---
title: Winlink on a Windows computer and a TX-500
summary: >
  For anyone interested and mainly for my notes archive, this is the setup that
  I currently have set up on my Windows equipment for Winlink. I started taking notes
  on the **Microsoft Surface 2 Go** and ended up installing all this on the **HP Elitebook 830 G6**
  (which has an **integrated GPS sensor**).
# date: 2024-05-11T23:53:55+02:00
date: 2024-06-01T09:45:09+02:00
lastmod: 2024-12-17T13:48:35+0000
coverCaption: Winlink Express
categories:
  - amateur-radio
tags:
  - winlink
  - portable
  - digirig
  - mobilinkd
  - packetradio
  - vara fm
  - vara hf
  - gps
---

First let us start with what I used until now for any Winlink session that
I made (either at home or portable in the field/forest/mountain).

## The old setup (on a linux box)

I use a Lenovo X1 Carbon as my daily driver. It is quick enough and compact
and I used it for a while now for hamradio stuff too. I never did FT8 or
similar "messengers" on it though. In particular I did some winlink sessions
using [Pat] in combination with [rigctld], [direwolf], the [AX.25 tools],
[VARA] (HF and FM) and [ARDOPCF] (never got one connection from home).

[Pat]: https://getpat.io/
[rigctld]: https://hamlib.github.io/
[direwolf]: https://github.com/wb2osz/direwolf
[AX.25 tools]: https://packet-radio.net/ax-25/
[VARA]: https://rosmodem.wordpress.com/
[ARDOPCF]: https://github.com/Dinsmoor/ardopcf

A more precise note on how I established different connection types is
[already
written down in the article before]({{< ref "64-packet-radio-vara-mobilinkd-and-digirig-on-linux" >}}
"Packet radio, VARA (FM+HF), Mobilinkd, Digirig and the SignaLink USB on Linux").

## Using Winlink Express on a Windows computer

I planned to use the Surface 2 Go tablet for Winlink and related tasks -- but while I
wrote down my notes in this article I finally realized that I want to user a more
powerful device than the Surface 2 Go. I ordered a used HP Elitebook 830 for this
and I finished the main setup already.

<abbr title="For your information">FYI</abbr>: most screenshots are still from the Surface tablet.

![screenshot of an active VARA HF session](overview.png "This is my setup with Winlink Express and VARA HF in action.")

I like to have the sound control open to adjust volume levels.

## ARDOP setup

Following some screenshots showing my settings for ARDOP:

![screenshot of the ARDOP GUI](ardop.png "The classic Windows ARDOP program.")

![screenshot of the Winlink TNC settings](ardop-tnc-settings.png "Settings within a ARDOP Winlink session")

Set the desired drive level within these settings. I usually have to set it to <kbd>87</kbd>-<kbd>88</kbd>.

![screenshot of the Winlink Radio settings](ardop-winlink-settings.png "Radio settings within a ARDOP Winlink session")

I use a Lab599 Discovery TX-500 (with Lab599 as the CAT option).

I also use a Digirig and I can therefore use the COM port to trigger the PTT function.

![screenshot of the ARDOP settings](ardop-tnc.png "And finally the ARDOP settings")

{{< video "ardop-session-web" "An ARDOP session" >}}

## VARA HF setup

![screenshot of the VARA HF settings](vara-tnc-settings.png "Settings within a Winlink VARA HF session")

![screenshot of the VARA HF soundcard settings](vara-soundcard.png "Choosing the right soundcard and the drive level to fit the optimum ALC of the radio")

{{< video "vara-session-web" "A VARA HF session" >}}

## VARA FM setup

![screenshot of the VARA FM settings](varafm-tnc-settings.png "Settings within a Winlink VARA FM settings")

![screenshot of the VARA FM soundcard settings](varafm-soundcard-settings.png "Settings of the VARA FM soundcard settings")

The Digirig was not connected at the time when I made the screenshot here, so you see an invalid soundcard setting above.
Make sure to select the proper USB sound devices.

![screenshot of the VARA FM PTT control settings](varafm-ptt-settings.png "Using the COM port of the Digirig for PTT control and using
RTS+DTR")

{{< video "varafm-session-web" "A VARA FM session" >}}

## Packet radio setup

![screenshot of the packet radio settings](packet-settings.png "Settings within a Winlink packet radio session")

![screenshot of the soundmodem devices settings](soundmodem-devices.png "Choose the right soundcard interfaces and make sure to
enable the KISS port -- you can disable the AGWPE port but we can use the same COM port for PTT control when using a Digirig")

![screenshot of the soundmodem modem settings](soundmodem-modems.png "My modem settings within soundmodem")

{{< video "packet-session-web" "A packet radio session" >}}

## Using the internal GPS sensor

My Surface 2 Go was a non-LTE version and I think those versions are the only ones with built-in GPS sensors
so I always had to use external GPS devices like the [U-blox7 GPS stick](https://www.amazon.com//dp/B01MTU9KTF/).

But starting with the Elitebook 830 G6 I now have a device with integrated GPS sensors that I want to
use with Winlink Express.

