Winlink Digital Mode
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- Опубликовано: 16 мар 2016
- Winlink lets you easily send/receive email from anywhere on the face of the Earth with your HF radio! In the first 7 minutes, I give you the background information on Winlink... what it is, why it's important, and how it works. Then, I fire up the computer and a QRP radio (naturally!) to do a demo of sending and receiving email.
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The video inspired me to try digital modes. Keep up the excellent work, Cliff. 73!
I had been struggling with "how to", even after asking locals, but this video gave me the encouragement and the basics of everything I needed to get going. Now I'm posting it to all my ham friends. Great video, well put together and very informative.
Excellent tutorial. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your wisdom!
Thanks, Cliff! I was in the middle of trying to teach this to someone on the left coast and voila, again, you've done it much better than I ever could have. Great video as usual, brother. You are the best! Andy, K1JOT
Great job Cliff of explaining the basics. I learned a thing or two watching. Thanks! 73, W4JF
Thank you, Cliff. This is a GREAT video. You explain things very well. I'm a newby to all this, and your explanation has given me a track to run on. 73.
I realize this is an old video...but it was incredible in getting me past 'winlink is installed' to actually correctly using it, Thanks!
Glad to help! - Cliff
Hello Cliff, Thanks for taking the time to do this...very helpful and much appreciated! de KX4BI
I love your videos. You explain things so well without going over my head.
Reid, thanks for the kind words. - Cliff
An old post, but you still have content that I have not seen elsewhere. Thanks for the work needed to put this together!
You could have told about all the form that are in Winlink. Out ARES uses Winlink for Hurricanes. With radios at the shelters, we can send FEMA forms, Red Cross forms, local forms that our local EOC ask to have the forms be added. ( this must be done sometime before the storm!) They need time to get the form set up and sent out to everyone! Thank you for helping get the information out. 73 W4DES
Never been a huge fan of QRP operation, but even so I must say your instructional videos are among the best I have found on RUclips. Great job, Cliff.
+andrewbrafferty Thank you for the kind words, Andrew. - Cliff
You have me even more jacked up about this system and getting licensed to do this
One of the more helpful Ham radio tutorials out there. Wish this guy taught classes in La La Land.
thanks cliff.... today i sent my wife at her work an email and she replied... didn't work at 1st until i turned up the signalink tx up 1/2 way.... works great thanks
Hey, thanks for that! Great video. Your demo made the info stick for me. 73’s, W4TWA
This is an awesome video and thank you for taking the time to create, explain and show this setup. I have been "theory-crafting" what I wanted for a setup to do just this and I have come up with a 20 meter radio MFJ-9420X, tuner MFJ-971 and antenna MFJ-2220 for this setup. I really liked the idea of the SignaLink USB since I can jumper it for use with the MJF radio and also my ICOM for 2 meters and then my Yaesu for 70 cm. The Winlink software seems to be the perfect solution for this and with a very small setup I can have "potential" beautiful emergency communications. Thanks for taking the time to do what you do!
Thanks for the encouragement, Tim! - Cliff
Thanks for the video. Very easy to follow and to the point!
Cliff, as a new ham I find your videos a perfect bridge between what I learned to pass the tests and what I need to know to actually make it work. Thanks! Steve KC1FAQ
+Trudy Hurd I appreciate that, Steve! - Cliff
Very helpful, I downloaded and signed up for a winlink email address but had not tried it, now I will. Great video. 73, Tom
Thanks, Tom. - Cliff
Hi Cliff, great "how to" video for winlink. I really admire people that have the patience to do how to videos and do them well, like you do. I pretty much setup winlink using your video after I struggled with it for a while. Thanks for the help, 72, Frank K0JQZ
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Thanks. Just getting back into Amateur Radio after several years. Just got the shack set back up. What with bad propagation, looking into digital. I did do packet radio back in the day (post civil war), so very interested in the digital modes. This video is very helpful to for my newly awakened interests. Regards, Tom N7TAZ.
Cliff... great job on the overview. So glad you're taking questions. I'm gonna refer the ones I get... right on over to you. ;oD All the best. Rick, K4REF
"So glad you're taking questions. I'm gonna refer the ones I get... right on over to you."
Rick, that would be unwise! :-)
That said, Steve Waterman (Winlink Administrator) and Phil Sherrod (RMS Express Developer) are both in my local ARES group and I can hound them for answers, if needed.
Thanks for your contributions to Winlink training. - Cliff
ruclips.net/video/tI7G0WFLhIo/видео.html
Great Video Cliff. Some of us in our club in Exeter are in Raynet . We have a days fldigi and other digi modes training day in Bath next month. Looking forward to that. I use the signalink, excellent bit of kit.
+Allan Thompson Having a digital modes training day sounds like a great idea for MY local club, Allan. I think I'll suggest it. Some hams have no interest in digital - and that's fine. To each his own. But it does open up a new world of possibilities. What a great hobby we have! Take care - Cliff
Cliff, another informative video! It has inspired me to further explore digital modes. Ned WD8ISH
+Ned Kilmer Great! Thanks, Ned. - Cliff
AS a new Ham extremely informative I will use as a reference going forward into QRP and CW etc.
