Install Pat WinLink

[last updated: 2024-10-06]
WinLink home
Pat WinLink reference material
WinLink Blog of installation process
-----

Pat WinLink is client software for running WinLink. "Install Winlink" on a Linux PC means to install Pat Winlink client.
------------------------------------------

• Get Software
  Easiest method...
  • open browser to: (link to:) getpat.io
    click Install, then Download.
    Select desired version, 32 or 64-bit, "amd" for normal laptop, "arm" for rPi
    2024-10-05 I downloaded:
    pat_0.16.0_linux_amd64.deb
    pat_0.16.0_linux_arm64.deb (Raspberry Pi 64-bit)
  • It will go into Downloads folder. Move it, if desired, to some archive location.

  ------------------------------------------

• Install Software:
  • On Desktop/Laptop:
    Double-click .deb file to install it into your Linux OS.

  • On rPi:
    (see blog for trials and tribulations, but this is what worked in the end...)
    • manually copy the .deb file onto the rPi SD card
      At the time, I had bandwidth issues and could not easily download to my rPi via wifi.
    • Insert SD card, bootup rPi.
    • Open terminal, and navigate to the directory that contains the .deb file
      $ sudo dpkg -i pat_0.16.0_linux_arm64.deb

  ------------------------------------------

• Confirm Software Install:
  In terminal:
  $ dpkg -l pat*

  ------------------------------------------

• Edit Config file - first pass:
  • easiest way, in terminal:
    $ pat configure
  • This will open the config file (config.json) in default editor (likely nano)
    FYI the config file is likely located at: /home/[userName]/.config/pat/config.json
  • Navigate to desired lines using arrow keys (cursor movement and clicks do not work)
  • Make these changes:
    • Find the line: “mycall”: “”, ... and enter your call sign between the ""
    • Find the line: “locator”: “”, .. and enter your grid location between the "".
      I will be entering "CN95" (or "CN95jo" for 6-char) for The Dalles 97058
    • Find the line: “secure_login_password”: “”, ... leave this blank for now.
    • Find the line: “listen”: [ ],
      ???... enter "ax25" (including quotes) between the [ ]. This sets up Pat to listen to ax25 automatically.
      ??? Or leave it blank ?
    • press [ctrl]-x to exit editor, press 'y' to save changes, press [CR] to write to default filename

  ------------------------------------------

• Initial configuration is now done, and your system is ready for a telnet connection to Winlink to create a WinLink account:
  WinLink Installation: Get a WinLink account using a Telnet connection
  ---------------------------------

.

.

.

eof