[CALV-AUXCOMM] Calvert AUXCOMM Meeting - Wednesday Jan 17 at 7pm

[Shawn Donley]

All,
 
Our first monthly meeting for 2024 is this Wednesday, 7pm, at the Harriet Brown Community Center in Prince Frederick.
 
Main topic:  Discussion of our objectives and desired activities for 2024
 
 
My Proposal:  I would like the group to take on the objective of getting a combined packet and VARA Winlink gateway up and running at the Calvert Hospital.   We have a spare 2M antenna already installed on the roof.
 
Generally, Winlink recommends separate frequencies for VARA and packet.  But I don't see us having the resources (or need) for two separate gateway systems.  With VARA's speed advantage over packet Winlink, I suspect packet Winlink will be sundowning in a few years.
 
I have not researched the details of what it takes to do this, but in rough terms it requires:
 
1.  A VHF transceiver (might have requirements for quick RX/TX switchover time).
2.  A "brick" style mini-PC
3.  One or two good sound card interfaces like the Masters Communications DRA-45 or DRA-50
4.  Sound modem software i.e. UZ7HO's "soundmodem"
5.  VARA software
6.  Winlink RMS software
7.  Winlink Sysop status
 
Some web links to explore ( I have not watched them all myself).  No doubt there are many other links.
 
1.  How to set up a VARA FM and Packet Winlink Gateway  (note:  video has poor focus when showing computer screens)
     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcnM0QdGGKY
 
2.  Setting up an HF VARA Winlink Gateway  (focus is on HF but might contain some hints)
     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kNUscwzuvs
 
3. V/UHF Winlink on Packet & VARA FM using sound cards
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gGQrJ5NY9Q
 
4. Using a "Brick" computer to run Run RMS Packet and VARA FM 
    https://winlink.org/sites/default/files/RMSE_FORMS/brickcomputerforwinink_1.2.pdf
 
5.  KQ9P's Setup to run Packet on VHF and VARA on VHF & UHF (but only an extra 2M antenna available at the Hospital currently)
    https://cvadn.net/winlink-gateway-configuration/
 
6.  RMS Packet Dual-Mode (Packet and Vara FM) Setup
     https://www.winlink.org/sites/default/files/RMSE_FORMS/rms_packet_dual_mode_single_radio_setup_0.pdf
 
7.  Groups i/o discussion on dual mode gateway
     https://groups.io/g/VARA-MODEM/topic/86554903
 
Hope to see you on Wedesday.
 
N3AE
Calvert EC