Sending Emails With A Ham Radio Handheld & Digirig Lite

With the Digirig Lite and a USB connection to a computer or tablet you can get your Winlink emails over your ham radio. Let me show you how to do it.
Links from the show:
Digirig Lite: digirig.net/product/digirig-l...
Winlink Email Signup: www.winlink.org/user
How-To Setup For Winlink Express: kzbin.info2x-1UZ3i...
Need a cable for your radio? digirig.net/store/
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[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

NOTE: In this video I make an assumption that your radio can handle WIDE or NARROW for transmitting. If you’re unsure your radios WIDE or NARROW, just leave VARA to NARROW please.

[@the_mad_swimbaiter455]

I lucked out and saw the tweet. I got one on the way! Thanks for the video showing what i can do!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Good job snagging one!

[@K6WRF]

Looking forward to trying one out. Great info as always. 73

[@KC1UOU]

Cant wait to start trying this out myself! Taking my Amature Radio Technician test today!!

[@jakep5121]

been trying this for my FT-2980, Digi-Rig, VARA-FM? cant wait to try these things when I get home, thanks josh,

[@Ammed_KN6STX]

Cool stuff Josh!!

[@KG6NLWMotoRadio]

Good video on the new digirig!

[@thomasflorence6233]

I also received a lite board, love the setup detail in your video. Nice to have 2m packet capability, despite living in canyon

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It is incredibly powerful to keep with you!

[@rabidjackalope1319]

Sold out before i could order. Sheesh!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I believe he is taking back orders.

[@rabidjackalope1319]

Roger that! Thanks! Went ahead and threw in a back-order to get in line! Appreciate the video and the heads up on this!

[@TomPatten-bb5kp]

Already behind, just ordered the vx-6r, not here yet, and already want to add things to it. XLY is ready becoming suspicious. Thx, more stuff!

[@nitekry]

I found a vx-3 when I was new ham at my first hamefest. it was in a bag of stuff that included handi mic, charger, programming cable and batteries. Paid 20.00 for the bag.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Damn fine deal!

[@SapperSquatch]

Awesome Video! Cant wait to try this with my yaesu. Is there a way to use winlink without a Callsign? I am in the process of getting my technician license, but would like to get setup and familiar in the meantime? Thanks!

[@jonathancotner7040]

You can use the TNC on the D75 with any winlink client. I use WoaD on on android all the time . The biggest selling point for the other radios is battery life.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Yes. I made a video on that. But it won’t do Vara, which is the point of this video.

[@DominicMazoch]

FM Vara and WinLink is big on 2/.70M in Harris County Houston TX ARES

[@chipandrews2892]

Quick question Josh...what mode do you have the VX-6R? When I do VARA FM with my IC-705 or my IC-9700 I use FM-D. Am I wrong to do this or does plain old FM work just fine. Thanks for your time! 73 KL7CA

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Plain ole fm works. Try both and see what you prefer.

[@don_n5skt]

Hmm, so basically an AIOC without a serial port. I checked and the AIOC and DigiRig both have the CM108 and are using it for PTT and audio. Not that this is a bad thing. The big difference I see is the AIOC can work with Chirp for programming a radio and the AIOC works well with the Direwolf for APRS as a Igate/Digipeater. Likely the DigiRig would work well as well.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I guess if you re-wire it for a trrs jack or for whichever radio you want to run, sure!

[@VK5014SWL]

Did you manage to get your antenna vertically polarised? I think you might’ve used a still image in your video.

[@b4ux1t3-tech]

My gosh, this is so much easier on linux. All you have to do is set up a udev rule that keys off of the digirig's USB PID and renames it to "digirig", and then also add a run task to it that launches your sound modem. . .oh, and implement an alternative to winlink since VaraFM doesn't run on Linux without WINE, and screw WINE. That's. . .sarcasm, btw.

[@jimmystikx]

Is this similar to the All in one cable, just with a more universal interface?

[@WQ9V]

I have a question for you. I am going to take my 7300 to a park tomorrow with the Wolfriver coil 17-foot whip. I will be on a deck made of fiberglass. Will my antenna see the radials as elevated radials.. WQ9V

[@batica81]

I don't understand how it does PTT. Is it VOX or is there some other device showing up on the system (eg virtual serial port along the soundcard)?

[@justaguy9496]

What's up? I want your thoughts on the MPU5 radio which basically acts like a mesh network node and can do voice and data. Do you anticipate that type of setup will replace traditional ham radios? Why use a cell company or ISP at all...

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

They’re $9k and no, they won’t replace ham radio.

[@RookieLock]

Awesome.. So the Digirig Lite would be great for making a simple aprs digipeater, right?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Yes, definitely

[@davidrenteriakj7qpx847]

Hey Josh quick question,so whats the difference between this model and the original? I have an original with all the cables for Kenwood & Yeasu...... couldn't mine work the same?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Yes, the original works the same and does more. The lite is.... lite :D

[@thomasflorence6233]

Have you tried Sound Modem Ext PTT control? PTT.dll option won't activate Tx. VARA FM works great!

[@JustMe619toby]

Would you do this or mobilink what one do you think is easier ?I want to try winlink was thinking about the mobilink for my yaseau and or 878

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It would depend on which gateways are in your area. Google “Winlink map” and look at both for your area.

