I just sent my first few emails via Winlink. This is neat. I've been a ham a LONG time and also a EE, but been involved with old broadcast iron for ham AM. Bored out of my mind after 10 years. Exploring various digital modes. FT8 is a lot like "whack a mole". VARA HF is simply cool. I'll see how much I like it before spending money on a full blown license. My emphasis has been on remaining connected during a local grid down event. I won't be camping or heading into the woods---not my thing. Thank you sir for your many good videos. I am using an older FT-897D/AT897+ tuner, DigiRig interface, Panasonic CF-53 Toughbook, Buddistick Pro antenna, over 120W of solar. Don't ask me how much all this weighs as it is A LOT. But it is broken down into two Apache 4800 cases and two carry bags. Still needing to test solar as we've had a LOT of rain/clouds here. Merry Christmas Marine!
I was able to send my first winlink email over HF today at a remote location…And received the reply. I’m using an IC705, chameleon wire antenna with Microsoft surface. Did I copy you?? Yes….was I successful….yes. Communicated 500miles using only IC705 battery power. Thanks for all your guidance!! I was pretty stoked when it went though.
Hi Julian, i have following your channel and have gone back and watched many of your older videos. I just passed both my Tech and General, Got my call sign this past week KD2WRM. I learn so much from your channel, and the way you deliver the material. Now my question to you is can any of this type software or functions be accomplished with an IPad? I am a Mac user. Thank you for your guidance:o)
Thanks for the video, gave me another net to checkin with to practice my winlink. I like that they present a different scenario each week so you can practice filling out the different forms.
I was testing VARA HF and Ardop today on 40m. I finally was able to get a session opened with Vara. And to date I’ve never successfully made contact with ARDOP. I operate in a indoor environment on a magloop, my operating condition are not the best so the Added reliability and performance from Vara is incredibly welcome. My test alone today was enough to convince me to get a license for it. I’m willing to pay for added performance and reliability. I just need things to work. I consider winlink a critical capability to have so I don’t have the time nor patience to mess with trying to connect to ardop when it never works for me. This isn’t something I can afford to be cheap with. It works and that’s what matters. Especially with tornado season picking up in The US I don’t know when I’ll need this for critical communication. Granted there’s still more work I need to do with my station. But software side this will be an incredible force multiplier for me. Thank you for making this video! 73, KE8GAH
Every week I send Winlink check in emails to three of our club members, and I'll attempt to send one on each band 80 to 20 meters and mode (VARA/ARDOP). When band conditions are bad or if it is just the wrong time of day, ARDOP is very challenging. Even when I can hear the gateway plain as day, sometimes ARDOP doesn't hear it, but with a decent signal both ways it can be an effective tool. VARA does much better especially if there is QRM, and in with very strong signals VARA can rival or exceed Pactor 3 speeds. Last week I sent 10 HF Winlink emails on 80, 40, 30, 20 and 17 meters VARA and ARDOP, but it took from 9am to 7 pm to accomplish those connections. 80 meters I had to wait until the evening when 80 was useful. I have tried using indoor antennas, but the best that I could do is the worst speed on VARA. That is why I set up my station in the back yard usually one day a week. Antennas are always better outdoors. 73 KD5YOU
VARA HF is great and well worth the money. But, there needs to be a linux version so that it can be used on Raspberry Pi equipped stations. I wish there was a way to encourage the developer to get that to happen.
How do you get the borders black in winlink? The two settings in Wnlink only changed the text boxes. I primarily operate with Surface Go 2 from the jeep at night.
What is KF5VO doing with the info they received? Can you check somewere if your message/form is received or do you get any answer? Could be something I've missed? 73, Bas PE4BAS
The VU meter on the left shows the receive audio. I typically run mine just under the maximum green and has worked quite well. It all depends on what the incoming audio sounds like, and VARA seems to transfer faster speeds when the audio is high but no over driven. The third meter from the left is the transmit delay which should be set to 0. The far right meter shows the incoming signal to noise ratio. 73 KD5YOU
I just want to use portable gear that's minimal that wont be overly complicated. I know with amateur radio keeps advancing and uses internet based me I like the ideal with going with very little without having a NASA engineers room or a bunch of equipment to go hiking, and running with radio.
That's exactly how I am. I don't have walls of computer screens or tons of unnecessary meters and lights and things like that. Even at my home station, It's relatively modest with the exception of the Tower. My portable equipment is minimal at best.
@@OH8STN it tripped me out seeing a senior citizen use a HF radio reciever in a altoids can with a cw key and speaker wire as the antenna making contacts. Still to this day that makes me want to use that or use a small mobile radio with a portable battery to enjoy amateur radio .
@@OH8STN I agree I just need to pass the tech and gen. With my learning disabilities, lol I failed both. I am studying double extra hard to take it again.
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I just sent my first few emails via Winlink. This is neat. I've been a ham a LONG time and also a EE, but been involved with old broadcast iron for ham AM. Bored out of my mind after 10 years. Exploring various digital modes. FT8 is a lot like "whack a mole". VARA HF is simply cool. I'll see how much I like it before spending money on a full blown license. My emphasis has been on remaining connected during a local grid down event. I won't be camping or heading into the woods---not my thing. Thank you sir for your many good videos. I am using an older FT-897D/AT897+ tuner, DigiRig interface, Panasonic CF-53 Toughbook, Buddistick Pro antenna, over 120W of solar. Don't ask me how much all this weighs as it is A LOT. But it is broken down into two Apache 4800 cases and two carry bags. Still needing to test solar as we've had a LOT of rain/clouds here. Merry Christmas Marine!
I was able to send my first winlink email over HF today at a remote location…And received the reply. I’m using an IC705, chameleon wire antenna with Microsoft surface. Did I copy you?? Yes….was I successful….yes. Communicated 500miles using only IC705 battery power. Thanks for all your guidance!! I was pretty stoked when it went though.