Great video! Thanks for making it!
excellent presentation and explanation.
very cool. im just getting into ham but before i quit to take care of my mom i had a career in IT so the digital side of things is particularly interesting to me.
Cliff, thanks for the very informative video. I'm testing for general 12/16/2017. I am most interested in these digital modes and in anticipation of a successful testing session I have bought an Icom 718 and a Signalink USB. 73s N4UQY
Thank you, very educational! Now a subscriber.
This was an excellent presentation. Thank you for the clear explanations and instructions. 73 de KLØT
Thanks for the video! It sure helps to see these things in action.
+Robert Cox Thanks, Robert. I'm glad you found this video helpful. - Cliff
+QRP School Hi Cliff, your video inspired me to install RMS Express on my Mac Computer (using Parallels as an Windows emulator) this weekend and send my first email via Winlink! I was totally geeked out. Thanks again for the video!
+Robert Cox Way to go, Robert!!! - cliff
Very clear explanation. Thanks!
Just spent 3 months learning FLDIGI and ECHOLINK and found a common link with WINLINK. (no pun intended!) It's another tool the ARES/RACES members of the club want everyone to learn. The last 6 months has been a challenge, finally got my General ticket. Got the rig I always wanted, TS-850s w/AT. I had shied away from digital, would it die on the shelf like Packet did 20 years ago!! We'll see. Thanks I may try it now. Using W1AW nets help me in receiving using Signalink.
First Message will be "Hey AARP, leave dis ole fart alone!!!!" Thanks Bill T n3lhq in TAX FREE DE!
Hello, I have been watching quite a few of your videos, many thanks for your time and effort. I played with most everything except for winlink !! Now I know, will try it. Thank You. es 73 de kp3a
Great, Asdrubal. Have fun! - Cliff
Great tutorial, sir
OK that's cool! I just set mine up entirely by watching this video and sent /received with only 1 watt!
Way to go, Jon! - Cliff
Great video!
Great video. Thank you.
Great tutorial. Thank good we have satellite text messages and sate phones . This takes a long time
Cliff. I really enjoy these videos. Sometime would mind doing a QRP SSB video. Thanks and keep on doing what you're doing. I'm going to Hamfest this weekend and hopefully will be picking up a QRP portable rig.
+Michael Sheeran Great, Michael! Happy hunting at the hamfest. Do you have a particular QRP rig that you covet? - Cliff
+QRP School I'm looking at hopefully an FT-817. I'd really love to get a KX3 but it's a bit out of my price range.
+Michael Sheeran Very good. The FT-817 is a classic! Fortunately, there are many of them available on the used market. You might check out this link to see the stand, battery, and charger I'm using in my FT-817. Much better than the factory battery... www.hamsource.com/WLB-817.html
+QRP School Thanks for the link. Looking at it now.
Unfortunately, that link is a 404 now... :(
Outstanding video. Thanks for taking the time sir. KF4ULD
Thanks Cliff!
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much! I think I now have the missing pieces that I forgot in order to send a message.
Excellent video. One issue is that Winmor is no longer integrated in RMS Express. For those with modem only, Ardop is useable with only that.
Hi Cliff, Great video[s]! You mention that a Pactor modem would be faster. If you had one, would it take the place of the Signalink Box? As in, is it the Signalink box that's slowing the system?
I used to be active on packet radio on HF, by forwarding stations in Japan, the way it works is almost the same as you explained, but the modem used is kantronic ... as time goes by, we are no longer active packet radio, because the signal from Japan stations are no longer heard in the 15m band.
I am interested in learning about WinLink, hopefully I can build and install it soon.
73 de Rudy YB7USE
Great Information once again, KM6IKH, 73
Cliff - Awesome video. Thank you! Bret C AC0AE
Thanks Cliff Great video Pete VK3TQ
Wish there was a version for apple/Linux machines. Would be great with something like a raspberry pi... thanks for the vids, they’re helpful
bodhi47 you can compile up and make use of winlink with a raspberry pi. I have one running now with Pat on a raspberry pi so I can do it with my iPad or iPhone to connect to the raspberry pi.
Kigomax will resize pictures to send with Winlink. Maps, edited with Paint work very well for sending information for emergency communications. Keep the resolution low! Microsoft offline maps works well. I can run 100 Watts HF, 50 VHF, 20 UHF from my vehicles, and if need be, I have an inverter and wire, to make dipoles. This is useless in some areas, but where there is a will, there is a way. Make a 50-60, 100, 120, 200, 240, 300, 360 Hz filter and you can use utility poles.
Thank you. You made it look very easy. Just curious, if I am in an internet environment, can WinLink (RMS) Express connect straight to a CMS to download my messages or must I be on a radio connection?
