What is WinLink 2000?

What is WinLink 2000?• WinLink 2000 (WL2K) is a worldwide

system of “free” resources to enable E-Mail by ham radio (and MARS).

Part 1

What is WinLink 2000?• WinLink 2000 (WL2K) is a worldwide

system of “free” resources to enable E-Mail by ham radio (and MARS).

• It is useful for sending E-Mail by radio from remote areas or in emergency situations.

Four computers are located around the world and function as Common Message Servers (or CMSs). They organize, synchronize and manage the WinLink e-mail traffic. All CMSs have the same (e.g. redundant) information.

The InternetThe Internet

How does it work?

CMS

Perth

CMS

HalifaxCMS

San Diego

CMS

Wein


CMS

CMS CMS

CMS

A CLIENT Station(That’s YOU!)

A typical ham radio e-mail station is composed of simple components. Radio

• A Radio and a Good Antenna

Data Interface

• A TNC or Soundcard Interface

(TNC = Terminal Node Controller)

Ham Computer

• Laptop for a Portable Station

• Paclink software with E-Mail

Program like Outlook Express

• RMS Express Software

• Windows Operating System

Paclinkor RMS Express

WinLink uses ham e-mail addresses like [email protected]


CMS

CMS CMS

CMS

Radio

Data Interface

Ham Computer

The most direct way to use the WinLink systemis with a TELNET connection


TELNET


CMS

CMS CMS

CMS

Radio

Data Interface

To send or receive e-mail, a station makes a connection with a radio message server which is always connected to the Internet.

RMS

Radio

Data Interface

Ham Computer

A radio “Gateway” to the Internet is called a Radio Message Server, or “RMS”.



CMS

CMS CMS

CMS

The radio “Gateway” to the Internet is called a Radio Message Server, or “RMS”.

VHF Radio

Data Interface

VHF Radio

Data Interface

Ham Computer

Up to 30 miles between stations we use VHF radios and the packet mode.

RMS PacketPaclink


CMS

CMS CMS

CMS

WinLink uses “regular” e-mail

VHF Radio

Data Interface

VHF Radio

Data Interface

Ham Computer

You can send & receive radio e-mail directly to internet e-mail users and even cell phone “text” users.

RMS PacketPaclink


CMS

CMS CMS

CMS

WinLink uses “regular” e-mail

VHF Radio

Data Interface

VHF Radio

Data Interface

Ham Computer

You can send & receive radio e-mail directly to internet e-mail users and even cell phone “text” users.

RMS PacketPaclink

It also works in REVERSE


CMS

CMS CMS

CMS

Packet Networks or digipeaters can be used if the nearest RMS “Gateway” has lost its Internet connection.

VHF Radio

Data Interface

Ham Computer

Packet Networks such as

•FPAC

•NET-ROM

•FLEX-NET

NODE

NODE

VHF Radio

Data Interface

RMS Packet

VHF Radio

Data Interface

RMS PacketPaclink

RMS Packet “Gateway” Stations in Florida

RMS Packet “Gateway” Stations in Hillsborough

The “10” is called a Secondary Station IDentifier (SSID) and”10” is usually identified with an RMS Packet gateway station.

Local VHF Winlink RMS Packet Stations

• KI4VAM-10 144.910 MHz - County Ctr, Tampa*• KF4ATP-10 145.050 MHz – Hillsborough EOC*• W4BGH-10 145.030 MHz – Riverview, FL*• W1WAB-10 145.030 MHz – Sun City Center, FL**• W4ACS-10 145.010 MHz – Pinellas EOC***• K4PPK-10 145.030 MHz – Valrico, FL****

*Operate 24X7 **Currently down for repairs ***Not operational yet.****Only available during emergency situations.


CMS

CMS CMS

CMS

HF Radios are used for RMS stations over long distances.

VHF Radio

Data Interface

Ham Compute

r

For long distances and difficult terrain, Hams can use HF radios and the Pactor (1-3) modes and more recently WINMOR.

HF Radio

Data Interface


HF Radio

Data Interface

RMS HF orRMS WinMOR


CMS

CMS CMS

CMS

HF Radios are used for RMS stations over long distances.

