update and post (publish) draft post

content/posts/2023-11-05-winlink-on-my-iphone-with-radiomail/index.md

@@ -2,22 +2,11 @@
 title = 'Winlink on my iPhone with RadioMail'
 summary = '''Finally there is an absolutely portable way
     to operate Winlink.'''
-date = '2023-10-08T21:08:38+02:00'
+date = '2023-11-05T07:20:12+0100'
 #lastmod = ''
 categories = [ 'amateur-radio' ]
 tags = [ 'winlink', 'radiomail', 'iOS' ]
 
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 +++
 
 Have a look at the recent (as of today) announcement which already explains
@@ -30,13 +19,26 @@ be aware that it might cost something. I paid 17.99€ in October 2023.
 If you want to use Winlink Forms you have to subscribe to a yearly (9.99€)
 or monthly (1.99€) plan to support the developer.
 
+{{< alert circle-info >}}
+I'd like to point out, that you always have to pay for software. Either with money,
+or with your personal information. The big tech companies like Google for example get
+paid with information that most of us deliver with their smartphones and laptops. That
+is one reason why YouTube hates adblockers.  
+<small>But that is another story...</small>
+{{< /alert >}}
+
 ## Winlink Forms :memo:
 
-Winlink forms work very well. There is also a way to import your self-made
+[Winlink forms][1] work very well. There is also a way to import your self-made
 forms -- which also works very well on most forms. I got one form that I was
 unable to import, but I haven't found the reason yet (it gets imported into
 Winlink Express without problems though).
 
+Some forms can be found here: [WLNET-OE][2] (weekly winlink net; Austria)
+
+[1]: https://winlink.org/WinlinkExpressForms
+[2]: https://groups.io/g/WLNET-OE/topics
+
 ## Setup the application
 
 Using your Winlink username (callsign) and your Winlink password (the same
@@ -62,13 +64,13 @@ There is a [configuration app at the AppStore](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mob
 
 | TNC input settings| TNC output settings |
 | :---------------: | :---------------:   |
-| ![input settings](tnc_audio-in.jpg) | ![output settings](tnc_audio-out.jpg) |
+| ![input settings](tnc_audio-in.jpg "I have this currently on 2 and 9dB") | ![output settings](tnc_audio-out.jpg "This is currently on 40 Gain and 50 Twist; Multiplex") |
 
 The actual battery state can be viewed in <kbd>Power Settings...</kbd>.
 
 After you finished the confgiguration, disconnect the Config App from your TNC.
 
-### The actual use of the TNC with RadioMail
+### The actual use of the TNC with RadioMail :tokyo_tower:
 
 Connect the Mobilinkd TNC with an appropriate cable to your transceiver. I'm using
 my [Icom ID-52]({{< ref "/equipment/handhelds/icom-id52" >}}) for this because this is the radio if have usually with me -- if any.
@@ -118,7 +120,7 @@ option from RadioMail).
 
 You need another device (usually a Windows Laptop or Tablet) that can run VARA-HF.
 Put your iPhone and the device that runs VARA-HF into the same network so they can talk
-to each other.
+to each other. Also enable the **KISS** interface in the VARA-HF software (or VARA-FM)!
 
 Go to <kbd>Settings</kbd>, <kbd>VARA HF Modem</kbd> (in <kbd>DEVICES</kbd>) and enter
 the IP Address of the host running VARA-HF. Example below:
@@ -129,10 +131,19 @@ RadioMail on your iPhone can now talk to the VARA HF Modem on your Surface table
 
 ## Would I recommend using RadioMail instead of Winlink Express?
 
-No. The app is nice and it is really fun to use, it feels well-built but I do get
-strange behaviour sometimes which prevents me from sending or receiving mails at all.
+No, not yet as a Winlink Express replacement. The app is nice and it is really fun
+to use but there is no possibility to export messages from Winlink and import them
+into RadioMail and vice versa.
 
-I haven't found a solution for this yet nor do I really know what is causing this
-behaviour but I will rather use the "real" Winlink Express on a tablet rather to
-investigate into random errors of a paid app. I wouldn't buy it again to be fair.
+Also there is no synchronisation between the Winlink Express and the RadioMail
+mailboxes (like INBOX, Outbox, Sent Items etc.).
+
+Also the failed import of one of the forms (link above) makes me feel a bit like
+the app ain't fully ready for productive usage yet -- that may change anytime, so
+keep that in mind though.
+
+If you only intend to use this portable with the minimum amount of equipment to carry:
+this may be the way to go. I really know very few people that do not carry a phone with
+them at all times and you only need a handheld radio with the Mobilinkd TNC to send
+and receive Winlink messages via PacketRadio.