[@paulp1204]

"notice they are all wide... Wide all the way down" yeah except the roughly half that are narrow.

[@hawkeyeCH53E]

Josh most VARA gateways are wide as they offer free use for gateways.

[@rpestess]

That thing looks like it would break in about 10 seconds! Why don't they put it into a case for ruggedness?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

They likely will… this is a prototype. Note how the DigiRig normally looks and consider that.

[@proudamerican6846]

Hey Josh, Josh here. I am getting back into this but the last time I ever touched a radio was in the scouts in middle school (25 years ago). I want to get a handheld radio/scanner that has all the bells and whistles whilst I am getting licensed so I kinda explore and figure things out as I progress. What handheld, either radio or scanner, is going to have more of a full coverage and lots of things for me to research and get to know?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Scanners and amateur radios are generally two separate things. With that said, the SDS-100 is a fantastic scanner and check out my videos for reviews of handhelds. The Yasesu FT-5dr has been on sale recently and ICOM ID-50 is new and really nice too

[@proudamerican6846]

Thanks for the help Josh!

[@mo7ammedal3bedy]

From where to buy the 75 ? Thanks

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Any ham radio store.

[@casperthefriendlyprepper]

Can this be done on GMRS?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It cannot.

[@TheDarmach]

What cheapest radio you could recommend for that?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Baofeng.

[@TheDarmach]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse Thanks for prompt reply! Any particular model you'd recommend?

[@djmambito2]

@HamRadioCrashCourse , all these solutions dont work well ... or they only work for one specific mode ... a few modes that could work this way: APRS, FT8, Rattlegram, SSTV, Zello ... basicly everything that sends and receives over audio .... The only thing that will work fine on everything is when they create a handheld RADIO with internal (2-way) audio BLUETOOTH in it ... so that we can link it to the BLUETOOTH of our SMARTHPHONE ... Which will then allow to send whatever audiosignals from whatever app to the the handheld-radio &vice versa ... so we need a BLUETOOTH DONGLE ...that plugs into the handheld radio (not just for programming) that will send audio both ways ... YES it will needs its own VOX ... and some circuit that (tries) to keep the audio-levels steady (adjustable) ... it doesn't exist , not even the cables can do this ... so all these currently existing units & dongles will fail or will not be practical in the field ... QUESTION : What handheld radio has a built in 2 way Bluetooth that can be connected to a Smartphone ? ... a Radio to Bluetooth-headset is not good enough and wont work ... we need what i call slave-mode (Phone = master , Radio =slave) ... Radio to Phone & Phone to Radio ... In addition what good is a connection to a laptop ... we are on the go ...so it needs to be a connection to a Smartphone ... We have to think in terms of reallife situations ... not in fantasies that wont work out as soon as you leave your shack ;)

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

The Kenwood th d-74 & 75 does this with Android. The ICOM IC-705 can connect to iOS and Android for HF of WLAN. there you go. 👍

[@djmambito2]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse , Thanks for your reply ... i'm not shure if kenwood 74 does it , the specs on sellers sites are not clear enough , it says Bluetoopth to PC , never mentions to Smartphone ... i actually would like this on some of the cheaper chinese radios ... will not make them much more expensive ... it is just that the chinese dont understand that there's a market for such bluetooth connection.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It works. Try WoAD on Android.

[@djmambito2]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse , i dont understand i assume woad is some software or app ... but where is the bluetooth hardware in the radio ? what do we use for that ?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

@@djmambito2 yes. The d-74 and 75 have a Bluetooth module for moving data.

[@DominicMazoch]

Those DR minis are sold out.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It should be a back order situation. More are on the way.

[@fransahm1956]

Rattlegram anyone? "RIBBIT" !!

[@hzgl]

Vara being proprietary without an up-to-date specification is effectively encryption at this point.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

You can monitor the traffic on the air…

[@SteveBerwick]

ugh, why don't radio manufacturers include that tiny USB chip inside their radios and expose it via bluetooth so we can do winlink via phone! All they need to do is include something as small as a raspberry pi zero 2w inside the brick that is the ic-705 and it would be a GAME CHANGER!!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Likely because it’s a niche feature and they don’t want to include in its baseline price. So instead, just pipe the audio in and out with ptt and let the consumer handle it.

[@SteveBerwick]

​@@HamRadioCrashCourseFT8 and digital modes cannot be considered niche anymore. Whoever releases the first radio with a built-in CPU to run rudimentary server applications, it would become the most popular radio since the release of the 7300.

[@LeeMcc_KI5YPR]

Adding Bluetooth data is less hardware than a Pi zero. They could even add the chip and do extended testing and release it with a firmware update.

[@SteveBerwick]

@@LeeMcc_KI5YPRAgreed, but adding a Zero would provide incredible functionality, for an extra $15 in cost (less in bulk). Or *any* ARM chip for that matter. I think every single consumer would accept a small bump in cost for removing gobs of additional hardware and points of failure.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

My video was about handheld vhf/uhf radio. No need for ft8 there really. IC-705 and 7610 do wireless cat and audio over WLAN. there you go. 🤙

[@mtbeers1670]

Thanks! De Ka9zrz

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thank you!