Winlink 2000

Digital Messaging for ARES®

Presented by the ARRL “ARESCOM” Committee

By Steve Waterman, K4CJX

Winlink 2000 Network Administrator, Winlink 2000 Development Team

(Member of ARESCOM)

revised September 12, 2004

               

 

                

“Our primary mission is to provide Global digital

communications for the benefit, safety and well-being

of the user community, anywhere, anytime, anyplace.”

Why are we here?

July, 2003: In cooperation with its partnership

with Homeland Security & at their recommendation, the ARRL Board sought to provide a Nationwide

digital system to enhance the communications

capability of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service

(ARES) There are situations, the Board said, when

ARES "must have the capability to pass digital

traffic across the Nation quickly and accurately.”

A new network should:

• provide rapid transfer of emergency traffic between Sections,

• Provide flexible access between Sections,

• be automated as much as practical,

• use available and future digital modes,

• interface with commercial communications systems such as conventional telephone, cellular telephone, and the Internet, etc.,

• have speed, performance and accuracy,

• deliver the emergency traffic end-to-end,

• provide immediate traffic delivery (crucial,)

In harmony with the ARRL BOD’s wishes,the following recommendation resulted from the ARRL Resources Volunteer Committee (VRC final Report to the ARRL BOD, July 2003:)

September, 2003: “ARESCOM” committee formed by Jim Haynie, ARRL President.

ARESCOM’s Mission: To recommend a National Digital network for ARES® to the ARRL BOD for its July, 2004 meeting:

ARESCOM’s Recommendation to the ARRL Programs and Services Committee: The inclusion of Winlink 2000 for the ARRL ARES.

July 15, 2004: the ARRL approved the inclusion of Winlink 2000 into ARRL ARES.

The ARRL Board adopted a resolution encouraging further development and expansion of an inaugural network to enhance the emergency communications

capability of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES) The Board's motion encouraged the deployment of e-mail via Amateur Radio--as exemplified by Winlink 2000--"as an additional emergency capability provided to agencies served by ARES.

In its report, the committee said situations arise when ARES must "pass message

traffic across the nation quickly and accurately," and it said the need for such a nationwide capability within ARES is likely to increase in light of the ARRL's Citizen Corps partnership with the Department of Homeland Security

Members of the ARRL Programs and Services Committee witnessed a Winlink 2000 demonstration at ARRL Headquarters the day before the board meeting. ARESCOM said it wants to adapt the already-proven communications network to meet the needs of served agencies and other organizations involved in providing disaster communications.

"The digital network will provide a value-added service for ARES and will continue to be viewed very positively by our served agencies," the committee said in its report. "This allows ARES to be viewed as modern and necessary instead of antiquated and invasive."

(Excerpts from the ARRL WEB Site, July 20, 2004)

Winlink 2000 deployment for the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service

Winlink 2000 has proven to be an outstanding addition to the capabilities of ARRL Field Services: Provides nearly real-time radio email service for all served agencies

and the public; works in harmony with the resources of the existing manually

operated ARES, NTS and NTS/D services; covers all areas of the Country and beyond; allows ARES to provide transparent, seamless, end-to-end digital

email from the desktops of the served agencies within the Sections. greatly enhances the operation of all these combined resources;

• Increased accuracy, Increased Speed, allows permanent Record, no learning curve for end-user, no invasive software in agencies;

Provides ease of use, works even when infrastructure is damaged; Provides served agencies with what they need.

Today’s Discussion

What does the end-user need (& want) to be effective when normal digital communications are unavailable? That is really what its all about! Let’s examine:

Traditional role of ARES

Winlink 2000 System. History of Development

Telpac VHF/UHF-to-Telnet Gateway with Paclink client for local area “Last Mile” coverage.

Airmail Client for Longer Range HF Internet substitution.

Specialized non-public local/Regional Winlink 2000 participating station (PMBO ) to hub community digital traffic.

Implementing Winlink 2000 for Emergency Management

TRADITIONAL ROLE OF HAM RADIO SUPPORT

Hand the microphone to the Serving Agencies whose radio systems will not work.

Voice communications among served agencies (EOC, hospitals, shelters, and incident command.)

Report health and welfare of affected public.

Tactical support – Incident Command, search and rescue, damage and storm reporting (SKYWARN.)

This takes a lot of people!

WHAT TYPES OF INFORMATION ARE EXCHANGED?

"Where the #@! is the tank truck that was headed this way an hour ago?"

“What Specific food is needed for people who are registered in the shelter?"

“Parents and 3 children safe, but children require specific medical attention . Details to follow."

"St. Luke's hospital has taken in fourteen victims. Details to follow".

"Have you finished searching sector seven? What can I report?”

"This city block is about 20 percent damaged. Details to follow"

“Standby for detailed Medical procedure information.”

“Standby for detailed instructions for fixing the generator.”