Have been using an SDRPlay rsp1a to try and step into digital modes like this. I wanted to better understand how to RX and decode psk31, ft8 etc. before going into TX. Unfortunately I have been struggling with how to do so consistently. It seems that I mainly get random letters and symbols as opposed to usable decoded info.
Any advice? After this video I am definitely ordering a signalink and getting my ham dedicated laptop setup. This will be a great addition to our family emergency plan.
I am really new to HAM. Tech license in June, General in July, and Extra in August. Very active on 2m and 70cm, local nets etc. Also spend a lot of time tuning in frequencies on the SDR. Ive set up a dedicated HF antenna as well as vhf/uhf antenna just for the sdr. I want to have the ability to decode multiple modes if needed.
Awesome!
Thanks for all the time you put in to this videos it helps a lot ... just one question would it be a problem if i use the vox to key the radio??
Conrad Scheepers Yes. You can use VOX to trigger Push To Talk when your computer sends audio to the radio for transmitting. Thanks for the kind words! Cliff
Few questions about the video:
1. The Icom 7200 has a built in soundcard so it can handle Winlink easily. Would that be a good option for a starter radio?
2. Is it better to use a signalink or can you just use onboard soundcard like what I use for PSK?
3 With the program shown, can you do a video showing packet also?
Cheers.
2E0WHN
GREAT REVIEW... LOVE IT! IN THE PAST I USE PSKMAIL...BUT CONFIG IS HARD TO UNDERSTAND... TO DO PTT WITH YAESU QRP FT 817ND, ON RADIO CONFIG YOU MUST CHOOSE ON PTT PORT OPTIONAL : Y8X7... PART 2 IS NEEDED... ITS A QUESTION OF LIFE OR DEATH HI HI . THANKS MEN, LOVE YOUR CHANNEL, 73, CT7AEL
+Luís Garcia Filipe Thank you, Luis! - Cliff
Is there an updated version of this video with newer methods like DigiRig and Mobilinkd T4?
Hi Cliff, just curious if data sent this way can be intercepted by other listeners...
Cliff, you should try pskmail, is similar to winlink, it has less server, but you can surf the web (in text mode) and other service, as well as email.
+Pappo Official Channel Thank you. I have nothing against PSKMail and I would not discourage anyone from using it.
I'm coming at this from a different angle, though... emergency communications. The Winlink system is robust and there are RMS nodes all over the world, including India, China, etc. It is maintained by a team of professionals. It is a system you can bet your life on. Winlink is in a different league and it's THE go-to system that is used by organizations that must have reliable communications when all else fails. It's something that every ham radio person should be able to use, in my opinion. - Cliff
+QRP School I will try Winlink as soon as possible
Cliff, You mentioned that a Pactor modem costing $1,500.- give or take.. Has anyone explored the possible use of a TNC like the Kantronic or the PK232MBX or the PK900 and configuring it to the software and radio? Just a thought from an old Ham & MARS operator.
Thanks Cliff
very useful 👌
73 Rob G3RCE
Thanks for the great walk though
-K4DOX
I think your videos are awesome! I'm only a tech, but I'm just waiting for test time to come around to become (hopefully) a general license! I will be subscribed to all your new videos!
On a side note, I have seen your signal link box in your videos, are there any other alternatives that I could use? I have a Yaesu FT-757 GXii, and it has vox on it, I just thought there would be simpler and possibly cheaper boxes like that.
Also, are there any digital modes I could operate as a tech?
Thanks,
73s de KG5OAD
Just in case anyone wants to know the answer, a Tech license would allow operations on 40m between 7.225 and 7.300 MHz, 80m between 3.850 and 4.000 MHz. 10m and 15m also are available 23.800 and 28.500 MHz, and 21.300 and 21.450 MHz respectively. Whether any of those support digital modes is beyond my current knowledge.
Hi Cliff, The stations in the channel selection all appear to be busy. Is this normal? Did I do something wrong? 72 Ariel NY4G
Awesome videos........very informative..... keep them coming.... w3tbc
How can I change the channel selection from KHZ to MHZ for vhf?
what's the benefit of the KX3, versus something like the FT817 or FT857? i'm in the market for a (my first) radio, but i kind want the "swiss army knife" of radios so i can figure out what i want. so far i'm looking at Icom 706 mkIIg's and Yaesu FT857D/FT817ND's (i do plan on some sort of mobile at some point) I realize the FT817 is QRP, as is the KX3 standard, but the KX3 looks to be a slightly more than 1000$ radio? how much is the amplifier?
the thing is, i want 2m SSB as well as FM, 6m SSB (and FM too). right now all i have is a baofeng BF-F9 V2+ with aftermarket whip antenna (will be making my own J-pole for 2m). i havent taken my test for my technician yet (hope to do that next week), but i do have a GMRS license/callsign.
is there a cheaper way to get SSB for 2m/6m (possibility for 220/440)? eventually i will want 10m-160m too, but thats later on down the road.
is SSB on 220/440 a thing?
also, is there sort of a "general rule" or generally accepted "best peformance" antenna design for specific bands/modulation types? i know about polarization, but why would someone pic say a J-pole vs something else?
