Getting Started with Winlink2000 A Tutorial

Equipment Needed for Winlink2000 (1) a Windows-operating system computer, (2) a VHF/UHF or HF transceiver., and (3) a terminal node controller (TNC or radio modem) or a sound card interface. Equioment needed to run Winlink 2000

Winlink 2000 Programs

What is AirMail? AirMail is a complete stand-alone package for e-mail over Ham Radio for either HF PacTOR or VHF-UHF Packet. AirMail is a 1) radio messaging system, 2) a radio terminal program for keyboard-to-keyboard, and keyboard-to-bulletin board system communication, and 3) a standalone email program Presently, AirMail does not support soundcard operation. A TNC is necessary.

The Best Solution As shown on the earlier slide, the best approach is with the suite of programs using the AGW packet engine. AGW PE - handles all traffic between all packet applications and TNC or soundcard. All applications connect to AGWPE and share a TNC and provide multiple services such as APRS, a packet mailbox, a packet cluster, and a digipeater. PaclinkAGW w/Paclink Post Office – provides a packet interface to SMTP e-mail clients. Paclink AGW adds VHF/UHF packet radio and Telnet channels to e-mail clients. Paclink Post Office is a transparent e-mail server and can serve an entire LAN of computers hosting existing e-mail clients, such as Outlook, Outlook Express, Eudora, or Thunderbird, etc.

The Ultimate – A Winlink 2000 Telpac Node Telpac stands for TELnet PACket bridge. A Telpac node connects a wireless VHF/UHF packet radio station to Internet Telnet servers via radio using the AX25 packet with the B2F protocol. A network of AirMail stations or Paclink servers and existing e-mail clients that can connect to a Telpac node find that easy access to the Winlink 2000 system is provided to one or many clients. To operate a Telpac station with a TNC or via soundcard mode, all versions of the operating systems (Win98, Win2000, and WinXP) must have all updates and Service Packs installed and Windows 2000 and WinXP require the use of Microsoft’s NET Framework 1.1, and not the 2.0. version to operate Paclink AGW.

Transfer Protocols The B2F protocol is a Winlink2000 unique binary protocol that allows multiple addresses, mixed radio and e-mail addresses and attachments. It is not bloated with overhead like the TCP/IP protocol and results in higher throughput than the TCP/IP protocol. All Winlink software supports the popular bulletin board system FBB protocols used for the exchange of messages. They include the B1F, BF, and ASCII protocol F.

Terminal Node Controllers (TNC) The TNC must support the HOST mode and may need a firmware upgrade. Compatible TNCs are: Kantronics KPC3, KPC3+, KAM98, KAM+, KPC9612 AEA/Timewave PK-88, PK-232, PK900, DSP232, PK-96 MFJ-1278 – ROM version 3.7 needed Not all TNCs will work with Airmail

Choosing Radios and TNCs The best choice in a radio for use on VHF/UHF packet is one with a data port . It is nice to have the receive and transmit audio within the same connector. A TNC or soundcard is needed for VHF packet. AGW Packet Engine (AGWPE) is needed beyond AirMail. AGWPE is a software engine that controls many different types of TNCs. AGWPE supports SOUNDCARD operation at 1200 baud. Airmail works works only with TNCs listed in its setup menu.

Legacy TNCs Older TNCs may need a $50 to $75 firmware upgrade. All older TNCs will run 1200 baud packet. Some newer ones might operate at 9600 baud. BE CAREFUL! Some VHF/UHF FM radios meant for voice operation only may not operate at 9600 baud.   Beware of a transceiver with a built-in TASCO TNC. The TASCO TNC will not work with Winlink2000 e-mail. It is designed for APRS (automatic position reporting system) use only - an external TNC is needed to operate Winlink2000.

