Blog: WinLink

WinLink home
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2024-10-19

Researched winlink.org to find ardop gateways near me, or at least potentially in range.
Found one in Olympia that I'll try later.
Also looked at packet stations, and curious that they're all 2m. No clue why.
Researching how to set up Vara on rPi...

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2024-10-12

Installing direWolf on rPi:
DireWolf

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2024-10-02

Fresh install on Beelink. Huge thanks to KE6SLS, who coached me through the process on Tech Net Zoom.
Install pat winlink client:
Install ardop:
However note that ardop is not needed for basic setup to use telnet to get a winlink acct.
Get a winlink account:

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2022-05-04

Having done a couple of fresh installs on the tower in attempt to fix possible virus', all installs for WinLink have been lost and need to be re-done.
So starting from scratch, first I need a client program. Theoretically I could use WinLink Express with wine emulator, but will try other options first,
that being Pat. However noticed (https://winlink.org/ClientSoftware) that says Vara HF and Vara FM don't work with Pat.
Regardless proceeded to install pat, configure it, set up winlink account, verify funcionality with telnet email, all successful.
Now to get the hardware configured ...

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2020-01-21

reading SignaLink manual, and IC-7000 manual, and forums. SignaLink says since I'm connectetd to the IC data port, I will need to select some specific "mode", however icom manual was pretty vague, maybe RTTY or something.
However repeatedly pressing "Mode" to cycle through options shows nothing similar on any band.
From icom - Adjusting the data speed:
Select M-3.
Push [F-4 9600] to select the 9600 baud mode
And indeed it does select 9600 or not, but no clue what baud is if 9600 is not selected...
Set freq to 145.030 which is the Winlink 2m local RMS hub
Mode button still does not show any digital options...
But (link 79) says use "USB", which is listed...
SignaLink talks about setting other radio settings...
Connected SignaLink to radio and PC, turned it on.
right-click speaker icon in bottom menu tray, selected hdmi as output device
$ sudo pat http
opened browser to pat mailbox
error still says no ax.25 ports configured
another forum post mentioned that WinLink uses AFSK
from some forum post: $ sudo aplay -l ... list of "devices"
use: "hw:X,Y", where X is "card number", and Y is "device number"
with SignaLink plugged in, aplay shows X,Y = 2,0
$ sudo soundmodemconfig ... AX25 ...
ALSA audio driver: plughw:2,0 ... per some (now lost) reference saying to use "plughw" instead of just "hw"
File - quit
$ sudo soundmodem ... seems to have worked this time (with radio & SignaLink & PC all connected and turned on)
process running with no terminal prompt returned
Opened a new terminal,
$ sudo ps aux | grep pat ... to find still-running PID
$ sudo kill -9 [PID]
$ sudo pat http ... same error, no ax.25 ports configured
...
from (link 83):
- $ /sbin/ifconfig ... shows sm0, with inet 10.0.0.1, with ax25 LINUX-1
  so maybe it's defined after all?
- sm0 is a "network interface"
- "Broadly speaking the port and callsign need to be defined in /etc/ax25/axports,
  the TNC needs to be running/connected,
  and finally kissattach binds it to an interface.
  The Dire Wolf soundmodem documentation and TNC-Pi documentation both have very clear instructions about how to do this configuration."
- $ netstat --protocol=ax25 ... shows no active "ax25 sockets"
$ sudo soundmodemconfig ... channel 0 - packet IO ... changed Mode from MKISS to KISS

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2020-01-20

from forum: "Soundmodem can be configured to work with ALSA using soundmodemconfig, and select appropriate alsa device numer (eg. hw:0,0)"
from another post: "In brief: "OSS version 3 was the original sound system for Linux, but was superseded by the Advanced Linux Sound Architecture (or ALSA) in 2002" (2). If you are using ALSA, /dev/dsp does not exist, as it was part of OSS. However, it can be emulated using the alsa-oss package, which works as a wrapper. "

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2020-01-19

from: (Link 40)
$ sudo soundmodemconfig ... (MUST use sudo else changes aren't saved)
opens a window: sound modem configurator
- file - New - Configuration
  name: AX25 (recommended per from xzastir link 28)
  click ax25
  mode: sound card
  audio driver: /dev/dsp
  PTT Driver: none
- tab channel access: no changes to default
- file - new - channel
  click channel 0
  modulator mode: afsk
  no other changes
- tab demodulator
  mode: afsk
  no other changes
- tab packet IO
  mode: MKISS (other option was KISS)
  interface name: default sm0
  call sign: mine
  IP address: 10.0.0.1 (default - apparently nominal)
  no other changes
- file - quit
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$ sudo soundmodem
error: cannot open "/dev/dsp"
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2020-01-18