Congrats on your upcoming Technician exam! These are huge questions that would literally take me hours to answer. A local ham should help you to work through these things and I recommend joining a local amateur radio club. If you want the short version of my thoughts, here goes...
The KX3 is newer generation radio that is head-and-shoulders better than an FT-817. It's got a better receiver, it's got Digital Signal Processing, and on and on. But the FT-817 has 2m and 70cm and the KX3 doesn't. If you can use a different radio for your 2m SSB work, get the KX3. The FT-857 is an FT-817 with 100 watts and Digital Signal Processing. If you need 100 watts and don't plan to hike with it, the FT-857 can be a good choice. The 706 mkIIg was/is a good radio but they are getting a little old so consider that it might not be able to be repaired if something goes wrong.
I would be surprised if 2m SSB was active enough for you to have many people to talk with. I would be even more surprised if 220/440 SSB was a thing... but maybe it is. I've just never really cared about VHF/UHF except for staying in touch with my local friends on a repeater system.
As for antennas, a J-Pole would be a decent omnidirectional antenna for local use. If you are trying to talk to people far away (more than about 25 miles) on VHF/UHF, you're going to want to use a directional (beam) antenna. Fortunately, for frequencies that high, beam antennas are fairly small in size.
My focus is on running HF at low power. You will find people in a local radio club who are into some of the things you're into and can help you much better than I can.
Final Thought: Your first radio is not going to be your last radio. You're going to learn more about the hobby and discover what you like and don't like in a radio. You may end up with multiple radios for different uses so I'd advise you to buy a used radio and get your feet wet. After you've figured out what you'd rather have, sell that used radio for what you paid for it and get a radio that is a better fit for you. - Cliff
This is an extremely informative video. Can you please comment now that almost five years have passed, if you were starting fresh would you still use the KX3 or instead choose something else e.g. the Icom IC-705 or another radio? Thank you
Midnighttutor I recently set up my KX3/PX3 combo on my desk and it sure is a pleasure to use this radio w/ panadapter. Although it’s sitting in a case, I also have the KXPA 100 watt amplifier. This combo is as good as anything available- although the combo has a lot of interconnection cables and is a little unsightly in use, compared to a single 100 watt rig with a panadapter like an Icom 7300.
You left this comment on the Winlink video... If I was using this in the field in service of the Red Cross or in a true emergency, I’d like the ability to use 25 or 30 watts, so a QRP-only radio like a stock KX3 without the power amplifier wouldn’t be my first choice. The 20 watt Xiegu G90 might be a reasonable choice for a low-cost Winlink radio. -Cliff
@@QRPSchool Thanks for your help. Do you think that 25 or 30 watts would be realistic with a portable solar array and battery generating 50 Watts -- considering need a laptop too?
I watched your solar power video extremely informative. I would like to do a similar calculation for Winlink. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
@@midnighttutor This will be tricky! So, we're talking about calculating the number of amps consumed during a Winlink session? Your radio consumes battery power when it's not transmitting, usually listed in the specs as "stand by" or "receive" current drain (in amp-hours). When it's transmitting, the amps are variable, depending on the output power you choose. At 30 watts, expect to consume roughly 8 amps per hour. At 5 watts, it may only consume about 2 amps per hour. Now, what is the duty cycle? You're probably not using Winlink continuously. How many messages per hour would you expect to send/receive and how long will your radio spend transmitting vs. receiving? What protocol will you be using? Using the (relatively new) VARA protocol will take less time to transmit than the traditional Winmor protocol. And what about your laptop? Your fully charged laptop may run for 2 to 10 hours on a single charge. Is that sufficient for an outing? If not, are you expecting to charge your laptop in the field? Or do you plan to use an inverter and run the entire rig from a single battery that you're hoping to charge in the field?
All of my gear is set up to receive power via Anderson Powerpoles. Placing this meter inline with your battery will let you monitor the current consumption. I think your best bet is to make your calculations BUT THEN actually run a test to measure your real-world results. Good luck! - Cliff
powerwerx.com/watt-meter-analyzer-inline-dc-powerpole
Question, to know which stations are closer to you which option I should trust? the online interactive map in the Winlink Website or the channel selection feature you showed? Im asking because I been trying to test Winlink on VHF without luck. The curious part is that using the channel selection feature you used I have about 3 VHF stations close to me, but when I check the interactive map shows nothing, only one station about 100 miles far. Im in Colorado. I noticed the issue after try many times to connect and my radio send the package but I never get back from the node. So, which option should I trust? because definetly they dont have the same info, at least in CO. Im looking forward to test HF too as soon as my x5105 arrives from MFJ.
Angel Perez I trust only the channel selection table. And I only use HF for Winlink. I used to have a 9600 baud 70cm node nearby but I can no longer hit it... but, with HF, I can always get to a working node.
