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G. Winlink VHF Operation — Laptop Setup (Windows)
We are currently operating in the BYOL (bring your own laptop) mode. We are working
on having a computer set up at the hospital with the software installed and configured.
Even if we are successful, you might want to have the software installed on your
Windows laptop (or tablet) computer as a backup.
To use the Winlink VHF mode, you will need to download and install the latest version
of the Winlink Express program on your laptop. Here’s where to get it.
https://winlink.org/WinlinkExpress
While you are there, set up a user account at Winlink.org. Be sure to create a password
and record it in a safe place (with your Intellicentrics
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login credentials!). The software is
under active development, with frequent upgrades, so please run the Winlink program
frequently to keep it up to date.
The setup at HCGH includes a USB-to-serial converter using the FTDI chipset. On many
Windows computers, this driver is pre-installed. If you need to install a driver, look here:
https://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm
Another potential stumbling block is figuring out what COM port was assigned to your
serial port by Windows. You will need this information to configure the Winlink Express
software. Plugging the same USB-to-serial converter into different USB ports on your
laptop causes Windows to assign a different COM port number, so don’t assume that it
will always be the same. You can install a simple utility called TWCOMDetect that lists
all of the active COM ports on your computer. It’s a lot easier to use than the Windows
Device Manager. You can get it here (or Google it):
http://timewave.com/support/utilities/
H. Winlink Express Operation
There are lots of guides to using Winlink Express on the Internet. So I’ll just share a few
helpful tips here that are specific to our installation.
•
There is no need to initialize the COM port parameters in Windows before
running the Winlink Express program. Winlink Express takes care of that for
you. Winlink Express also initializes the TNC for you. So, once you have the
TNC connected to your laptop and determine which COM port is being used, you
are ready to go.
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Intellicentrics is a credentials program used by registered volunteers at Holy Cross. If you have not signed
up as a hospital volunteer, disregard.
