Data on HF Radio

2. Data on HF Radio What offshore sailors can do with data on HF radio • Samples of Email, Position Report, Weather GRIB File, Weather Bulletin and Weather Fax, Nadi/Fiji Fleet Code Who provides data service • Sailmail & Winlink Network Architecture Where the stations are located • Sailmail & Winlink stations worldwide How we do data on HF radio • Step by step instructions for using Email, Position Reports, Weather GRIB Files, Weather Bulletins, Weather Faxes, Nadi/Fiji Fleet Codes • Airmail helper application usage, HF Terminal and Telnet session usage What software is required • Airmail & helper applications installation for Ham and non-Ham • Airmail configuration for Ham and non-Ham • Sailmail & Winlink maintenance/upgrade (see Appendix) What hardware is required • General hardware component layout • RF suppression components • Wiring diagrams for various receivers • Cable matrix for various receivers Appendix Tom Baker - BCA Fleet of 2006

3. Email Sample Email Sample using Airmail Client Software and Winlink 2000 Telnet Connection

4. Position Report Sample Intermar Position Reporter showing VA2BIC (Claude Gagnon & Carmen on SY-CORAIL IV)

5. Weather GRIB File Sample Weather GRIB file data can show surface wind speed & direction, atmospheric pressures and surface temperatures in much more detail than Wfax. This sample is using Mscan Meteo File Viewer Software

6. Weather Bulletin Sample Weather Bulletin Sample from Winlink 2000 Catalog

7. Weather Fax Sample Weather Fax Sample Using JVComm32 Software

8. Nadi/Fiji Fleet Code Sample Nadi/Fiji Fleet Code Sample is displayed using PhysPlot application

9. Data on HF Radio What offshore sailors can do with data on HF radio • Samples of Email, Position Report, Weather GRIB File, Weather Bulletin and Weather Fax Who provides data service • Sailmail & Winlink Network Architecture Where the stations are located • Sailmail & Winlink stations worldwide How we do data on HF radio • Step by step instructions for using Email, Position Reports, Weather GRIB Files, Weather Bulletins, Weather Faxes • Airmail helper application usage, HF Terminal and Telnet session usage What software is required • Airmail & helper applications installation for Ham and non-Ham • Airmail configuration for Ham and non-Ham • Sailmail & Winlink maintenance/upgrade (see Appendix) What hardware is required • General hardware component layout • RF suppression components • Wiring diagrams for various receivers • Cable matrix for various receivers Appendix Tom Baker - BCA Fleet of 2006

10. Sailmail/Winlink2000/Airmail Introduction The SailMail Association is a non-profit association of yacht owners that operates and maintains a network of private coast stations in the Maritime Mobile Radio Service. The Association provides radioprinter (e.g. Internet email) communications for its members on a cooperative basis, in order to meet the private business and operational needs of the members' yachts. The SailMail Association provides worldwide coverage through the operation of 16 stations in North America, Hawaii, Australia, Southeast Asia, South Africa and Europe. Sailmail uses the same Pactor technology as the ham radio system, and supports Pactor-1, Pactor-2 and Pactor-3 on all frequencies at all stations. Airmail can be configured for either ham or Sailmail operation, or both. With the addition of a Sailmail configuration file, the same copy of Airmail can provide service for both the ham radio and Sailmail systems. This allows Sailmail to be used for business-related messages which are not permitted on the ham bands, as well in countries where ham radio third-party traffic is not permitted. Winlink2000 (WL2K) is a new ham-radio MBO system introduced in late 1999 by Hans Kessler N8PGR, Vic Poor W5SMM, Rick Meuthing KN6KB and Steve Waterman K4CJX. WL2K is fully integrated with the Internet, and uses Internet message forwarding to make user messages available at any station which they normally connect with. The Winlink-2000 system provides worldwide coverage through the operation of 49 stations in North America, Hawaii, Australia, Southeast Asia, South Africa and Europe. Airmail software operates as a "smart client" for accessing both WL2K and Sailmail networks.