@@QRPSchool Thanks for your quick reply. I think Ill do the same forget about VHF and try HF soon, 73's
Do I need to buy a Signalink modem, I've been trying to get winlink set up just using a usb sound card. Nothing seems to work with my G90 radio.
With creative cabling, you should be able to get it to work. For an easier time, Xiegu makes their CE-19 interface board for the G90 which exposes all of the pins used for digital modes. Check it out here: www.radioddity.com/collections/hf-transceiver/products/xiegu-ce-19
Wow. Great. That Signalink box connected to the KX3--is it necessary or is there a way to get the KX3 to stand on its own? I know the KX3 can handle packet and other digital modes. Just trying to get to the lowest common denominator. But this was VERY good although lots of parts. 73 de W0QR
+Dennis Mathias Hey, Dennis. You don't have to use a Signalink with the KX3... it just makes things easier as it comes with the proper cables to connect the KX3 to your computer and gives you finer/easier control of receive/transmit audio levels. You can make your own cables that a) run from your computer's audio out to the KX3's mic jack and b) the KX3's headphone jack to your computer's mic jack/audio in jack - if you've got one. (If your computer doesn't have a mic jack or audio in, the Signalink delivers this capability via a USB port.
The KX3 has the built-in ability to decode PSK31 and RTTY signals and show the text on the radio's display. If you send CW with a key or paddle, the radio can convert your morse code to PSK31 and RTTY for transmission. I'm not fast enough sending CW to be able to carry on a reasonable conversation at normal PSK31 or RTTY speeds (most people aren't).
Sir, thank you very much for your video and I enjoyed watching it. I think Winlink is indeed a great system which sounds pretty redundant and useful. But, please don't take my question/critic negative, I am just wondering about the following.
Is the system in an early stage of development or "final", or will there be essential changes in the future? The reason is, again, it sounds pretty redundant and it is a great invention, but I see a concern with the speed factor. In your video it takes around 60 seconds to establish the handshake for an actual very small xxkbytes email message. That is a long time when there is a case of emergency. A direct Internet message exchange will take a fraction of a second. Looking at the data path, I think the part causing the lagging is the RF connection. Will there be some kind of improvement? It reminds me of Packet Radio, which was pure RF based w/o Internet access (however, it was possible). No problem, it was not an emergency solution, but I believe this method can serve as such. (right?).
Please don't get me wrong, I am not criticizing it, but only wondering. I hope you'll educate me more about it. 73's!
Hello, Gerald. I'm not privy to future plans for Winlink. As for speed, the expensive Pactor 4 modems are super-fast. Or, if you've got a local RMS node that you can hit via 9600 baud packet, that's a great way to go. While other connections to Winlink may be relatively slow, for transmitting information like Health & Welfare, etc., the Winlink system is available when normal, regional communications infrastructure is lost.
Taken from the Winink FAQ...
Following are approximate times needed to transfer a 4K message (after compression) for several modes of operation, under ideal conditions:
Packet (1200 baud) direct 2 minutes
Packet (1200 baud) 1 Node 2.5 minutes
Packet (9600 baud) direct 1 minute
Pactor 1 15 minutes
Pactor 2 4 minutes
Pactor 3 30 seconds
Pactor 4 15 seconds
WINMOR 500 10 minutes
WINMOR 1600 3 minutes
Telnet (Internet Access) seconds
Cliff, How do you send an email to someone else with an HF radio with NO internet involved at all? Can you do it with your computer, your Signalink, and your radio, including antenna of course? Do you just send the email using RMS express to an RMS which delivers it to another RMS around the world, maybe using a relay system? Then does the other guy, check his email via RMS express, and pull down his message from the RMS he's connected to? No internet. Two sailboats out at sea, or two guys each living in a remote Alaska cabin, say a hundred or two miles apart, for instance, could communicate this way, I suppose. Is my understanding correct?
You've got it figured out. Neither party has to have internet access. You connect to an RMS and send your email to the guy's Winlink email address. Later, he connects to an RMS and picks up his waiting email. - Cliff
I wonder if winlink will work on android and linux platforms
Hi Cliff. Do you have to use a signallink or can you use any tnc?
If you are using VHF/UHF (packet radio) to connect to an RMS, you'll use a TNC. If you're using HF radio, you'll probably be using a sound card like a Signalink in order to use the WINMOR protocol. You don't have to use a Signalink to do WINMOR... it just makes it easier due to the ease of getting the audio in/out of both your computer and radio. - Cliff
Is a signal link needed on a ICOM7300?
My understanding is that the IC-7300 includes a USB port for a soundcard interface. So, you should be able to get/send audio data from/to the radio without the need for an external interface like a Signalink. - Cliff
Which Zoom recorder do you use and how long can you record for from the FT-817ND??? How is it connected to the FT-817ND?
