01 / Telnet
Test First
Open a Telnet session and send/receive once. If this fails, RF is not the problem.
N6XYZ / Winlink
Radio email when the internet gets thin.
A quick-read reminder for the basic Winlink flow: test by Telnet, pick the RF session, update channels, connect, send.
Source note
Source: Winlink.org, Winlink Express notes, and live RMS channel tools. Gateway availability changes, so use live channel lookup before leaving.
02 / VHF-UHF
Find Node
Open the RF session, use Channel Selection, update via internet, then sort nearby.
03 / HF
Go RF
Tune the radio, confirm audio/PTT, select the gateway, then Start.
04 / Forms
Keep Small
Use plain text and small forms. Update templates before you leave.
Client: Winlink Express
Lookup: RMS Channels
First test: Telnet
RF: VARA FM / Packet / HF
| Need | Do This | Remember |
|---|---|---|
| Basic check | Open Session: Telnet Winlink. Click Start. | Confirms account, password, app config, and pending mail. |
| Local node | Open Session: VARA FM Winlink or Packet Winlink. Click Channel Selection. | Update the table over internet first. Use service code PUBLIC. |
| HF backup | Open Session: VARA HF Winlink. Click Channel Selection. | Pick by distance, band, time of day, and signal path. |
| Send | Post to Outbox. Start the session. Wait for send/receive to finish. | RF is slow. Keep messages short and attachments tiny. |
| After | Write down the callsign, frequency, mode, audio level, and antenna. | That note becomes the next quick path. |
| Mode | Path | Gear | Field Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Telnet | Internet | Laptop only | Fast account check, form update, message test, and baseline before RF troubleshooting. |
| VARA FM | VHF/UHF RMS | FM radio, sound interface, PTT path | Good first RF path for local and regional gateways where supported. |
| Packet | VHF/UHF RMS | TNC or soundcard packet setup | Widely supported but slower. Useful when local packet gateways are active. |
| VARA HF | HF RMS | HF SSB radio, tuner/antenna, sound interface | Off-grid fallback when local VHF/UHF gateways are unavailable or out of range. |
| ARDOP | HF RMS | HF SSB radio and sound interface | Alternative HF mode supported by Winlink Express, depending on gateway availability. |
| PACTOR | HF RMS | Compatible PACTOR modem | High-reliability HF option when the hardware and gateway path are available. |
| D-STAR | Digital RF | D-STAR radio and supported route | Useful where a D-STAR Winlink path exists. Confirm locally before counting on it. |
| Step | Winlink Flow | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Open Winlink Express. Make or check the message. | Use a simple subject and plain text body. |
| 02 | Pick the session type: Telnet, VARA FM, Packet, or VARA HF. | Telnet is the sanity check. RF is the field path. |
| 03 | Channel Selection. Update. Choose a PUBLIC gateway. | Gateway status changes. Refresh before travel and before use. |
| 04 | Set radio frequency, audio, PTT, and power. | If the radio does not key or audio is hot, stop and fix that first. |
| 05 | Click Start and let the session finish. | Do not chase the interface while it is negotiating. |
| Pack | Item | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Core | Laptop with Winlink Express | Winlink Express is the primary client this page assumes. |
| Core | Account password and recovery access | Do not wait until the field to discover an account issue. |
| RF | Radio, audio interface, cables, and PTT method | Label the known-good cable path so setup is repeatable. |
| RF | Antenna, feed line, power, and charging plan | The best software plan still needs RF and battery margin. |
| Ops | RMS notes by region | Print or save the current channel list before travel, then refresh when online. |
| Rules | Amateur radio limits | No encryption on amateur bands. Watch third-party traffic rules and message content. |
| Local Lookup | Link | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Auburn / VARA FM | Live map | Good first VHF/UHF Winlink view near the W6EK side of the site. |
| Auburn / Packet | Live map | Traditional 1200 baud packet gateways near the same area. |
| Sacramento / VARA FM | Live map | Useful when operating closer to K6SAC/Sacramento. |
| Northern CA / VARA HF | Live map | HF gateway view for regional fallback paths. |
| All RMS tools | RMS Channels | Official map, list, propagation, service code notes, and channel download tools. |
| Mode | Nearby Starting Points | Frequencies Seen | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARA FM | KN6HTD, KM6RFB-10, NB6S-8, AD6DM-10, NC6J-10 | 145.630 / 145.730 MHz | Snapshot pulled July 13, 2026 near Auburn/Sacramento. Verify before use. |
| Packet | KK6SEN-10, W6SAR-10, K6CVH-10, KM6LYW-10, NB6S-8 | 145.050 / 145.630 / 145.730 MHz | Snapshot pulled July 13, 2026. 1200 baud packet options appeared closest. |
| VARA HF | W6LHR, KG6MDW, K9ONR, K6ZA | 7 / 10 / 14 / 21 / 28 MHz bands | Snapshot pulled July 13, 2026. Check propagation before choosing an HF path. |
Gateway note
Do not treat the nearby callsigns as permanent. The official map uses green, yellow, and red status markers, and gateways drop from display after they stop reporting. Refresh the live map or Winlink Express channel table before counting on a node.