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Locked The Frugal Ham

 


Most Hams I've met like a good deal. In fact, it's probably one of the few things non Hams can understand about us.
To that end, I decided to try different ways of constructing a quality Winlink station for not a lot of money.
One of the requirements is a newer Windows computer. Win 10 versions older than Mar 2018 will not work.
Previously I described using new low end laptop notebooks by turning off the Windows 11 "S" feature, allowing programs to be installed.
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In this blog I'll describe using a new BMAX $100 mini Windows 11 PC, along with a $50 Digirig, $30 in cables and your radio.
The Digirig has been discussed before, but to summarize, it acts as a USB audio interface with radio PTT and CAT control.
We'll assume you have a HDMI or VGA computer monitor, USB keyboard and mouse already.
The BMAX comes with a 12v DC power supply (it could be off grid friendly) and a HDMI cable.
It has plenty of I/O with 4 USB connections, VGA and HDMI video outputs.
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After following the initial setup instructions giving the mini PC a name and password as well as where in the world it lives, I did a power down restart.
Then I copied the necessary Winlink zipped files to the mini PC downloads directory from a thumb drive and extracted all there.
They included Winlink Express, VARA FM, VARA HF (optional), VARA CHAT (optional) and always, the Silicon Labs universal driver for Digirig's UART.
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Winlink and VARA installation was trouble free. Since I am a Winlink user, I just copied my Winlink password and personal info to the new install.
I'm presently using it as my Winlink HF station computer where it is coupled with a Yaesu FTdx-1200 transceiver.
The CAT control is convenient and works smoothly. Sweet! I've never had CAT before, I'm spoiled.
It replaced a desktop PC and I cannot tell any performance difference, just a lot more room on my desk.
I'll give it a thumbs up. Oh, I almost forgot - there's no bloatware on this computer!
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73's
Mike N0QBH
 

Because I want to power my Winlink station 100% solar/battery, I needed to test the BMAX on a varying DC voltage supply like it would see connected to the station battery.
I have a higher end adjustable power supply that is well suited for this purpose with limiting (in case my test goes south!) and to the milli Amp metering.
I tested over a 18 hour period starting at 12.8v which is the low end for the LiFEPO battery and 14.4v which is the charging cut off.
8 hours were at 13.8v which is the normal output of a Astron 12v power supply.
The mini pc was running Winlink and VARA and I would open web pages on the Internet to add load from time to time.
I noticed no unusual behavior or heating. The current draw profile averaged around 300 mA idling with Winlink and I could get it to draw over 1A by starting more programs, as expected.
Most time it took between 300-700 mA operating Winlink/VARA-FM, sending and receiving email.

In conclusion, I'm confident enough to run mine from either a HAM 13.8v power supply or a active solar system up to 14.4v.
Long term operation could say otherwise and I will blow my horn if I find that out.

73
Mike N0QBH

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