Unacceptable TNCs These transceivers with built-in TASCO TNCs are unacceptable for use with Winlink 2000. Kenwood TH-D7 Kenwood TM-D700 Kenwood TS-2000 Alinco DR-135T/EMKIII Alinco DR-235T/MkIII Alinco DR-435T/EMKIII Alinco DR-620T/E Alinco DR-635T/E

Software Download The free software is found at these URLs: FREE version of AGW Packet Engine: http://www.elcom.gr/sv2agw/inst.htm Winpack: http://www.winpack.org.uk/ AirMail:   http://www.siriuscyber.net/ham/ Win2000 and WinXP users will need the following available from Microsoft: Microsoft .NET Framework Version 1.1 Redistributable Package Paclink AGW, Paclink Post Office and Telpac: http://www.winlink.org/Client.htm

Install and Configure Winpack WinPack provides a full-featured Windows interface to use with a Terminal Node Controller (TNC) or with a computer sound card with other software. It works well for basic testing we need to do later with a TNC and other parts of the Winlink2000 system. The configuration will be for use with a TNC in cmd: (native) mode, and later for use with Paclink AGW operating on computers using the Win2000 or XP operating system.

WinPack w/Win2K and WinXP If you are using Win2000Pro or XP, Winpack is AGWPE compliant and is needed to run each of the component parts of the Winlink2000 system, including Paclink AGW, Paclink Post Office, and, eventually later, Telpac.

Open AGWPE.zip and unzip it to a folder C:\AGWPE Create a shortcut on the Desktop for AGWPE.exe Download AGWPE.zip and open to a folder

Winlink2000 w/Win 2000 and newer OS The very first software to be loaded is Microsoft NET Framework 1.1. PacLink AGW requires Microsoft NET Framework 1.1 to run. It will not run with NET Framework 2.0. If NET Framework 2.0 is already on your computer, do not remove it, it will co-exist with NET Framework 2.0. It is necessary to load Microsoft Net Framework 1.1

Install AGWPE Click the Desktop icon for AGWPE – then click I Agree The Radio Port Selection window will open. Click on New Port

AGWPE Port Setup The default screen for adding a new port. Select your Comm port and baud rate of the serial port. Use the drop down arrow to select your TNC model. The proper settings will be loaded for your TNC model. Add a description for the TNC port.

Paclink AGW-What is It? Paclink AGW adds AX25 packet radio and Telnet channels for WL2K connectivity to Outlook Express and other POP3/SMTP email clients. Paclink AGW is intended for use with the Winlink 2000 system including the B2F protocol that supports attachments, mixed addresses and tactical addresses.

Paclink Post Office-A Bridge to Email Paclink Postoffice is the companion program for all Paclink clients and implements the POP3/SMTP mail server functions. Paclink Post Office is the “bridge” between the radio and the computer email program.

Paclink AGW Click Paclink AGW. It will self-extract to a temporary folder. Click on setup.exe to install the program.

Paclink AGW Setup Wizard Click Next and then check Everyone and then Next again

Click Next. Paclink AGW will install Click Next. Paclink AGW will install. When the Installation Complete screen appears, you may click Close

Install Paclink Post Office Open Paclink Post office. Click setup.exe Choose Next for the first step and choose Next again on the screen pictured below.

Paclink Post Office Install Confirmation The title bar of the real Paclink Post Office screens will say Paclink Post Office. Click Next on the screen above and Close on the on screen to the right.

Paclink Post Office MUST BE CONFIGURED BEFORE Paclink AGW YOUR COMPUTER MUST BE ON THE INTERNET FOR THIS NEXT OPERATION.

Paclink Post Office Configuration When Paclink Postoffice is started for the first time, the popup menu below will appear: Click OK - the Paclink Post Office Properties menu will appear as below: Enter your call sign, and choose a password. You can also select to allow other LAN clients access to the Post Office. Click Update

Paclink Post Office Configuration When you click Update on the Properties menu, you should get a confirmation similar to the following indicating the Paclink Postoffice Outlook Express configuration wizard has set up a corresponding account on your Outlook Express email client. When you start Outlook Express and request it Send/Receive mail you will be prompted to enter the account password. Once this is done Outlook Express should remember the password.

Outlook Express Configuration Start Outlook Express.

Click "Tools" then "Accounts"

Your callsign should appear as one of the Outlook Express e-mail accounts. Highlight the new account name and click Properties from the menu on the right side of this screen. Click "Apply"

Configure Paclink AGW

Email to be sent via packet is stored until the next packet connection

Tactical Accounts Paclink can use Tactical accounts, just enter the account name in the appropriate block, as seen in the figure below.

This completes the installation and configuration of Winlink 2000 using the AGW suite of programs and AirMail. Telpac installation will be covered as a separate subject.