VHF Radio

Data Interface

Ham Compute

r

HF Radio

Data Interface

If local VHF RMS “gateway” stations have lost their Internet connection, then HF Pactor or WinMOR may be the best option

VHF Radio

Data Interface

RMS Packet

HF Radio

Data Interface

RMS HF orRMS ExpressPaclink

RMS HF “Gateway” Stations (Pactor)

Typical RMS HF Station

W9MR – Keensburg, IL

7065.910141.210141.2 (p3)10145.210145.2 (p3)14069.014069.0 (p3)14101.7 (p3)

(p3) = Pactor 3

How do we send E-Mail using Paclink?

• First create E-Mail in an E-Mail Program such as Outlook or Outlook Express.

• Next “send” it to Paclink that behaves as a POP3 mail server.

• Finally, direct Paclink to connect to either an RMS Packet or an RMS HF “gateway” station and transfer the message.

Creating E-Mail in Outlook Express

Paclink sends the message

E-Mail“Post Office”

Packet radioactivity

Let’s Switch Gears…How Do You Get Started

1. Download the software from: http://www.winlink.org/ClientSoftware

2. Install and setup a WinLink Client Program. (Your E-Mail address will be [email protected])

3. Send an E-Mail either by Radio or Telnet.

4. Establish an “account” on www.winlink.org (optional)

The WinLink Client Programs

Paclink

• VHF Packeta) TNCb) Soundcard (AGWPE)

• HF Pactora) TNC


Paclink RMS Express

• VHF Packeta) TNCb)

• HF Pactora) TNC

• VHF Packeta) TNC

• HF Pactora) TNC

Soundcard (AGWPE)

• HF WinMOR a) Soundcard


Paclink RMS Express

• Both require Windows operating system• Require installation of .NET Framework

a) This may prevent the use of older versions of Window OS


Paclink RMS Express

• Both programs will merge at some point.

• External E-Mail Program (e.g. Outlook Express)

• Internal E-Mail Program

Some Features of the WinLink System Winlink maintains a “White Page” system to control

SPAM.• An E-Mail from [email protected] to

[email protected] will not be delivered unless originator is in the user’s White Page.

• An E-Mail address is added to the White Page when a WinLink user sends a message to that address (or is added by an E-Mail to [email protected] or logging in to web site).

• Any E-Mail with //WL2K at the beginning of the SUBJECT line will be delivered whether or not the address is in the White Page.

mailto:[email protected]


Some Features of the WinLink SystemHere’s a problem we experienced during the 2008 Mass-

Casualty drill.

We sent E-Mail messages by Winlink 2000 to: [email protected]

The messages were received with no problems, but the EOC replies were NEVER received.

Why? The County IT Department was (is?) using a spam protection method called Bounce Address Tag Validation (BATV) which modified the “FROM” address in the reply to:

[email protected]

This wasn’t in the Winlink “white page” and was blocked!

Solution: Authorize the domain name “hillsboroughcounty.org” or use //WL2K in the subject line.


mailto:pvrs%3Draces%[email protected]

Some Features of the WinLink System Winlink maintains a “White Page” system to control

SPAM.• An E-Mail from [email protected] to

[email protected] will not be delivered unless originator is in the user’s White Page.

• An E-Mail address is added to the White Page when a WinLink user sends a message to that address (or is added by an E-Mail to [email protected] or logging in to web site).

• Any E-Mail with //WL2K at the beginning of the SUBJECT line will be delivered whether or not the address is in the White Page.

WinLink has a “default” message size maximum of 120k including attachments.

A User may establish their own “personal” message size maximum.



Time for a Quick Break

1. Paclinka) General Settingsb) Outlook Express E-Mail Clientc) Telnet Channeld) TNC – VHF Packet Channele) TNC – HF Pactor Channelf) Sound Card – VHF Packet

2. RMS Expressa) WinMOR WL2K

How to Setup Paclink and RMS Express

Part 2

Setting up Paclink – File Menu Items

Setting up Paclink – Site Properties

Setting up Paclink – Polling Interval

• Paclink will reconnect to the WinLink System every 30 Minutes to send and/or receive messages.

Setting up Paclink – Callsign Accounts

• The callsign is normally the “base” callsign without an SSID.• A callsign with an SSID is considered a separate account from the “base” account.

Setting up Outlook Express for Paclink


• Password must match the password in Paclink.• Outgoing Mail Server requires authentication.

Setting up Paclink – Telnet Channels

Setting up a VHF Packet TNC Channel

• Channel Priority: 1 – High; 5 – Low• During automatic connection, Paclink will start at highest priority and continue to lower priorities until it has a successful connection.

