What is WinLink 2000?

1. What is WinLink 2000?

2. Part 1 What is WinLink 2000? • WinLink 2000 (WL2K) is a worldwide system of “free” resources to enable E-Mail by ham radio (and MARS).

3. What is WinLink 2000? • WinLink 2000 (WL2K) is a worldwide system of “free” resources to enable E-Mail by ham radio (and MARS). • It is useful for sending E-Mail by radio from remote areas or in emergency situations.

4. CMS CMS CMS CMS Halifax Perth San Diego How does it work? The Internet Wein Four computers are located around the world and function as Common Message Servers (or CMSs). They organize, synchronize and manage the WinLink e-mail traffic. All CMSs have the same (e.g. redundant) information.

5. A Radio and a Good Antenna • A TNC or Soundcard Interface Radio • Laptop for a Portable Station • Paclink software with E-Mail • Program like Outlook Express • RMS Express Software • Windows Operating System Data Interface Ham Computer Paclink or RMS Express (TNC = Terminal Node Controller) A CLIENT Station (That’s YOU!) A typical ham radio e-mail station is composed of simple components. WinLink uses ham e-mail addresses like w4usa@winlink.org The Internet CMS CMS CMS CMS

6. Radio Data Interface The most direct way to use the WinLink system is with a TELNET connection Ham Computer TELNET Paclink or RMS Express The Internet CMS CMS CMS CMS

7. Radio Radio Data Interface Data Interface RMS A radio “Gateway” to the Internet is called a Radio Message Server, or “RMS”. To send or receive e-mail, a station makes a connection with a radio message server which is always connected to the Internet. Ham Computer Paclink or RMS Express The Internet CMS CMS CMS CMS

8. VHF Radio VHF Radio Data Interface The radio “Gateway” to the Internet is called a Radio Message Server, or “RMS”. Up to 30 miles between stations we use VHF radios and the packet mode. Data Interface Ham Computer Paclink RMS Packet The Internet CMS CMS CMS CMS

9. VHF Radio VHF Radio Data Interface Data Interface WinLink uses “regular” e-mail You can send & receive radio e-mail directly to internet e-mail users and even cell phone “text” users. Ham Computer Paclink RMS Packet The Internet CMS CMS CMS CMS

10. VHF Radio VHF Radio Data Interface Data Interface WinLink uses “regular” e-mail You can send & receive radio e-mail directly to internet e-mail users and even cell phone “text” users. Ham Computer It also works in REVERSE Paclink RMS Packet The Internet CMS CMS CMS CMS

11. NODE NODE VHF Radio VHF Radio VHF Radio Data Interface Data Interface Data Interface Ham Computer RMS Packet RMS Packet Packet Networks or digipeaters can be used if the nearest RMS “Gateway” has lost its Internet connection. • Packet Networks such as • FPAC • NET-ROM • FLEX-NET Paclink The Internet CMS CMS CMS CMS

12. RMS Packet “Gateway” Stations in Florida

13. RMS Packet “Gateway” Stations in Hillsborough The “10” is called a Secondary Station IDentifier (SSID) and ”10” is usually identified with an RMS Packet gateway station.

14. Local VHF Winlink RMS Packet Stations • KI4VAM-10 144.910 MHz - County Ctr, Tampa* • KF4ATP-10 145.050 MHz – Hillsborough EOC* • W4BGH-10 145.030 MHz – Riverview, FL* • W1WAB-10 145.030 MHz – Sun City Center, FL** • W4ACS-10 145.010 MHz – Pinellas EOC*** • K4PPK-10 145.030 MHz – Valrico, FL**** *Operate 24X7 **Currently down for repairs ***Not operational yet. ****Only available during emergency situations.

15. VHF Radio HF Radio Data Interface Data Interface Ham Computer HF Radios are used for RMS stations over long distances. For long distances and difficult terrain, Hams can use HF radios and the Pactor (1-3) modes and more recently WINMOR. HF Radio Data Interface RMS HF or RMS WinMOR Paclink or RMS Express The Internet CMS CMS CMS CMS

16. VHF Radio VHF Radio Data Interface Data Interface Ham Computer RMS Packet HF Radios are used for RMS stations over long distances. If local VHF RMS “gateway” stations have lost their Internet connection, then HF Pactor or WinMOR may be the best option HF Radio HF Radio Data Interface Data Interface RMS HF or RMS Express Paclink The Internet CMS CMS CMS CMS

17. RMS HF “Gateway” Stations (Pactor) Typical RMS HF Station W9MR – Keensburg, IL 7065.9 10141.2 10141.2 (p3) 10145.2 10145.2 (p3) 14069.0 14069.0 (p3) 14101.7 (p3) (p3) = Pactor 3

18. How do we send E-Mail using Paclink? • First create E-Mail in an E-Mail Program such as Outlook or Outlook Express. • Next “send” it to Paclink that behaves as a POP3 mail server. • Finally, direct Paclink to connect to either an RMS Packet or an RMS HF “gateway” station and transfer the message.

19. Creating E-Mail in Outlook Express

20. Paclink sends the message Packet radio activity E-Mail “Post Office”

21. Let’s Switch Gears…How Do You Get Started • Download the software from: http://www.winlink.org/ClientSoftware • Install and setup a WinLink Client Program. • (Your E-Mail address will be callsign@winlink.org) • Send an E-Mail either by Radio or Telnet. • Establish an “account” on www.winlink.org (optional)

22. The WinLink Client Programs Paclink • VHF Packet • TNC • Soundcard • (AGWPE) • HF Pactor • TNC

23. The WinLink Client Programs Paclink RMS Express • VHF Packet • TNC • b) • VHF Packet • TNC • • HF Pactor • TNC Soundcard (AGWPE) • HF Pactor • TNC • HF WinMOR a) Soundcard

24. The WinLink Client Programs Paclink RMS Express • • Both require Windows operating system • • Require installation of .NET Framework • a) This may prevent the use of older • versions of Window OS

25. The WinLink Client Programs Paclink RMS Express • External E-Mail Program (e.g. Outlook Express) • Internal E-Mail Program • Both programs will merge at some point.

