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Prince George’s County ARES/RACES presents. Winlink 2000 Airmail January 26, 2009. Jim Montgomery, WB3KAS Assistant Emergency Coordinator for Logistics Prince George’s County, MD wb3kas@aol.com. Agenda Topics. What is Airmail Installation and Set up Process
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Prince George’s County ARES/RACES presents Winlink 2000 AirmailJanuary 26, 2009 Jim Montgomery, WB3KAS Assistant Emergency Coordinator for Logistics Prince George’s County, MD wb3kas@aol.com
Agenda Topics • What is Airmail • Installation and Set up Process • Fine Tuning the Configuration File • Address Book • Composing and Sending an Airmail Email • KaNodes and How They Work • Telnet Connection • Attached Files • The INI File WB3KAS
What is Winlink 2000 Airmail? • Winlink 2000 (abbreviated WL2K) is a worldwide network of participating amateur stations bound together through the use of the Internet. • By linking with any one of these stations on HF PACTOR or VHF packet you can exchange messages with other hams (who have packet or WL2K addresses), or with anyone with an Internet email address. WB3KAS
What is Winlink 2000 Airmail? • Accessing the Winlink 2000 system is typically done using AirMail 3.3, a Windows program written and offered to the ham community without charge by Jim Corenman, KE6RK. • Once you link with a WL2K station using AirMail your messages will be automatically downloaded and a list of them displayed similar to Microsoft Outlook or other typical Internet email programs. WB3KAS
Download the File • Website is http://www.airmail2000.com/ham/ • Download Airmail 3.3 Ham Client complete install (ver 3.3.081, around 4.4 MB) and save it in a "downloads" folder. • Follow the directions on the website for installation WB3KAS
Web Sites of Interest • Airmail 2000: http://www.airmail2000.com/ • Airmail Reflector: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/airmail2000/ • Winlink 2000: http://www.winlink2000.org/ • Winlink 2000 Reflector: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/winlink2000/ WB3KAS
Install Process • Download the Airmail program from http:// www.airmail2000.com/ham/ , about 4.1 MB. • You will not need to download any other programs. • Make a note of the folder name where you place it. • Close all programs. • Go to ‘Start’, then ‘Run’. • Browse to find your file which is called something like ‘amc32081.exe’. • Click on ‘OK’. WB3KAS
Install Process • Then you will see similar to this (if you are on XP)….click on ‘Run’. WB3KAS
Install Process • Then this page……………………………click ‘Setup’. WB3KAS
Install Process • Then this page……………………………click ‘Next’. WB3KAS
Install Process • Do not change the folder……………………click ‘Next’. WB3KAS
Install Process • Install complete. • Now to the Setup page WB3KAS
Setup Process • Enter your radio callsign WB3KAS
Setup Process • Enter QTH Coordinates (can be done later) WB3KAS
Easy Way to Get Coordinates • http://stevemorse.org/jcal/latlon.php • “Converting Addresses to/from Latitude/Longitude in One Step” • Returns lat/lon from six conversion engines WB3KAS
Example WB3KAS
Example WB3KAS
Setup Process • Select the VHF modem, com port, Baud rate WB3KAS
Setup Process • Select “No” for remote control WB3KAS
Setup Process • Finished setup process WB3KAS
The Fine Tuning Process • Should be viewing the “In-box” WB3KAS
The Fine Tuning Process • Select “Options” from “Tools” WB3KAS
The Fine Tuning Process • Select “VHF Packet Client “Setup” under “Modules” WB3KAS
The Fine Tuning Process • The right side are your default Packet Settings • Check the left side with what you entered earlier. WB3KAS
The Fine Tuning Process • Go back and select “Connection” Options • Check Modem Type, Comm Port and Baud Rate • Select “FSK” and “None” for “Radio Connection” WB3KAS
Address Book • Click on the “book” icon WB3KAS
Address Book • Looks like any other address book WB3KAS
Address Book • To add a new entry select “New” WB3KAS
Address Book • . . .and just fill in the blanks WB3KAS
Address Book • . . .and just fill in the blanks WB3KAS
Compose an Email • Select the “blank page” WB3KAS
Compose an Email • The Address book pops up for you to make a selection. . . • Select a recipient or recipients and press “OK” WB3KAS
Compose an Email • When finished composing the email, you must put email in the mail box for “delivery.” WB3KAS
Compose an Email • When you click on the “Mail Box”, Airmail sends you to the “Outbox” • Notice the “Mailbox” Icon in front of email WB3KAS
Making an RMS Connection • From “Modules” select “Packet Client” WB3KAS
Making an RMS Connection • You might get the following screen WB3KAS
Making an RMS Connection • You might get the following screen WB3KAS
Making an RMS Connection • You might get the following screen This is Not Good! WB3KAS
Things to Look For • Most likely it’s the comm port and/baud rate • 9600 from TNC to computer • 1200 from TNC to radio. . .That’s the Law!!! • Other suspects • Bad cable or cable connector • Audio tones not set to FSK • For KPC3+, select KAM+ WB3KAS
Making an RMS Connection • You get the following screen WB3KAS
Making an RMS Connection • Need find an RMS Packet station nearest you • Source is www.winlink.org/RMSPacketPositions • It’s a s—l—o—w load! • Drag pointer over a green balloon to see call sign • Double click on balloon shows freq & baud rate • Copy that call sign into the “Connect to:” box WB3KAS
Making an RMS Connection • If you want to use a different RMS Node, WB3KAS
KaNodes • KaNode is a Kantronics term • Allows RMS stations using Kantronics TNCs to act as a Winlink digipeater. . .sorta! • Can’t connect direct? Use a KaNode for a hop • “Connect to” looks like: • WB3KAS-10 via KH6ILR-10 (can be shortened to) • WB3KAS-10 v KH6ILR-10 (can be shortened to) • WB3KAS-10 KH6ILR-10 WB3KAS
On a Good Day W3LRC-10 W3AAC-10 W3CB-10 KH6ILR-10 N3CK-10 W3PGC-10 K7BC-10 WB3KAS-10 WB3KAS
Event Takes Place W3LRC-10 W3AAC-10 W3CB-10 KH6ILR-10 No Internet Connection N3CK-10 W3PGC-10 Internet Connection K7BC-10 WB3KAS-10 WB3KAS
Shelter Needs Help W3LRC-10 SHELTER W3AAC-10 W3CB-10 KH6ILR-10 No Internet Connection N3CK-10 W3PGC-10 Internet Connection K7BC-10 WB3KAS-10 WB3KAS
KaNodes to the Rescue W3LRC-10 SHELTER W3AAC-10 KH6ILR-10 A Node, now W3CB-10 No Internet Connection N3CK-10 W3PGC-10 Internet Connection K7BC-10 WB3KAS-10 WB3KAS
Telnet Connection • Another option for an Internet connection • Advantages • Broadband, dial-up, doesn’t matter • No radio or TNC required • Fast upload and download speeds • Good for training • Disadvantages • Lose the feel for Packet Client (RF) robustness • Account “clock” not reset WB3KAS
Telnet Connection • From “Modules” select “Internet Access” WB3KAS