11. HF Radio HF Radio Pactor Modem Pactor Modem WL2K and Sailmail High Network Architecture Boat Computer Airmail WL2K PMBO or Sailmail Station PMBO: Participating Mail Box The Internet The WL2K PMBO or Sailmail station is connected to the internet at all times

12. HF Radio HF Radio Pactor Modem Pactor Modem WL2K Network Architecture (continued) Other computers, or CMBOs, organize and manage the network traffic. CMBOs are transparent to users. They are redundant, and you never know they are there. Boat Computer Airmail PMBO CMBO: WL2K Central Mail Box Server The Internet CMBO CMBO

13. Data on HF Radio What offshore sailors can do with data on HF radio • Samples of Email, Position Report, Weather GRIB File, Weather Bulletin and Weather Fax Who provides data service • Sailmail & Winlink Network Architecture Where the stations are located • Sailmail & Winlink stations worldwide How we do data on HF radio • Step by step instructions for using Email, Position Reports, Weather GRIB Files, Weather Bulletins, Weather Faxes • Airmail helper application usage, HF Terminal and Telnet session usage What software is required • Airmail & helper applications installation for Ham and non-Ham • Airmail configuration for Ham and non-Ham • Sailmail & Winlink maintenance/upgrade (see Appendix) What hardware is required • General hardware component layout • RF suppression components • Wiring diagrams for various receivers • Cable matrix for various receivers Appendix Tom Baker - BCA Fleet of 2006

14. Winlink 2000 (WL2K) Stations worldwide (over 6000 subscribed users, free to licensed hams) Besides contacting other boats and Internet users, you may order parts, schedule fuel delivery, obtain a tow etc. Stock transactions and other activities that directly or indirectly increase the size of one’s wallet are not allowed

15. Sailmail Stations Worldwide (over 3000 subscribed uses, $250 US/year non-ham users) Besides contacting other boats and Internet users, Sailmail can be used for commercial purposes, such as arranging bank transactions, buying/selling stock, etc.

16. Data on HF Radio What offshore sailors can do with data on HF radio • Samples of Email, Position Report, Weather GRIB File, Weather Bulletin and Weather Fax Who provides data service • Sailmail & Winlink Network Architecture Where the stations are located • Sailmail & Winlink stations worldwide How we do data on HF radio • Step by step instructions for using Email, Position Reports, Weather GRIB Files, Weather Bulletins, Weather Faxes • Airmail helper application usage, HF Terminal and Telnet session usage What software is required • Airmail & helper applications installation for Ham and non-Ham • Airmail configuration for Ham and non-Ham • Sailmail & Winlink maintenance/upgrade (see Appendix) What hardware is required • General hardware component layout • RF suppression components • Wiring diagrams for various receivers • Cable matrix for various receivers Appendix Tom Baker - BCA Fleet of 2006

17. Operating Procedure for Airmail Terminal Program (HF Radio) • Posting message using HF Terminal program • Build email message and “Post” in Airmail Message Index (outbox) • Turn on HF Radio and modem • Open the Airmail “Propagation” program (View+Propagation) from Airmail Message Index window to determine what station/PMBO and frequency to connect to • Open Airmail “HF Terminal” program (Module+HF Terminal) from Airmail Message Index window and select station/PMBO and frequency • Listen to make sure frequency is clear, use headphones if engine is running • If frequency is clear hit green button in Terminal Program to send message • If transmit speed is dog slow (< 600 bps) give up and try either another frequency, another station or another time. 1400 bps to 3200 bps are good numbers to see. This is VERY important, don’t beat a dead horse - try later when conditions improve • “Send” message • Receiving message using HF Terminal program • Repeat steps 2 through 6 above • If receive speed is dog slow give up and try either another frequency, another station or another time • “Receive” message into Airmail Message Index (Inbox)

18. Email via Airmail Terminal Program (Sailmail & Winlink 2000 users) speed sending message Terminal program within Airmail sending an email through the HF radio

