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    <p>Hi all,</p>
    <p>Yes, thanks Mark for putting the evening on. Some challenges were
      found, and some met.<br>
      It certainly showed up a number of difficulties and enabled some
      targeted investigations.<br>
      My own case, I could not get Vara FM to PTT my Tcvr. I use a
      hardwired PTT with my IC706IIG.<br>
      I have since found that the HF & VHF TX is on different pins
      on the ACC plug. <br>
    </p>
    <p>All Winlink HF Gateways should be fairly equal - just distance
      & conditions can cause variation. John 3ZRX <br>
      would be able to say a lot about NVIS propagation. Thats why a
      well spaced number of Gateways <br>
      around the State and Country is very helpful. Also, Gateways with
      a number of bands.</p>
    <p>You can set RMS Express to inform you if an update is available,
      and enables you to cancel an install if desired.<br>
      It will nag next time you run. Always good to have that OFF - its
      the last thing you want out in the field!</p>
    <p>As for congestion - Im thinking a Zoom or Email or Text or other
      checkin system at the start of the net...<br>
      Control station collates Callsign, Frequencies & Modes and
      where traffic directed. Then an allocation list is sent back.<br>
      Reasonable time is allotted for each attempt. Move on if problems
      - get through the list, then at the end, retry <br>
      if adjustments need testing.  Zoom active throught the period.<br>
    </p>
    <p>IE:      19:30 - 19:35  VK3MDH - VK3DPW Gateway - 80 Mtr  - Vara
      HF  - Winlink Message - Message to <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:datagrp@vic.wicen.org.au">datagrp@vic.wicen.org.au</a><br>
                19:35 - 19:40   VK3LSN   - VK3MIT  Gateway -  80 Mtr  -
      Vara HF  - Winlink Message - Message to <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:datagrp@vic.wicen.org.au">datagrp@vic.wicen.org.au</a><br>
                19:40 - 19:50   VK3MDH - VK3LSN                   -
      144.2     - VaraFM - P2P   - long text message (50 words).<br>
                19:50 - 20:00   Vk3EQ     -  VK3YYF                   -
      144.2     - Vara       - Chat - Long text message (50 Words) <br>
                20:00 - 20:10   VK3DPW - VK3MDH                 -  80
      Mtr  - Vara HF  - P2P  - Message with attachment.</p>
    <p>Id like to do some more testing re: being able to read messages
      not directed to you. <br>
      It may be just the handshaking and the message &/or attachment
      is not clear.</p>
    <p>Anyway, thats my thoughts for now. I must look into Slack on the
      PC.<br>
    </p>
    <p>Thanks</p>
    <p>Paul Whitaker. VK3DPW<br>
    </p>
    <p><br>
    </p>
    <div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 4/09/2021 5:58 pm, Mark Hudson
      wrote:<br>
    </div>
    <blockquote type="cite"
cite="mid:KL1PR0401MB42277FA5C29B02FF9435B479F2D09@KL1PR0401MB4227.apcprd04.prod.outlook.com">
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        <p class="MsoNormal">Hi all,<o:p></o:p></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal">Many thanks to all those who were able to
          participate in last night’s digital session. It was an
          enjoyable evening with lots of excellent discussions held on
          Zoom. Had my hands full running Zoom and the two systems
          keeping the stream going but I think we got there in the end.<o:p></o:p></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal">I finally got my 2M Winlink system working
          after many had left Zoom. I further tested Winlink P2P today
          with Rik, VK3EQ and it worked flawlessly. I’m sure my list
          below can be further expanded and I’ll upload it into
          <b>Slack</b> under the Winlink channel. Please add your own
          comments / thoughts in Slack so others may have later all our
          collective thoughts in one place.<o:p></o:p></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal">I was hoping next Friday evening we do
          something similar if there is interest. This will allow others
          to join us, to test or retest our systems, theories and share
          ideas. If anyone has any idea’s how we could run the 2hr
          session please let me know then mid next week I’ll issue the
          Zoom log in details and how we will structure the exercise for
          next Friday evening.<o:p></o:p></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal">The aim is  to see how if decided these
          Winlink / Vara systems could be used in a WICEN activation or
          public service event.<o:p></o:p></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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                <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center"
                  align="center"><b>Item<o:p></o:p></b></p>
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                <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center"
                  align="center"><b>Learnings / Questions<o:p></o:p></b></p>
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                <p class="MsoNormal">Vara HF / VHF Chat<o:p></o:p></p>
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                <p class="MsoNormal">Assuming stations are all operating
                  on a single frequency it’s difficult to ensure
                  messages can be passed. How do stations operating on
                  single or multiple frequencies effectively operate /
                  co-exist.  In testing a message for one station was
                  received and read by another. Messages are not
                  encrypted and could be intercepted. This also begs the
                  question re: other stations / other traffic operating
                  Winlink and causing interference. VARA HF Chat works
                  well when connections are made.<o:p></o:p></p>
                <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
                <p class="MsoNormal">If multiple stations require chat
