[Harc] Updates on local Winlink gateways

[Friday Ululani]

Hi, everyone.

First, I want to say that Don's Winlink gateway at the courthouse is 
working on both VARA FM & packet.
I don't know if the packet portion was just out of service when Randy 
and I tried it, or if we had something set wrong on our ends.
I need to pick Don's brain at our next luncheon, to learn how his 
station is set up.

I then want to report that my Winlink gateway is also working on VARA FM 
& packet, on VHF, and also VARA HF on 80m, 40m, 30m, 20m, and 17m.
If you have some thoughts on the higher frequencies/bands, please share 
them with me.  I could add another band (15, 12, 10, 6), or swap out one 
of the 5 bands now running.
I want to keep 80, 40, and 20m, because they're used so much, and they 
cover both daytime & nighttime conditions, but I will change out the 
others if folks want (especially if some of the others are better for 
local conditions).

As far as operating software goes, I strongly encourage the use of VARA 
on both VHF/FM and HF.  The free version is faster and more robust than 
packet/ARDOP.
That is, it will pass traffic under conditions (noise, fading, etc) when 
packet won't.
Then, if you want to support the developer, the paid version is much 
faster still.

I also have Winlink working on my mobile rig and my HT, using 
both/either a laptop or my android phone (app=WoAD).  Packet is your 
only option with the WoAD app.
Randy has it working on his iphone (app=Radiomail).  That app is under 
more active development, and it might work with VARA - I don't know.
If the iphone can run VARA FM, that would be very cool, and a rare 
instance of apple working better for geekie stuff.  It might make me add 
a cheap iphone to my toybox.

I will bring my HT and phone to our next meeting, and offer a short demo 
if there is time between other presentations.

Friday, W6FRI  73!
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