19. Operating Procedure for Airmail Telnet Client (Sailmail & Winlink 2000 users via Internet) • Posting message using Telnet Client program • Build email message and “Post” in Airmail Message Index (outbox) • Open Airmail Telnet Module (Module+Telnet Client) from Airmail Message Index window and choose Telnet Client Station/PMBO from pull-down list • Hit green button to send message • Receiving message using Telnet Client program • Open Airmail Telnet Module and choose Telnet Client Station/PMBO from pull-down list • Hit green button to receive message The Airmail Telnet Client can be used for sending/receiving email, receiving weather bulletins, receiving GRIB files, sending/receiving position reports. In other words, everything you can do in Airmail Terminal Client at 4,800 bps max can be done through Telnet Client at Internet speeds. We often cruise around an anchorage looking for an open WiFi connection to use

20. Email via Airmail Telnet Client (Sailmail & Winlink 2000 users) receiving message Note: When using Winlink 2000 Telnet Client, the rules of Amateur Radio do not apply since you are not going out over the HF airways. Business type transactions are allowed but only in Telnet

21. Example of Sending & Receiving Email We will email off for the text version of this web page so we know what to expect when we land in Opua, NZ. Airmail Telnet Client will be used but Airmail Terminal program would have also worked. The following steps apply for any email sent & received.

22. 1. Add New Address 3. Compose Email, Save and Post 2. New Address Ready 4. Outbox shows Email was “Posted”

23. Propagation Airmail Helper Application 5. Check a few Propagation Reports if sending via HF Radio (View+Propagation)

24. 6. Send Email 7. Outbox shows Email was sent sending message 8. Receive Response receiving message Send and Receive Email using Telnet Client

25. 9. Inbox shows Email was received 10. Read Text Webpage

26. Position Reporting • Lets folks at home share in your adventures. Gives them a map to track your progress • Do let folks at home know that the lack of an updated position should not be a cause for alarm • Remember that most position reports are removed if track is not kept current (more on alternatives later) • Position reports allow you to see other cruisers in your area • Don’t report if near sensitive areas like Somalia Coast, Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, Venezuela etc. • Don’t report if you don’t want people to know where you are (running from the Law, bill collectors, mother-in-law etc.)

27. Let’s find VA2BIC (Claude Gagnon & Carmen on SY-CORAIL IV) The Position Reporter web page within the Winlink 2000 system can be found here: http://www.winlink.org/aprs/aprs.htm

28. The Winlink 2000 Position Reporter (Ham users only, lookup VA2BIC in first column on left) There are over 6000 Winlink 2000 members and at any one time ~300 to 400 are sending in daily/weekly position reports. If the latest position report entered is over 7 days old, the call sign will not show up on the APRS look-up list until a new position report is entered. Click “View position reports for VA2BIC”

29. View All Position Reports for VA2BIC (Click Satellite + Hybrid)

30. View Position Report Detail (green positions are history, blue position indicates latest position)

31. APRS Position Reporter (Ham users only) Enter VA2BIC in Station Call Letters box

32. APRS Position Reporter (continued) Only latest position is shown with no detail available Just like the Winlink 2000 Position Reporter, the latest position has to be no older that 7 days in order for APRS call sign lookup to work

33. Yotreps Position Reporter (Ham and Marine call-sign Users. Click “Yotreps” at bottom of main Position Reporter web page) Data entry is through Airmail position report form. Hams can also call into Pacific Seafarer Net (14.300Mhz USB at 03:25 UTC ) and have their data entered into the Yotreps system. Yotreps mainly wants you to use their system when you are sailing offshore (coastal sailing reports allowed without weather detail) due to their tie into the Pacific Seafarer Net and various Search & Rescue (SAR) activities.