26. Some Features of the WinLink System • Winlink maintains a “White Page” system to control SPAM. • An E-Mail from steve@spamyou.com to w4aaa@winlink.org will not be delivered unless originator is in the user’s White Page. • An E-Mail address is added to the White Page when a WinLink user sends a message to that address (or is added by an E-Mail to system@winlink.orgor logging in to web site). • Any E-Mail with //WL2K at the beginning of the SUBJECT line will be delivered whether or not the address is in the White Page.

27. Some Features of the WinLink System Here’s a problem we experienced during the 2008 Mass-Casualty drill. We sent E-Mail messages by Winlink 2000 to: races@hillsboroughcounty.org The messages were received with no problems, but the EOC replies were NEVER received. Why? The County IT Department was (is?) using a spam protection method called Bounce Address Tag Validation (BATV) which modified the “FROM” address in the reply to: pvrs=races=986108f28@hillsboroughcounty.org This wasn’t in the Winlink “white page” and was blocked! Solution: Authorize the domain name “hillsboroughcounty.org” or use //WL2K in the subject line.

28. Some Features of the WinLink System • Winlink maintains a “White Page” system to control SPAM. • An E-Mail from steve@spamyou.com to w4aaa@winlink.org will not be delivered unless originator is in the user’s White Page. • An E-Mail address is added to the White Page when a WinLink user sends a message to that address (or is added by an E-Mail to system@winlink.orgor logging in to web site). • Any E-Mail with //WL2K at the beginning of the SUBJECT line will be delivered whether or not the address is in the White Page. WinLink has a “default” message size maximum of 120k including attachments. A User may establish their own “personal” message size maximum.

29. Time for a Quick Break

30. Part 2 How to Setup Paclink and RMS Express • Paclink • General Settings • Outlook Express E-Mail Client • Telnet Channel • TNC – VHF Packet Channel • TNC – HF Pactor Channel • Sound Card – VHF Packet • RMS Express • WinMOR WL2K

31. Setting up Paclink – File Menu Items

32. Setting up Paclink – Site Properties

33. Setting up Paclink – Polling Interval • Paclink will reconnect to the WinLink System every 30 Minutes to send and/or receive messages.

34. Setting up Paclink – Callsign Accounts • The callsign is normally the “base” callsign without an SSID. • A callsign with an SSID is considered a separate account from the “base” account.

35. Setting up Outlook Express for Paclink

36. Setting up Outlook Express for Paclink

37. Setting up Outlook Express for Paclink • Password must match the password in Paclink. • Outgoing Mail Server requires authentication.

38. Setting up Outlook Express for Paclink

39. Setting up Paclink – Telnet Channels

40. Setting up a VHF Packet TNC Channel • Channel Priority: 1 – High; 5 – Low • During automatic connection, Paclink will start at highest priority and continue to lower priorities until it has a successful connection.

41. Setting up Paclink – TNC Channels • Note - Paclink has files to set up parameters for the TNC: e.g. C:\Paclink\Data\ExampleKPC3+.aps These can be edited with Notepad.

42. Setting up a Packet TNC Channels • It is important to adjust the TX Audio from the TNC to the radio to prevent over-modulating the transceiver. • If a deviation meter is available, set the deviation to slightly less than 3 kHz. • Some TNCs have a potentiometer for adjusting the TX Audio. • Some Kantronics models use a software command e.g. xmitlvl (range from 0 to 502)

43. Setting up a Packet TNC Channels • Many TNCs have three operating “modes.” a. Terminal – normal for keyboard-to-keyboard. b. Host – for computer interfacing. c. KISS – also for computer interfacing. • Some older TNCs don’t have the “Host” mode. a. Can be used with AGWPE in KISS mode. • Paclink normally puts the TNC into the Host mode and returns it to the Terminal mode when the program exits. • New “Native KISS” drivers are available for radios with internal TNCs like the Kenwood TM-D710a.

44. Sending an E-Mail • Create message in Outlook Express

45. Tell Paclink to Connect to a Channel E-Mail “Post Office” Note: If “Autoconnect” is chosen the “Priorities” will determine which Channel will be used.

46. Paclink sends the message Packet radio activity E-Mail “Post Office”

47. Setting up Paclink for HF Pactor • Autoforward Enabled is normally left unchecked. A Pactor connection then requires manual initiation to insure a clear frequency.

48. Setting up Paclink Sound Card Packet • Requires computer sound card and simple radio interface. Donner Digital Interface for Alinco DR-135T

49. Setting up Paclink Sound Card Packet • Requires computer sound card and simple radio interface. • A third-party program called AGW Packet Engine creates a “virtual TNC” using a Sound Card that can be used by Paclink. (http://www.sv2agw.com/downloads/default.htm) • AGW Packet Engine is free, and an enhanced version called Packet Engine Pro is available for a small fee. This software also allows multiple programs to use a single hardware TNC. • Some problems have been reported with AGW Packet Engine and Windows 7 and external USB sound cards. Operation with the computer’s primary sound card seems OK. Hopefully AGW Packet Engine updates will solve the problems.

50. Setting up Paclink Sound Card Packet • Important note: Sound Card interfaces are susceptible to RF feedback, and ferrite materials should be liberally used to minimize the negative effects of this feedback.