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howto:winlink_ardop [2020/10/22 17:28] va7fihowto:winlink_ardop [2023/10/24 22:40] (current) va7fi
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 ====== Winlink ARDOP ====== ====== Winlink ARDOP ======
- 
 Winlink ARDOP is a method of sending "email" messages over HF radio via an RMS station.  If you are new to Winlink, see the [[howto/winlink |Winlink How-To]] first. Winlink ARDOP is a method of sending "email" messages over HF radio via an RMS station.  If you are new to Winlink, see the [[howto/winlink |Winlink How-To]] first.
  
-Every weekconnect to RMS stations in different locations and keep a log so I can track the most reliable ones.  Here'the scenario I'm considering and how I'd use my log.+===== Initial Setup ===== 
 +  * Before connecting the radio to the computer for the first timeensure to [[7300digital#ic-7300_windows_driver |install the driver]]. 
 +  * Ensure the radio is [[7300digital#radio_settings_for_digital_modes |setup for digital mode]], turn it on, and connect it to the computer.  
 +  * Open Winlink and open an ''Ardop Winlink'' session \\ {{  :howto:winlink:ardop6.png  }} 
 +  * Under the Ardop Session ''Settings'' \\ {{  :howto:7300digital:ardop_session.png  }} 
 +    * Copy the following ''Ardop TNC Setup'' \\ {{  :howto:7300digital:ardop_setup.png  }} 
 +    * Copy the following ''Radio Setup'' \\ {{  :howto:7300digital:ardop_settings.png  }} 
 +  * Under the Virtual TNC ''File'' \\ {{  :howto:7300digital:aredop_virtual_tnc.png  }} 
 +    * Copy the following ''Virtual TNC Setup'' \\ {{  :howto:7300digital:ardop_virtual_tnc_setup.png  }} 
 +    * Copy the following ''Optional Radio Settings'' \\ {{  :howto:7300digital:ardop_radio_settings.png  }}
  
 +
 +===== Radio Check =====
  
 <WRAP center round box 90%> <WRAP center round box 90%>
-===== The Scenario =====+==== The Scenario ====
 In the event of an emergency where the power, phone, and internet are all down, I want to be able to send my family back east a quick email to let them know that I'm ok, and offer the same service to others in my neighbourhood. In the event of an emergency where the power, phone, and internet are all down, I want to be able to send my family back east a quick email to let them know that I'm ok, and offer the same service to others in my neighbourhood.
- 
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
-===== Radio Check ===== 
 The first step is to select a list of stations I can connect to from my location.  To do this, select: The first step is to select a list of stations I can connect to from my location.  To do this, select:
   * ''Channel Selection'' to see a list of all available stations.   * ''Channel Selection'' to see a list of all available stations.
   * ''Update Via Internet'' to update the propagation information (last two columns).   * ''Update Via Internet'' to update the propagation information (last two columns).
-{{ howto:ardop4.png }}+  * Sort by ''Path Reliability Estimate'' or ''Path Quality Estimate'' to see the most reachable stations first. 
 +{{ howto:winlink:ardop4.png }}
  
-The list can be sorted any which way.  Sorting by ''Path Reliability Estimate'' or ''Path Quality Estimate'' is a good way to start.  These stations can also be visualized using the ''Map'' option or from the [[https://winlink.org/RMSChannels |Winlink website]]. +These stations can also be visualized using the ''Map'' option or from the [[https://winlink.org/RMSChannels |Winlink website]]. 
-{{ :howto:ardop5.png }}+{{ :howto:winlink:ardop5.png }}
  
  
-{{ howto:ardop2.png}} +{{ howto:winlink:ardop2.png}} 
-Every week, I connect to RMS stations in different locations without actually sending or receiving messages just to see how long the "handshake" takes and to see if I can connect at all.+Every week, I connect to RMS stations in different locations without actually sending or receiving messages just to see how long the "handshake" takes to see if I can connect at all.
  
 I save the successful connections to my Winlink favourites for quick retrieval, but I also log them in a spreadsheet for further analysis. I save the successful connections to my Winlink favourites for quick retrieval, but I also log them in a spreadsheet for further analysis.
  
 ===== The Spreadsheet ===== ===== The Spreadsheet =====
-The Winlink favourites list is a good tool, but it's hard to "rank" the best stations.  To that end, I use a {{ howto:winlink_ardop.ods |spreadsheet}} to log the following information in addition to the stations' info:+The Winlink favourites list is a good tool, but it's hard to "rank" the best stations.  To that end, I use a {{ howto:winlink:winlink_ardop.ods |spreadsheet}} to log the following information in addition to the stations' info:
   * The length of the session (the shorter the better).   * The length of the session (the shorter the better).
   * The date I last connected (the most recent the better).   * The date I last connected (the most recent the better).
-  * The number of times I managed a connection (the more times the better).+  * The number of times I managed a connection (the more times the better), which auto calculates the percentage of time I've been able to connect to the station.
  
