Category Archives: Winlink

So how did Field Day 2024 go for me personally?

Posted on June 25, 2024 by robert

I had a few tasks to carry out for my club, Newport County Radio Club, during Field Day 2024, which was hazy, hot, and humid (sounds familiar). I was charged with making a satellite contact, something I had not done … Continue reading →

Posted in AO-7, AO-73, CW, Satellite, SatPC32, Winlink | Leave a comment

VARA FM and SATPC32 Setting Conflict

Posted on June 15, 2024 by robert

I had been having some issues with SATPC32 and my iCOM IC-9700.  Whenever I was running SATPC32 and RS-44 was active, for some reason if I used the rig’s VFO knob to tune around the passband, it would sometimes caused … Continue reading →

Posted in IC-9700, VARA_FM, Winlink | Leave a comment

Don’t Forget To TEST Your Settings!

Posted on February 26, 2024 by robert

I run a WinLink VHF Gateway using VARA FM (WB4SON-10 on 145.050).  It is incredibly stable, except when Windows forces an update (even though I have Auto Updates disabled, apparently some updates are so critical they overrides that setting).  Sometimes … Continue reading →

Posted in ECOMM, VARA_FM, VARA_HF, Winlink | Leave a comment

WB4SON-10 Changeover Complete

Posted on June 14, 2021 by Bob Beatty

I finally had enough downtime to move my WB4SON-10 Winlink Gateway over to its full-time hardware: Alinco DR-135T Mk-III Samlex SEC-1223BBM Power Supply with battery changeover 100 AH Solar Charged battery ACEPC AK2 miniPC Master’s Communication DRA-50 interface with Alinco … Continue reading →

Posted in VARA_FM, Winlink | 2 Comments

Preparing a miniPC for 24/7 operation

Posted on June 6, 2021 by Bob Beatty

There are two good reasons to use a dedicated miniPC for your RMS Packet station.  The first is that the sysop user agreement you sign states that you will do you best to make sure the software runs on dedicated … Continue reading →

Posted in Gear, RMS, Winlink | Leave a comment

Trouble Setting up RMS Express with CF-31 Toughbook

Posted on May 31, 2021 by Bob Beatty

After having a gloriously easy time setting up my Kenwood TM-D710G and DRA-50 the other day with both the RMS Express Client, and eventually the RMS Packet software to get my VARA FM gateway up and running, I ran into … Continue reading →

Posted in CF31, Toughbook, VARA_FM, Winlink | Leave a comment

RMS Packet Gateway WB4SON-10 Up

Posted on May 29, 2021 by Bob Beatty

I’ve been a Winlink Express user for many years.  Up until just a few days ago, always on HF.  The interest in HF meshed with my believe that disasters are mostly either local or regional.  Sure a hurricane or winter … Continue reading →

Posted in RMS, TM-D710GA, VARA_FM, Winlink | 3 Comments

Winlink with Vara FM, TM-D710G & DRA-50

Posted on May 28, 2021 by Bob Beatty

After getting my VHF antenna back up in the air, I was able to hook my Kenwood TM-D-710G up via a DRA-50 Digital Radio Adapter to my PC.  I downloaded a copy of VARA-FM, and used Winlink to receive my … Continue reading →

Posted in VARA_FM, Winlink | Tagged | 4 Comments

Winlink Pandemic Pause

Posted on May 22, 2021 by Bob Beatty

I discovered today that I had not used Winlink Express since late 2019, and therefore I could no longer log in.  Restoring things was simple, I just made a Telnet connection and the system restored me. With that accomplished it … Continue reading →

Posted in Digital Mode, RMS, Winlink | Tagged , , | Leave a comment