Winlink 2000 Discussion

1. Winlink 2000 Discussion Jeff Kloek KI4NDR Winlink 2000 is a backup email system that�s designed to bridge pretty much any distance from where damage has occurred. When we talk about a particular damage area, the term most often heard is �the last mile� which defines an area where conventional communications have been disrupted or overloaded by an incident. Here in Memphis, that is more reasonably viewed as the �last 20 or 25 miles� due to the large damage area expected if we do have an earthquake along the New Madrid fault. I sent email on March 17th to Gary Patterson asking if he knows exactly how far east we would have to go to find an ISP that is not serviced by cables coming across the Mississippi River. That would be good information to have to know the minimum distance we�d have to go to connect to another Winlink station that is fed by a different major ISP. More importantly, this would be a clue as to whether or not there is a VHF station within reach. So far he hasn�t responded. Since they came up with the new RMS (Radio Message Server) software and supporting infrastructure, there have been significant changes to how Winlink 2000 accepts and routes messages. We�ll see this in upcoming slides. Winlink 2000 is a backup email system that�s designed to bridge pretty much any distance from where damage has occurred. When we talk about a particular damage area, the term most often heard is �the last mile� which defines an area where conventional communications have been disrupted or overloaded by an incident. Here in Memphis, that is more reasonably viewed as the �last 20 or 25 miles� due to the large damage area expected if we do have an earthquake along the New Madrid fault. I sent email on March 17th to Gary Patterson asking if he knows exactly how far east we would have to go to find an ISP that is not serviced by cables coming across the Mississippi River. That would be good information to have to know the minimum distance we�d have to go to connect to another Winlink station that is fed by a different major ISP. More importantly, this would be a clue as to whether or not there is a VHF station within reach. So far he hasn�t responded. Since they came up with the new RMS (Radio Message Server) software and supporting infrastructure, there have been significant changes to how Winlink 2000 accepts and routes messages. We�ll see this in upcoming slides.

2. Original Basic Components The Backbone servers are called CMS or Common Message Servers. The earlier name for them was CMBO. These are large redundant systems housed at hardened facilities. Each contains the full database of information required to support the Winlink system. They stayed synchronized, and each one can handle all the network traffic, if needed. Consider each one of these connected to the Internet with a T-1 circuit. That�s a 1.54 meg line. Divide that by 9600 baud, and you have 160 simultaneous connections that can be made. The next in line are the PMBOs. Larger regional Emcomm groups, including MARS, ARES and even public groups put these up to provide connectivity to the Central Message Servers. These would take connections over VHF/UHF, HF or via the internet, and relay them to the Common Message Servers. The Telpac stations act like a gateway and can receive VHF and UHF email messages from portable stations and relay them to the PMBO. It can also receive from other computers on the local network and act as a relay station for an EOC. These existing PMBOs will be replaced over the next several months with RMS Packet and RMS Pactor ports. The Backbone servers are called CMS or Common Message Servers. The earlier name for them was CMBO. These are large redundant systems housed at hardened facilities. Each contains the full database of information required to support the Winlink system. They stayed synchronized, and each one can handle all the network traffic, if needed. Consider each one of these connected to the Internet with a T-1 circuit. That�s a 1.54 meg line. Divide that by 9600 baud, and you have 160 simultaneous connections that can be made. The next in line are the PMBOs. Larger regional Emcomm groups, including MARS, ARES and even public groups put these up to provide connectivity to the Central Message Servers. These would take connections over VHF/UHF, HF or via the internet, and relay them to the Common Message Servers. The Telpac stations act like a gateway and can receive VHF and UHF email messages from portable stations and relay them to the PMBO. It can also receive from other computers on the local network and act as a relay station for an EOC. These existing PMBOs will be replaced over the next several months with RMS Packet and RMS Pactor ports.

3. The Old Way: Paclink AGW + Paclink Post Office One method we could use in the old way was using paclink AGW + Paclink Post Office, Using a TNC or Sound Card Emulating a TNC. When you install Paclink MP, you can still keep this installed, they just cannot be run at the same time. We�ll get into more details about TNCs shortly. One method we could use in the old way was using paclink AGW + Paclink Post Office, Using a TNC or Sound Card Emulating a TNC. When you install Paclink MP, you can still keep this installed, they just cannot be run at the same time. We�ll get into more details about TNCs shortly.