Setting up Paclink – TNC Channels

• Note - Paclink has files to set up parameters for the TNC: e.g. C:\Paclink\Data\ExampleKPC3+.aps These can be edited with Notepad.

Setting up a Packet TNC Channels

• It is important to adjust the TX Audio from the TNC to the radio to prevent over-modulating the transceiver.

• If a deviation meter is available, set the deviation to slightly less than 3 kHz.

• Some TNCs have a potentiometer for adjusting the TX Audio.

• Some Kantronics models use a software command e.g. xmitlvl (range from 0 to 502)

Setting up a Packet TNC Channels• Many TNCs have three operating “modes.”

a. Terminal – normal for keyboard-to-keyboard.b. Host – for computer interfacing.c. KISS – also for computer interfacing.

• Some older TNCs don’t have the “Host” mode.a. Can be used with AGWPE in KISS mode.

• Paclink normally puts the TNC into the Host mode and returns it to the Terminal mode when the program exits.

• New “Native KISS” drivers are available for radios with internal TNCs like the Kenwood TM-D710a.

Sending an E-Mail• Create message in Outlook Express

Tell Paclink to Connect to a Channel

E-Mail“Post Office”Note: If “Autoconnect” is chosen the

“Priorities” will determine which Channelwill be used.

Paclink sends the message

E-Mail“Post Office”

Packet radioactivity

Setting up Paclink for HF Pactor

• Autoforward Enabled is normally left unchecked. A Pactor connection then requires manual initiation to insure a clear frequency.

Setting up Paclink Sound Card Packet

• Requires computer sound card and simple radio interface.

Donner Digital Interface for Alinco DR-135T


• Requires computer sound card and simple radio interface.

• A third-party program called AGW Packet Engine creates a “virtual TNC” using a Sound Card that can be used by Paclink. (http://www.sv2agw.com/downloads/default.htm)

• AGW Packet Engine is free, and an enhanced version called Packet Engine Pro is available for a small fee. This software also allows multiple programs to use a single hardware TNC.

• Some problems have been reported with AGW Packet Engine and Windows 7 and external USB sound cards. Operation with the computer’s primary sound card seems OK. Hopefully AGW Packet Engine updates will solve the problems.


• Important note: Sound Card interfaces are susceptible to RF feedback, and ferrite materials should be liberally used to minimize the negative effects of this feedback.


• The first requirement in AGW Packet Engine is to create a “Radio Port.”


• Use the AGWPE Tuning Aid to set the RX audio level using the transceiver’s volume control in conjuction with the computers audio mixer.


• Now open Paclink’s File AGW Engine Properties and create and Browse to AGWPE’s file location. Paclink will start AGWPE when required.


• Now open Paclink’s File Packet AGW Channels and create a new channel.

• You are now ready to connect using an AGW Channel.

Pause for Questions

Now - RMS Express for HF WinMOR

• WinMOR is an Sound Card protocol that is an alternative to TNC-based Pactor with speeds approaching Pactor 2.

• The application program is RMS Express which utilizes a “virtual” WinMOR TNC.

• There is a small registration fee to offset the development costs of the Winlink development team.

• RMS Express uses a free propagation predicting program called “voacapx” that must be installed on the “C-drive” in a folder “c:\itshfbc”

• Like Paclink, RMS Express may be downloaded from the Winlink web site: http://www.winlink.org/ClientSoftware

Setting Up RMS Express• Start out with the Files → RMS Express Setup menu

Setting Up RMS Express• The Winlink developers recommend the use of an external sound card to make sure the timing circuits are sufficiently stable for the WinMOR decoder.

• Retail price is ≈ $100 including a cable for a specific transceiver.• It includes a VOX circuit for automatically enabling the rig’s PTT circuit.

• The computer usually identifies an external sound card as “USB Audio CODEC.”

• An example is the Tigertronics Signalink with a USB connection.

Setting Up RMS Express

Setting Up RMS Express

• A test result less than 50 can be a problem.

Setting Audio Levels

• Receive audio should be in the “green region.”

• Transmit audio should small enough to avoid generating any ALC indication in the transceiver.

• The transceiver should be in the USB mode regardless of the band.

Now, Create a New Message

Start Session & Select Channel

Start the Connection to the WinMOR Server

Read the Received E-Mail

Let’s take another short break

And we’ll have some demonstrations.

What is WinLink 2000?

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