Fldigi- Realtime Messaging System Winmor – Radio E-mail System Digital Modes are a means of operating Amateur Radio from a computer keyboard In this context, we are normally talking about chat modes used on the HF (high frequency) bands Used to have a regular conversation in a similar way to voice or CW, where one operator talks for a minute or two, then another does the same. Normally a two party QSO, but these chat modes could allow multiple operators to take part in a net. The computer acts as a modem(modulator demodulator) ◦ Sound card used to convert digital of PC to analog audio for the radio ◦ Can use the built in PC sound card or external such as Tigetronics SignaLink Software program can control the transceiver depending on type ◦ Remote control connector (Icom CI-V or Serial) ◦ Audio input via ACC connector or Mic Many software programs available ◦ Digipan, HRD/DM780, MixW, MultiPSK, HamScope & Fldigi Most are multi-mode ◦ PSK, DominoEX, MFSK, RTTY, CW.. Easy tuning of signals using “Waterfall” display ◦ Shows multiple QSOs Prearranged message “Macros ◦ CQ, Me/QTH, Rerun, Brag.. Because of sophisticated digital signal processing, digital modes can offer: ◦ Performance that cannot be achieved using voice (and in some cases even CW), through the use of reduced bandwidth ◦ PSK31 uses100 hertz channels with 30 hertz signals ◦ Tens of QSOs in a 3Khz bandwidth versus one voice ◦ Improved signal-to-noise performance (Reception below noise level) ◦ Reduced transmitter power requirement (Typically use 5 to 30 watts) ◦ Some modes also offer built-in automatic error correction Digital Mode operating procedure is not unlike Morse operation ◦ Many of the same abbreviations are used (CQ, DE, FB, K, SK, PSE, btu.. ) Software such as Fldigi makes for simple operation ◦ Most of the procedural business is setup for you using the keyboard and point-click mouse operation A multi-mode software program intended for Amateur Radio Digital Modes using a PC Operates in conjunction with HF SSB radio ◦ Most digital modes use USB ◦ Sometimes used in VHF/UHF operation for NBEMS (Narrow Band Emergency Messaging System) Uses PC sound card I/O to radio ◦ May also use external sound card such as SignaLink USB from Tigertronics Uses audio-frequency signals ◦ Sound card converts digital characters of PC to analog sounds for radio Software can typically control several radio functions depending model ◦ Change Band and Frequency ◦ RF Power, Squelch, Speaker Volume Fldigi is a multi-mode Fldigi runs on multiple operating systems ◦ Can operate several digital modes ◦ Fldigi includes popular modes, such as PSK, MFSK, RTTY, DominoEX, Olivia, Contestia and even CW ◦ Linux, OS-X(MAC) and Windows Lead Developer: Dave Freese – W1HKJ ◦ WWW.W1hkj.com ◦ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/linuxham Emergency Radio E-mail Systems Getting Started with Winlink 2000 & RMS Express with Winmor TNC Radio E-mail Systems Winlink 2000 (WL2K)is a worldwide system for sending and receiving e-mail over radio The connection from the users computer does not depend on the Internet Widely used by mariners, RV Campers and various groups for emergency communication Winlink Messaging System Perth, Australia San Diego, CA Brentwood, TN Common Message Servers (CMS) 5 Mirrored Servers Located Around The World Radio Message Servers (RMS) Servers Maintained by Hams Around The World Provide Internet Connection to CMS Servers Ham Radio Station Running RMS Express & Winmor TNC Internet Halifax, NS Wien, Austria Winlink Messaging System Like regular e-mail, Winlink messages are sent to a specific address, and may contain attachments such as pictures, maps, ICS forms, etc. E-mails can be sent between other Winlink stations and normal SMTP/POP3 e-mail servers like gmail.com Winlink Messaging System E-mails sent through Winlink on the ham bands must follow the usual rules for amateur radio communications May not be used for commercial applications, and messages may not be encrypted You can go to this site to check the current status of RMS servers http://www.Winlink.org/RMSHFStatus Winlink Connection Modes There are four paths a user can connect to the Winlink system Via HF radio to one of the RMS hubs Via VHF/UHF radio to a local RMS hub Via Telenet protocol over the internet Two RMS stations in V.C on 145.650 MHz Can use Outpost packet systems to send e-mails Terminal emulation program that allows computer users to connect interactively to a server and access remote sites, e.g. on the Internet Via Winlink Webmail over the internet Like using G-Mail Need Winlink e-mail account: “ham call”@winlink.org HF Winlink Operation Using HF radio, it is possible to connect to the Winlink system over long distances Often used by mariners to get information and send e-mail while cruising the high seas In a disaster, HF Winlink allows us to connect to a area where the internet may still be operational Radio E-mail Systems As with all digital modes, certain protocols are used to encode data into a form that can be transmitted over radio Two protocols are used for sending Winlink messages over HF radio Pactor 3 Winmor Pactor 3 Pactor-3: Is a superior protocol that can reliably send data over long distances with weak signals over extremely noisy conditions Used by most mariners and emergency organizations for contingency communications Unfortunately, Pactor-3 is proprietary protocol that requires a TNC that costs about $1,400 The ACS/ARES radio room here at ECSS has a Pactor-3 system Winmor WINMOR: Winmor was developed by the Winlink development team as a low cost alternative to Pactor 3 It is an open protocol, and operates through low cost sound card devices such as the SignaLink USB $1,400 Vs $100 Pactor vs Winmor System Rate bits/sec Bandwidth (Max) Cost (Approx) Pactor I 200 Pactor II 700 300Hz 450Hz Pactor 2722 III Winmor 329 500 Winmor 1314 1600 2.2 – 2.4Khz $1.2K – 1.6K 500Hz $50 -150 $1K - $1.5K Windows w/ Sound Card 1600Hz Windows w/ Sound Card Equipment Needed for Winmor Requirements are modest Computer running Windows XP through Windows 7 with at least 1 GB of Ram RMS Express Client software and associated ITSHF Propagation prediction A SignaLink USB sound interface A HF radio and associated antenna Winmor RMS’s are found on 80,40,30 & 20 meters HF Channel Selection Winmor WL2K Session Winmor Sound Card TNC Further Information On the web at: http://www.winlink.org/ http://www.Winlink.org/ClientSoftware http://www.greg-hand.com/hfwin.32.html http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WINMOR The End Mike D’Amore – N6MDA