Winlink Sound Card Modes - Masters Communications
Sound Card DigitalModes on WinlinkExpress
WHAT WINLINK OFFERSFOR EMCOMMFlexibility: Internet-only (Telnet) direct connections to Winlink. Radio link bridge to Internet e-mail. Radio-only store and forward messaging. Peer-to-peer connections between radio end-users. Familiar and simple e-mail client interface.Interoperability: Connect different types of systems Bridge different radio capabilities (VHF/UHF/HF). Seamless integration with Internet e-mail.Geographical dispersion and redundancy for reliability
WHAT WINLINK OFFERSFOR EMCOMM (MORE) Standard e-mail format with many features. Binary file attachments (pictures, pdf, spreadsheets). Automatic message compression/decompression. White listing used to prevent spam. Time independence. Ability to collect messages while unattended. Good operation at most power levels. Not limited by station-to-station propagation. Message logging, and ICS report generation. Forms and template support. Wide adoption by EmComm related agencies.
WHY SOUND CARDDIGITAL?Flexibility and Performance: Most Winlink modes are available using only a sound cardinterface (Packet, ARDOP, Winmor, Vara, Vara FM) Less expensive hardware options Superior decode performance over hardware devices Not limited to just Winlink, other weak signal andexperimental modes require a sound card interface (WSJT,WSPR, FT8, etc.)
SOUND CARD INTERFACEBLOCK DIAGRAM(Audio)(USB)
SOUND CARD OPERATIONInterface: Basically a simple signal interface, it is not a TNC May provides ground isolation between radio and computer Provides Push To Talk (PTT) signal Does not process the modem signals Signal processing is done by software running on the host May include additional ports for rig controlHost Software: Does signal processing (modulation/demodulation) Provides timing of data and control signals Implements the data protocol
SOUND CARD OPERATIONWINLINK EXPRESS MODESModeSpeedApplicationWinmor (HF)Up to 1300bpsIncludedARDOP (HF)Up to 4,000bpsIncludedVara (HF)Up to 7,000bpsExternalPacket (V/UHF)1200/9600bps1ExternalVara FM (V/UHF)Up to 25,210bpsExternal Both Winmor and ARDOP were developed by theWDT and are built-in to Winlink Express Vara and Packet modes are provided by externalapplications: Vara (HF) and Vara FM (V/UHF) UZ7HO Soundmodem (V/UHF Packet) Direwolf (V/UHF Packet)1. Both Soundmodem and Direwolf provide additional PSK modes between1200 and 9600
SIGNALINK SOUNDCARDINTERFACE Simple device powered by USBconnection. Cost is about 100 including radio-specificcable. Radio needs to have a data (sound) port or usemicrophone and speaker connections. Some modes need to run an external application likeDirewolf or UZ7HO soundmodem (for packet) or VaraFM.
OTHER SOUNDCARDINTERFACESRIM LiteVarious interfaces designedaround USB codec chips (CMedia or others). Some arekits, pre-built, or DIY. Many“AllStar” interfaces can befound and work fine fordigital.Masters Communications DRA-30NS7C ModifiedUSB fob
RESOURCES NEEDEDFOR WINLINK EXPRESSHF Winmor/ARDOP/Vara Windows computer, Windows 8, 10 Winlink Express HF radio with data (sound) port or built-in sound card Optional computer control port (CI/V, CAT for rig control) SignaLink, DRA or similar USB soundcard interface Appropriate cables to connect interface to radio All software is free (except Vara), but donation issuggestedNote, Winlink Express does not run under Linux or MacOS
RESOURCES NEEDEDFOR WINLINK EXPRESSV/UHF Packet/Vara FM Windows computer, Windows 8, 10 Winlink Express V/UHF radio with data (analog) port or speaker and mic jack SignaLink, DRA or similar USB soundcard interface Appropriate cables to connect interface to radio External application, Soundmodem, Direwolf, Vara FM All software is free (except Vara), but donation is suggestedVara registration is 69/call or 50/call for groups of 10 ormore
HARDWARECONNECTIONS Data Jack, poor name, but standardACC jack varies by manufacturer1200/9600bps doesn’t really mean thatCI-V, Cat varies by manufacturerSwitching between 1200 and 9600operation also requires menu changesSimilar modem interface as other HF digital modes.