4. Paclink AGW Channels Paclink AGW allows you to define multiple channels to use to connect and deliver your email. You could enable just one or several channels, each defining one way to get you message out. One could be using a physical TNC connected to a 2 meter or 440 radio. Another way is to use the sound card on your computer to emulate a TNC and connect through a uhf or vhf radio. Yet another way to connect was to define a channel through the internet. Paclink AGW allows you to define multiple channels to use to connect and deliver your email. You could enable just one or several channels, each defining one way to get you message out. One could be using a physical TNC connected to a 2 meter or 440 radio. Another way is to use the sound card on your computer to emulate a TNC and connect through a uhf or vhf radio. Yet another way to connect was to define a channel through the internet.

5. Paclink Post Office Paclink Post Office could be configured to automatically add an account to your OutLook Express Email client. This way there is no learning curve to using the email client most folks are already familiar with. This reportedly supports Eudora and other email clients, but I�ve never configured it for anything but Outlook Express. Paclink Post Office could be configured to automatically add an account to your OutLook Express Email client. This way there is no learning curve to using the email client most folks are already familiar with. This reportedly supports Eudora and other email clients, but I�ve never configured it for anything but Outlook Express.

6. Paclink AGW Telnet Channel This is an example of setting up a Paclink AGW Channel that connects via the Internet. So with Paclink Post Office and Paclink AGW set up with a telnet channel and the account added to OutLook Express, you have a system that can deliver email as long as you have a telpac station or PMBO within reach. If your site has a station with Internet connectivity, it can become your relay point for other PCs on the LAN. This is an example of setting up a Paclink AGW Channel that connects via the Internet. So with Paclink Post Office and Paclink AGW set up with a telnet channel and the account added to OutLook Express, you have a system that can deliver email as long as you have a telpac station or PMBO within reach. If your site has a station with Internet connectivity, it can become your relay point for other PCs on the LAN.

7. Paclink Post Office Notice the Local or LAN radio button. This is how you would have a PC configured on the company or EOC network that received connections from other computers which would in turn use this one PC as a single outbound computer. That one PC would be the one in the office that would have connectivity to a radio & TNC. Notice the Local or LAN radio button. This is how you would have a PC configured on the company or EOC network that received connections from other computers which would in turn use this one PC as a single outbound computer. That one PC would be the one in the office that would have connectivity to a radio & TNC.

8. Packet Engine Pro Packet Engine Pro came out after paclink agw, and also allows you to define multiple channels to connect with. It has other features like using TCP/IP Protocol over Radio, but I haven�t investigated that yet. Plus, PE Pro costs $49.00 to reigster. Paclink AGW is a free download. However, Paclink AGW will not work in the new environment. Paclink Pro has a 30 day period where it will work before requiring registration. Packet Engine Pro came out after paclink agw, and also allows you to define multiple channels to connect with. It has other features like using TCP/IP Protocol over Radio, but I haven�t investigated that yet. Plus, PE Pro costs $49.00 to reigster. Paclink AGW is a free download. However, Paclink AGW will not work in the new environment. Paclink Pro has a 30 day period where it will work before requiring registration.

9. PE Pro Network Connectivity Without having to define special ports, you could authorize anyone on your local LAN to use any defined ports, or you could open it wide or lock it down to the user level. Without having to define special ports, you could authorize anyone on your local LAN to use any defined ports, or you could open it wide or lock it down to the user level.

10. TELPAC Station Again, the Telpac station would receive connections via UHF, VHF or Local Lan using either Paclink AGW or PE Pro and relay the messages over the internet to the PMBO, which would then relay them to the Common Message Server. Again, the Telpac station would receive connections via UHF, VHF or Local Lan using either Paclink AGW or PE Pro and relay the messages over the internet to the PMBO, which would then relay them to the Common Message Server.

11. Airmail to PMBO via Internet The Airmail client was designed as an all-in-one package including the email client and the ability to connect to PMBOs using either HF, VHF, or directly over the internet. It also has other features that favor the sailing community. The Airmail client was designed as an all-in-one package including the email client and the ability to connect to PMBOs using either HF, VHF, or directly over the internet. It also has other features that favor the sailing community.

12. Airmail Propagation Module Airmail also has a separately installed module called ICEPAC that predicts likely propogation based on your location, the number of sunspots, and the time of day. The more green you see, the more likely you were going to be able to make the connection. The highlighted time is the current UTC time. Note in the previous screen that Airmail always displays UTC in real time, in the lower right hand corner.Airmail also has a separately installed module called ICEPAC that predicts likely propogation based on your location, the number of sunspots, and the time of day. The more green you see, the more likely you were going to be able to make the connection. The highlighted time is the current UTC time. Note in the previous screen that Airmail always displays UTC in real time, in the lower right hand corner.

