Unchained Preppers

Communications => Comm Discussion => Topic started by: Jackalope on August 18, 2017, 04:47:11 PM

Title: Winlink and/or D-Star
Post by: Jackalope on August 18, 2017, 04:47:11 PM
   Anyone here using Winlink on HF?  Or how about D-Star using a DVAP?  If so, any advice or tips for either mode?
Title: Re: Winlink and/or D-Star
Post by: JohnyMac on August 19, 2017, 09:30:13 AM
LOL.... :lmfao:

Sorry Jackalope, I can not even figure out FLDIGI. It seems that almost everybody has downloaded FLDIGI in one of my ham clubs. NOBODY I have talked too really understands it full potential.
Title: Re: Winlink and/or D-Star
Post by: Jackalope on August 19, 2017, 03:06:54 PM
  Thanks anyways Johny.  I guess I'll just have to devote some time, and learn it myself the old-fashioned way.  It'll be relegated to a cold, snowy winter weekend, when I'm bored.  Winlink looks interesting because of the ability to send text messages to non-hams.  Unfortunately, both modes are somewhat dependent upon the internet, so they won't be useful if the net goes down.  However, I do like digital voice, because it gives some minor operational security, unless someone is monitoring it with another D-Star radio.  Also, it's possible to send images and text messages simplex, which could be very helpful, and if you have to have the necessary gear, which again gives some operational security.  A text message on D-star takes maybe a second to send, so it makes DFing more difficult, though the alphabet agencies or the military could easily do it.
Title: Re: Winlink and/or D-Star
Post by: JohnyMac on August 20, 2017, 07:37:07 AM
Yes alas Jackalope, "I guess I'll just have to devote some time, and learn it myself the old-fashioned way." Same here.
Title: Re: Winlink and/or D-Star
Post by: Double D on March 18, 2018, 10:13:46 PM
Winlink is an evolving platform for HF and VHF. I would highly encourage all preppers to become proficient in this digital mode. You do not need fldigi to run it. It is based on RMS Express software. This can be downloaded from here:
https://www.winlink.org/ (https://www.winlink.org/)

Install and voila! You have capability to send email via radio! This is significant on a few levels. Most disasters will not be nationwide. Most disasters will not collapse all modes of communication. This will allow preppers to request or render assistance to recipients. It also allows direct, peer to peer digital comms with your contact list. These cannot be read by those outside the link without special capability. It is secure in most respects. You can also send SMS messages. Everyone with cell phone numbers can receive text via Winlink. Think of the possibilities. Once you set up an account with Winlink, you can receive stored email. This works like a BBS. I have read that some have set up private BBS using a similar system. Think of a situation where security teams can contact a BBS and submit reports or receive information from the Tactical Operations Center (TOC). If you are only doing VHF/UHF maybe DSTAR is the way to go. I don't know. Either one gives you a higher level of security overall. Hope you guys got things up and running.
Winlink also requires a windows or linux computer and a signalink or modem.
Title: Re: Winlink and/or D-Star
Post by: pkveazey on March 19, 2018, 03:56:19 AM
I'm not going to Poo Poo your suggestion because it is a VERY GOOD ONE. However, there are also other ways to send Digital Communications on ANY transceiver. The DM780 computer program will do about 11 different digital modes and a bunch of other submodes. All you need is a computer. No real interface is required. It can actually be done completely wireless as long as the computer has a microphone. Its easier if you connect a cable from the radio's earphone jack to the computers line in or Mic jack. Its even easier still if you have VOX on the radio because then you don't have to manually key the transmitter. You can even use a simple BaoFeng UV5R Handi-Talkie because it has an earphone jack and it does VOX. I'm all set up on HF but it would only take about 10 minutes to unhook the HF and hook up the VHF/UHF radio. I can't remember all the modes off the top of my head but it'll do PSK, Contestia, Modulated CW, Hellscriber, RTTY, Throb, and even Slow Scan TV.

That was a good suggestion because I definitely plan to use Digital Modes during a SHTF situation to keep certain communications somewhat private. You can be in and out before anyone even knows you were there.
Title: Re: Winlink and/or D-Star
Post by: JohnyMac on March 19, 2018, 09:54:45 AM
Gentlemen, this is a great subject that I am totally ignorant on. It would be great if we could get someone to write a DIY article on getting started. The article might be structured like:

Intro -
Digital 101-
Links to books or how too information-

Who's up for it?  :thumbsUp:
Title: Re: Winlink and/or D-Star
Post by: Jackalope on March 19, 2018, 08:09:36 PM
   Since the winter weather is going to continue for the foreseeable future (it was -19 F, -28 C here this morning, the coldest in the contiguous U.S.) I'll make it a priority for the coming weekend.  With a newer radio, and a different laptop, I'll see if I can make them all work  on HF together.  We'll see....

    The D-star using a hotspot is a different issue entirely.
Title: Re: Winlink and/or D-Star
Post by: JohnyMac on March 20, 2018, 09:41:16 AM
Brrrrrrrrrrrrr! Only 11'F here. Time to break out the shorts in comparison.  :cheers:
Title: Re: Winlink and/or D-Star
Post by: Nemo on March 20, 2018, 11:04:16 AM
Head south some.  Yesterday was right at 59 later afternoon.  Currently its 37 but dropping to around 30-32 today, with possibility of 1-4 inches of snow.  It might stick around a day or so at most, into the upper 50s again by Thurs.   :dance:

You yankees might get a foot or so.   ;D  Glad I ain't up north.

Nemo  (down south  :fuckYeah: )
Title: Re: Winlink and/or D-Star
Post by: JohnyMac on March 20, 2018, 11:37:07 AM
The good news is due to the cold weather the snow line has moved south. If and only if we get any snow it will just be a dusting.

Now folks south of 41 degrees latitude to 39 degrees are going to going to get hammered. I think you are south of that zone.
Title: Re: Winlink and/or D-Star
Post by: Jackalope on March 20, 2018, 03:57:19 PM
    We're not suppose to get anything from that storm.  Once again, we were the coldest spot in the contiguous U.S. with -15 F. 

      Getting back to the original topic, I fund a few websites with some more information, so I should be able to get HF digital working.  I'm still lacking information for Dstar, but I'll keep researching.  The goal is get both working by the end of the weekend.
Title: Re: Winlink and/or D-Star
Post by: JohnyMac on March 20, 2018, 05:03:46 PM
man, Jackalope, you must have a big ass wood stove and a pile of wood to feed it. Brrrr!
Title: Re: Winlink and/or D-Star
Post by: Jackalope on March 20, 2018, 07:09:48 PM
   I do have a big ass wood stove!  But most of my woodpile is gone.  I'm guessing that there's maybe a face cord of wood left in my main pile.  I'd like to place a order for next year's supply, but there's no place to put it right now.  Hopefully a lot of snow will melt in the couple of weeks and then it can be delivered.  More sub-zero temperatures for tonight...
Title: Re: Winlink and/or D-Star
Post by: JohnyMac on March 20, 2018, 07:57:40 PM
I have just a hair less than a cord left. When all said and done we will have used 6 1/2 cords this year.

Even though I added a propane furnace this past fall, the only time it was used was when I was in the City of Lost Wages.

Once the snow clears I will order another 'tri-axle' of logs which comes out to be ~10-12 cords.