HARDWARECONNECTIONSData Jack (6-Pin DIN connector) explained: Used for analog signals, not digital data Not really related to 1200 or 9600 bps data 1200 connections go through the regular“voice” path in the radio, including pre/deemphasis. Audio Bandwidth is limited to about3kHz. 9600 connections go direct to the modulatorand discriminator. Greater audio bandwidth ispossible, maybe up to 6kHz (in theory). Pin assignments are standard, however,impedance and voltage levels are not! Somemanufacturers do not even document what isexpected at this jack.Similar modem interface as other HF digital modes.
HARDWARECONNECTIONSSimilar modem interface as other HF digital modes.
HARDWARECONNECTIONSSimilar modem interface as other HF digital modes.
SOFTWARECONNECTIONSLocal Host127.0.0.1Programs communicateusing the OS network stackvia TCP ports.Communication stayswithin the system and doesnot go out on the LAN orthe Internet.Port numbers must matchand must not conflict withother programs.Similar modem interface as other HF digital modes.
SOFTWARE SETUPARDOP/WINMOR HFIn Winlink Express, open thesession to be configured.Within the session window,select the Settings optionto configure interface,ports and other settings.Some settings will carryover to other session types.Similar modem interface as other HF digital modes.
SOFTWARE SETUPARDOP/WINMOR HFSelect the sound cardinterface, check that portnumbers do not conflictwith other applicationsthat may be running, andselect Update whencomplete.Similar modem interface as other HF digital modes.
SOFTWARE SETUPARDOP/WINMOR HFThese settings are for rigcontrol (frequency andmode) and will varydepending onmanufacturer and radiomenu settings.Similar modem interface as other HF digital modes.
SOFTWARE SETUPVARA HFOpen a Vara session, thenselect Settings and VaraTNC Setup. If Vara is notfound on the computer inthe default location, youwill be given a link to thedownload page for Vara.The radio setup will carryover from ARDOP orWinmor if you havealready setup thosesessions.Similar modem interface as other HF digital modes.
SOFTWARE SETUPVARA HFAgain, accept thedefaults of local host andport 8300/8301 unless youneed to make a change.Similar modem interface as other HF digital modes.
SOFTWARE SETUPVARA HFBring up the Vara TNC (itstarts minimized), selectsettings and Vara Setup.Make sure the ports matchthe Winlink Session. Addyour registration key andset retries to at least 5.Similar modem interface as other HF digital modes.
SOFTWARE SETUPVARA HFSelect settings again, thenSound Card. Here you willselect the sound cardinterface, andcheck/adjust the drivelevel. Note the tip onadjusting drive for about1/3 scale on the ALCmeter.Similar modem interface as other HF digital modes.
SOFTWARE SETUPPACKET V/UHFSimilar modem interface as other HFDownload and unzip UZ7HOSoundmodem (or HSSoundmodem for High Speedmodes). Also download PTT.dllIf you will be using devicesother than Signalink. Startsoundmodem. Select Settingsthen Devices. Select thesound card interface inputand output devices andenable the KISS port (or bothports). Port numbers must notconflict with otherapplications, the defaultsshould be OK. For Signalink,set the PTT port to None. Forother devices, use COM, CAT,or EXT. Sound cards based onthe C-Media chip with use EXTand the PTT.dll. These otherdigitalmodes.options areset underAdvanced PTT settings.
SOFTWARE SETUPPACKET V/UHFSelect Settings again, thenModems. Set the mode andTXDelay here. Other settingsshown are good for Signalink,the Modem ch:B side is notused for single channeldevices like Signalink.Similar modem interface as other HF digital modes.
