Winlink Email

Double click the winlink icon to launch the program.

The winlink main screen looks like many email programs. 

To enter a message, click message on the top menu bar.

The winlink message screen looks like many email programs.

Required elements are email addresses, subject line, message body, plus attachments.

Remember to Post to Outbox when message is ready to send.

The Message window will show you the Outbox with message waiting.

On the top right there is a menu bar item Open Session: and a foldout (circled in red above). If you intend to send the message by HF, then select "VARA HF Winlink" and click "Open Session".

The VARA Winlink Session Window sets up which gateway to connect to, and opens the VARA HF Modem window.  On the right side is a quality indicator showing the probability of a successful session with whatever station was last used.  If the box is green, this will probably be a successful connection.  Note on the next the indication bearing.  Point the beam antenna to the bearing for best signal.  For a possible better choice of gateway, use Channel Selection to choose another candidate.  Pay attention to which band different gateways are on, and consider the limitations of the radio and antenna.

If the gateway selection is satisfactory select Start.

Radio should begin transmissions.

You can pick alternative gateways in the Channel selector. Use bands that the radio is capable of only (low SWR).  Gateways are sorted by Quality, high to low. Green is good red is bad. 

Quality is based on Solar Flux Index which Winlink may ask you to update. 

Winlink may also ask for the Gateway list to be updated.

After start and during an active session you can see the progress of the message transfer.

The modems on each end will connect, negotiate the best signalling protocol, and then pump the message contents across the link. The Gateway will automatically disconnect. Seconds later the emails will be delivered over the internet to all addressees.