What is WinLink 2000?
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).
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.
How does it work?
The Internet
CMS
CMS
Wein
CMS
Perth
CMS
Halifax
San Diego
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.
A CLIENT Station
(That’s YOU!)
A typical ham radio e-mail
station is composed of
simple components.
WinLink uses ham email addresses like
w4usa@winlink.org
• A Radio and a Good Antenna
Radio
Data
Interface
• A TNC or Soundcard Interface
• Laptop for a Portable Station
• Paclink software with E-Mail
Program like Outlook Express
Ham
Computer
• RMS Express Software
• Windows Operating System
Paclink
(TNC = Terminal Node Controller)
or RMS Express
The Internet
CMS
CMS
CMS
CMS
The most direct way to use the WinLink system
is with a TELNET connection
Radio
Data
Interface
Ham
Computer
TELNET
Paclink
or RMS Express
The Internet
CMS
CMS
CMS
CMS
A radio “Gateway” to the Internet is called a
Radio Message Server, or “RMS”.
To send or receive e-mail, a
station makes a connection
with a radio message server
which is always connected to
the Internet.
Radio
Radio
Data
Interface
Data
Interface
Ham
Computer
Paclink
or RMS Express
RMS
The Internet
CMS
CMS
CMS
CMS
The radio “Gateway” to the Internet is called a
Radio Message Server, or “RMS”.
Up to 30 miles between
stations we use VHF
radios and the packet
mode.
VHF Radio
VHF Radio
Data
Interface
Data
Interface
Ham
Computer
Paclink
RMS Packet
The Internet
CMS
CMS
CMS
CMS
WinLink uses “regular” e-mail
You can send & receive
radio e-mail directly to
internet e-mail users and
even cell phone “text”
users.
VHF Radio
VHF Radio
Data
Interface
Data
Interface
Ham
Computer
Paclink
RMS Packet
The Internet
CMS
CMS
CMS
CMS
WinLink uses “regular” e-mail
You can send & receive
radio e-mail directly to
internet e-mail users and
even cell phone “text”
users.
It also works in REVERSE
VHF Radio
VHF Radio
Data
Interface
Data
Interface
Ham
Computer
Paclink
RMS Packet
The Internet
CMS
CMS
CMS
CMS
Packet Networks or digipeaters can be used if the
nearest RMS “Gateway” has lost its Internet connection.
NODE
NODE
Packet Networks such as
•FPAC
•NET-ROM
•FLEX-NET
VHF Radio
VHF Radio
VHF Radio
Data
Interface
Data
Interface
Data
Interface
RMS Packet
RMS Packet
Ham
Computer
Paclink
The Internet
CMS
CMS
CMS
CMS
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.
HF Radios are used for RMS stations over long distances.
For long distances and
difficult terrain, Hams can
use HF radios and the
Pactor (1-3) modes and
more recently WINMOR.
HF Radio
VHF Radio
Data
Interface
HF Radio
Data
Interface
Data
Interface
Ham
Compute
r
RMS HF or
RMS WinMOR
Paclink
or RMS Express
The Internet
CMS
CMS
CMS
CMS
HF Radios are used for RMS stations over long distances.
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
VHF Radio
HF Radio
Data
Interface
Data
Interface
HF Radio
Data
Interface
Ham
Compute
r
RMS Packet
Paclink
RMS HF or
RMS Express
The Internet
CMS
CMS
CMS
CMS
RMS HF “Gateway” Stations (Pactor)
Typical RMS HF Station
W9MR – Keensburg, IL
7065.9
10141.2
10141.2 (p3)
10145.2
10145.2 (p3)
14069.0
14069.0 (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
Packet radio
activity
E-Mail
“Post Office”
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 callsign@winlink.org)
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 Packet
a) TNC
b) Soundcard
(AGWPE)
• HF Pactor
a) TNC
The WinLink Client Programs
Paclink
• VHF Packet
a) TNC
b) Soundcard
(AGWPE)
• HF Pactor
a) TNC
RMS Express
• VHF Packet
a) TNC
• HF Pactor
a) TNC
• HF WinMOR
a) Soundcard
The WinLink Client Programs
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
The WinLink Client Programs
Paclink
RMS Express
• External E-Mail Program • Internal E-Mail Program
(e.g. Outlook Express)
• Both programs will merge at some point.
Some Features of the WinLink System
Winlink maintains a “White Page” system to control
SPAM.
•
An E-Mail from steve@spamyou.com to
w4aaa@winlink.org 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
system@winlink.org 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.
Some Features of the WinLink System
Here’s a problem we experienced during the 2008 MassCasualty drill.
We sent E-Mail messages by Winlink 2000 to:
races@hillsboroughcounty.org
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:
pvrs=races=986108f28@hillsboroughcounty.org
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.
Some Features of the WinLink System
Winlink maintains a “White Page” system to control
SPAM.
•
An E-Mail from steve@spamyou.com to
w4aaa@winlink.org 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
system@winlink.org 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
Part 2
How to Setup Paclink and RMS Express
1. Paclink
a) General Settings
b) Outlook Express E-Mail Client
c) Telnet Channel
d) TNC – VHF Packet Channel
e) TNC – HF Pactor Channel
f) Sound Card – VHF Packet
2. RMS Express
a) WinMOR WL2K
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
Setting up Outlook Express for Paclink
Setting up Outlook Express for Paclink
• Password must match the password in Paclink.
• Outgoing Mail Server requires authentication.
Setting up Outlook Express for Paclink
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
Note: If “Autoconnect” is chosen the
“Priorities” will determine which Channel
will be used.
E-Mail
“Post Office”
Paclink sends the message
Packet radio
activity
E-Mail
“Post Office”
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
Setting up Paclink Sound Card Packet
• 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.
Setting up Paclink Sound Card Packet
• 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.
Setting up Paclink Sound Card Packet
• The first requirement in AGW Packet Engine is to create a
“Radio Port.”
Setting up Paclink Sound Card Packet
• The first requirement in AGW Packet Engine is to create a
“Radio Port.”
Setting up Paclink Sound Card Packet
• Use the AGWPE Tuning Aid to set the RX audio level
using the transceiver’s volume control in conjuction with
the computers audio mixer.
Setting up Paclink Sound Card Packet
Setting up Paclink Sound Card Packet
• Now open Paclink’s File  AGW Engine Properties and
create and Browse to AGWPE’s file location. Paclink will
start AGWPE when required.
Setting up Paclink Sound Card Packet
Setting up Paclink Sound Card Packet
• 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.
• An example is the Tigertronics Signalink with a USB connection.
• 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.”
Setting Up RMS Express
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.