SOFTWARE SETUPPACKET V/UHFOn the main screen check that thecorrect modem is selected, and thatthe correct filter center frequency isset, then check Hold Pointers. Use theCalibrate function to set transmitdeviation with the High Tone. OnSignalink, adjust the TX level. Set the RXlevel for green waterfall on squelchnoise, and set the Delay control all theway down (fully CCW). It may benecessary to adjust the WindowsPlayback and Recording levels toachieve proper levels in Soundmodem(and this will be the only way to adjustlevels on devices that do not haveexternal controls). Windows Playback isthe transmit level, and Recording is thereceive level.Soundmodem is now ready to connectwith Winlink Express.Similar modem interface as other HF digital modes.If you have test equipment available, setdeviation to 3.5kHz on 1200, 2.5kHz on 9600
SOFTWARE SETUPPACKET V/UHFSoundmodem and HSSoundmodem have manydifferent speed modems builtin, good for experimenting.Note the DW 2400 and DW4800 modes, these arecompatible with Direwolf(AFSK AX.25 1200bd and FSKG3RUH 9600bd are alsocompatible with Direwolf andhardware TNCs).Similar modem interface as other HF digital modes.
SOFTWARE SETUPPACKET V/UHFOpen a packet session andselect Settings, set for a KISSTNC using TCP, ACKMODE,and confirm that the portsettings in the Packet Sessionand Soundmodem match.It is a good idea to haveWinlink start Soundmodemwhen needed. Enter the pathto where you savedSoundmodem and check the“Automatically launch”function.Winlink Express andSoundmodem are now readyto operate.Similar modem interface as other HF digital modes.
SOFTWARE SETUPPACKET V/UHFThe PTT Problem:Signalink uses VOX to activatePTT. Rigs with built-in soundcards, or interfaces that donot implement VOX need adifferent solution.Similar modem interface as otherCAT7200 (no longer namedappropriately) can provide asolution. CAT7200 creates aVirtual COM Port thatapplications can use toactivate PTT. It then will sendthe appropriate CI-V/CATcommands to a rig, or willactivate GPIO lines to assertPTT. This is a morecomplicated setup (3programs are required,Winlink Express, CAT7200 andHFdigital modes.Soundmodem),but doesprovide a solution.
SOFTWARE SETUPVARA FM V/UHFOpen a Vara FM session andselect Settings. If Vara FM isnot found on the computer inthe default location, you willbe given a link to thedownload page for Vara FM.Check the host and portsettings. Vara FM can run intwo speed modes, 1200 and9600. These correspond tothe1200 and 9600 options onthe radio. Choose theappropriate setting based onthe radio capabilities.Similar modem interface as other HF digital modes.
SOFTWARE SETUPVARA FM V/UHFOn the Vara FM modem,select Settings and Varasetup. Like Vara HF, check theTCP ports, and enter theregistration key(s). SelectWide or Narrow modes basedon your radio connections(Signalink cannot do wide).Select settings then SoundCard and select the soundcard interface input andoutput, click on Tune andadjust the drive as needed.Similar modem interface as other HF digital modes.
SOFTWARE SETUPVARA FM V/UHFVara FM has two speed modesthat are selectable. Narrow modecan be used with limitedbandwidth radio connections likespeaker and microphone, or the1200 pin on the data connector.Wide mode requires morebandwidth and must use the 9600connection on the dataconnector. 9600 will also need tobe set in the radio menus. Thespeed is dynamically adjustedbetween stations. If both stationsare Wide, the connection will beWide. If either station is Narrow,the connection will switch toNarrow.Similar modem interface as otherTop speed on Narrow is 12,091bpsspeedmodes.on Wide is 25,210bpsHFTopdigital
SOFTWARE SETUPVARA FM V/UHFThe Vara FM input level shouldbe in the 50-75% range.Transmit audio should be3.5kHz on Narrow and 2.5kHzon Wide (more drive may beneeded for Wide). Adjust theTX and RX levels on theSignalink, and/or the Windowsmixer to achieve these levels.Some experimenting will beneeded to achieve topperformance. Documentthese settings for futurereference or for resettingthem after changing modes.Windows Playback level is thetransmit level, and WindowsRecording level is the receivelevel.Similar modem interface as other HF digital modes.