(link 49) says:

$ pat help connect ... shows connection (ax25) options (among others) it lists:
OTOH I'm not exactly sure how to execute them. Link calls these "URL Schema." Will try some things...
Specifically, ultimate goal is to connect to local RMS hub on 2M. That hub is WC7EC-10 at 145.030 at 1200 baud

hacking around...
- Tried to restart pat: $ sudo pat http
  "bind port already in use"
  However $ sudo ps shows no pat process running WTF?
  $ sudo ps -aux ... however shows several pages of processes, including 2 pat processes from yesterday
  output seemed the same whether ps aux or ps -aux, but in the end what worked best to find pat processes was:
  $ ps aux | grep pat
- it shows PIE 13547 & 13548 pat processes running. Don't know why they don't get listed with sudo ps...
- $ sudo kill -9 13547 ... and repeat for 13548, and now $ sudo pat http worked
apparent success of sorts:
- with pat running, opened browser to open pat gui
  composed an email addressed to me-at-hotmail
  Action > Connect > telnet > entered target: WC7EC-10 > Connect
  It worked. Message moved from outbox to sent, and indeed was received at hotmail.
- However: entering a known-wrong call in target still worked...
Seem to be making progress researching SoundModem to use to configure the SignaLink. Collecting notes ...
Next: execute $ soundmodemconfig ... and see what it does to /etc/ax25/soundmodem.conf ...
Then: stop and restart pat, and see if I still get the "no ax25 port" error ...

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2020-01-17

(link 49) says:

install systemd script - done 01/11
edit the device settings:
$ sudo nano /etc/default/ax25
not sure what to edit here. Notable lines:
Bring up the (TNC?) device:
$ sudo systemctl start ax25
"Job for ax25.service failed because the control process exited with error code.
See "systemctl status ax25.service" and "journalctl -xe" for details."

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2020-01-16

$ pat --listen ax25 http ... still failed with "no ax25 ports configured"
(from: tldp.org (link 24)):
"you must have an entry in /etc/ax25/axports file for each AX.25 port you want on your system."
I had previously put a line I thought was sufficient in that file:
" wl2k KJ7TTT 9600 255 7 Winlink "
(continuing from link):
"Create an ax.25 network device:
The network device is what is listed when you use the `ifconfig' command. "
I tried: $ ifconfig ... but output unintelligible to me
- see: tecmint.com on ifconfig command (link 25)
- and: tecmint.com on ifconfig command examples (link 26)
"In the Linux AX.25 code there are a number of device drivers. The most common is probably the KISS driver, but others are the SCC driver(s), the Baycom driver and the Soundmodem driver.
Each of these device drivers will create a network device when it is started."
instructions continue for setting up "a KISS TNC on a serial port. "
using kissasttach (see previous blog entries for my failed attempts with this...)
links to investigate:
winlink.org.../RMSE_FORMS (link 27)
xastir.org/...SoundModem (link 28)
Using SM with xastir for APRS (link 29)
ubuntu.com/.../soundmodem (link 30)
zr6aic.blogspot.com/.../packet-radio...linux...soundmodem (link 31)
linux-ax25.org/wiki/Soundmodem (link 32)
n4ser.org/.../soundcard-winlink (link 33)
Using SM and EasyTerm in Windows (link 34)
denverares.org/.../winlink-express-2m-packet-signalink-usb/ (link 35)
gwinnettares.org/.../Winlink-check-lists (link 36)
ubuntuforums.org/...p=10864691 (link 37)
Windows: qsl.net/nf4rc/UnderstandingAudioChannelConfiguration.pdf (link 38)
Maybe the best, but mostly incomprehensible: qbjnet.com/packet (link 39)
Using SignaLink and SoundModem (appears to be Windows...): mocars.org/soundmodem-by-uz7ho/ (link 40)
Experimented with sending and receiving emails through winLink via telnet. All worked.
However I still am having to enter my winlink password when connecting.
Re-booted. That didn't work either. However: It turns out that winlink will require you to enter a password (even if you've put it into the config file) as long as you're still using the original password they sent you with account creation. As soon as you change to some new password of your choice, AND put it into your config file, you will no longer have to enter it to connect from within pat client program.
from: soundmodem.vk4msl (link 41)
downloaded: soundmodem-0.10-1.src.rpm
from: dekalbares.org/...Winlink (link 42)
"Soundmodem provides a software terminal node controller (TNC). We recommend that you use a Signalink to connect your computer to your radio."
$ sudo rpm -i soundmodem-0.10-1.src.rpm
"Warnings: "rpm: RPM should not be used directly install RPM packages, use Alien instead!
rpm: However assuming you know what you are doing...
warning: user sailer does not exist - using root
warning: group ife does not exist - using root"
Didn't seem to do anything, as $ dpkg -s soundmodem says not installed
$ sudo apt-get install soundmodem ... worked