13. The new model shows that more configurations will connect directly to the Common Message Servers to deliver messages. RMS Packet replaces the standard Telpac node, receives UHF & VHF and relays directly to the CMS. RMS Pactor receives Pactor I, II, or III and relays it directly to the CMS. Paclink MP replaces Paclink AGW and Paclink Post office, and contains some the functionality of AIRMAIL and is the primary new client side utility used to make a connection. At some point, the PMBO code is going to be replaced with RMS Code. RMS stands for Radio Message Server, and serves as a gateway to the CMS or Common Message Server. The new model shows that more configurations will connect directly to the Common Message Servers to deliver messages. RMS Packet replaces the standard Telpac node, receives UHF & VHF and relays directly to the CMS. RMS Pactor receives Pactor I, II, or III and relays it directly to the CMS. Paclink MP replaces Paclink AGW and Paclink Post office, and contains some the functionality of AIRMAIL and is the primary new client side utility used to make a connection. At some point, the PMBO code is going to be replaced with RMS Code. RMS stands for Radio Message Server, and serves as a gateway to the CMS or Common Message Server.

14. Paclink MP As I mentioned before, Paclink MP replaces Paclink Post Office and Paclink AGW. Combined with Outlook Express, it also contains much of the functionality of Airmail. It can also be set up to receive email from other systems on the network and send it out via a number of methods. One of the functions not found in Paclink MP that is present in Airmail is the propogation forecasting module. As I mentioned before, Paclink MP replaces Paclink Post Office and Paclink AGW. Combined with Outlook Express, it also contains much of the functionality of Airmail. It can also be set up to receive email from other systems on the network and send it out via a number of methods. One of the functions not found in Paclink MP that is present in Airmail is the propogation forecasting module.

15. Paclink MP Channels Paclink MP also offers the ability to set up multiple types of channels, give each a priority, and allows you to enable or disable them based on what equipment you have available at the time. Paclink MP also offers the ability to set up multiple types of channels, give each a priority, and allows you to enable or disable them based on what equipment you have available at the time.

16. Paclink MP and Outlook Express Just like with Paclink Post Office, you have the ability when configuring Paclink MP to automatically add your account to Outlook Express.Just like with Paclink Post Office, you have the ability when configuring Paclink MP to automatically add your account to Outlook Express.

17. TNC One of the communications methods you can define in PE PRO or Paclink AGW is a physical TNC. The job of the TNC is to convert the digital information into tones that can be broadcast over radio. The TNC on the other side decodes them and translates them back into digital data to be delivered over the internet or directly to the recipient, depending on the site configuration. One of the communications methods you can define in PE PRO or Paclink AGW is a physical TNC. The job of the TNC is to convert the digital information into tones that can be broadcast over radio. The TNC on the other side decodes them and translates them back into digital data to be delivered over the internet or directly to the recipient, depending on the site configuration.

18. KPC-9612+ to TS-2000 This is an example of the connections required to hook up a TNC to a TS-2000. The vast majority of radios use a 6 pin MINI Din, like the Yaesu 857 and 897. SO you have the computer connection to the 25 pin port, then you have either a 1200 baud or 9600 baud connection to the radio�s accessory port. Signals that are connected are transmit audio, receive audio, push-to-talk and ground, and this is true for both 1200 and 9600 baud connections. This is an example of the connections required to hook up a TNC to a TS-2000. The vast majority of radios use a 6 pin MINI Din, like the Yaesu 857 and 897. SO you have the computer connection to the 25 pin port, then you have either a 1200 baud or 9600 baud connection to the radio�s accessory port. Signals that are connected are transmit audio, receive audio, push-to-talk and ground, and this is true for both 1200 and 9600 baud connections.

19. PACTOR-3 TNC Then you have the Pactor 3 Multi Mode controllers. The Pactor 3 protocol was built by folks at SCS, and they are VERY proud of their protocol. Then you have the Pactor 3 Multi Mode controllers. The Pactor 3 protocol was built by folks at SCS, and they are VERY proud of their protocol.

