :) Step away and have a cup of coffee and sometimes you'll return to working drivers.
The last two steps before attempting a Winlink connection is to calibrate the audio levels in and out of the radio.
Pretty easy usually.
With the VARA FM program itself running, insure the squelch is open if you don't see any movement of the VU meter on the dashboard display.
If your radio uses a RX data connection in the back, you only need to adjust the USB Soundcard mic in levels to get the VARA VU meter needle to the 2 O'clock position.
If you had to open the squelch, you will also need to adjust the volume and USB Soundcard mic in to get the VU to the 2 O'clock level.
This is because that audio is coming from the speaker.
Setting the transmit audio level is done with another VARA FM station using the Auto tune function found in the VARA FM program soundcard button.
Your frequency must be the same as the other station, around here we are using 145.07 MHz for VARA FM.
When you start auto tune, your station will send a series of 10 tones at gradually louder levels. If the other station hears you, it answers back with a pass or fail and tells you what to adjust.
It also sets the slider level in the auto tune display. Note, this adjustment is in series with the USB Soundcard Speakers (Digirig out to the mic) Windows slider.
We normally use W0AYE-10 as the other station since it's who we'll usually be connecting to and it's a known good signal.
That's all for this segment, next one will focus on operation.
One of the best places for Winlink info is it's HELP menu.? I will try to be available to talk someone thru installation and am usually listening on the 444.8 machine.
Else try n0qbh@...
73
Mike N0QBH
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N0QBH Mike Berg