Post on 28-Dec-2015
Winlink 2000Winlink 2000
An Introduction toAn Introduction to
eMail over Ham RadioeMail over Ham Radio
Presented byPresented by
Bud Semon N7CWBud Semon N7CW
ContributorsContributors
Steve Waterman, K4CJX Scott Pederson, KI5DR Alex Kelly, WU2W Bill Gerth, W4RK Howard White, KY6LA Victor Poor, W5SMM Rick Meuthing, KN6KB Alan Jorgenson, KE6SQS
33
Why eMail?Why eMail? Using e-mail is universal. Minimum training required. Large amounts of data/information may be
exchanged, accurately:• Detailed damage or status reports.• Detailed work assignments & shift changes.• Lists of equipment and supplies needed.• Graphic or text-based Medical information.• Anything else that may be handled routinely
by e-mail, including attachments. Every transfer is a permanently stored record. Data/information is secure from casual
monitoring.
text onlytext only very slow very slow translation required translation required inflexible, prone to error inflexible, prone to error no permanent record no permanent record not self-originating not self-originating not reliably point-to-multipointnot reliably point-to-multipoint
For complex messages, voice, Morse code, For complex messages, voice, Morse code, Radiograms, Radiograms, won’t won’t do…do… WHY?WHY?
Why Winlink?Why Winlink?
July, 2003: In cooperation with its partnership with the Department of Homeland Security, and at their recommendation, the ARRL Board has agreed to provide a nationwide digital system to enhance the communications capability of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®).
There are situations, the Board said, when
ARES® "must have the capability to pass digital "must have the capability to pass digital traffic across the nation quickly and accurately.”traffic across the nation quickly and accurately.”
Purpose of Winlink 2000 in the ARES Purpose of Winlink 2000 in the ARES Environment:Environment:
To supply de facto e-mail for served agencies:
• from inside a disaster area
• without normal e-mail servers or Internet connections being available within the “last mile” affected area.
What is it?What is it?
Winlink is basically an improvement to packet radio.Winlink is basically an improvement to packet radio.
It uses message drafting software similar in appearance to standard e-mail handling applications and transmits them in various digital modes
VHF/UHF Packet (using Airmail or Paclink freeware) HF Pactor (using Airmail freeware) and Telnet (from a normal Internet connection).
At the receiving end of VHF/UHF and HF transmissions, it is either held for other participating stations or it enters the Internet for further transmission anywhere as normal e-mail.
Winlink 2000 TodayWinlink 2000 Today Created seven years ago for open water boaters and RV usersCreated seven years ago for open water boaters and RV users
Approximately 150,000 radio message/260,000 minutes through Approximately 150,000 radio message/260,000 minutes through system, monthly. system, monthly.
Over 7,200 weekly users to over 85,000 e-mail recipients.Over 7,200 weekly users to over 85,000 e-mail recipients.
Over 50 standard participating locations (PMBOs) with 25 in Over 50 standard participating locations (PMBOs) with 25 in USA. Many locations contain both VHF Telpac and HF Winlink USA. Many locations contain both VHF Telpac and HF Winlink capabilities. capabilities.
HF radio access, VHF/UHF radio access, Telnet internet HF radio access, VHF/UHF radio access, Telnet internet access, WEB browser access.access, WEB browser access.
2.1 minute average delivery time 2.1 minute average delivery time
Endorsed by the ARRL as a viable emergency digital Endorsed by the ARRL as a viable emergency digital communication system communication system
Benefits to Served AgenciesBenefits to Served Agencies
Backup, radio SMTP e-mail until “last mile” is restoredBackup, radio SMTP e-mail until “last mile” is restored
VHF/UHF for local area connection to InternetVHF/UHF for local area connection to Internet
HF for distant connection to InternetHF for distant connection to Internet
Familiar e-mail interfaceFamiliar e-mail interface
Local “Hubbing” even with no Internet accessLocal “Hubbing” even with no Internet access
No software or hardware necessary behind FirewallNo software or hardware necessary behind Firewall
Control operator need not be present for third-party digital Control operator need not be present for third-party digital traffic. (traffic. (§97.109 Station control, for 3rd Party traffic rules) Not §97.109 Station control, for 3rd Party traffic rules) Not directly accountable for content (directly accountable for content (§97.219(c.)§97.219(c.)
VHF or HF Radio
Data Interface
VHF or HF Radio
Data Interface
Computer
The PMBO is connected to the internet at all times.
There are over 300 VHF Telpac PMBOs and 25 HF PMBOs in the USA. There are more than 50 HF PMBOs worldwide.
The InternetThe Internet
How is it done?How is it done? By connecting to stations that run Participating Mail Box Operations (PMBOs) 24/7.