Absolutely outstanding. If you haven't done so already, send me a winlink message. Congratulations on stepping it up
73
Winlink Sent!!
Hi Julian, i have following your channel and have gone back and watched many of your older videos. I just passed both my Tech and General, Got my call sign this past week KD2WRM. I learn so much from your channel, and the way you deliver the material. Now my question to you is can any of this type software or functions be accomplished with an IPad? I am a Mac user. Thank you for your guidance:o)
Loved the video! I have much to learn! I am very interested in learning JS8CALL and Winlink!! Would love to see more how to videos on each!
No problem on both. They're already planned 👍
Oh yeah, … I subscribed to your channel while I was in here! 🤠👍🏻
Thanks for that Todd. Hope you get to next video or two out this weekend
Hi Julian, Great videos! Best Ham teacher since the early 90's Gordon West stuff!!! 73.
I look forward to getting the tech and gen license so I can use winlink, cw, pota, sota, vhf, uhf and hf.
That Surface Go 2 is surprisingly robust for these applications. Just got one and setting it up with my IC-705.
Yes, it's quite astonishing for the price.
73
Julian oh8stn
Being able to power the Surface Go 2 with the same 12v power source as the radio is a real plus.
Thanks for the video, gave me another net to checkin with to practice my winlink. I like that they present a different scenario each week so you can practice filling out the different forms.
That's very welcome Dewayne. More videos like this incoming.
I was testing VARA HF and Ardop today on 40m. I finally was able to get a session opened with Vara. And to date I’ve never successfully made contact with ARDOP.
I operate in a indoor environment on a magloop, my operating condition are not the best so the Added reliability and performance from Vara is incredibly welcome. My test alone today was enough to convince me to get a license for it.
I’m willing to pay for added performance and reliability. I just need things to work. I consider winlink a critical capability to have so I don’t have the time nor patience to mess with trying to connect to ardop when it never works for me. This isn’t something I can afford to be cheap with. It works and that’s what matters. Especially with tornado season picking up in The US I don’t know when I’ll need this for critical communication.
Granted there’s still more work I need to do with my station. But software side this will be an incredible force multiplier for me.
Thank you for making this video!
73,
KE8GAH
Every week I send Winlink check in emails to three of our club members, and I'll attempt to send one on each band 80 to 20 meters and mode (VARA/ARDOP). When band conditions are bad or if it is just the wrong time of day, ARDOP is very challenging. Even when I can hear the gateway plain as day, sometimes ARDOP doesn't hear it, but with a decent signal both ways it can be an effective tool. VARA does much better especially if there is QRM, and in with very strong signals VARA can rival or exceed Pactor 3 speeds. Last week I sent 10 HF Winlink emails on 80, 40, 30, 20 and 17 meters VARA and ARDOP, but it took from 9am to 7 pm to accomplish those connections. 80 meters I had to wait until the evening when 80 was useful. I have tried using indoor antennas, but the best that I could do is the worst speed on VARA. That is why I set up my station in the back yard usually one day a week. Antennas are always better outdoors. 73 KD5YOU
VARA HF is great and well worth the money. But, there needs to be a linux version so that it can be used on Raspberry Pi equipped stations. I wish there was a way to encourage the developer to get that to happen.
Agreed
How do you get the borders black in winlink? The two settings in Wnlink only changed the text boxes. I primarily operate with Surface Go 2 from the jeep at night.
I'm on there. I'm in the process of getting another Pi and hope I can figure out Pat Winlink, Standard file setup
as usual a great vid Julian
Hi Julian, could you please do a video for proper settings for Winlink Vara HF using a G90 and Digirig Mobile? Thanks!
RR, incoming. Until then, oh8stn.org/blog/2020/12/14/xiegu-g90-winlink-express/
Very useful, always wondered what the Forms were for? doesn’t help having one brain cell😊 73 Rob G3RCE
What is KF5VO doing with the info they received? Can you check somewere if your message/form is received or do you get any answer? Could be something I've missed? 73, Bas PE4BAS
You'll receive an email with winlink
You talked about the meter for CPU, what are the other meters? Any radio adjustment needed to affect the meters levels?
Thanks for great vids
The VU meter on the left shows the receive audio. I typically run mine just under the maximum green and has worked quite well. It all depends on what the incoming audio sounds like, and VARA seems to transfer faster speeds when the audio is high but no over driven. The third meter from the left is the transmit delay which should be set to 0. The far right meter shows the incoming signal to noise ratio. 73 KD5YOU
Very Interesting!
Julian I have “seen the light” moving away from linux 😮
Totally away? Wow.
Does Vara HF run on the raspberry pi?
There is a GitHub project for winlink and vara on rip. I haven't tried it, but it seems to work.
@@OH8STN look to KM4ACK
I just want to use portable gear that's minimal that wont be overly complicated. I know with amateur radio keeps advancing and uses internet based me I like the ideal with going with very little without having a NASA engineers room or a bunch of equipment to go hiking, and running with radio.
That's exactly how I am. I don't have walls of computer screens or tons of unnecessary meters and lights and things like that. Even at my home station, It's relatively modest with the exception of the Tower. My portable equipment is minimal at best.
@@OH8STN it tripped me out seeing a senior citizen use a HF radio reciever in a altoids can with a cw key and speaker wire as the antenna making contacts. Still to this day that makes me want to use that or use a small mobile radio with a portable battery to enjoy amateur radio .
The wonderful thing is Nothing Stops you. No one will ever criticize you for building tuna can or Altoids tin radio
@@OH8STN I agree I just need to pass the tech and gen. With my learning disabilities, lol I failed both. I am studying double extra hard to take it again.