winlink 2000 radio email.ppt - amazon web...

Winlink 2000fRadio “Email” for

Emergency e ge cyCommunications

Ross Mazzola KC2LOCJim DiTucci N2IXD

GoalsGoals• Generate awareness of the Winlink system and its

capabilities/limitations in the Emcomm setting.• Clarify the differences between the system (Winlink)

and the software (Airmail, Paclink, etc…)( , , )• Encourage ARES members to at least have Airmail

telnet capabilities (only computer and internet are needed) and to gain proficiency with this Emcommneeded) and to gain proficiency with this Emcomm tool

• Encourage more people to operate RMS Packet gateway stations in their communities to providegateway stations in their communities to provide better coverage.

Served Agencies Need to Have Information

Messages Need to Move

Electronic Files Need to be SharedPhotos

Documents

ListsProcedures

Maps

sts

Voice Can OnlyVoice Can Only Handle Part ofHandle Part of

the Trafficthe Traffic

Email is an Alternative to Voice

Served agencies use email for everyday communicationscommunications

Email provides a means to quickly and easily send and receive messages

Files can be attached to email messagesFiles can be attached to email messages

Power is outPower is out

Local internet is down

Cell phone system is p yoverloaded

When All Else Fails

Winlink 2000Winlink 2000Radio Email System

Internet E-mailmarysmith@grcarc.org

lee@salvationarmy.orglee@salvationarmy.org

rjones@hotmail.comGary_Griffin 36@gmail.com

Radio E-mailmarysmith@grcarc.org

KC2LOC@ i li kKC2LOC@winlink.org

Why Radio Email?Why Radio Email?

• Radio email messages can be sent to ANY email address, not just other packet stations

• Files- spreadsheets photos etc - can be attached to a messageFiles- spreadsheets, photos, etc..- can be attached to a message (but will be slow!! to send using HF Pactor I)

• Email eliminates the need for messages having to be re-written to be passedR di il ll f ffi b d i h b i d• Radio email allows for traffic to be passed without bogging down a voice net

• Radio email messages can be sent and received even when the internet is unavailable locally!y

• Email can keep served agencies connected with or without a local internet connection

Winlink 2000

A worldwide system of radios and computersradios and computers

connected to the internet

Winlink CMS

RMS HF Stations

RMS (VHF/UHF) Packet Stations

Local RMS Packet Stations (VHF)( )

Rochester(145.010) N2IXD-10

Lancaster a caste(145.010)

KC2LAS-10 EMCOMM Cortland

(145 590)(145.590) AB2G-10

Wellsville (144 910)(144.910) N2PEE-13 EMCOMM

What You’ll Need for Radio Email

S ftSoftware

Computer TNC (Modem) Radio Antenna

SoftwareSoftware

• Has similar look and feel of MicrosoftHas similar look and feel of Microsoft Outlook, Eudora, Thunderbird

• Airmail and PackLink are most popular• Airmail and PackLink are most popular• Each has pros and cons• Set-up can be a challenge but lots of

internet resources are available.

ComputerComputer

• Even older computers/OS will workEven older computers/OS will work (Microsoft Windows 95)

• Laptops are good for deployment• Laptops are good for deployment• You’ll need serial (COM) port for TNC

ticonnection• USB port is an alternative but sometimes

can be tricky when using a converter

TNCTNC

• HF VHF VHF / HFHF, VHF,VHF / HF• Most HF TNC’s only do Pactor I (Slow)

O l SCS d P t III (F t b t $$$$)• Only SCS does Pactor III (Fast but $$$$)• Older TNC’s may work• AEA PK-232, Kantronics KAM Plus, SCS

PTC-IIusb, Kantronics KPC-3 +,• Don’t forget about cables!

RadioRadio

• HF VHF VHF / HFHF, VHF,VHF / HF• Even older radios will work (IC-735)

N di ith d t t k• Newer radios with data ports makes interfacing easier

Typical Field Unit Set-upsFor deployment at Shelters, Hospitals, Airports, Fire Stations, etc.

yp p

Winlink 2000Radio Email SystemRadio Email SystemSi l P bl “ Mil ”Simple, Portable, “Last Mile”

Coverage for Emergency C g g yCommunications

Getting Started

• Start by visiting www.winlink.org• Register your callsign and get an email address• Download client software- Airmail (or Packlink)( )• The software costs nothing to download!• Install and set-up the programp p g• Send an email to an address via telnet or packet

client (or HF). That address is now registered * ( ) gand qualified to send you email at your callsign@winlink.org. * Without this, the Winlink system will block emails coming to you. So there is no point in giving your Winlink.org address to many people.

Airmail: Three Ways to Connecty

Internet Access (Telnet)Internet Access (Telnet)

• You can get started even without a radio or TNC!• No monthly fee to use Winlink (of course if you don’t

ha e a radio and TNC o m st ha e internethave a radio and TNC, you must have internet access)

Packet ClientPacket Client

• VHF• Connects to local RMS packet repeater or digipeater

HF TerminalHF Terminal

• HF• Connects to more distant HF Stations• Pactor I, II or III

Winlink File Attachment TipsWinlink File Attachment Tips

• Never send .EXE files as attachments. If you must, zip it firstUse compressed graphic file formats s ch as TIFF• Use compressed graphic file formats such as TIFF, GIF and JPG

• If possible, compress documents and spreadsheets poss b e, co p ess docu e s a d sp eads ee s(.ZIP) for about 80% savings

Where Can I Get More Info?Where Can I Get More Info?

• http://www.winlink.org• WL2K for “Dummies” Newbies

– http://www.winlink.org/node/23• Yahoo user groupsYahoo user groups

– http://groups.yahoo.com/group/airmail2000– http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wl2kemcommp g p y g p

It’s Time for a Live Demo!It s Time for a Live Demo!

• Anyone in the room have a mobile device with email capability?p y–Lets move some traffic!

Questions