PMBORemote Station
VHF Radio
Data Interface
PMBO
VHF and HF Radio
Data Interface
Computer
VHF PMBOsVHF PMBOs with internet gateways are called TELPAC TELPAC stations – a combination of the Telnet internet connection and Paclink.
The InternetThe Internet
VHF Radio
Data Interface
TELPAC
802-11b
TELPAC stations may be associated with an HF PMBO using a substation ID (-1, -2) from the the PMBO or stand alone and connect to the Internet via any TCP/IP link, including ICOM’s D-Star or “WiFi” 802-11b.
W6IM-1 W6IM
D-Star
Telnetvia ISP
VHF Radio
Data Interface
PMBO
VHF Radio
Data Interface
Computer
Other computers, or Central Mail Box Central Mail Box Operations (CMBOs)Operations (CMBOs),, organize and manage the network traffic. There are only two, one in Ohio, and one in California.
The InternetThe Internet
CMBO CMBO
CMBOs are transparent to users. They are redundant, and you never know they are there.
CMBO
The NetworkThe Network
PMBO
VHF and HF Radio
Data Interface
VHF Radio
Data Interface
PMBO
VHF Radio
Data Interface
Computer
Winlink allows you to Winlink allows you to transmit standard e-mail transmit standard e-mail directly to all Internet e-directly to all Internet e-mail users worldwide,mail users worldwide, as if you were using your home or office computer.
Likewise anyone anywhere can send you an e-mail back through the same system.
The InternetThe Internet
CMBO
PMBO
VHF Radio
Data Interface
VHF Radio
Data Interface
Compute
r
Adding a Local Area Network (LAN) to the PACLINK computer permits multiple individuals within the served agency to send and receive radio e-mail. PACLINK is now an e-mail server.
The InternetThe Internet
VHF Radio
Data Interface
Computer
SERVED AGENCY LAN
PACLINK may be placed in the “DMZ” zone in front of the firewall.
PMBO
VHF Radio
Data Interface
VHF Radio
Data Interface
Computer
And you can send radio e-mail to other amateur stations via Paclink (VHF) or Airmail (HF/VHF) without the Internet.
The PMBO will hold the e-mail in queue waiting for the receiving station to connect.
VHF Radio
Data Interface
Computer
There are lots of options to get the email delivered….
The InternetThe Internet
PMBO
VHF Radio
Data Interface
VHF Radio
Data Interface
Computer
If the local PMBO has an outage, you can make a connection with another local TELPAC station …Or…
VHF Radio
Data Interface
TELPAC
The InternetThe Internet
PMBO
VHF Radio
Data Interface
VHF Radio
Data Interface
Compute
r
… you can traverse the packet network using nodes to get to a connected TELPAC station or PMBO…Or…
VHF Radio
Data Interface
TELPAC
NODE
NODE
The InternetThe Internet
PMBO(local)
VHF Radio
Data Interface
…you can use an HF station to get to a distant connected PMBO using Airmail…Or…
Computer
HF Radio
DataInterface
PMBO(distant)
PMBO
VHF Radio
Data Interface
VHF Radio
Data Interface
Compute
r
…if your computer has a valid internet connection, Telnet can be used to send and receive e-mail through an ISP via a PMBO to other Winlink or Paclink stations. This is handy for fixed stations because it is fast.
The InternetThe Internet
VHF Radio
Data Interface
Computer
TELNETTELNET
PACLINK stations can switch between preset radio destinations and Telnet connectivity to find a connection to a PMBO.
What you need to get started with Winlink What you need to get started with Winlink VHF (Paclink)VHF (Paclink)
Computer (recommended OS Computer (recommended OS Windows 2000 or better)Windows 2000 or better)
TNC and cables &TNC and cables &Airmail softwareAirmail software
-- or ---- or -- TNC and cables & Paclink TNC and cables & Paclink
AGW and AGWPE softwareAGW and AGWPE software -- or ---- or --
Soundcard InterfaceSoundcard Interface (e.g. Rigblaster) &(e.g. Rigblaster) &
Paclink AGW and AGWPE Paclink AGW and AGWPE softwaresoftware
VHF radio with data cable to VHF radio with data cable to computer soundcard computer soundcard interface or TNCinterface or TNC
Suitable antennaSuitable antenna
What applications to get for Winlink HF and What applications to get for Winlink HF and VHF (using a TNC):VHF (using a TNC):
Go to Go to www.winlink.orgwww.winlink.org and click and click on the link for the Airmail on the link for the Airmail WebpageWebpage
-- or -- -- or -- Go directly to Go directly to
http://www.siriuscyber.net/ham/http://www.siriuscyber.net/ham/
and download the latest version of and download the latest version of Airmail Ham ClientAirmail Ham Client
For HF use, a linked propagation For HF use, a linked propagation table is available by also clicking table is available by also clicking on the link to the NTIA/ITS website on the link to the NTIA/ITS website and downloading the propagation and downloading the propagation application.application.
