WinLink Test for Off Grid Emergency Communications
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ส.ค. 2017
- Hello Operators
Last weekend I participated in the in an ham radio grid down emergency communications exercise called ILMI 2017. This was similar to emergency training carried out by the ARRL and ARES in North America.
The event forced me to ask about off grid operations for emergency communications, using low power and small compromise hf antennas with WinLink radio email. So the video is as much of a test on WinLink, as it is an antenna test while QRP portable.
For the first test we use the Yaesu FT-817nd, and Super Antenna MP1, in Lazy L configuration. In the second test, we use the Yaesu FT-817ND and Chameleon F-LOOP, magnetic loop antenna. Both tests were carried out using 5 watts.
Testing station capabilities is a huge part of ham radio emergency communications. We need testing and training to understand what works, and what doesn't, for operators running low power with a less than ideal antenna. Connecting to distant #WinLink RMS gateways, using qrp power and a small antenna is critical training, if we expext to use this gear during an actual grid down scnatrio.
We are not always going to have the ideal "contest station" with perfect antenna systems in place for exery scenario. Taking a minumal approach is a sound ideal and excellent practice.
IMLI Training scenario video: • WinLink Grid Down Emer...
Winlink is a worldwide radio messaging system using amateur-band radio frequencies to provide radio messaging services including email with attachments, position reporting, weather bulletins, emergency relief communications, and message relay. The system is built and administered by volunteers and administered by the Amateur Radio Safety Foundation Inc.
I'll follow-up this video with the ILMI 2017 video.
Don't forget to check out all of my latest blog posts on www.oh8stn.org
oh8stn.org/blog...
73
Julian oh8stn Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
Great video. What interface are you running for winlink and your 817 ? Thanks for sharing !
SurvivalComms thanks. It's the ZLP MiniProSC, but my WolphiLink works also.
You have the best offgrid comm videos hands down. Thank you for all you do for the hobby! -73
Thanks Rob. You know we're actually just getting started ;-) thanks for the comment on the kindness, It's very much appreciated.
73
Julian oh8stn
Thanks for all your videos. I am a big fan of Winlink and it is one of those prepping skills that I practice once a week. I am a big believer that doing something once is just that, to depend on the equipment and the skills you need to get out the equipment and do it over and over so you understand how it fails as well as how it succeeds. Propagation is a factor, and by trying different bands and times of day I have a pretty good idea if it is going to work, and were to focus my efforts. Amateurs do it until they get it right. Professionals do it until they can't get it wrong. 73 Charlie
Thanx alot buddy......now desperately waiting for the detailed video.
+Baset Rehman I wanted to get that other video done right rather than done quick. I'm still working on it but I hope to have it out tomorrow.
Excellent Video.....
+John Gennaro 👍
It's a Harrier GR3. Served an Exchange Tour with RAF flying Harriers in the early 80's.
+John Higgins Beautiful. I served in a unit supporting VMA 214 during the transition from Skyhawks to the Harrier back in the day. It's by far my favourite ground support aircraft.
Great video. Just need to explore homebrew options vs. the $3 - 400 options shared--nothing wrong with them, just out of budget! 73, John/N6VTS
+John Higgins Fair enough John. I do have a homebrew magloop build on the channel. Also I've considered doing a DIY Broadband Terminated Dipole. What would you like to see?
By the way is that the sea Harrier and your profile picture?
I have to say that I came across your channel a few months ago and I didn't subscribe because you answered a question that I had and I didn't think I would be back. I find myself coming here a lot now so I subscribed (and clicked the bell).
I am just starting off with WinLink. Literally. Like today. I connected my 817ND, MiniPro SC, and WinLink "together" and opened a Winmor Winlink session. I found plenty of HF stations to connect to but I could not make a connection. I kept seeing a warning... something about Tx/Rx latency?
The MiniPro SC is pretty simple to use. I feel like my Radio setup was flawed but haven't figured out how it was flawed.
I hope to have an HF RMS Gateway online before ARRL Field Day but first I need to make Winmor work. Telnet works.
Once I find my cables I'll try my old AEA PK-900 with my FT-847.
Maybe the FT-847 can be the HF gateway... I don't know enough about WinLink to know what I need to do at this point. It's an impressive system. 73 NE5U Mike
Hi Michael
I can be pretty grumpy with the answers sometimes, but I always mean well. I hope I wasn't too hard with the answer to your question. Actually this question about winlink and normal audio interfaces comes in almost everyday. The standard answer were given by Advocates of winlink is to buy the pactor modem which is over a thousand bucks, but I think it's possible to make it work. The transmit and receive switching latency is a problem of the audio interface, not the radio. With that said I have been able to use winlink effectively using the MiniProSC modem, but not unless all other parameters were set up correctly. You have to have a clean signal, power level has to be set correctly, and you have to be on the right frequency. If that wasn't enough you'll have to figure out which of the wind link gateways you can reach with your operating conditions. For me it was extremely difficult to get started, but with patience and testing, I was able to get over that hump.