20. This cabling scenario is similar to that of the TNCs, but these have a control port that plugs into the radio�s RS232 port if it has one. It automatically changes the frequency and sideband for you each time you select a different PMBO to connect to. OR, if you want, you can connect a standard RS232 port from your computer to do the same thing. Problem is most PCs don�t have that many serial ports to give up. This cabling scenario is similar to that of the TNCs, but these have a control port that plugs into the radio�s RS232 port if it has one. It automatically changes the frequency and sideband for you each time you select a different PMBO to connect to. OR, if you want, you can connect a standard RS232 port from your computer to do the same thing. Problem is most PCs don�t have that many serial ports to give up.

21. PTC-II USB to TS-2000 This is the USB model of the SCS Pactor III modem. By default the modem is configured up to Pactor II, but when you purchase it, you can opt to pay for the Pactor III license, and they will add it on. This is the USB model of the SCS Pactor III modem. By default the modem is configured up to Pactor II, but when you purchase it, you can opt to pay for the Pactor III license, and they will add it on.

22. This is an example of how more radios connect to both kinds of TNCs. The Yaesu 857 and many other radio models use the 6 PIN Mini Din. The cable connection here can also include squelch control signals, but they are often not used. This is an example of how more radios connect to both kinds of TNCs. The Yaesu 857 and many other radio models use the 6 PIN Mini Din. The cable connection here can also include squelch control signals, but they are often not used.

23. RMS Packet Stations Right now there aren�t that many established RMS Packet stations. As time goes on, hopefully more will be brought up closer to us with the side effect being that we�ll have more for connecting to via VHF/UHF. The map showing the RMS pactor stations is still under construction. To get an idea, the station WB4YDL is 100 Miles away, N5XFW is 187 Miles away, and N4AAN is 181 Miles, so until we get more RMS Packet stations nearby, the only realistic method we�re going to have to use is HF. Right now there aren�t that many established RMS Packet stations. As time goes on, hopefully more will be brought up closer to us with the side effect being that we�ll have more for connecting to via VHF/UHF. The map showing the RMS pactor stations is still under construction. To get an idea, the station WB4YDL is 100 Miles away, N5XFW is 187 Miles away, and N4AAN is 181 Miles, so until we get more RMS Packet stations nearby, the only realistic method we�re going to have to use is HF.

24. This is an older map showing the Public PMBO coverage in the US. Each PMBO holds the messages for the stations that used them the most recently. That�s why when you first make a connection to a PMBO, you won�t find any messages there for you. You have to establish that first connection, then the CMS will deliver all messages addressed to you to that PMBO. Wait about 5 to 15 minutes, and re-connect to download your messages. With the PMBOs being replaced with either RMS Packet or RMS Pactor, these will no longer have the messages locally housed. This will make life a lot easier for the administrators of the Winlink 2000 system. Also, you will not have to make that initial connection; then try back a few minutes later. Your connection will be a relay direct to the CMS. This is an older map showing the Public PMBO coverage in the US. Each PMBO holds the messages for the stations that used them the most recently. That�s why when you first make a connection to a PMBO, you won�t find any messages there for you. You have to establish that first connection, then the CMS will deliver all messages addressed to you to that PMBO. Wait about 5 to 15 minutes, and re-connect to download your messages. With the PMBOs being replaced with either RMS Packet or RMS Pactor, these will no longer have the messages locally housed. This will make life a lot easier for the administrators of the Winlink 2000 system. Also, you will not have to make that initial connection; then try back a few minutes later. Your connection will be a relay direct to the CMS.

25. Demonstration Two sites to be simulated. One site that is inside the damage area. A station with a 2 meter radio, TNC and Computer is up. No internet connectivity exists. Within VHF range is a station with Internet and a 2 Meter RMS Packet station. A Short email will be sent out of the �damage area� through the RMS Packet station.

26. Simulation

27. Links Winlink made simple: http://home.earthlink.net/~k7bfl/tfctools.html Winlink FAQ: http://www.winlink.org/faq Start to finish walkthrough course: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LOADING_WL2K_USER_PROGRAMS/ This presentation: www.ki4ndr.com/winlink_ki4ndr.ppt Paclink MP Installation PowerPoint: www.ki4ndr.com/paclinkmp_install.ppt

28. Links RMS Software is available through the RMSBeta Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RMSBeta The RMS Software suite is designed for groups or individuals planning to put up a permanent station supporting the Winlink 2000 system. The RMS Software suite is designed for groups or individuals planning to put up a permanent station supporting the Winlink 2000 system.