Winlink Email For HF Ham Radio

I will walk you through the Winlink Email / HF Vara application. Overview of what it is and how it operates along with the complete setup. I will demo the Internet (Nodes) Channels along with the P2P option that does not require the use of the Internet. This is a complete "A to Z" breakdown of these two applications.
Key Links
Windows Setup for Digital Modes: • Windows & Rig Setup Fo...
Setup Troubleshooting: • Fldigi - Trouble Shoot...
Download Winlink Express: downloads.winlink.org/User%20...
Download HF Vara: rosmodem.wordpress.com/

[@kfrobert]

Loved the video - I feel ready to try WinLink express for my ARES-RACES work. 73, KD2WCY in Lambertville, NJ

[@hamradiomadesimple]

Go for it! Not that hard but remember to tune the rig first, ALWAYS turn on the rig before opening the app and check your audio settings in Vara HF. ALC should just be at the zero line or one tick above.

[@jcw945]

Great video. Thanks again for all the work to produce these.

[@hamradiomadesimple]

Thanks for watching and letting me know they are of value!!

[@thomasjehn4529]

Thanks for producing this MJ.

[@hamradiomadesimple]

Thanks Thomas. Just passing on what I am learning. I've met great people like yourself by doing this. That makes it worth the while!

[@SteveBerwick]

Glad to see more videos. I have really enjoyed this series!

[@hamradiomadesimple]

Thanks Steve, to be honest, I'm getting a little burned out for all the time it takes to do them. Once a month is more or less the norm going forward.

[@SteveBerwick]

@@hamradiomadesimple Once a month is a respectable pace. Gotta keep it fun!

[@rwellitgoes7789]

Great work! That will get me up and running for sure.

[@hamradiomadesimple]

If you have questions, let me know. Next video will be on "optimizing sound card settings" which is KEY to better outcomes.

[@user-lc8em3ef7z]

Great video, will keep watching.

[@hamradiomadesimple]

Awesome, thank you! Make sure to check out my KZbin channel playlist. I have over 25 plus videos. All like this, on different subjects.

[@rwellitgoes7789]

Great breakdown. Thank you so much. Hope your health is better.

[@hamradiomadesimple]

Thank you. Moving in the right direction so hope to produce my next video in 3-4 weeks.

[@rwellitgoes7789]

Brilliant news. Good to hear you’re on the mend. 🎉

[@DARTHDANSAN]

I’ve can’t wait to try winlink one day . I have fun with APRS and working on getting my general. So many fun things to do in this hobby

[@hamradiomadesimple]

You can do it! Then you can try VARA AC and then FLDigi, JS8Call, WSJT-X, WSPR and........

[@DARTHDANSAN]

@@hamradiomadesimple I have yeasu ft-891. How coins try some of those modes? What would I need ?

[@DonzLockz]

Super helpful, great video! Thank you.;)

[@hamradiomadesimple]

Glad it was helpful and thanks for letting me know.

[@tshirley05015]

Great video. Thanks again for all the work you put in to it. After Vara AC, how about a Vara FM video too.

[@hamradiomadesimple]

Great suggestion! I will do that after Vara AC.

[@SailboatDiaries]

Awesome

[@hamradiomadesimple]

Thanks for taking the time to drop me a comment. Hope these videos help you.

[@GibbsJohnson]

Excellent info - one problem with my set up using KW TS 590SG. CAT not controlling selected freq, CAT does control freq when using Ion2G with same settings. could the problem be related to MODE selected, USB vs USB Data? Thanks

[@hamradiomadesimple]

I am pretty sure both need to be USB Data. Make sure to check Vara HF rig settings (the window with the speed like odometers). Common failure point.

[@kennethausten]

I have winlink. But all my Email contacts are not ham radio. Looks good. I suppose one could use it to send a live QSL .

[@hamradiomadesimple]

You can send it to regular email but I found it is harder from them to reply. Does not always go through. Will experiment on this further.

[@owlcricker-k7ulm]

Have you tried P2P with multiple recipients so each can pick up a message. Or do you have to have individual messages?

[@hamradiomadesimple]

I don't think you can do it. It takes away the option for "CC" so I have assumed that it is only directed to one person. I can try it soon to see if my assumptions are correct. Not expecting it will work. No internet gateway means this is a single session, single person event. I won't know for sure until I try it.

[@owlcricker-k7ulm]

@hamradiomadesimple We are thinking that if you have multiple P2P in you outbox that a variety of ops can send you a message and retrieve your message to them. But we need to organize some tests to see what we can do

[@hamradiomadesimple]

That would make sense since they are separate messages and will be transmitted in sequential order. Email me at [e-mail]

[@gary6212]

I got my VARA license in only a couple of hours while I was still troubleshooting my setup.

[@hamradiomadesimple]

Gary, email me at [e-mail]. I will set you all my notes and setup instructions on this. Traveling so it won't be until tomorrow I can send them. I can help you if you have any issues my friend!!

[@gary6212]

@@hamradiomadesimple you wont believe this - I did not change anything on the rig or computer, went to sleep, and now it is working.

[@hamradiomadesimple]

Rebooting the system is critical when making changes. Actually turning it off rather than doing a restart is preferred. So glad to hear this. Now have fun!!!!!

[@douglasvamateurradioandmore]

How do we sign up for winlink?

[@hamradiomadesimple]

Do you mean Vara HF for the tactical license? You can download Winlink at winlink.org/WinlinkExpress

[@TheYodoc]

The problem with "instructional" videos is that they aren't very "instructive." People setting up complicated digital modes need instructions in TEXT form that can be printed out and followed step-by-step. Trying to manipulate a video player and setting up software/hardware, particularly when using the same computer, is a struggle, at best.. Do you have any links to text-based instructions for installing Winlink Vara? Thanks! -- 73, Larry K3LT

[@hamradiomadesimple]

YES, I do BOTH formats since some do better by using Videos and others want the handouts. Let me know what digital app you want (K2K) and will send you the handout. Email me at [e-mail].

[@TheYodoc]

@@hamradiomadesimple OK please explain the reference to "(K2K)" as I am interested in text-based instructions for installation and use of Winlink Express - Vara. I can't figure out what "K2K" is supposed to mean. If it is some sort of internet slang, you used it on the wrong senior citizen!

[@hamradiomadesimple]

Keyboard to keyboard. Think of it as sending messages using the keyboard. FT4 and FT8 are not K2K.

[@TheYodoc]

@@hamradiomadesimple OK I don't know why that didn't occur to me. Update: I have Winlink Express and VARA installed and registered. For some reason, I cannot get them to "talk" to each other. When I try the ALC tone test, I get an error message saying that VARA is not linked to RMS Express, which, I assume, means Winlink Express. Or does it? I really need things broken down to the basic nuts and bolts, and so far, I'm not getting that.

[@hamradiomadesimple]

@@TheYodoc Email me at [e-mail] and send me a screen shot of your Vara Setup. I can look at it and send you what you need to do.