I have a working configuration for WinLink on my MacBook Pro. This likely works with M3, M2, M1 chips also.
My thanks and a Tip ‘O The Hat to Jackson (W2TAZ) for helping me get started, Dan (N9PAP) and the Fort Wayne Radio Club for helping me with some details and encouraging me, David (KD9OVE) for encouraging me, and Jennifer and the American Red Cross for giving me the motivation to make it work before something terrible happens and we need it.
The solution for general knowledge sharing:
Parallels in the Apple App Store
1. Install / buy Parallels — let it install Windows 11. Yes you need to get a key somewhere to activate Windoz. It will prompt you to buy a key, but if you already have a key for Windows 11 Pro you can use that.
1a. Download and install both DireWolf from here and WinLink. DireWolf runs in a terminal window and WinLink runs in a normal window. You just unzip DireWolf and it runs where you put its folder. You can also simplify the name of the folder – DireWolf doesn’t care. WinLink has an actuall install process. RTFM. I made “shortcuts” for each .exe file on my desktop.
2. Follow the DigiRig setup (QuickStart) under Devices and under System Audio Settings to program in the DigiRig speaker and mic. Open the Windows Device Manager and watch for two new sound devices which appear when you plug in the DigiRig and vanish when you unplug the DigiRig. Open Windows Sound Settings and then All Devices, and rename them to something notable – such as DigiRig Speakers and DigiRig Microphone instead of USB Speakers and USB Microphone. You’ll thank me later.
Windows sound devices and new COM port once driver is installed and DigiRig is connected
3. Download (from here) the CP210x Universal Windows Driver then unzip it somewhere and right-click/Install on the .inf file. You must unzip it first as you can’t install from inside a .zip file. NOW you will have a new COM port in your Windows Device Manager under Ports. Ports was not there until you installed this driver. You’re welcome.
4. Following the DigiRig setup instructions, note the COM port. I have attached my direwolf.conf configuration file. Rename the direwolf.conf file in your new DireWolf folder to direwolf.conf.original. Copy my direwolf.conf into your direwolf folder. Edit it. Change MYCALL about line 178 to your callsign. At about line 226 change the COM port there to the real COM port you just noted.
Packet Session Settings
The image I have provided here for my WinLink configuration might also prove helpful – there is not much to it. WinLink Settings is on the menu across the top when you open WinLink and you will be able to handle that without my help. To reach Packet Settings look at the right side of the top where it says Open Session. Change the Drop Down Combo List Box to Packet Winlink and then click Open Session. It looks like a label but click it. Inside the packet session there is another menu across the top and Settings in that menu is Packet Settings. You can do this! Have fun!