                  what benefit does Vara Chat bring over TRAK. Multiple
                  stations operating in the field require a TRAK / Mesh
                  like environment.<o:p></o:p></p>
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                <p class="MsoNormal">Winlink Gateways<o:p></o:p></p>
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                <p class="MsoNormal">Some gateways are more accessible
                  than others. No guarantee of up time and if there
                  systems are at the most current software revisions.
                  VARA works well and the system operates as required.<o:p></o:p></p>
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                <p class="MsoNormal">Vara FM P2P<o:p></o:p></p>
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              <td
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                <p class="MsoNormal">Worked well once systems are
                  configured correctly. 2M FM provided reasonable
                  coverage.<o:p></o:p></p>
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                <p class="MsoNormal">Systems<o:p></o:p></p>
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                <p class="MsoNormal">Systems (radio & computers)
                  should be standardised. While this may not be possible
                  systems need to be established, tested and checked
                  prior to use.  Training of field operators is more
                  than software it needs to be holistic - PC, radio
                  & software.<o:p></o:p></p>
              </td>
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                <p class="MsoNormal">Software<o:p></o:p></p>
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                <p class="MsoNormal">Updates can be pushed without
                  notice and current versions may be needed to be update
                  prior to use. This imposes a field risk as systems may
                  not be able to be updated in the field.<o:p></o:p></p>
              </td>
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        <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal">Cheers,<o:p></o:p></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal">Mark<o:p></o:p></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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                                            <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span
style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#EB7305;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">Mark
                                                  Hudson</span></b><span
style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#2D2B2C;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB"><br>
                                              </span><span
style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#2D2B2C;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">State
                                                Ordinary Member </span><span
style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#2D2B2C;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">&
                                                Membership Officer
                                                <o:p></o:p></span></p>
                                            <p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#EB7305;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">WICEN
                                                Victoria</span><span
                                                style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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                                            <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span
style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#EB7305;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">Mobile </span></b><span
style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB"><a
                                                  href="tel:+61%20409%20500%20414"
title="tel:+61%20409%20500%20414" moz-do-not-send="true"><span
style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#2D2B2C;text-decoration:none">+61
                                                    409 500 414 </span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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                                    <p class="MsoNormal"><span
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                                            <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span
style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#EB7305;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">Email </span></b><span
style="mso-fareast-language:EN-GB"><a href="mailto:vk3mdh@gmail.com "
                                                  moz-do-not-send="true"><span
style="color:#0563C1">vk3mdh@gmail.com</span><span
style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0563C1"> </span></a></span><span
style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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                                            <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span
style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#EB7305;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">Website </span></b><span
style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB"><a
                                                  href="http://www.vic.wicen.org.au/"
title="http://www.vic.wicen.org.au/" moz-do-not-send="true"><span
style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#2D2B2C;text-decoration:none">www.vic.wicen.org.au </span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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        <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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      <pre class="moz-quote-pre" wrap="">_______________________________________________
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