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Winlink - what you will need
3
#VaraFM
#Winlink
After I got done telling the net about visiting winlink.org I did just that and realized it might be a bit intimidating because it's like a big box store for emergency communications. The two topics and programs we are interested in are: Winlink Express - the email client program for Winlink users. VARA FM - the modem over radio program. On the top bar of the Winlink home page is a button named Download. Clicking it gives a choice between sysop programs, user programs and VARA products. Under user programs click on Winlink Express install to download the Winlink Express zip. Remember to extract it before trying to install it. After installation read the help section. It answers most questions. At this point, assuming you have an Internet connection, and you've installed the Winlink Express program, filling out the pop up form gets you registered with Winlink as a user. It's free, however they do ask for a $25 donation. Don't worry about it for now. Under VARA Products you will want VARA FM setup zip. Again, extract before installing as admin (right click mouse). It's free, however they do charge $70 for a full speed lifetime licence. Don't worry about it for now. These are the two programs that make it all happen. An email program and a modem program. VARA FM will require a sound card interface. I recommend Digirig ($50). Signalink USB also works well ($125). The next installment will discuss connecting the interface and getting it running. 73 Mike N0QBH
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W0AYE-10 gateway move 11/22/24
5
The W0AYE-10 gateway will be shut down from 6am to 4pm on 11/22/24. We will be moving the gateway from my QTH in Olivia to the HHS tower in Willmar during this time. If everything goes well, we will have a fully functioning internet gateway after the install.
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Winlink Nets and Check-In info
4
I'd like to pass along some info for checking into a few Winlink nets. I made a sticky note with all of the pertinent info in the format for each net which makes checking in a simple copy and paste format for each net. Hopefully this helps a few of you get started! My info is as follows but you should change the info to your call, name, location and mode. For these nets info format is critical for their records and documentation. Check-In Anytime- Florida Winlink Net TO: W4AKH SUBJECT LINE: FL WL NET, BEN, OLIVIA, MN, VARA FM (or mode) OPTIONAL IN SUBJECT LINE (80 characters MAX): EMERGENCY POWER TYPES: BAT, GEN,SOL ) BAT (charged by Grid) , GEN (Battery charged or direct from generator) , SOL (Solar charging batt) Check the W4AKH website for Pictures Check-In Anytime- Great Lakes Area Winlink Net TO: GLAWN SUBJECT LINE: GLAWN (DATE) BODY: BEN, W0AYE, OLIVIA, RENVILLE, MN, USA Check-In on Wednesdays- Winlink Wednesday TO: KN4LQN SUBJECT LINE: WINLINK WEDNESDAY CHECK-IN BODY: W0AYE, BEN, OLIVIA, RENVILLE, MN (VHF) Check-In Anytime- To: East-Coast Subject Line: East Coast Winlink Net Body: W0AYE, Ben, Olivia, Renville, MN (Questions or Attachments in Body) JS8CALL Check-In: Fridays 4PM-9PM To: N3MEL Dial Freq: 7.078 MHz Message: N3MEL MGS FL WL NET, Ben, Olivia, MN
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Free Day Mn State Parks
#pota
November 29th is a free day across the state for State Park use. It's a great opportunity for the most frugal of hams to grab there portable rigs and do a POTA activation!
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Internet at the HHS site!
#repeater
#VaraFM
#Winlink
Tony WD0HXV has informed us that Ace KB0MNU was able to get the Internet access arranged at the HHS site! This is great news because it means our Winlink gateway and the new analog/digital 444.8 repeater will be able to make use of the additional features being on line provides. It also means that non registered Winlink VARA users who can reach our TALL site will be able to access everything - no digi needed! Once on line, the new Yaesu repeater will be able to link to repeaters all over the continent - sort of like DXing with your FM radio. Stay tuned... 73 Mike N0QBH
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mmsstv-yoniq SSTV
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#SSTV
#vhf
A few of us had fun receiving the SSTV (slow scan tv) images from the International Space Station during their multi day event. As I mentioned before here, Ben turned me on to a newer version of MMSSTV that did a fantastic job of automatically receiving using the Digirig interface. This is the same USB soundcard we use for VARA and VARA FM. I simply selected the DigirigUSB as the soundcard in the setup's misc menu. I didn't try any transmitting until today because I assumed there would be some additional software needed to handle the PTT. On a lark, in the MMSSTV setup, I decided to simply assign the same COMM port I use with VARA to the PTT port menu and I checked exclusive lock. Viola! It works. Apparently, the 210x UART driver installed for VARA also works with the SSTV program. Nice. If there is any interest, perhaps we could start an informal SSTV net? Eons ago, we held them on the 147.03 machine til we ran out of pictures to send. The Internet was brand new then and pretty empty. :) Simplex works well for us that have out door antennas. Thoughts? 73 Mike N0QBH