SOFTWARE SETUPVARA FM V/UHFVara FM uses a very efficient FEC protocol, resulting in a significant speedimprovement over traditional Packet Radio (over 2X 9600 packet). It will shift to thedifferent speed levels automatically based on the receive signal quality.Vara FM Narrowalso beused overvoicerepeatersor cross-bandSimilar canmodeminterfaceasregularother HFdigitalmodes.repeaters (at somewhat slower rates).Unlike Packet, Vara FM does not support store-and-forward systems like digipeatersand nodes. It will be used for point-to-point links to gateways or peer-to-peer partners.
CONCLUSION Winlink use continues to grow, especially for EmComm use The Winlink Development Team continues to enhancecapabilities to adapt to changing needs Steady improvements are being implemented Sound card interfaces and modes provide low cost and highperformance solutions to data transfer over RF
BONUSBefore ModsAfter ModsSignalink Modifications toimprove performance: New Transformers Change OpAmp BIAS Filter USB power bus Fix power switchhttp://www.frenning.dk/OZ1PIF HOMEPAGE/SignaLinkUSBmods.html
BONUSCAT7200 for PTT support onHF modes with interfaces thatuse C-Media codecs:CAT7200 creates a Virtual Com Port(VCP) that applications can use toactivate PTT. It then sends commands toactivate the GPIO pins on C-Mediasound cards. This allows use ofinexpensive interfaces based on the“AllStar” repeater system.NS7C Setup DocumentJohn Wiseman CAT7200 Information
CONTACTScott CurrieNS7CAuburn Emergency ManagementARES Emergency Coordinatorns7c@arrl.net253-569-5102
WHAT WINLINK OFFERS FOR EMCOMM Flexibility: Internet-only (Telnet) direct connections to Winlink. Radio link bridge to Internet e-mail. Radio-only store and forward messaging. Peer-to-peer connections between radio end-users. Familiar and simple e-mail client interface. Interoperability: Connect different types of systems Bridge different radio capabilities (VHF/UHF/HF).
Winlink Setup April 5, 2021 WINLINK OVERVIEW - W1LEM V09 15. April 5, 2021 WINLINK OVERVIEW - W1LEM V09 16 Winlink Express Mail Box. Compose Messages, Post Each to Outbox April 5, 2021 WINLINK OVERVIEW - W1LEM V09 17 Call sign of registered user or non-Winlink email address.
Winlink Setup For first-time use of Winlink Express, use the Settings menu in the top bar to select Winlink Express Setup which brings up the Winlink Express Properties window shown in the next slide. For minimum setup, enter callsign, password (see below), recovery email address and
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Double Click on the RMS Express Icon and get Winlink Express running. A common misconception is to assume that Winlink will automatically download your emails and put them in your inbox (like your current email service). It doesn’t. That
/wait "Winlink Express" "C:\RMS Express\RMS Express.exe" taskkill /im cat7200.exe exit Create a new shortcut to this file on your desktop. Edit the shortcut properties and set it to start minimized, then change the icon to point to the Winlink Express ic
Mar 04, 2019 · Provide RMS setup information Establish a suggested standard configuration for Portable WinLink RMS stations. Establish procedures for portable RMS operation. . Install RMS Express software so the station can also be used as a WinLink client sta
From the main Winlink Express screen, click on Se «ngs; Winlink Express Setup. In the lower le L part of the screen, there is a box tled Service Codes. The default se «ng is “PUBLIC”. Se «ng it to “PUBLIC EMCOMM” adds sta ons set up
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