You may also need You may also need Winzip, Adobe Acrobat Winzip, Adobe Acrobat Reader and antivirus Reader and antivirus software.software.
Read and follow the installation instructions!
What applications to get for VHF Paclink, What applications to get for VHF Paclink, using a TNC or soundcard interface (no using a TNC or soundcard interface (no TNC):TNC):
Go to www.winlink.org to download Paclink AGW and Paclink Post Office
Go to www.elcom.gr/sv2agw and download the latest AGWPE packet engine
An Email interface is required – An Email interface is required – Outlook Express is Outlook Express is recommended – free with recommended – free with Internet ExplorerInternet Explorer
NOTE: Paclink requires the new Microsoft .NET framework. Click on the link to Microsoft Downloads at the Winlink 2000 Download page
You may also need You may also need Winzip, Adobe Acrobat Winzip, Adobe Acrobat Reader and antivirus Reader and antivirus software.software.
Read and follow the installation instructions!
Sound Card/Interface SetupSound Card/Interface Setup
Any SoundBlaster Compatible Sound CardAny SoundBlaster Compatible Sound Card RigBlaster – Serial Port ControlRigBlaster – Serial Port Control
• See See www.westmountainradio.com/RIGblaster.htmwww.westmountainradio.com/RIGblaster.htm
- or -- or - RigExpert – USB PortRigExpert – USB Port
• See See http://www.mixw.net/RigExpert/http://www.mixw.net/RigExpert/
- or -- or - Any device that can isolate radio from computer and match Any device that can isolate radio from computer and match
audio input and output levels will workaudio input and output levels will work• Radio Shack Audio Isolation Transformers (1200 baud Radio Shack Audio Isolation Transformers (1200 baud
only!)only!) See See http://www.patmedia.net/ralphmilnes/soundcardpacket/http://www.patmedia.net/ralphmilnes/soundcardpacket/
VHF or UHF?VHF or UHF?
Most modern VHF radios will work at 1200 baud packetMost modern VHF radios will work at 1200 baud packet 9600 Baud Packet is possible but needs a high quality radio9600 Baud Packet is possible but needs a high quality radio For a good discussion, seeFor a good discussion, seehttp://www.patmedia.net/ralphmilnes/soundcardpacket/6modes.htmhttp://www.patmedia.net/ralphmilnes/soundcardpacket/6modes.htm
There are not many UHF Telpac nodes – for the best There are not many UHF Telpac nodes – for the best interoperability – remember to KISS.interoperability – remember to KISS.
A WINLINK 2000 HF FIELD STATIONA WINLINK 2000 HF FIELD STATION
You will need the following equipment:• HF transceiver (IC-706MKIIG, FT-897D or equivalent)
• Pactor capable TNC:
• Pactor I @ 200 bps – TNC is cheap or free
• Pactor II @ 800 bps – TNC is moderately expensive
• Pactor III @ 3600 bps – TNC is very expensive
• HF multi-band (mobile/portable) antenna, and possibly an antenna tuner
• 12V DC power source
• Laptop Computer (Win 98, NT, 2000, XP) and Airmail software
Example of Portable Example of Portable Winlink Station: HFWinlink Station: HF
Jerry Reimer HR3/KK5CA: IBM 300 Mhz laptop running XP Pro OS, Airmail, SCS PTCII with Pactor 3 license, Icom IC-706 Mk IIG, LDG Electronics Z100 tuner, MFJ switching power supply.
Mike Bourke W5LMB: Dell P150 laptop running WIN-98, Airmail, KPC-3 TNC, Kenwood TM-201B radio, powered by 36 AH SLA battery in separate case.
Example of Portable Winlink Station: VHF
Equipment/Software Decision TreeEquipment/Software Decision Tree
VHF or HF?
Software = Airmail
TNC or Soundcard?
Pactor 1, 2 or 3?
Choice of TNCs
SCS TNCHF
VHF
Software = Paclink & AGWPE
Airmail Support?
P1
P2 or P3
Soundcard
TNC
Needs audio isolation
Software = Paclink & AGWPE
Software = Airmail
No
Yes
Software OperationSoftware Operation
Email Email ProgramProgram
Packet/Telnet Packet/Telnet InterfaceInterface
Email Email ServerServer
Radio Radio InterfaceInterface
Outlook Outlook ExpressExpress
Paclink AGWPaclink AGW Paclink Paclink PostofficePostoffice
AGWPEAGWPE
Part of AirmailPart of Airmail N/AN/A N/AN/A Part of AirmailPart of Airmail
Questions?Questions?
See: See: www.winlink.orgwww.winlink.org
Or call Bud, N7CW, at 928-771-8267 or n7cw@cableone.net