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ARISS SSTV Event Scheduled for Next Week November 6, 2024 — Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) announces an SSTV event to be held next week. The event is scheduled to begin on Monday, November 11 at 11:50 UTC and to end Monday, November 18 at 13:40 UTC. SSTV transmissions will be paused during scheduled school contacts on November 15 and 16. Downlink transmissions will be at 145.800 MHz and the mode is expected to be PD 120. *** Scheduled SSTV outages (AS OF 2024-11-12) *** Nov 13 – Off 12:35. On 13:15 UTC, Off 7:35 am ET. On 8:15 am ET (Progress test) Nov 14 – Off 09:05. On 09:30 UTC, Off 4:05 am ET, On 4:30 am ET(Soyuz test) Nov 15 – Off 17:05. On 19:00 UTC, Off 12:05 pm ET, On 2 pm ET (ARISS School contact) Nov 16 – Off 17:55. On 19:30 UTC, Off 12: 55 pm ET, On 2:30 pm ET (ARISS School contact) *** There may be additional outages. We will post that information when it is available *** The transmissions will consist of 12 images featuring activities from the 2024 40th Anniversary Celebrating Amateur Radio in Human Spaceflight. If you are a past participant in our SSTV events, please note that we will be using our newly updated gallery at https://ariss-usa.org/ARISS_SSTV/ . ARISS has a new way to request a special certificate. When participants successfully receive at least one image and submit it at the new gallery, participants will be moved to a thank-you page. There, a person can read text about data protection, and press the button that says “I agree,” and receive an email in two weeks or sooner with a certificate. If a person submits additional images, the thank-you page tells them they have already asked for a certificate. Thanks to our user community for participating in ARISS. Receive frequency on 145.800 MHz Mode PD 120 ISS tracking for Android - ISS Detector | The mobile satellite tracker ISS tracking for Windows - ISS Finder - Free download and install on Windows | Microsoft Store SSTV decoding for Android - Robot36 - SSTV Image Decoder - Apps on Google Play SSTV decoding for Windows - MMSSTV_YONIQ - HamSoft
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How to watch local APRS
Here's the link to a real time APRS map locally. https://aprs.fi/#!lat=45.0000&lng=-95.0100 Increasing the track tail length time will let you see who's been out and about sending APRS beacons. Several local Ham have the new Yaesu FTM-200, 300, 400 and 500 model radios with built in GPS and APRS. I usually have mine on when I'm traveling. The info beacon these radios send also tells what voice frequency they are listening on. 73 Mike N0QBH
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Winlink / VARA workshop follow up.
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#VaraFM
#Winlink
One of the things Mike Wisnewske KC0TAF showed us was the "hiding places" Windows puts settings that can affect VARA FM. When I checked one of my under performing stations - sure enough I found AGC (auto gain control) on the mic in enabled! Since YouTube is often our friend in these situations, I found a short video that gets to the point and shows you where to look. One of the other things they mention is making the PC speakers and mic the default. I wasn't able to do that always. I might add that with my mini PC there is no native microphone and Digirig is the only default device option, so I left it. https://youtu.be/KFC8GwOMQyk 73 Mike N0QBH
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Winlink VARA FM workshop after action report
2
#VaraFM
#Winlink
A big thanks to Leon KF0OUA for putting this summary together! Hello all, This is just to summarize the meeting this afternoon with Mike Wisnewski, and the Workshop that was incorporated with it. First, Mike (KC0TAF) is very knowledgeable about Winlink VARA FM and VARA AC. His input was greatly appreciated. Second the Winlink workshop I feel was mostly successful, with the exception of not being able to digipeat without a paid version. It was informative for those new to Winlink, and a great refresher for those that have not setup Winlink for a minute. Third I believe Mr. Wisnewski was on the same page as us in favoring Vara AC NVIS over digipeating with VARA FM. He was in favor of 40m vs. 80m which we had previously discussed. I suppose the next step would be to dust off the equipment at the EOC and give it a try. I understand the NVIS antenna at the EOC is multiband, but I am not certain. Mr. Wisnewski did mention that he is always monitoring P2P when he is not otherwise engaged in exercises and whatnot. I forget which band, and freq. he said to try. Perhaps he can speak to this as he is included in this Winlink thread. Fourth I believe Mr. Wisnewski was interested in recruiting for the Central Minnesota Communications Unit. You can find more information at www.mnecb.org/comu, or possibly reach out to him directly. There was a lot of information shared, and I am doing this "top of the dome", so please add to this as you see fit. Thank you for reading this far in the message. 73, KF0OUA, Leon
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Willmar Winlink/VARA workshop 10/26
5
#VaraFM
#Winlink
Saturday October 26 at 1 pm located at the Kandiyohi County Rescue Squad building (Lakeland Ave east side just south of the tracks). Same place as the club meetings. We plan to demonstrate setting up a new Winlink station operating VARA FM. The is also a guest Ham from Todd County, Mike Wisnewski KC0TAF, who is interested in expanding Winlink here to western Minnesota. This should be a good chance to see how it's done and encourage others to join us. See you there, 73 Mike N0QBH
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W0SW UHF repeater is now analog and digital!
