WB4SON

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Winlink Pandemic Pause

Posted: 22 May 2021 12:23 PM PDT
https://wb4son.com/wpblog/?p=4393


I discovered today that I had not used Winlink Express since late 2019, and
therefore I could no longer log in.Â* Restoring things was simple, I just
made a Telnet connection and the system restored me.

With that accomplished it was time complete the upgrades and to install a
new high-performance modem, VARA-HF.Â* It does have a free evaluation mode
that will run at reduced throughput, but I decided to purchase a license
($69) and am awaiting details on how to enable it.

Despite my username expiring out, upgrading to the latest Winlink Express
was simple and retained all my prior settings for my K3s.Â* All I had to do
was configure the VARA-HF soundcard settings, close it down, then open
Winlink Express (which automatically launches VARA-HF).Â* Gone was the older
internal Winlink Modem, replaced by a Vara HF Winlink choice.Â* Opening that
presented me with the familiar Session window, and I was able to update the
forecast and channels via the internet.

I found a familiar station in Nova Scotia on 40m, and quickly established a
connection via RF VE1YZ.Â* A tweak of the TX modulation level and I was on
the air!