Hello, Jon. I have the Zoom H6. It's overkill for normal ham use but I use it for other things. www.zoom-na.com/products/field-video-recording/field-recording/h6-handy-recorder
It can record at different sample rates and bit depths and of course, memory cards can vary in capacity. The specs say you can record up to 20 hours (continuously) before alkaline batteries are exhausted.
The H6 can accept balanced XLR or unbalanced 1/4" cables. I use a Rode VXLR adapter to connect 3.5mm audio cables - like that of my lavalier microphone. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Y021NA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Plug in your audio sources into the recorder and then plug your earbuds/headphones into the headphone jack in the H6 and monitor the audio through the H6 headphone jack. - cliff
Thanks Cliff - Love your series of QRP videos. I am brand new to QRP with a plan to purchase the FT-817ND with the SSB Filter and the TXCO. Plan on connecting it to a Signal link USB TNC and the Z817 Auto tuner and the Chameleon Mini antenna with the Mil and Mil EXT radials and a jaw clamp w/ground radials. Does it make sense to make a set of 4 radials for 40m, 20m and 10m???
Jon
"Does it make sense to make a set of 4 radials for 40m, 20m and 10m?" I think it does, Jon. Ten meters seems to be pretty dead these days so that band wouldn't be on my short list of ones to try. But 20m and 40m are your bread-and-butter QRP bands and it's worth doing whatever you'd like to get a good ground system for those bands. If you've seen my video on a Deploy-Anywhere Vertical Antenna, you've seen how I cut ground radials and then soldered them together onto "lugs" that I could attach them to a ground bolt on my antenna mount. That's not a bad way to go. Radial length isn't absolutely critical as they're detuned when laying on the ground. You need at least 2 radials per band although 4 is better. Have fun! - Cliff
I learn a lot from your videos, we appreciate your efforts. I would like to try Winlink. I recently received an LNR LD-5. It's an SDR radio; never hooked it up to a computer; not sure how to go about doing that. It has a CAT usb port. I'd like to use this LD-5 for Winlink. I have a spare netbook running XP. Could you give me a little help on setting up a Winlink station? tnx, '73 Bob
Bob, Your LD-5 should have come with a Y shaped audio cable. You'll want to use that to connect to either your computers audio in and out ports, or to a USB sound card. The LNR radios are pretty easy to get going on Windows. XP's not a great choice, as it's no longer being supported for security updates. If you need any specific help, I've had both the LD-5 and LD-11 working on Windows for digital modes. 73 de w8tam
Thanks for helping him Thomas! I'm on a cruise ship in the Caribbean sea until Saturday... - Cliff
Thanks for writing back Thomas. Yes, I found the Y cable, 3.5 mm. My netbook has a 3.5 mm mic, and, phone jack. Of course the LD-5 has a mic, and, a phone jack also. If there is audio on the LD-5 mic jack, then I'm guessing the single Y plug goes in the LD-5 mic jack, then the two split 3.5 mm jacks would go into their respective mic and phone jack on the netbook. Cliff talked about a SignalLink interface, will I need this? Excuse my elementary questions, as this is my initial attempt at digital. Thanks, de n7isu, Bob
Enjoy your Caribbean cruise Cliff ! !
Great video! I'm just a little confused on the legality of someone (non-licensed) to respond to your email you send them. For example, if I were to send an email via Winlink to a non-licensed person, would it be legal for them to respond, seeing as they are basically sending data that will end up going out on RF amateur bands?
Interesting question, Joseph. The person who answers your transmission is simply responding to a standard email, sent to them from a computer on the internet (not from you directly). So, their response goes to the CMS and sits there, awaiting your connection to an RMS node to retrieve any email that may be waiting for you. When you log in to the RMS node, it asks the CMS is you have any waiting mail. If found, it downloads the email from the CMS and then transmits the email(s) to you. So, the entity that is actually doing the transmitting is an RMS node, hosted by a human being who is technically the Control Operator of that station. Good question! - Cliff
@@QRPSchool Didn't really think of the fact that I was requesting the data from the RMS node. Thanks for the info!
According to the Winlink URL: "Winlink Express (formerly RMS Express) is the preferred Winlink radio email client ...", so it's name was changed.
Yes, the name was changed after the video was published.
Would Winlink work with those little Mountain Topper radios?
Unfortunately, no. The data that is transmitted is converted from text/pictures into sound and transmitted just like your voice is transmitted. Therefore, it requires a radio that can transmit SSB... not CW. Thanks for watching! - Cliff
Did you have to register to do any of this as i want to know if its 100% free?
It's 100% free. BTW, since I made this video, a new protocol named VARA has been created that will likely kill the Winmor protocol shown in the video. It's a faster, better way to transmit data with Winlink. For more info, see here: www.winlink.org/tags/vara
I am seriously struggling with this right now. I have the kx3, and I've followed your instructions, but the software has been updated. Will you do an update on this please. I have the signal link. Also, what settings need to be changed on the kx3. Please help.
