Icom IC-7100 Quick Start Manual page 9

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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

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.

Intellicentrics is a credentials program used by registered volunteers at Holy Cross. If you have not signed

up as a hospital volunteer, disregard.