34. Yotreps Position Report Data Entry Ham users enter position report detail using the Airmail (Winlink 2000 version) position report form. Hitting “Send Now” button will enter position report in APRS database, check “Copy to Yotreps” box to also enter position report in the Yotreps database Sailmail users enter position report detail using the Airmail (Sailmail version) position report form. Hitting “Send Now” button will enter position report in the Yotreps database

35. Look up VA2BIC in “Yotreps ID” column and click on “Position Track” Yotreps ID will be either a Ham call sign or Marine call sign. Yotreps ID lookup can find positions that were entered anywhere from current time up to 1 year. The Yotreps reporting boats lookup web page can be found here: http://www.pangolin.co.nz/yotreps/reporter_list.php

36. View VA2BIC Position Track and Detail A quicker way to drill down to the VA2BIC position reports is using the direct link: http://www.pangolin.co.nz/yotreps/tracker.php?ident=VA2BIC

37. Position Reporter from the European Maritime Mobile Service Network or Intermar (Ham users only, Click “Position Reporter” at bottom of main Winlink Position Reporter web page) Available for use worldwide, free to all Ham users. Uses positions from APRS Database posted via Winlink 2000. Call sign lookup can find positions that were entered anywhere from the present time up to 1 year past

38. From Initial Screen choose “Map Window” button

39. Enter “VA2BIC” call sign in Yachtfinder box and hit “Yachtfinder” button

40. Hit “YachtTracker” link to show all position reports on large map Zoom in by holding down left mouse button and dragging a rectangle with your mouse Latest position has red boat icon

41. Nice Position Report Detail! A quicker way to drill down to the VA2BIC position reports is using the direct link:: http://srv1.intermar-ev.de/demisMap/findYacht.php?search=VA2BIC&absenden=+Yachtfinder+

42. But Wait there’s More! (Hit “VA2BIC” Callsign link) If you register (free) with Intermar they will provide a nice interface to all your data You can show in one place the boat & crew detail, position report locations and detail data, multiple maps, web page link and email link.

43. Weather GRIB (gridded binary) File Intro What is GRIB and why does it provide so much for so little? GRIB is a code form used by operational meteorological centers for storing and exchanging meteorological charts and other patterns of wind, sea state, temperature etc. The information is put into a compressed digital, binary format that enables high speed transmission and reception. It is useful to  sailors for the efficient reception of charted information using GSM, GPRS, Satellite  phones or HF radio to Internet link. GRIB files augment the information one gets from Weather Fax reports. Most common GRIB data shown is surface wind speed & direction, atmospheric pressure and surface temperature. Where does the data come from and what is it? A major source is the US NWS (Numerical Weather Prediction)model, the GFS (Global Forecasting System) which calculates how the weather is expected to develop,  For this purpose it defines the atmosphere on a three dimensional grid of points.  The lowest level of this model is at about 20 meters above ground (or sea level).  This is at a height where the pressure is about 3 hPa (mb) lower than at the surface of the earth.  From the forecast wind at this level and using algorithms embodying surface roughness and stability, the NWS derives a forecast at 10 meters.  The forecast winds are also used to drive a wave model known as the MMAB Operational Wave Model (aka wwave3). NWS wind data in GRIB format are available, free, from at least two sources.  Saildocs provide the wind at the 10 meter height above sea (or ground) level.  Global Marine Networks (GMN) provides wind data from the output of  wwave3.  Source: http://www.franksingleton.clara.net/grib.html

44. Using Saildocs GRIB files (Sailmail & Winlink 2000 users) Drag mouse in grid area to choose area for GRIB file in Airmail Catalog (Window+Catalogs+Saildocs), set GRIB Parameters and Request (don’t use Subscribe at Sea)

45. Weather GRIB files (continued) GRIB file is requested via email, received GRIB file is shown in Mscan Meteo viewer

46. Weather GRIB files (eChart overlay) GRIB file is overlaid on eChart in MaxSea and Waypoint Entered

47. Weather GRIB files (eCart Routing Using GRIB Data) MaxSea Routing Module Calculates Waypoints based on GRIB Data

48. Weather GRIB files (continued) Generated Waypoints shown on eChart (view MaxSea Routing.avi movie)

49. Weather Bulletins (Airmail Winlink 2000 and Sailmail Catalogs) Updateable over the radio, the built-in Airmail, Winlink 2000 and Sailmail catalog of bulletins contains over 800 text-based and graphic weather products that bring the user just about every publicly available weather product type, worldwide. Weather fax images are only available to Winlink 2000 users.

50. Send for Weather Bulletins via Email