Send Email Using Your Amateur Radio! Winlink.

Today, we are demonstrating a great tool for the amateur radio operator. Sending email over your radio. If you are in an emergency situation, in a remote area, or at sea, you can send and receive email with family, friends and emergency management officials for help or help for your community in a disaster or just general communication.

[@MayimKhayim]

Nice informational video. Now others can know what they are missing, lol. Keep them coming!

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Thanks! I didn’t want to bore with a tutorial but I just wanted to show the possibility with a ham license. Talk to you later.

[@thefordbeautificationproje422]

Great video!! Thank you for sharing!

[@redsorgum]

💻📡📻 This was interesting. I had no idea you could do that. 👏👏👏👏

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

There are lots of other things you can do with amateur radio. I might have to do some more. Thanks for watching!

[@ki4mox989]

Great video

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Thanks!

[@SFJ.Sparky]

Thats pretty cool!!!!

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Thanks man!

[@thuff3207]

Nice setup for packet Winlink. The FTM-400 is not easy to set up packet coms. Can you share what are you using for the packet engine and how you set up the FTM-400 taking it in and out of packet mode.

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Hello, Thanks for your comment. I use the program Soundmodem by UZ7HO for my sound card control. My hardware is a Signallink configured for the ftm400 and is plugged into the DIN connector in the back of the radio. In the radio settings, I set it up to use the bottom tuner on packet. I set memory channels for both of my Winlink packet gateways in my county. To send a email, I just connect the signal link to my computer USB and to the radio, tune the bottom memory frequency on my radio to the gateway I want to use, start up the Soundmodem software, and lastly open Winlink Express and send the email. Disconnect is the reverse procedure. No need to change any radio settings to use it normally. I hope this answers your question. 73, W4JFS

[@9999plato]

i don't get why the ARRL wanted to use the name "Amateur Radio" when changing it from Ham. Ham was fine in my eyes but if they wanted a change they should have called it "Private Radio" Station Operators to distinguish it from Broadcast Radio. That is what it is and besides it takes far more knowledge and skills to get your station dialed in properly than someone who walks into work at a broadcast station who had everything built by engineers.

[@bugoutxj2001]

That’s fascinating. Is this compatible with both PC and Apple operating systems?

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Here is what I copied from the Winlink Express system requirements: System Requirements: Microsoft-supported 32 or 64 bit Windows OS (Windows Vista, Windows 7, 8, 10 or Windows 2003 Server, or later, or under Windows on Apple Mac and Linux machines using a VM engine or dual boot arrangement.

[@mozartheart2958]

Great video! Do you recommend this radio Yeasu FTM400, planning to put it in a car where the temperature might be a bit high, does it withstand hot weather?

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

It seems to handle hot weather good. I have a few friends here in FL that use them in their trucks. I haven't heard anyone having trouble. I use a windshield shade and I cover the faceplate when i park in the sun.

[@davehansen2360]

Hi, I got my Technician license, oh around the time COVID was hitting the U.S. (and consider myself new), maybe this is a stupid question but do I tether my radio to my computer by Ethernet cord? Thanks and 73!

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Well, it depends on your radio. Some higher end radios like my dad’s Yaesu 991a has the sound card built in. He just plugged in his laptop and configured all the settings. None of my current radios have this built in so I had to purchase a TNC device. I chose the Signalink from Tigertonics with the appropriate adaptors for my Yaesu ftm-400xdr. I also bought a adaptor to use my Baofeng and TYT handhelds for portable use. There are other TNC devices available but this is the one I chose for me. Are you part of a amateur radio club in your area? Operators near you might be able to help you. I’m in Florida. What state are you in?

[@hwntwww]

does Winlink work over HF?

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Yes it does! You can use Vara HF, or Ardop, or Pactor to reach a station hundreds of miles from you to get your message out.

[@robertchambers5821]

Have you tried sending an email on Winlink using Vara FM and the Yaesu FT-M400? 8P6RC

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

No I haven't yet. I dont have a VARA FM node near me to try. Everything is packet 1200 baud. I have seen a VARA HF demo at my ham radio club meeting. I would like to try that someday through my G90