The SWCRS has kicked off two new nets over the past few weeks; for your interest:
Tuesdays: Kid’s Net
Grab the young ones and set them up with a radio! Charlotte and Adam host the SWCRS Kid’s Net every Tuesday at 6:00PM MST. Kids are encouraged to get on the air and partake in the weekly discussion, jump in on trivia, and whatever else may be going on.
Saturday-Sunday: Southwest Winlink Net
Available to amateur radio operations, Winlink provides email-like communications over RF. The SWCRS runs the Southwest Winlink Net every Saturday to Sunday, from 19:00 to 19:00. Net control distributes a bulletin every Saturday with topics to chime in on, along with any other regional announcements for the group. If you’d like to be added to the distribution list; please send K6DSA a winlink message.
For more information on these nets; please visit our Nets Page
I’m interested in joining the Winlink net, but I don’t use a Windoze computer. How does Winlink use a UHF radio network? I see no mention of the particulars. I understand there are non-Windoze applications that emulate the protocols used in Winlink. I am interested in pursuing this activity, but I’d like to know more of the background and details of its operation.
73,
Shane
Winlink is a messaging system that’s somewhat protocol independent. You connect to an RMS gateway using packet, vara, or a number of other emission types. VARA FM works well for high data speed – it’s a sound card interface type program that can connect to just about any FM radio. Discriminator audio is recommended to take advantage of the higher data speeds.
There is a winlink client available for Linux called Pat that will work; VARA FM is windows only, but will run on WINE inside of Linux (as will Winlink Express, the general choice in winlink clients)
https://getpat.io/
https://www.winlink.org/content/winlink_express_and_vara_linux_mac_updated_instructions
RMS gateways can operate in a number of modes, including local exchange only, hybrid mode (relayed radio to radio), private gateway (suitable for microwave networks), or just direct connection via the winlink service. It’s robustness depends entirely on how it’s configured – obviously if it’s direct only and the internet or the winlink servers go out then messaging stops, hence the other gateway modes. It’s also possible for winlink clients to work peer-to-peer without the use of a gateway. Packet and Vara also allow for digipeating through other stations in range.
Also see: https://members.swcrs.org/swcrs-winlink-network/
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