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

[Mike Clark]

I am tied up at work Wed evening. I won’t get back to Calvert in time to attend.

The WINLINK VARA work seems like a great idea. I agree that packet’s staying power is lost to. VARA’s speed.

vr,

Mike/ N1JMC

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On Mon, Jan 15, 2024 at 15:09, Shawn Donley <[n3ae at comcast.net](mailto:On Mon, Jan 15, 2024 at 15:09, Shawn Donley <<a href=)> wrote:

> 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
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