Winlink 2000 An Introduction to over Ham Radio Presented by Bud Semon N7CW Bud Semon N7CW

Contributors Steve Waterman, K4CJX Scott Pederson, KI5DR Alex Kelly, WU2W Bill Gerth, W4RK Howard White, KY6LA Victor Poor, W5SMM Rick Meuthing, KN6KB Alan Jorgenson, KE6SQS

3 Why ? Using is universal. Minimum training required. 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. Anything else that may be handled routinely by , including attachments. Every transfer is a permanently stored record. Data/information is secure from casual monitoring.

 text only  very slow translation required translation required inflexible, prone to error inflexible, prone to error no permanent record no permanent record not self-originating not self-originating not reliably point-to-multipoint not reliably point-to-multipoint For complex messages, voice, Morse code, Radiograms, won’t do… WHY? WHY?

Why Winlink? 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 "must have the capability to pass digital traffic across the nation quickly and accurately.” ARES® "must have the capability to pass digital traffic across the nation quickly and accurately.”

Purpose of Winlink 2000 in the ARES Environment: To supply de facto for served agencies: from inside a disaster area without normal servers or Internet connections being available within the “last mile” affected area.

What is it? Winlink is basically an improvement to packet radio. It uses message drafting software similar in appearance to standard handling applications and transmits them in various digital modes   VHF/UHF Packet (using Airmail or Paclink freeware)   HF Pactor (using Airmail freeware)   and Telnet (from a normal Internet connection). At the receiving end of VHF/UHF and HF transmissions, it is either held for other participating stations or it enters the Internet for further transmission anywhere as normal e- mail.

Winlink 2000 Today Created seven years ago for open water boaters and RV users Created seven years ago for open water boaters and RV users Approximately 150,000 radio message/260,000 minutes through system, monthly. Approximately 150,000 radio message/260,000 minutes through system, monthly. Over 7,200 weekly users to over 85,000 recipients. Over 7,200 weekly users to over 85,000 recipients. Over 50 standard participating locations (PMBOs) with 25 in USA. Many locations contain both VHF Telpac and HF Winlink capabilities. Over 50 standard participating locations (PMBOs) with 25 in USA. Many locations contain both VHF Telpac and HF Winlink capabilities. HF radio access, VHF/UHF radio access, Telnet internet access, WEB browser access. HF radio access, VHF/UHF radio access, Telnet internet access, WEB browser access. 2.1 minute average delivery time 2.1 minute average delivery time Endorsed by the ARRL as a viable emergency digital communication system Endorsed by the ARRL as a viable emergency digital communication system

Benefits to Served Agencies Backup, radio SMTP until “last mile” is restored Backup, radio SMTP until “last mile” is restored VHF/UHF for local area connection to Internet VHF/UHF for local area connection to Internet HF for distant connection to Internet HF for distant connection to Internet Familiar interface Familiar interface Local “Hubbing” even with no Internet access Local “Hubbing” even with no Internet access No software or hardware necessary behind Firewall No software or hardware necessary behind Firewall Control operator need not be present for third-party digital traffic. (§ Station control, for 3rd Party traffic rules) Not directly accountable for content (§97.219(c.) Control operator need not be present for third-party digital traffic. (§ Station control, for 3rd Party traffic rules) Not directly accountable for content (§97.219(c.)

VHF or HF Radio Data Interface VHF or HF Radio Data Interface Computer The PMBO is connected to the internet at all times. There are over 300 VHF Telpac PMBOs and 25 HF PMBOs in the USA. There are more than 50 HF PMBOs worldwide. The Internet How is it done? By connecting to stations that run Participating Mail Box Operations (PMBOs) 24/7. PMBO Remote Station

VHF Radio Data Interface PMBO VHF and HF Radio Data Interface Compute r VHF PMBOs TELPAC VHF PMBOs with internet gateways are called TELPAC stations – a combination of the Telnet internet connection and Paclink. The Internet VHF Radio Data Interface TELPA C b TELPAC stations may be associated with an HF PMBO using a substation ID (-1, -2) from the the PMBO or stand alone and connect to the Internet via any TCP/IP link, including ICOM’s D-Star or “WiFi” b. W6IM-1W6IM D-Star Telnet via ISP

VHF Radio Data Interface PMBO VHF Radio Data Interface Compute r Central Mail Box Operations (CMBOs), Other computers, or Central Mail Box Operations (CMBOs), organize and manage the network traffic. There are only two, one in Ohio, and one in California. The Internet CMBO CMBOs are transparent to users. They are redundant, and you never know they are there. CMBO The Network PMBO VHF and HF Radio Data Interface

VHF Radio Data Interface PMBO VHF Radio Data Interface Compute r Winlink allows you to transmit standard directly to all Internet e- mail users worldwide, Winlink allows you to transmit standard directly to all Internet e- mail users worldwide, as if you were using your home or office computer. Likewise anyone anywhere can send you an back through the same system. The Internet CMBO

PMBO VHF Radio Data Interface VHF Radio Data Interface Compute r Adding a Local Area Network (LAN) to the PACLINK computer permits multiple individuals within the served agency to send and receive radio . PACLINK is now an e- mail server. The Internet VHF Radio Data Interface Compute r SERVED AGENCY LAN PACLINK may be placed in the “DMZ” zone in front of the firewall.

PMBO VHF Radio Data Interface VHF Radio Data Interface Compute r And you can send radio to other amateur stations via Paclink (VHF) or Airmail (HF/VHF) without the Internet. The PMBO will hold the in queue waiting for the receiving station to connect. VHF Radio Data Interface Compute r There are lots of options to get the delivered….

