You can not select more than 25 topics
Topics must start with a letter or number, can include dashes ('-') and can be up to 35 characters long.
167 lines
6.8 KiB
167 lines
6.8 KiB
+++
|
|
title = 'Winlink on my iPhone with RadioMail'
|
|
aliases = '/posts/2023-11-05-winlink-on-my-iphone-with-radiomail'
|
|
summary = '''Finally there is an absolutely portable way
|
|
to operate Winlink.'''
|
|
date = '2023-11-05T07:20:12+0100'
|
|
lastmod = '2024-02-18T13:34:29+0000'
|
|
categories = [ 'amateur-radio' ]
|
|
tags = [ 'winlink', 'radiomail', 'ios' ]
|
|
|
|
+++
|
|
|
|
Have a look at the recent (as of today) announcement which already explains
|
|
all the new features: :link: <https://radiomail.app/news/radiomail-1.2/>
|
|
|
|
{{< alert "circle-info" >}}
|
|
**Updated on 18 Feb 2024**:
|
|
Since this post was published :link: [another version appeared](https://radiomail.app/news/radiomail-1.3/)
|
|
that also includes the possibility to **remotely start and control VARA HF** and **VARA FM**
|
|
applications on a **headless** Windows or Linux **miniPC** (or notebook, or Raspberry Pi --
|
|
whatever device can run VARA apps as long as it in the same network as your iOS device).
|
|
|
|
The tool used for this is called **Varanny** and auto-fills the remote hosts data into
|
|
your RadioMail configuration just with a tap of your finger -- it starts the desired VARA
|
|
application on the remote host with the pre-defined configuration, so you can easily swap
|
|
configurations as you swap your rigs. A fantastic solution!
|
|
|
|
Downloads and Documentation (look at the README file and the Wiki page!) are on :link: [Georges
|
|
Github repository](https://github.com/islandmagic/varanny).
|
|
{{< /alert >}}
|
|
|
|
## Get the app and: Pricing :money_bag:
|
|
|
|
Find the [application in Apples AppStore](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/radiomail/id1613839993):
|
|
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][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
|
|
that you would use for Winlink Express on a Windows Computer).
|
|
|
|
## A quick walkthrough via TELNET
|
|
|
|
Tap <kbd>Stations</kbd> in the top right corner and add the <kbd>WL2K</kbd>
|
|
station to your favorites (if it's not in there already).
|
|
|
|
Tap the envelope :envelope: in the bottom left corner and choose the
|
|
<kbd>WL2K</kbd> station from your favorites. Choose <kbd>Send & Receive</kbd>
|
|
and hit <kbd>Connect</kbd>.
|
|
|
|
That's it basically.
|
|
|
|
## Using the Mobilinkd TNC4 with the Icom ID-52
|
|
|
|
### Basic configuration of the TNC with Mobilinkd Config App
|
|
|
|
As with most equipment, you need to set the audio levels on the Mobilinkd TNC.
|
|
There is a [configuration app at the AppStore](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mobilinkd-config-app/id1449681533).
|
|
|
|
| TNC input settings| TNC output settings |
|
|
| :---------------: | :---------------: |
|
|
|  |  |
|
|
|
|
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 :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.
|
|
|
|
{{< alert "circle-info" >}}
|
|
Read through the [:open_book: User Manual](http://www.mobilinkd.com/downloads/) as it is
|
|
really helpful (yes I know, real men and specially tech geeks don't need
|
|
manuals -- they just post stupid questions on mailing lists later...)
|
|
{{< /alert >}}
|
|
|
|
Once you are in the app, select your favorites from the full stations view by
|
|
tapping the top right button called <kbd>Stations</kbd>.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Select the station and tap <kbd>Add to Favorites</kbd>.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Now, when you want to connect to a gateway, you can choose from your favorites
|
|
from within the <kbd>Connect</kbd> screen by hitting <kbd>Favorites</kbd>.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Then select the mode and your favorits get listed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
### Compose a message using forms
|
|
|
|
Compose a message while using forms by **tapping and holding** the
|
|
{{< icon "edit" >}} button on the bottom right corner.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
{{< alert "circle-info" >}}
|
|
Don't forget: you need a subscription to use forms, as they require
|
|
more maintainance to keep always updated with the regular [Winlink Forms][3].
|
|
|
|
[3]: https://www.winlink.org/WinlinkExpressForms
|
|
{{< /alert >}}
|
|
|
|
## Using RadioMail with VARA-HF
|
|
|
|
This is also valid for VARA-FM (but I won't cover that, because I use the built-in packet
|
|
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. 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:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RadioMail on your iPhone can now talk to the VARA HF Modem on your Surface tablet (for example).
|
|
|
|
## Would I recommend using RadioMail instead of Winlink Express?
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|