Heads up: Winlink Express let you use a COM port or a TCP/IP connection to obtain coordinates, so we will
need some sort of middleware that can read the internal sensors and forward the location information to a
**virtual COM port**.

### GPSREverse and GPSDirect

I have tried [GPSReverse and GPSDirect](https://www.gpssensordrivers.com/) first but had no luck with it.

I then started another try on a search engine but specifically looked for experienced off-grid operators like
Julian, OH8STN -- because I remembered some videos of him using a Surface tablet as well. And of course, he
[also used the internal GPS device of his LTE model](https://oh8stn.org/blog/2023/11/02/microsoft-surface-go-lte-gps-for-ham-radio/).

### Using GpsGate Splitter

Goto the [GpsGate Splitter](https://gpsgate.com/gpsgate-splitter) website and download the Splitter aswell as
the **Windows Location API Plugin** (scroll down a bit).

{{< alert >}}
The program is a 14-day free trial and can be bought for EUR 30€ (USD 40$) and is well worth the
investment.
{{< /alert >}}

On the welcome screen click <kbd>Advanced setup...</kbd> on the bottom. This opens the GpsGate settings dialog.
Select <kbd>Windows Location API</kbd> as input.

![screenshot of GpsGate input settings](gpsgate-input.png)

Move to the tab <kbd>Output</kbd> and choose <kbd>Virtual COM Port</kbd> in the drop-down menu
for the output. Click <kbd>Add</kbd> and choose which port to use (I use <kbd>COM1</kbd>).

![screenshot of GpsGate output settings](gpsgate-output.png)

Go back to the <kbd>Input</kbd> tab and click <kbd>Open</kbd>. You can now close the dialog
form and it will remain active in the systray (bottom right of the screen, somewhere near the clock).

After a reboot the GpsGate service should start automatically and restore your virtual COM port that
you can select in Winlink Express.

{{< alert >}}
**Update on June 16<sup>th</sup>**  
I experienced some problems with this already, and I fixed it by using the Service.

Open the service manager (<kbd>Win</kbd>+<kbd>R</kbd> → `services.msc` → hit <kbd>Enter</kbd>
or click <kbd>OK</kbd>) and enable <kbd>Franson GpsGate 2.0</kbd> Service (doubleclick and set
the Starttype to <kbd>Automatic</kbd>). You can also start it manually by clicking <kbd>Start</kbd>.
{{< /alert >}}

## What you have to look for

There are probably more things to keep an eye on, but those are the few ones that
I usually take care of.

### Time synchronisation

Most digital modes rely on accurate time settings, so you may synchronise with a timeserver or use
the GPS mouse.

### RX signal

In ARDOP try to get your receiving signal withing the green bar. ![screenshot of ARDOP signal level meter](ardop-signal.png)
The top blue bar will then change to green aswell.

In VARA HF make sure the left indicator is near the needle as in this screenshot. ![screenshot of VARA HF signal level meter](vara-signal.png)

You can achieve this with different methods.

- Change the microphone level within Windows.  
  I try to leave this setting to <kbd>80%</kbd> but I sometimes have to adjust it a bit.
  It is good at <kbd>80%</kbd> for VARA FM, but for ARDOP I often have to increase it to <kbd>100%</kbd>.
- Change the REF level on your radio.  
  On the TX-500 I usually maintain a REF level between <kbd>-12</kbd> and <kbd>-19</kbd>.

### TX signal

You may need to look into your radios manual to get the optimum value of the signal.
On the TX-500 I look at the DIG meter. Get the bar nearly full and you are good to go.
![picture of the TX500 DIG meter](tx500-dig.png)
(The ALC meter on the TX-500 does not move a bit on my setup)

## Some nice shortcut commands for the desktop

I catch myself often doing quick looks into the device manager to verify
the actual COM ports are still what they are used to be and I am also adjusting
sound volumes (USB speaker & mic) very often.

I created two links on my desktop that open the device manager and the
extended sound options just with a double-click for me.

Device Manager
: Right click on the desktop, select <kbd>New ›</kbd> → <kbd>Link</kbd>
and enter `devmgmt.msc`. Hit <kbd>Enter</kbd> or click <kbd>Next</kbd>,
name the new link appropriate and you're done with this one.

Sound control
: Right click on the desktop, select <kbd>New ›</kbd> → <kbd>Link</kbd>
and enter `mmsys.cpl sounds`. Hit <kbd>Enter</kbd> or click <kbd>Next</kbd>,
name the new link appropriate and you're also done with that one.

The sound control shortcut may have a non-ideal symbol, to change it right click
onto the new shortcut, select <kbd>Properties</kbd> and click on the button
<kbd>Other symbol...</kbd>. In the next dialog I choose another file
(click the button <kbd>Search...</kbd> next to the textfield). I use the
symbol from `C:\Windows\System32\SndVol.exe` -- open that file and you can
choose between three simple symbols for this new shortcut on your desktop.
Close all dialogs by clicking on <kbd>OK</kbd> and that's it!