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Winlink 2000. An Introduction to eMail over Ham Radio Presented by Bud Semon N7CW With thanks to KI5DR and VE3GFW/K6. Why eMail?. Using e-mail is universal. Minimum training required. Large amounts of data/information may be exchanged, accurately: Detailed damage or status reports.
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Winlink 2000 An Introduction to eMail over Ham Radio Presented by Bud Semon N7CW With thanks to KI5DR and VE3GFW/K6
Why eMail? • Using e-mail 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 e-mail. • Every transfer is a Permanently stored record. • Data/information is securefrom casual monitoring.
Paclink,with in a served agency, either behind or in front of a router and/or firewall. Outlook Express User Interface Outlook Express User Interface Mobile Paclink All it takes is one computer, TNC or Soundcard, the Paclink program and an antenna! Multi-channel VHF/UHF Packet Airmail HF All it takes is one Laptop, a Transceiver, TNC, the Airmail program and an antenna! Telpac Telnet Local PMBO CMBO Server
What you needto get started on VHF • Computer • TNC or Sound Card Interface • VHF radio • Internet Connection (Not needed but it will help)
Windows 98SE or better Appropriate Service Packs, etc. Windows .Net Framework Internet Explorer 6.0 Appropriate Service Packs, etc. Outlook Express 6 Computer Setup • AGW Packet Engine and • Paclink • Paclink PostOffice or • AirMail
Go to http://winlink.org/Client.htm and download Paclink AGW and Paclink Post Office and Go to www.elcom.gr/sv2agw and download the AGWPE packet engine or Go to http://www.siriuscyber.net/ham/and download Airmail You may also need Winzip, Adobe Acrobat, and antivirus software. What programs to get
Any SoundBlaster Compatible Sound Card RigBlaster – Serial Port Control See www.westmountainradio.com/RIGblaster.htm RigExpert – USB Port See http://www.mixw.net/RigExpert/ 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!) See http://www.patmedia.net/ralphmilnes/soundcardpacket/ Sound Card/Interface Setup
Most Modern VHF radios will work at 1200 baud packet 9600 Baud Packet is possible but needs high quality radio List of 9600 Baud radios is posted on SDGARES Web site See http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SDGARES/files/ You must be a member of the group to view Radio Information
Radio Interface Spkr Mike ComputerSoundCard Spkr Mike Radio/Sound Card Setup
SCAMP - Sound Card Based Mode Free Software -NO $$ TNC Speeds approaching Pactor 3 for HF Speeds greater than PACKET for VHF In Alpha Tests Now, Beta testing in Feb. 2005 The Future
If you are using Paclink, go to the next slide. If you are using Airmail, go to “Installing Airmail” slide. Software Choices
When you download the AGWPE.zip file, unzip it to a location such as c:\AGWPE so you can find it later. Once you’ve downloaded it, Create a shortcut on your desktop for AGW Packet Engine.exe
Installing AGWPE Double-Click your AGW Packet Engine shortcut. Click Agree, then you will see the Radio Port selection box. Click “New Port”.
AGWPE This is the default screen for adding a new port. Select your Com-Port, then choose the TNC type in the drop-down box. All of the other commands should default for you without further adjustments.
Here, I chose my KPC-9612+. All of the other TNC Control commands are defaulted for me. Verify your Serial port and baud rate are correct.
Paclink AGW When you run the AGW program, it will unzip to a temporary folder. After unzipping the files, simply run SETUP.EXE. The PDF files have lots of good info on installing the software too.
Click NEXT, then AGW will install. When it’s completed, you can click “CLOSE”.
Note: The window to the left says Paclink AGW – the real one will Say Paclink PostOffice. Click Next, then choose Close.
Paclink Post Office Configuration Enter your callsign, and choose a password. You can also select to allow other LAN clients access to the Post Office. Click Update Paclink install places two icons on your desktop – the AGW and the Post Office.
Outlook Express is configured for you automatically, just enter your password.
Paclink AGW Now it’s time for Paclink AGW. AGW is the interface between the Post Office and the AGWPE engine. Choose “File” then “Properties” to begin configuring the AGW.
This is the AGW Properties screen. The only change you should make is to verify the “PATH” to the AGWPE (remember where you unzipped the files to?) is correct. Click UPDATE.
Once the Properties are set, then choose “FILE, “Channels”. This is the default screen. First, select Telnet (to configure a Telnet path for Paclink.)
When you have an Internet connection, Paclink will use it FIRST to send and receive email. If the Internet is unavailable, it can use 2m Packet. The Telnet Properties displayed here is DIRECTLY out of the documentation. Once the entries are made, Click ADD NEW CHANNEL.
Next, I am adding a VHF Packet channel. I named it “N5TW”. The channel priority simply tells AGW which one to try first. (Telnet was 1, Packet is 5). Enter the Remote Callsign, and in the AGWPE port, select the Drop-Down box for the AGWPE port we just configured. I left all other options as default.
Directly under the Remote callsign is a Connect Script Box. This is what I used to connect to N5TW via a Digipeater.
Now that everything is configured, it’s time to test it. Here, I’m testing the initial Telnet connection through my roadrunner account.
Next, I’m testing my VHF connection to N5TW. Once you’ve tested your connections, it’s time to send your first email. Your email address will be your callsign@winlink.org. Open Outlook express (enter your password) and send a test email to anyone you wish. Once the email goes out through the Telnet or VHF packet path, your email will be registered with Winlink. It may take a few hours for this process to complete. Once this is done, try sending yourself an email to yourcallsign@winlink.org . The AGW is configured to check for incoming mail every 60 minutes, but you can manually initiate a connection for testing purposes.
Here’s my first successful sending of a test message. Most of this information is cryptic, and you won’t need to know what it means, but you can see here the line – K4CJX de KI5DR QTC 1 This tells the PMBO that I have one message outgoing. Note that when you send your first email via VHF, the system assumes you are a technician and you will not be allowed access to PMBOs on HF. This will require you to send an email to K4CJX and request your registration to be changed to the proper license class.
Installing AirMail Download and run Airmail.
Installing AirMail (cont’d) Your installation is done. Time to send an email. Click on the “Format a new message” icon. Click on “New” to add an address to your address book. Select “OK” and type your message. Click on the “Post this message for sending” icon. Click on the “Switch to Terminal Window (F6)” icon.
