I wont go too much into about what WinLink is as there is plenty of information on their site (https://winlink.org/). But in a nut shell - "Email over RF".
After my experience running a ALE Pilot Station and not having no much interest from local Australian operation using such mode. I decided to try my hand at setting up running HF/VHF WinLink Wingates.
Before I did this and I started of by installing the WinLink Express (client) software. This allowed me to easily configure my Yaesu FT-991A fairly quickly. Then via sessions I was able to try out and successfully contact and send / receive emails via HF to several other Australian operator providing Wingates supporting Winmor, ARDOP and VARA modes.
With that done and me up to speed with the client software, I turned to reading up on running HF and VHF Wingate.
WinLink VHF Packet WinGate
Starting of with the WinLink VHF Packet Wingate, I firstly decided to set up my BTECH UV-50x3 VHF/UHF rig along with my Mobilinkd Bluetooth TNC. I was able to install the WinLink Packet application and very quickly configure it to use "KISS TNC".
HF Winlink Wingate (Winmor, ARDOP and VARA modems)
With success of easily running and operating the WinLink Express client software with the FT991A I was expecting the WinLink RMS Trimode application to be just as easy.NOPE!!!! First hurdle was the FT991 was not among the set of support HF rigs under server side application. Fortunately I was able to quickly develop a little powershell script which acted as a "translator" between one of the rigs available under RMS Trimode. I opted for Kenwood TS590 to control the Frequency and PTT control via CAT commands. Using VSPE to have 2 virtual comm ports I was able to intercept the Kenwoods CAT commands and translate and even inject extra control commands to the FT991. My script is available on GitHub: https://github.com/vk4tmz/rigtrans
but please note its not refined by any stretch of the imaghination, but if you know your rigs CAT commands and have a bit of understanding of powershell you'll be able to alter it to suit your own needs. This sorts me out until hopefully the fine developers of WinLink RMS tools support FT991A.
Once I got over that little hurdle, the next challenge was finding clear frequencies that would have minimal impact on other operation as the station runs 24x7 fully automated. The modems (Winmor, ARDOP and VARA) have "channel busy" detection of sort. But it must be kept in mind that its up to operator wishing to connect to my wingates to perform due diligence and ensure to the best to their awareness the frequency is not in use. Wingates DO NOT auto beacon so until they are polled they will operate silently.
Once I had my frequencies selected which I opted to support / scan through 80-40-30-20-17-20m bands.
PLEASE NOTE: It takes ~45 secs for RMS Trimode logic to scan through and spend ~7sec dwell time on each band. So please ensure if trying to connect to any of my wingates you give it a couple of goes incase when you tried I just missed you polling attempts.
So witth the HF and VHF set up I'm hoping this service will provide valuable to Ham both Land and Maritime Mobile on your travels.
Please drop me a email via VK4TMZ[AT]winlink.org and say gday.
Why no Pactor Modem / Support
Pactor modems are very expensive and are not opensource. Many other stations around Australia seem to support Pactor, but at this time I've no intention to purchase one of these modems.That's all for now folks
73
de VK4TMZ (Mark)