The Internet PMBO VHF Radio Data Interface VHF Radio Data Interface Compute r If the local PMBO has an outage, you can make a connection with another local TELPAC station …Or… VHF Radio Data Interface TELPA C

The Internet PMBO VHF Radio Data Interface VHF Radio Data Interface Compute r … you can traverse the packet network using nodes to get to a connected TELPAC station or PMBO…Or… VHF Radio Data Interface TELPA C NODE

The Internet PMBO (local) VHF Radio Data Interface …you can use an HF station to get to a distant connected PMBO using Airmail…Or… Compute r HF Radio Data Interface PMBO (distant)

PMBO VHF Radio Data Interface VHF Radio Data Interface Compute r …if your computer has a valid internet connection, Telnet can be used to send and receive through an ISP via a PMBO to other Winlink or Paclink stations. This is handy for fixed stations because it is fast. The Internet VHF Radio Data Interface Compute r TELNET PACLINK stations can switch between preset radio destinations and Telnet connectivity to find a connection to a PMBO.

What you need to get started with Winlink VHF (Paclink) Computer (recommended OS Windows 2000 or better) Computer (recommended OS Windows 2000 or better) TNC and cables & TNC and cables & Airmail software -- or or --  TNC and cables & Paclink AGW and AGWPE software -- or or --  Soundcard Interface (e.g. Rigblaster) & (e.g. Rigblaster) & Paclink AGW and AGWPE software VHF radio with data cable to computer soundcard interface or TNC VHF radio with data cable to computer soundcard interface or TNC Suitable antenna Suitable antenna

What applications to get for Winlink HF and VHF (using a TNC): Go to and click on the link for the Airmail Webpage Go to and click on the link for the Airmail Webpagewww.winlink.org -- or or -- Go directly to Go directly to and download the latest version of Airmail Ham Client and download the latest version of Airmail Ham Client For HF use, a linked propagation table is available by also clicking on the link to the NTIA/ITS website and downloading the propagation application. For HF use, a linked propagation table is available by also clicking on the link to the NTIA/ITS website and downloading the propagation application. You may also need Winzip, Adobe Acrobat Reader and antivirus software. You may also need Winzip, Adobe Acrobat Reader and antivirus software. Read and follow the installation instructions!

What applications to get for VHF Paclink, using a TNC or soundcard interface (no TNC): Go to to download Paclink AGW and Paclink Post Officewww.winlink.org Go to and download the latest AGWPE packet enginewww.elcom.gr/sv2agw An interface is required – Outlook Express is recommended – free with Internet Explorer An interface is required – Outlook Express is recommended – free with Internet Explorer NOTE: Paclink requires the new Microsoft.NET framework. Click on the link to Microsoft Downloads at the Winlink 2000 Download page You may also need Winzip, Adobe Acrobat Reader and antivirus software. You may also need Winzip, Adobe Acrobat Reader and antivirus software. Read and follow the installation instructions!

Sound Card/Interface Setup Any SoundBlaster Compatible Sound Card Any SoundBlaster Compatible Sound Card RigBlaster – Serial Port Control RigBlaster – Serial Port Control See or - RigExpert – USB Port RigExpert – USB Port See or - Any device that can isolate radio from computer and match audio input and output levels will work Any device that can isolate radio from computer and match audio input and output levels will work Radio Shack Audio Isolation Transformers (1200 baud only!)Radio Shack Audio Isolation Transformers (1200 baud only!) See See

VHF or UHF? Most modern VHF radios will work at 1200 baud packet Most modern VHF radios will work at 1200 baud packet 9600 Baud Packet is possible but needs a high quality radio 9600 Baud Packet is possible but needs a high quality radio For a good discussion, see For a good discussion, seehttp:// There are not many UHF Telpac nodes – for the best interoperability – remember to KISS. There are not many UHF Telpac nodes – for the best interoperability – remember to KISS.

A WINLINK 2000 HF FIELD STATION You will need the following equipment: HF transceiver (IC-706MKIIG, FT-897D or equivalent) Pactor capable TNC: Pactor 200 bps – TNC is cheap or free Pactor 800 bps – TNC is moderately expensive Pactor 3600 bps – TNC is very expensive HF multi-band (mobile/portable) antenna, and possibly an antenna tuner 12V DC power source Laptop Computer (Win 98, NT, 2000, XP) and Airmail software

Example of Portable Winlink Station: HF Jerry Reimer HR3/KK5CA: IBM 300 Mhz laptop running XP Pro OS, Airmail, SCS PTCII with Pactor 3 license, Icom IC-706 Mk IIG, LDG Electronics Z100 tuner, MFJ switching power supply.

Mike Bourke W5LMB: Dell P150 laptop running WIN-98, Airmail, KPC-3 TNC, Kenwood TM-201B radio, powered by 36 AH SLA battery in separate case. Example of Portable Winlink Station: VHF

Equipment/Software Decision Tree VHF or HF? Software = Airmail TNC or Soundcard? Pactor 1, 2 or 3? Choice of TNCs SCS TNC HF VHF Software = Paclink & AGWPE Airmail Support? P1 P2 or P3 Soundcard TNC Needs audio isolation Software = Paclink & AGWPE Software = Airmail No Yes

Software Operation Program Packet/Telnet Interface Server Radio Interface Outlook Express Paclink AGW Paclink Postoffice AGWPE Part of Airmail N/AN/A

Questions? See: Or call Bud, N7CW, at or