Digirig, FT-60, Winlink, Soundmodem on Evolve Maestro III with Globalsat GPS

A demo of Winlink using Soundmodem as the software TNC on a low cost Evolve Maestro III ($59.99 at Microcenter) with a USB GPS connected to an FT-60
GPS receivers:
GlobalSat BU-353-S4 USB GPS Receiver (best)
a.co/d/5s3SLQw
U-blox 7
a.co/d/6QdhcCU

[@RetroRobotRadio]

Nice video. I bought the evolved 3 to have a portable CAD station, but I love seeing other things people use it for. I took out a cellular modem and added a 250 GB SSD on mine.

[@chrissewell1608]

I got a 250 GB mini flash drive, card. It works great too!

[@bradleyjohnson452]

Nice video and station. I’m just starting with winlink but no activity in my area. Looks like you are in the area I grew up in.

[@MarkWarrick]

Hi Bradley. If there are no VHF stations nearby, then it's time get an HF radio!

[@hawkeyeCH53E]

I'm in the Antelope Valley up near Edward's AFB. Have family down there - Costa Mesa and Laguna Hills. Been trying a Pi 3B with my Kenwood TS-2000 with no luck. Need that laptop and the digirig. Want to demonstrate portable ECOMM to my Cal City radio club. Great video. KM6QAQ

[@MarkWarrick]

The user groups can help with that issue. Check them out here: winlink.org/content/user_support_and_help

[@Tom-jd1rm]

I'm new to Ham going to work on getting FT60r working on digirig this week. Hope to use it next Wednesday. Check in. May need help

[@kokohenker9439]

I User an old MacBook Air 11“, i did a new ssd inside and do an dualboot With MacOS and Windows 10. It Worksheet Realy good, But we in Germany have Not so manny winlink Gateways. I User the Digirig with my Yaesu ft 818. 73 from Germany

[@chrissewell1608]

I was interested in getting a DigiRig. I am glad its working good with your laptop. Is that external puck a GPS receiver?

[@MarkWarrick]

Yes, You can get them on Amazon "GlobalSat GPS Receiver" - about $32-60 depending upon model / sales. I assume they all work the same. www.amazon.com/GlobalSat-BR-355S4-GPS-Receiver-Black/dp/B00AMAJFUO

[@chrissewell1608]

@@MarkWarrick Thanks Mark. There are several USB styles around $20.00. Do these receivers usually come with special software too?

[@MarkWarrick]

@@chrissewell1608 no special software except comm port drivers. Winlink uses any gps unit for location info in certain forms.

[@chrissewell1608]

@@MarkWarrick Great. So would another program, like an APRS program work with it too? (So you wouldn't need online service, or cell phone service to get your location.) I guess it would... if it works, it works with all applications!?

[@jacobKC3MRA]

I've got it to work with a Baofeng but havent gotten it to work with the FT-70.

[@TheUtuber143]

I also want to connect my Yaesu FT-60 to the laptop and do VARA FM/Winlink Express. For the Digirig Mobile, which option did you choose for interfacing to the FT-60? (TX-500, RS-232, CI-V or Logic Levels (default))? I'm guessing logic levels but wouldn't take a bullet for it. Thanks! KM4FZP

[@MarkWarrick]

Good question. Haven’t tried VARA HF for the FT-60, Digirig. Try the comm port first. Then try CI-v.

[@eugenecbell]

I just got a digirig, but I'm waiting for cables. I have a PC laptop and a Ft-60 and the Winlink software installed and running (through the internet only). Wish me luck

[@eugenecbell]

It turns out I need the Soundmodem utility too. Still not running but I’m getting closer.

[@Tom-jd1rm]

Was there any configuration you had to do with the FT-60 to get audio to work. Try vara fm can't seem to get it to work..

[@MarkWarrick]

Just the volume level. Make sure ALC as shown in the VARA Fm program is in the acceptable range. Too loud will over deviate the transmission. Too soft and there will be no signal. Talk to the vara FM station owner and coordinate a test.

[@dangermandave67]

How much do those Evolve laptops weigh? It might be fun to take one on a SOTA activation and see if I can make four contacts using PSK31 or one of the other modes supported by fldigi on HF. I've got a MS Surface Go but the weight makes me think twice about lugging it up the mountains here in Utah.

[@MarkWarrick]

They are about 3 pounds. There are certainly lighter choices on the market. But a couple nice things about the Evolve is that it can be charged off 12 volts and for the price it's something you probably wouldn't mind breaking.

[@dangermandave67]

@@MarkWarrick Yeah, the 12V charging is a big plus. I don't think you can charge the Surface Go off a 12V supply.

[@MarkWarrick]

@@dangermandave67 actually you can. See: www.amazon.com/Surface-Charger-Microsoft-Including-Carrying/dp/B06Y57HD7Z

[@dangermandave67]

@@MarkWarrick Have you used this product? I bought a USB-Surface charging cable and it didn't work. So I've become skeptical about these 3rd party products.

[@MarkWarrick]

@@dangermandave67 The exact one I have used is this one. It's a SLOW charger, so don't expect to provide enough power to charge and operate at the same time. a.co/d/aEdhazt

[@chrissewell1608]

I have had my Evolve 3, Maestro 2 months, and today the screen went black, while moving it back and forth. It appears it may be a wiring issue, in the lid's hinge? If anyone else has had this happen, please let me know! Other than that... I have added a 250 GB mini flash drive, for extra memory. And a small wireless mouse.

[@MarkWarrick]

For the price of these things, I would say dump it and get a new one.

[@chrissewell1608]

​@@MarkWarrickAs a follow up, comment: I was able to disassemble the screen & lid portion, easily enough by tracing the edges with my finger nail and a small plastic pry bar. Once apart, I was able to locate the ribbon wire harness, located along the hinge at the center point. Then push the wire back into the screen connector. The lid snaps back into place. It has operated properly since the repair!

[@Jay-hr9ci]

How are you PTT the radio? VOX?

[@MarkWarrick]

The DigiRig does it. It creates a comm port and in Soundmodem I select that comm port as the PTT.

[@Jay-hr9ci]

@@MarkWarrick What about from Android phone?

[@MarkWarrick]

@@Jay-hr9ci If your android phone's operating system is capable of recognizing an external USB sound card, I imagine this would work but so far I haven't found one that does. The Mobilnd TNC3 would probably be a better choice since it connects via Bluetooth.

[@va7dgp]

Did you use PTT.ZIP an extracted to Soundmodem directory or folder?

[@MarkWarrick]

@@va7dgp no. I selected the correct comm port matching the digirig