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2020-01-14

$ pat configure ... and put in new WinLink password
$ sudo pat http ...
browser to 127.0.0.1:5000 ... wouldn't open
search says this means "port you're trying to allocate is already allocated"
$ sudo netstat -tulpn ... to find out which port is still being used
it shows: pat using :5000 on PID 1822
But interesting that $ ps shows nothing similar
OTOH $ sudo ps ... Does show pat at 1822
$ sudo lsof -i:5000 ... seems to do the same thing
$ sudo kill 1822 ... no change to either netstat or ps
ran across this link: github.com/la5nta/pat/wiki/WINMOR-TNC (link 43)
which starts by saying pat and winmore can be used together
pat as client software, and Winmore as software modem
this link shows how to set up & use pat with winmore
$ kill -9 1822 ... is "forcible" kill that worked
$ sudo pat http ...
opened browser to 127.0.0.1:5000 ... pat GUI opened
had to enter my password, probably need to reboot before config changes will do that automatically
action > compose ... enter address etc
post ... message moved to outbox
action > connect > telnet > connect ... message sent and received!
details from forum:

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2020-01-13

Interesting discovery: searching suggested:
$ arecord -l ... to list all 'Capture' audio devices (apparently devices that capture and digitize analog streams, like audio)
it shows:
"card 2: CODEC [USB AUDIO CODEC], device 0: USB Audio [USB Audio]
Subdevices: 0/1
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0 "
It does Not show this line if USB cable to SignaLink is unplugged, but it DOES show it when SignaLink is plugged in to USB, even if it's not powered on
Further, $ lsusb ... indeed shows a new line:
"Bus 003 Device 013: ID 08bb:29c6 Texas Instruments PCM2906C Audio CODEC"
again when SignaLink is plugged in whether or not turned on.
So maybe SignaLink is ok. Proceeding as if...
$ pat http
"Listening for incoming traffic on ax25...
Starting HTTP service (localhost:8080)...
Listener ax25 failed: No AX.25 ports configured ... "
Tried again:
$ sudo pat http
error says: "Missing mycall"
Trying to find whichever config file is the problem:
/etc/default/ax25
/etc/ax25/axports ... which already has my call in it
/etc/ax25/ax25d.conf
/etc/ax25/ax25.profile ... nothing about mycall

/usr/sbin/ax25_call ... can't open with text editor
/usr/sbin/ax25d ... can't open with text editor

/usr/share/pat/ax25/ax25.default ... nothing about mycall
/usr/share/pat/ax25/ax25.service ... nothing about mycall