 I also perform a crude approximation of the coastal distance of the RMS station.  The rational here is that if an earthquake hits, there's a good chance that coastal RMS stations will be affected or overloaded so I want to be able to connect to a station further inland. I also perform a crude approximation of the coastal distance of the RMS station.  The rational here is that if an earthquake hits, there's a good chance that coastal RMS stations will be affected or overloaded so I want to be able to connect to a station further inland.
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 Based on all these different measures, I then create a semi-subjective ranking of the stations.  Those are the stations I would try to connect to first.  Based on all these different measures, I then create a semi-subjective ranking of the stations.  Those are the stations I would try to connect to first. 
  
-{{ howto:ardop.png }}+{{ howto:winlink:ardop.png }} 
 + 
 +<WRAP center round info 90%> 
 +  * Some stations have a daily connection time limit.  This is the //total// time I can be connected to that station (combining different frequencies or bands) during a given day. 
 +  * Some stations have the ability to hold and forward messages if the station's internet goes down.  This only works if the sender and recipient connect to the same RMS.  These are called **hybrid** stations. 
 +</WRAP>
  
 The purpose of this spreadsheet is to do the "thinking" ahead of time so that in a real emergency, I can just look at the ranking to select the best frequency. The purpose of this spreadsheet is to do the "thinking" ahead of time so that in a real emergency, I can just look at the ranking to select the best frequency.
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 To visualize the calculations, start with an [[https://ns6t.net/azimuth/azimuth.html |Azimuthal Map]] centred at your location. To visualize the calculations, start with an [[https://ns6t.net/azimuth/azimuth.html |Azimuthal Map]] centred at your location.
  
-{{ howto:azimuthalmap.png }}+{{ howto:winlink:azimuthalmap.png }}
  
   * I drew two lines to represent the coast.  One going north west at a bearing of 330° and one going south at a bearing of 170°.  These two lines are eye-ball approximations of where most of the coast is.   * I drew two lines to represent the coast.  One going north west at a bearing of 330° and one going south at a bearing of 170°.  These two lines are eye-ball approximations of where most of the coast is.
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 ===== Ardop vs Vara vs Pactor ===== ===== Ardop vs Vara vs Pactor =====
-{{ howto:ardop3.png}}+{{ howto:winlink:ardop3.png}}
 There's essentially four different methods for sending Winlink messages on HF: There's essentially four different methods for sending Winlink messages on HF:
   * **Pactor** is the fastest / most robust method but it requires a [[https://www.radioworld.ca/scs-dr7400p4 |$2100 external modem]] to work.   * **Pactor** is the fastest / most robust method but it requires a [[https://www.radioworld.ca/scs-dr7400p4 |$2100 external modem]] to work.
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 Our local EOC reports to the SW PREOC in Surrey and [[http://www.percs.bc.ca/?page_id=10 |their website]] says: Our local EOC reports to the SW PREOC in Surrey and [[http://www.percs.bc.ca/?page_id=10 |their website]] says:
  
-<WRAP indent> +<QUOTE>The preferred method is data rather than voice. If you cannot get through peer to peer, send the message via Winlink. 
-<<The preferred method is data rather than voice. If you cannot get through peer to peer, send the message via Winlink.>> +</QUOTE>
-</WRAP>+
  
 It then goes on to list HF Data frequencies but doesn't say which mode to use (as if that was obvious).  But our local EOC has a Pactor modem so I assume that's the industry standard.  But that only matters for P2P. Winlink messages sent to an RMS will make it to their destination no matter the method. It then goes on to list HF Data frequencies but doesn't say which mode to use (as if that was obvious).  But our local EOC has a Pactor modem so I assume that's the industry standard.  But that only matters for P2P. Winlink messages sent to an RMS will make it to their destination no matter the method.
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 ==== What is best for individuals? ==== ==== What is best for individuals? ====
  
-Again, unless you want to use P2P, it doesn't matter if people are using different methods.  Both Ardop and the free version of Vara seem to work, although the demo version of Vara also shows an annoying popup screen every few minutes asking you to register.((Vara shows an annoying popup screen every few minutes. \\ {{howto:vara.png}}))+Again, unless you want to use P2P, it doesn't matter if people are using different methods.  Both Ardop and the free version of Vara seem to work, although the demo version of Vara also shows an annoying popup screen every few minutes asking you to register.((Vara shows an annoying popup screen every few minutes. \\ {{howto:winlink:vara.png?400}}))
  
 ==== Conclusion ==== ==== Conclusion ====
howto/winlink_ardop.1603412924.txt.gz · Last modified: 2020/10/22 17:28 by va7fi