Daniel, I searched and found a number of people with KX3's who were having a problem. Somebody said, "For the KX3 set your PPT port to K3. That solved my problem". A number of people did that and it fixed their issue. Don't know if it will help with your issue, though, but thought I'd post this in case it helps. I saw this in the comments of this RUclips video of a guy using VARA with his KX3: ruclips.net/video/dG46E45o5Vk/видео.htmlsi=DZdJnZ2uXOppN6H0
How does the signal link key ptt? I thought it didn’t have that capability
It does have that capability. One of the pins inside the signal link jumper block is PTT. However, the signal link doesn’t rely on your software to key the PTT. When the signal link detects audio from the computer (destined for transmit), it automatically grounds the PTT for you. Because of this, you don’t need to set your software to use a comm port or any other means of generating the PTT. And you don’t need to set your radio to VOX mode. It’s like the signal link is always in VOX mode itself. Now, if your signal link->radio cabling isn’t triggering PTT, you can always put your radio into VOX mode.
@@QRPSchool thanks for the reply. I ordered one and have been watching stuff waiting for it to come in so I thought you needed cat control for ptt but that’s good to know. Thanks!
Nice talk. Can you use Winlink with an SDR such as Flex 6k?
+Paul Christy You sure can, Paul. In that case, you'd use Flex's DAX & CAT for the setup. You'd use DAX for the input and output audio. You'd create a PTT comm port with CAT. At that point, you'd go into the Radio Setup and Rig Control Setup of the Winmor session and tell Winlink where to get the audio and how to fire the PTT event. Done!
Any tutorial on setting up the Flex 6k series for digital modes like PSK31 will show you how to do this. Once you've set your Flex up for PSK31, you've already got it set up for Winlink, JT65, etc. It's all the same configuration. Have fun! - Cliff
Excellent. Thank you!
this really is a great video. a couple of quick questions; is your rms email only good for that session or permanent? also, wondering if anyone is contemplating winlink for an Android so in the event of a disaster, your cell phone, signalink and radio become your station?
many thanks, looking forward to more videos. jim
Hello, Jim. Thanks for the encouragement! Your xxxxxx@winlink.org email is permanent. If I remember correctly, you have to transmit once every year (or two?) for the email to be active - and transmitting is the only requirement to keep it active. However, if you don't use it, you can just transmit in the future to reclaim it. That's my understanding and what I've been told by someone who should know..
I'm unaware of any project to put RMS Express on an Android device. That would be very cool, though. The mailbox part of the software would be trivial. The Winmor protocol (for soundcard/Signalink use) being ported to Android could only be done by a true bad-a** programmer, though. I hope someone will take up the challenge. - Cliff
Can one use any address such as oregonguy@winlink, or is it tied to your fcc call?
LByer1@yahoo.com
So what happens in a the case where we find ourselves with out any CMS. Can one still get messages from RMS to RMS to contact loved ones that may be thousands of miles away from each other.
There is a special peer-to-peer mode that can be used between two nodes BUT your job is normally just to make contact with an RMS node and trust that the RMS node will reach a CMS on your behalf.
@@QRPSchool right, so the P2P can that be just using RMS nodes? Again back to my concern of no internet available and assuming the RMS only use RF to communicate.
@@Oscaro9928 my understanding is that an RMS node that can’t connect to the internet to reach a CMS will try to contact another RMS node with RF.
@@QRPSchool awesome
I am getting error when I try to connect to update the propagation channels......never had before and now for the last 4 mnths states that the server can not be reach......
also,
I purchased a Alinco DX-sr8 and looking for a simple sound card i can use for radio...I do have a usb signal link but I must order a pin configuration for the radio to plug inside signalink....any other way?
kd4jwf
Jose Guzman I could be mistaken, but I don’t think the Alinco DXsr8 is easily capable of connecting to digital modes with commercially available sound cards such as Signalink. Too bad because the DX SR8 is a fine radio otherwise.
Thanks, so why I am getter nag an error when I try to update the tables
Wait...im a little confused. If the infrastructure is "down" how would this work? Seeing how N-tier rely's on "internet"...if the internet is down...what are you sending/recieving? How is communication to cms possible?(assuming your signal cant directly reach it..if thats a thing).
Truly curious here.
Odds are that even in a major disaster like a Katrina, the Internet will still be up and running in other parts of the world. That's where the HF side of things come in. You could easily connect to a station thousands of miles away and be able to send and receive email.
How do you call CQ?
How do you make to contacts?
Winlink is primarily used for sending email. It was invented originally for people on the open ocean to be able to send/receive email when they didn't have access to the internet. You don't call CQ. Instead you write an email to someone and then use Winlink to transmit that email over the airwaves to a computer that has a radio connected to it. Winlink converts your email to sound and sends it to the receiving computer that is connected to the internet. On the back end, your email that you sent via radio is then sent to the recipient as normal. If the recipient is a Winklink email address, that email is held for you until you use Winlink to check your mail. When your computer (running Winlink) logs into Winlink, if any email is waiting for you, Winlink on your computer will download any email(s) that are waiting to be picked up. You can then read those emails in Winlink and reply, if desired.
