1. AGW Express Interface RMS Express - Sound Card Interface
Presenter's Name here
Organization or Event name here

2. Objectives
Provide the ability to use Winlink 2000 RMS Express through a sound card device.
Optionally install and configure other related software components of the solution set.
Make the solution set compatible with Windows XP, Vista, Win7, Win8.1, Win10 for both 32 bit and 64 bit versions.
KISS principle for end user...

3. Solution Set Winlink 2000 – RMS Express
HW group – Virtual Serial Port (freeware)
W2YG Software - AGW Express Interface
AGW Packet Engine or Packet Engine Pro
or UZ7HO Sound Modem
or Dire Wolf Soundcard TNC for APRS

4. Solution Set Winlink 2000 – RMS Express
HW group – Virtual Serial Port (freeware)
W2YG Software - AGW Express Interface
AGW Packet Engine or Packet Engine Pro
or UZ7HO Sound Modem
or Dire Wolf Soundcard TNC for APRS

5. Winlink 2000 Diagram

6. Solution Internals

7. Solution Set Components
RMS Express communications uses a complex series of handshakes to pass data between RMS Express and the RMS Express Gateway. Since RMS Express can only use an existing COM port, a virtual serial port is required to provide a data link with the AGW Express Interface.
HW VSP creates the 'virtual' serial port to pass data between RMS Express and AGW Express Interface. At start-up, HW VSP will create virtual serial port (COM73).

8. Solution Set Components
AGW Express Interface is a communications manager that, at start-up, checks the status of RMS Express, HW VSP and the 'default' packet engine to determine weather they have the correct configuration, are running or need to be started by the interface application.
During the RMS Express Packet WL2K or Packet P2P mode session, the interface handles the communications protocol transformations between RMS Express and the 'default' packet engine.

9. Solution Set Components
AGWPE (AGW Packet Engine or Packet Engine Pro or UZ7HO Sound Modem or Dire Wolf Soundcard TNC for APRS) Communicates with the AGW Express Interface through its TCPIP interface, processes all KISS AX.25 frames and interacts with the sound card device.
A system tray option is available to quickly change the 'default' packet engine. Note: AGW Packet Engine Pro selection is enabled only if it is installed on the PC.

10. Supported Soundcards KH6TY and Homebrews with auto-PTT
microHAM™ USB II and III
SignaLink™
RIGblaster™ All current and legacy models
Timewave™ Navigator

11. Note: Windows XP
The solution set works fine on most Windows XP based PCs.
However, since there are four software components on your PC plus the RMS Packet Gateway, communication timeout issues between RMS Express and the RMS Gateway increase with older and very slow Windows XP PCs. Potentially, this could preclude using the solution on a given PC configuration.
Factors other than base PC performance can also play a big part. Some anti-virus software can choke the performance on PCs that have a slow processor and/or limited RAM memory.

12. Downloads
Implementation guide for each supported Windows operating system.
AGW Express Interface application 'Setup'.
'How To' videos
Release Notes file.
Where: W2YG Software at w2ygsoftware.com

13. Demo

14. Questions