Outpost Packet Message Handler

1. Guide designed by Kevin Colvin / KF4YMC Edited by Scott Duckworth / NA4IT Outpost Packet Message Handler

2. Main Screen • The main screen is a lot like E-Mail • In Tray • Out Tray • Sent Tray • Archive • Draft Msgs • Deleted Msgs

3. Main Screen • New Click NEW to write a new message • Open This button opens the highlighted message. • Delete Deletes the highlighted message. • Print Sends to the printer. ( if a printer is connected. ) • Send/Receive Sends and receives message from the BBS you have selected

4. Main Screen Setup Setup

5. Setup TNC • Click on TNC • A box will open like the one • on the right. Interface Type. • Select your TNC • Or Click NEW to add a TNC • If New, then: • In the Device Name box • type in the TNC type you • are using. • In Descriptions type in • something to let you know • what TNC it is. • Click Apply then OK

6. Setup TNC Comm Port • Set the setting to match your computer comport you are using.

7. Setup AGWPE • Choose AGWPE

8. AGWPE Settings • Remote Host use localhost • Remote Port use 8000 • TNC RadioPort : Use the • One you have setup in • AGWPE. Normally # 1 • Click Apply then OK

9. Identification • Your Call sign • Your Name • Check if using Tactical Call Sign • Your Tactical Call • Additional text: optional, This is a Drill • Click Apply then OK

10. BBS Setup • Select your BBS from the drop down or Click on NEW then enter the call sign of the BBS, then enter a description for the BBS. • This is the only one that needs checked. • Click Apply if needed then OK

11. RMS Setup • Select your RMS from the drop down or Click on NEW then enter the call sign of the RMS, then enter a description for the RMS. • This is the only one that needs checked. • Click Apply if needed then OK

12. BBS / RMS Path • Direct to BBS is best. But if necessary, Check Via digipeater and place the call sign or alias of the digipeater in the box. Click Apply then OK

13. Creating Messages • 1. Direct entry • Allows cursor placement within the text field • Supports TAB characters (cntl-tab) thereby reducing character count • Allows text files to be directly imported into the message form

14. Creating Messages • 2. NTS Message Maker • Step 1: Forms-based with field validity checking • Step 2: Press Check; reformats the message per the NTS Packet message standard • Step 3: Saves the message to a message window; message type is NTS. Press Send when ready

15. Creating Messages • 3. On-line Report • From a new messageform, “File > Open a Report” and choose a report template. • NOTE: Subject line is updated, tags> are replaced, and cursor ispositioned at the first prompt. • Press cntl-Tab or left-mouse to progress to the next prompt. • Press “File > Clear Remaining Prompts” for any unfilled prompts • Press Send when done.

16. Creating Messages • 4. Cut-and-Paste from other apps • From Excel, highlight the fields to be copied, then paste into an Outpost message. • At the receiving station, highlight and copy the message, then paste back into Excel. • Tabs are preserved so the message can be pasted back into another spreadsheet.

17. Creating Messages • 5. Import text from a file • Open a new message • File > Open a file • Select the text file, press OK • Full in the Destination and Subject. • Press Send when done.

18. Special Message Handling • NTS Messages • Retrieved NTS messages are not automatically deleted off of the BBS. To accept a message for servicing… • Retrieve the NTS message from the BBS • Open the message • Press Accept • On the next send/receive session, the NTS message will be deleted off of the BBS. • Notes • If you change your mind and do not plan to service the NTS message, it is common courtesy to post it back up on the BBS

19. Special Message Handling • Telpac/Winlink • Supports internet email addressing(format is: SMTP:name@isp.net) • Multiple destinations • Received message form supports Reply-to-all for multi-destination addressed messages • Notes • Internet email addresses must be precede with “SMTP:” If it is missing, the message will fail. • For multiple addresses sent to non-Telpac BBS, Outpost will send the message to the first listed station, and then report an error.

20. Using the “ipserial” window for TNC control and keyboarding

21. Open the ipserial window by clicking the short cut in the start menu. Click on File, Com Port Settings and set to match your TNC connection.

22. Click on Tools, Options and set the “Turn on packet monitoring...” to on (check the box).

23. Click on Connect. You will now be able to send commands to the TNC and do keyboard connects. If you have a text file of commands to setup your TNC, you can send them by clicking File and Send File. When you use the message window, the ipserial window will automatically disconnect then reconnect when you finish, placing the TNC in monitor mode. The ipagwpe window can be used much in the same way for keyboarding.

24. OutpostPMM Setup for WL2K Telnet First, go to BBS Setup and do the following: Do not change anything in the Prompts, Commands, or Path tabs. Click OK.

25. Now, go to TNC Setup and do the following:

26. Click on the Telnet tab and do the following EXACTLY as you see here: Do not change anything, leave it like you see here. Where it says “Callsign:” leave it, that is a prompt that pulls your callsign out of the main settings in out post. Leave the “Password:” also. To do a check of WL2K via Telnet, have your Internet on, select the WL2KBBS and WL2K Telnet and click Send / Receive.

27. For more information • Visit the Outpost website… • http://www.outpostpm.org • And supporting links… • Users Guide… http://www.outpostpm.org/#documentation • HOW-TOs… http://www.outpostpm.org/howto.html • Support Info… http://www.outpostpm.org/support.html • Users group… http://groups.yahoo.com/group/outpostpacket/ • Outpost Author… • Jim Oberhofer, kn6pe@arrl.net