Category Archives: Winlink

Don’t Forget To TEST Your Settings!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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