High speed low drag amateur radio operator using hf is very cool
I have absolutely no knowledge about this type of 'digital mode', so bear with me -- my question(s): infrastructure fails, now those 'middle tier' connections you speak of will not be working in my local area, worst case perhaps for hundreds of miles (no electric, no internet, no cellphone, etc.), so how would I connect to an RMS gateway...is this mode available on all bands, so I'd be able to 'hopefully' use propagation to connect long distance, or is it limited to only certain bands -- and which would those be? In the pop-up picture you showed the 'bottom-tier' being VHF/UHF and HF...so it can be used on many different bands? Are there bands where this 'mode' is more prevalent, and some bands where it is used very little?
Are there any issues you are aware of that would be good for me to be aware of ahead of time, if I want to create a WinLink account after downloading the software, and then install it onto a second computer...thinking ahead I can see the need to have this on the 'home computer', and then on a laptop for 'portable/mobile' use...would this cause any issues? Would I be able to access one account from two different computers/locations...or would I need to create two separate accounts for that scenario?
My apologizes if these are questions I would find answers to easily once I download/install the software...but haven't done that as yet, and just thinking ahead.
Thank you for your time and assistance, and for the time and effort in putting out these videos to share your knowledge.
Raymond - WF7BSR
Raymond, there are RMS nodes (middle tier) available from anywhere on the earth via HF. You may be "talking" to a node hundreds of miles away. 40m and 20m are going to be the most popular HF bands for access. Locally, you may find that there is a 1200 baud modem available for packet operation on the VHF band. You may also find a local 9600 baud modem available for packet radio access on the UHF band. Where I live, there is a 9600 baud connection via UHF about 5 miles from my house. However, I am unable to connect with the 1200 baud VHF RMS node that is out-of-reach from my home.
You can install the software on multiple computers using a single account.
When you install the software and open up a "session", you'll be presented with the list of RMS nodes, based on the type of session you've started. (I use Winmore, which is the soundcard interface that uses HF. ) You'll see the full list of nodes and they'll be sorted by the predicted best chance of connection. This list will change based on time-of-day and your location.
Jump in and get started. You'll find that it's pretty easy. - Cliff
Thank you!
I got "Timeout in T>R Latency measurement" in the TNC WINDOW... and i cannot connect any gateway if using winmore... telnet is ok
What hardware are you using? Tell me more about your setup, please - Cliff
Icom ic 756pro2, Microham micro keyer 2, win10 home - Svein
With this same setup, are you able to do PSK31, JT-65, RTTY, or any other digital mode? In other words, are we dealing with an RMS Express configuration issue or something more general? - Cliff
yes PSK31, JT-65, Rtty all ok with this setup... i also use N1MM+ with fldigi, HRD and writelog with mmtty.. so i think my trouble is isolated in RMS Express.. telnet works, but Winmore protocol doesn`t...
callsign is LA3CLA im also on FB and qrz.com
Can you run Winlink on Linux Ubuntu?
+Aaron K5ATG Hey, Aaron. As far as I know, RMS Express only runs on Windows. See this page for information on Client Software: winlink.org/ClientSoftware
I’m so curious about LastStraw.pdf 👀👀👀
This looks like a great program for emergency use. Are you aware of any WinLink programs that would work on my android tablet? I believe in an emergency I'd be using the tablet instead of my home computer.
+George Smith Hello, George. The client software for Winlink can be found here: www.winlink.org/ClientSoftware
I'm not aware of any iOS or Android Winlink clients. Sorry... - Cliff
+Cliff Batson Got it going, had to download a propagation program though. I am unable to connect to any station on the list, I have the freq and USB correct, I hear my outgoing tones, and see the connect attempt but get failure after a few tries.
+George Smith It would be easier to help if I were there, George. So, are you absolutely certain that you're transmitting? (you hear the tones, but are you sure your radio is transmitting? You might need to look at your ALC meter or put a watt meter on the radio to confirm.) I bring this up because getting the Push-To-Talk working is an important thing in configuration. Are you using a Signalink box or Rig Blaster or something like that? Do you have the Windows volume control turned up for that output device? Are you able to use PSK-31 or some other digital mode with no problem? - Cliff
+QRP School Yes, the power meter shows output, rig meter shows same. The rig (FT-2000) stays in keydown the entire duration, is it supposed to switch to RCV after each connect attempt burst? It also stays in keydown about 10 secs after failure or abort, almost like a long vox delay. Yes I use MicroKeyer and work all digital modes ok.
+George Smith No, your rig should not be in a keydown state the whole time it's trying to connect. I am afraid you're going to have to contact Winlink Support. On this Winlink web page, the first option gives a URL for their Yahoo Group page that they say is their main support forum: www.winlink.org/content/support
Please let me know how you resolve this issue in case it helps someone else in the future. - Cliff