Here's some advice to get you going
Make sure other digital modes are working like rtty, psk31 , ft 8 and so on. If you're able to make qsos with those modes, then you can be fairly certain your audio levels are setup correctly. Next try to the right distance to the right Gateway. I found it was easier for me to hit the station in Switzerland then it was for me to hit the station at the same country down in Helsinki. Even the stations in Sweden couldn't hear me as well as the station in Switzerland could. This doesn't make sense during our troubleshooting but it's something I need to point out. I realized I was skipping right over those closer stations, to try stations you wouldn't normally associate with being able to hit.
Another thing is sitting on that Gateway frequency to make sure you actually hear activity. It may take some time but it's a good way to find out if you can actually hear that station with your antenna configuration, even if it can hear you.
So when link isn't the mode to start with if you're new to digital modes. Set up using something simple like FT8.
Thanks for watching and subscribing, it really means a lot.
73
Julian oh8stn
Very good Julian. I don't recall that you were grumpy at all. I see you as someone that gets to the point and that's fine by me. I've made contacts on FT8 (love / hate FT-8... that would make a good bumper sticker) and WSPR with my FT817ND so I know it works. The gateway distance is probably the key. I tried for the shortest distance. My antenna isn't the best but it works for other modes. To borrow a line from the movie The Outlaw Josey Wales- I think I should "endeavor to persevere" :D 73 Thanks for all you do NE5U Mike
I'm guessing you are connecting to Winlink via a Winmor connection? I gave up on Winmor as II found reliably sending and retrieving email was problematic. I stressed my wallet for a PACTOR IIIusb. Performance is amazing.
I understand that it's necessary to reduce power on a transmitter when using a digital mode (don't know about FSK), else phase noise from the transmitter LO distorts the phase shifting of the outgoing digital signal. (In my station I use an Icom 7200.) Any idea if this remains the case with a transmitter (i.e., the 817) designed to begin with for a max of 5W out?
+Jim Piper yeah I understand the PACTOR modems have much greater performance but that's not ever going to make me pull the trigger on one. I happily paid the WinLink express registration which goes to support the development effort of the software. Since WinLink is a secondary tool, I can't justify the cost (or extra weight) of that proprietary Hardware in my mostly Man Portable ops.
WinLink documentation specifically tells you not to drive your transmitter more than 60% of its output capacity. I simply stick to the recommendation.
My PACTOR was a treat to myself as I thought I deserved one ;-) Besides, weighing a pound/454g, it only cost me about $75/ounce // $2.64/g. I use it for email when we go trailer camping out of range of cell towers and VHS packet digis. Also, it's fun to see data moving at 1400 bps on HF (yes, 5kbps IS possible with a good path and quiet conditions).
I envy all hams out side the US where a PACTOR 4 Dragon can be used. It's twice as fast as PACTOR 3.
+Jim Piper Nice. Well, if i didnt need a tipitent, tent stove, new skis and a new lightweight ruck, maybe i would pull the trigger. ;)
I like email for that last resort, grid down, ... but i wish more operators would put up rms gateways for HF. I still prefer ALE for real-time comms, but i learned enough about WinLink during the exercise to see its value.
Can you point to some wiring diagrams on how to hook up a laptop to an 817? Does it differ between VHF and HF?
What happens when you use the F-Loop in a horizontal position? MB
+Michael Bradley as a mostly portable operator I almost never have a chance to use it horizontally. Why do you ask?
If used in a horizontal position, would it send and receive in 360 degrees eliminating the need for tuning? It would still be portable. MB
I've not dabbled in any digital modes......yet, but that is on the list (after I become proficient with morse code, that is)
+Ron C Good luck sending or receiving a database with morse ;)
Systems like ALE or WinLink are used to carry vast amounts of information to groups or team members. Morse could have been used for a contact, but would not have had sufficient bandwidth for the amount of data moving.
I'm very familiar with ALE from using a CODAN NGT at work on occasion. My reference to morse code was only meant that I'm concentrating on that before I start dabbling with digital modes else one will consume more time from the other, if you know what I mean. I really enjoy your channel, my friend. You have a lot of knowledge and I appreciate you sharing your skills!