#repeater
#UHF
The club voted to replace the UHF repeater controller with a new Yaesu Fusion model at the last meeting. The controller was purchased at a remarkable discount, which makes the frugal ham in me beam! Dan KC0CAP handled the install along with Tony WD0HXV and your faithful scribe, N0QBH, observed. What this means to us users is the 448.400 repeater should work as it always did before in analog mode. Many of the newer Yaesu radios support the C4FM digital mode and will work splendidly with the new machine. Folks with analog only transceivers will want to set and enable their receive tone on this frequency to 146.2 Hz. This will prevent your radio from breaking squelch when a digital signal is received. It will only respond to other analog signals. Else, it will sound like loud noise on the frequency during a digital QSO. At this point, we do not have Internet access so the WiresX functions will be down the road. Then we will be able to link this repeater with others digitally like many of the repeaters to our north and east. 73 Mike N0QBH
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W0SW quarterly meeting 10/22/2024
Hello members, the next quarterly meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 22nd at 6:30 pm. The meeting location will be at the Kandiyohi Rescue Squad building 213 Lakeland Dr NE, Willmar, MN 56201
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Hurricane Helene recovery in SE USA and Winlink
Copied from ARRL Letter. Winlink, which provides email over amateur radio, has been used significantly in the recovery. ARRL Director of Emergency Management Josh Johnston, KE5MHV, says the recent FCC removal of symbol rate restrictions has allowed a streamlined response using modern technology. “Winlink is an example of how modern tools work well within the Amateur Radio Service. Not having to petition the FCC for a waiver of the old rules allowed Winlink to be used immediately during this emergency,” he said. ARRL had advocated for the change, which was implemented in 2023. Significant stories of the response from individual hams is emerging, particularly from those who have created pop-up nets to pass health and welfare traffic. Using mountaintop repeaters that have robust power backups, HF frequencies, and Winlink, ham radio operators are putting in their time, talents, and personal gear to good use. The local news media in affected areas has connected with several radio amateurs to highlight their work. CBS 17 in Raleigh reported on Van Lee, KM4TC, who helped families trying to get information on loved ones. In Charlotte, Queen City News told the story of Dan Gitro, K2DMG, who has been providing information to hams about current conditions as well as passing along messages to loved ones.
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TC Marathon- volunteers needed
We still need help with the marathon. A little on Net 3 in St. Paul and 5 people in the Finish line Family Medical Tent at the capital grounds. Contact, Erik Westgard to help. C. (612) 308-5321. We also need help with Net 1 (miles 1-19). Contact Stephen Cullen, KF0AED, kf0aed9@..., 612-669-2490. Aaron Larson, WB9CFN
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Mobile VHF antenna placement vs gain
#antennas
#vhf
I wish it were a larger image, but I thought the difference between roof and trunk (2 dB) was worth noting. Roof center is best. It goes downhill after that.
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Winlink / VARA FM Training Session
3
#VaraFM
#Winlink
In a few weeks we are planning on holding a short workshop on how to set up Winlink and VARA on your Windows 10/11 computer. We will gather at the Rescue Squad building where we have club meetings. Come and watch as we set up a new Winlink user from start to finish. - See the clowns working without a net! (just kidding) Right now, this is still in the planning stages, but I wanted to let folks know we are still very much into making this grow. Stay tuned... 73 Mike N0QBH
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Winlink laptop computers and mobile chargers
3
#Winlink
#VaraFM
While trying out a DC to DC mobile laptop charger today, I discovered the VARA receive signal was getting interfered with when the charger was plugged in. Watching the VARA vector scope, the received Willmar gateway signal looked like a shotgun pattern. Removed the charger and it was a BB, like normal. I assumed the PC battery would filter the charger noise, but apparently having the radio and charger on the same supply (car battery, engine running) provided a path for the noise. The charger appears to be well made, just noisy. If you are doing mobile VARA ops and are having trouble, it's something to check. 73 Mike N0QBH
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Net Control Needed
#netcontrol
Hello, I will not be in the area for the next two weekends, 9/1 & 9/8, and therefore cannot run the Sunday evening Nets. I'm asking for someone to take one or both of those dates for net control. I will announce it on the next Net. Thanks. 73 de WD0HXV Tony LaPatka
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Image Name
Sat 8:39am
Sat 8:39am