Digital Communications for Yavapai County ARES/RACES February 13, 2016 September 16, 2018

Agenda Introduction What is the Winlink2000 System? How to use the Winlink2000 System on VHF How to use the Winlink2000 System on HF Northern Arizona Winlink2000 Resources Demonstration March 2, 2013

Introduction Why Digital Communications? 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. Voice is: Slow Inaccurate September 16, 2018

Introduction Why Did We Choose Winlink2000? The Bureaucratic Reason 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 traffic across the nation quickly and accurately.” September 16, 2018

Introduction Why Did We Choose Winlink2000? (cont’d) The Technical Reasons It uses email Almost universally used Minimal Training required Every transfer is a permanently stored record. Data/information is secure from casual monitoring. Attachments are handled exactly as in any email. Connected to the Internet Multiple addresses and CCs are handled. Truly worldwide in coverage September 16, 2018

Introduction Worldwide Coverage – HF vs. VHF Internet interfaces are called Gateways All Gateways must have reliable access to Internet VHF Gateways use Packet User hardware and software are very simple to setup and operate Gateway hardware and software are very simple to setup and operate Limited to “line-of-sight” or “repeater” operation Hundreds of VHF Gateways worldwide September 16, 2018

Introduction US VHF Gateways September 16, 2018

Introduction Worldwide Coverage – HF vs. VHF HF Gateways use Winmor or Pactor I, II, III or IV (P IV not approved by FCC) User hardware and software are somewhat more complex Gateway hardware and software are quite complex to setup and operate Truly World-wide coverage Knowledge of HF propagation required Approximately 125 HF Gateways worldwide September 16, 2018

Introduction Worldwide HF Gateways September 16, 2018

What is the Winlink 2000 System? Users September 16, 2018

What is the Winlink 2000 System? Levels of the Winlink 2000 system: Client system – Radio, computer with Winlink software, TNC (or sound card) and the Users Radio Message Server (RMS) – Radio gateways between the users and the Winlink system backbone Common Message Servers (CMS) – Winlink backbone 5 CMS locations on 3 continents Redundant, fault-tolerant One CMS is sufficient for system operation September 16, 2018

What is the Winlink 2000 System? TNC or Sound Card September 16, 2018

What is the Winlink 2000 System? Winlink Connection Modes All modes use handshaking between stations For example, acknowledge receipt of message and compare data sent and received Quite reliable at VHF/UHF – usually no propagation variations Propagation issues at HF can cause lots of repeat requests September 16, 2018

What is the Winlink 2000 System? Winlink Connection Modes (cont’d) VHF – 1200 Baud – Can use $75 TNC UHF – 9600 Baud – Faster but requires $400 TNC HF Pactor I – Can be slow – uses $400 TNC (modem) Pactor II or III – Faster - requires $1000 TNC (modem) Winmor – Speeds approach Pactor III – uses soundcard (built-in to computer or various external soundcards) Telnet – non-radio connection through Internet Webmail is accessible at www.winlink.org September 16, 2018

What is the Winlink 2000 System? Registration on the Winlink 2000 System Connect to a Gateway (or Telnet) and send an email to someone (e.g. yourself) You will be automatically assigned a Winlink email address (e.g. n7cw@winlink.org ) You are registered! September 16, 2018

How to use Winlink on VHF Equipment Antenna Louder is better – use a high gain vertical or better yet, a yagi Radio Almost any modern 2M FM radio or HT will work Louder is better – use higher power Some modern radios have a data connector, so wiring is simplified TNC Almost any Kantronics TNC, AEA PK232 (not all other AEA TNCs), some MFJs, Byonics TinyTrak4 and others will work Older Kantronics, PK232 and MFJ models are typically available cheap at hamfests, but expensive to buy new TinyTrak4 is $75 new September 16, 2018

How to use Winlink on VHF Equipment (cont’d) Computer Use only Windows (XP), 7, 8 or 10 Do NOT try to use Windows 2000, ME, 98, 95 or 3.5 or a Mac Many newer computers don’t have serial ports Use a $15 USB to Serial adapter (FTDI chipset) for connecting to TNCs Know how to find the Com port number that Windows assigns to your serial port September 16, 2018

How to use Winlink on VHF Equipment (cont’d) Computer RMS Express Software Written by Winlink software developers Easy setup Supports most TNCs for packet September 16, 2018

How to use Winlink on VHF Setup Hints TNC RTFM! Each manufacturer’s TNC is different. Some newer TNCs have USB ports, some older TNCs have 25 pin serial connectors Almost always, let the software set the TNC parameters. September 16, 2018

How to use Winlink on VHF Setup Hints RADIO RTFM! Some modern radios have a data port. Wiring is simplified and no level setting is required. You can make the cable or just buy it ($20-ish) September 16, 2018

How to use Winlink on VHF Packet Hints Packet activity follows the ARRL bandplan 145.01, .03, .05, .07, .09 and .71 MHz Winlink gateways (usually) use SSIDs of 10, e.g. K7YCA-10 Listen to some packet transmissions, then use another radio to listen to yours – do they sound the same? If not, the audio levels are not set properly The software will handle the connection to the gateway, message formatting and disconnection If you cannot connect, try connecting through a mountain-top node or digipeater September 16, 2018

How to use Winlink on HF Pactor I - see Slides 17 – 20: all these bullets apply (substitute HF radio for 2M FM radio) Only some TNC/modems support Pactor I Pactor I is going away due to slow speed Pactor II, III and IV require a $1000 proprietary modem Winmor requires a soundcard interface Using a computer’s internal soundcard can be done, but requires complicated setup (a function of the computer and OS you use) and the use of VOX to key the radio September 16, 2018

How to use Winlink on HF Winmor (cont’d) Recommend using an external soundcard (e.g. Signalink - $100, Rigblaster - $60 to $300, MFJ - $60 to $140, etc.) External soundcards make level setting straightforward and supply a PTT signal September 16, 2018

How to use Winlink on HF Pactor/Winmor Hints Frequencies of Gateways are published in the software Need to be updated occasionally Reliable communications requires antennas that cover several different bands Packet is designed for operation on one frequency (interference is expected). On HF, NEVER transmit if the frequency is busy – interference will get you a letter from the FCC! The software will handle the connection to the gateway, message formatting and disconnection September 16, 2018

Resources Winlink in Northern Arizona 6 VHF Gateways K7YCA-10 in Prescott on 145.01 MHz May be reached through K7YCA-5 on Mt. Union K7YCA-11 in Prescott on 145.71 MHz May be reached through K7YCA-4 on Mt. Union K7YCA-12 in Prescott Valley on 145.03 MHz May be reached through K7YCA-9 on Bill Williams Mt. K7YCA-13 in Prescott on 145.03 MHz W7LUX-10 in Flagstaff on 145.01 MHz May be reached through W7MOT-8 on Mt. Elden N0DAJ-10 in Congress on 145.71 MHz Check http://www.k7yca.org/on-the-air/winlink/ for the latest locations and connection hints September 16, 2018

Resources Winlink in Arizona Northern AZ has good coverage (through mountaintop nodes and digipeaters) Central and Southern AZ have very limited coverage We are currently working with several groups to improve coverage in the Phoenix area September 16, 2018

Resources Winlink in Arizona (cont’d) There are several Gateways within reliable HF communications range NJ7C in Sierra Vista WU3V in Sahuarita W6IM in San Diego Additional Gateways in Texas, Southern and Central California and across the country Check www.winlink.org for frequencies and information on the entire Winlink2000 system September 16, 2018

Internet Resources www.winlink.org www.byonics.com www.k7yca.org www.kantronics.com www.timewave.com September 16, 2018