/etc/systemd/user.conf

/usr/bin/pat ... which may be the primary executable
/home/jay/.wl2k/config.json ... is main pat config file
Solved: In the end discovered I had a typo in pat config file in my callsign line... doh
there is also a /usr/share/pat/ardopc to investigate...
reviewing the videos for installing on rPi, some good tips, however he didn't address anything about configuring the ports...
OTOH he is using ardopc for the rPi, rather than winmore or pactor ...
Turns out the local RMS here (Hugh's?) uses Packet or Pactor, but neither winmore nor ardop ...
Following rPi link tips, set up pat config with http_addr: 127.0.0.1:5000
$ sudo pat http
opened browser to URL: 127.0.0.1:5000
and lo, the pat GUI came up. YAY!
However, trying to re-open the browser fails, as did re-starting with $ sudo pat http ... which gave "port already in use" error.
$ ps ... gives list of running processes
it shows PID 4485 running pat
$ kill 4485 ...
However that didn't work, as ps shows the process still running...
Re-trying regardless:
$ sudo pat http ... this time gives "missing mycall" error, in spite of it being properly in config file???
another link to investigate: KM4ACK - ardopc on rPi youtube.com/ (link 44)
Restarted computer
$ sudo pat http ... again gave missing mycall error
$ sudo pat configure ... indeed mycall blank; edited config for mycall, ax25, location, and host name
$ sudo pat http ... connected this time, though still gave no ax25 ports error
opened browser to 127.0.0.1:5000 and lo it worked
Action > Connect > alias = telnet > connect
Which means, I'm guessing, that I new have a WinLink account!!
KJ7TTTX3BWFT
BUT: reading the message in my inbox (single-click on it), it says my new password is:
EJ3UYC
It also gave instructions for setting a "password recovery email address", and recommendation to change my password as soon as possible.

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2020-01-12

from: github.com/la5nta/pat/wiki/AX25-Linux (link 45)
to configure pat:
edited /etc/ax25/axports
added the line:
wl2k KJ7TTT 9600 255 7 Winlink
still hung up on instructions from above link to edit /etc/default/ax25 ...
However, some of the parameters refer to "my TNC", and I think the SignaLink is my TNC, so I'll proceed to get it up and running first...
Per SignaLink instruction manual, installed jumpers to configure it for my IC-7000.
The rest of the instructions however are geared to Windows, saying after connecting SignaLink and computer, it will automatically install drivers. Regardless that I'm using Linux, proceeded to plug it in, turn it on, but no messages or beeps of any kind indicating anything was happening, and $ lsusb ... shows no additional devices connected... [However this turned out to be in error - see 01/13 post]
Tried using a different USB port on the tower, since instructions caution that sometimes 'front-panel' ports don't supply as much current as those on the back, and the SignaLink apparently needs a decent amount, but no change...
searching, things to investigate:
hams.sourceforge.net (link 46)
febo.com/geekworks/data-capture (link 47)
tigertronics.com/pgmsetup.htm#General%20Setup%20Instructions (link 48)

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2020-01-11

$ sudo apt-get install ax25-tools ... successful
However: $ dpkg -s kissattach ... tells me that this did Not install kissattach
$ sudo apt-get install kissattach
"Unable to locate package kissattach"
searching...
from: Install systemd script (link 49)
$ sudo /usr/share/pat/ax25/install-systemd-ax25-unit.bash
response: "Installed. Edit /etc/default/ax25 and start with 'systemctl start ax25' "
However: $ dpkg -s kissattach ... tells me that kissattach still not installed
Getting more confused. Instructions in ax25 say to:
"Edit the device settings: $ sudo nano /etc/default/ax25 "
inspecting the file (at least I HAVE one!) shows a bunch of stuff, and no instructions on exactly what to edit...
However many of the lines refer to TNC configuration, and also to changes that are specific to your radio (icom-7000).

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2020-01-10

Found a good ham forum: amateurRadio group on Reddit (link 50)
A post there about WinLink said I needed: hamlib - a library for allowing computer control of your radio (link 51)
$ pat configure ... and entered locator and ax25 lines
$ kissattach... ... command not found. Presume I need to load kissattach...
snippit from reddit blog: "... pat expects to talk to it through Linux's AX.25 network stack (using kissattach on the KISS PTY) ..."
See my info page: (go to:) Kissattach
cqconnect (link 18) says:
$ sudo apt-get install ax25-tools
just guessing this might include kissattach...
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2020-01-09

double-click the: pat_0.8.0_linux_amd64.deb file
'package installer' box opens. Click 'Install'
Best guess from very scattered and sketchy documentation is that next thing to do is edit configuration file:
$ pat --help ... confirms it's installed and lists options etc.
$ pat configure ... opens: /home/jay/.wl2k/config.json for editing
.wl2k is a hidden file and to see it you must:
entered my call in first line, then closed editor...
(go to:) Pat Winlink for more details...
forum post to study: reddit.com/.../winlink (link 52)

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2020-01-08

WinLink site says first step is to install Client Software
Initial research suggests it will be possible to install this on my Linux tower.
Downloaded .deb package for Pat WinLink, which is the Linux-compatible client package (as opposed to Windows WinLink Express software)
Ordered a SignaLink USB interface from GigaParts

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