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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. Introduction Why Did We Choose Winlink2000? (cont’d)
The Technical Reasons
It uses
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 .
Connected to the Internet
Multiple addresses and CCs are handled.
Truly worldwide in coverage
September 16, 2018

6. 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

7. Introduction US
VHF Gateways
September 16, 2018

8. 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

9. Introduction
Worldwide
HF Gateways
September 16, 2018

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

11. 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

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

13. 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

14. 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
September 16, 2018

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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

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

26. 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

27. 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 for frequencies and information on the entire Winlink2000 system
September 16, 2018

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