TRADITIONAL MODES USED: CW & voice on HF. Voice, Packet BBS on VHF/UHF.

TRADITIONAL NETWORKS EMPLOYED: Local/’State/section/regional traffic nets over wide areas. Specialized networks such as SKYWARN.

Can Traditional methods do the Job?

A quote from the former FCC Director of Engineering and Technology

 

"In the past, hams have adopted more spectrally efficient technologies - for example, by migrating from double-sideband amplitude modulation to single-sideband modulation and, more recently, by shifting to more efficient modulation for digital modes. I would urge you to continue shifting towards more spectrally efficient communications techniques - especially digital techniques. Such a shift has a number of benefits:

·First of all, it demonstrates to policymakers and regulators that you are good stewards of the public's airwaves even without direct economic incentives.

.Second, by using what you have efficiently, it strengthens your case when you need to ask for additional spectrum.

·Third, by allowing more users to access the available allocations simultaneously, it improves the amateur experience and ultimately increases the attractiveness of the service to new and old users alike.

 

A quote from the former FCC Director of Engineering and Technology (continued:)

·Fourth, it provides the opportunity or "headroom" for increases in data rates to more closely match those available on wire line networks and, in the future, on commercial wireless networks as well.

·Fifth, as the rest of the telecommunications world makes the transition to digital techniques - and there are very few exceptions to that trend - the

amateur service will look antiquated if it is not making progress in that direction as well.

So looking to the future of the amateur radio service in the new century, I would urge you to continue your traditional role in public service by being

prepared for and providing communications in times of emergencies, conducting experiments, providing training in radio communications, and encouraging international comity. But I would also urge you to focus particular attention -- for the reasons I just mentioned -- on experimentation with digital techniques."

“Written documents impose their own kind of discipline”

Albert Einstein

Moving into the 21st Century

“I can’t work without a blackboard!”

Emergency Digital (written) Communications For Community Agencies

We can keep Agencies connected without an immediate Internet

connection.

With Telex? When was the last time they used Telex?

With a Telegram? When was the last time they sent a Telegram?

With a voice relayed NTS Radiogram or MarsGram? (could be an attachment)

With Packet “H-routing”?

The accepted Global standard is now SMTP e-mail !

Bottom Line: Let’s make EmComm as easy & transparent as possible for those who need it during an emergency situation.

Let’s not forget: It is their “party” and we want to be invited!

E-MAIL VIA AMATEUR RADIOWhy e-mail messaging?

• Using e-mail is universal.

• Minimumtraining required.

• Large amounts of data/information may be exchanged, accurately:

• Detailed damageor status reports.

• Detailed work assignments& shift changes.

• Lists of equipment and supplies needed.

• Graphic or text-basedMedical information.

• Anything else that may be handled routinely by e-mail.

• Every transfer is a Permanently stored record.

• Data/information is securefrom casual monitoring.

Normal E-mail requires an internet connection

Agency to AgencyAgency to FieldAgency to multipointAgency to anywhere!

Agency Focus on Emergency digital communications

Agency Focus

If a community “Last Mile” internet link is broken, e-mail cannot flow.

“What the ???

?”

“Critical Medical &

Tactical Info sent!”

Agency Focus

The “Last Mile,” an important part of Emergency Communications:

The incident area where conventional communications have

been totally disrupted or overloaded by an emergency situation.

In today’s World, we cannot predict the size, nature or location of our disaster areas! We be must prepared, Globally.

Local? Regional? Global?

Amateur Radio can provide e-mail to any served agency without the internet within the “Last Mile,” across the Nation, or around the World.

HOW DO HAMS DO THAT?

End-User Focus

? ?? ??

?

How can an Amateur Radio Emergency Service provide a

Local, State, Regional, National or Global digital e-mail

capability to its community’s agencies when various

normal Internet links are broken?

How do Hams do that?

It must “look like e-mail.”

It must “use an e-mail editor like MS Outlook Express or Outlook, etc.”

It must “have an address book like e-mail.”

It must “include multiple recipients (to:, Cc:) like e-mail.”

It must “send multiple binary attachments like e-mail.”

It must “have a spell-checker like e-mail.”

It must “work on multiple computers within an agency with no additional desktop software, and not invade the security of the system.”

It must “provide transparent, seamless, end-to-end email when there is no normal Internet path.”

It must be able to utilize tactical email addresses.

It must “NOT add to the stress or learning curve of those who are already stressed in an emergency situation.”

Agency Focus on Emergency digital communications: Requirements

Welcome to the Power of Winlink 2000 !

Where in the World are you? It doesn’t matter!

Winlink 2000 Public use PMBOs

Winlink 2000, a bit of History

1986: 1st ApLink (DOS), then Winlink “Classic” (Windows 3.1) for “long-haul HF” to link community Packet BBSs. Used by the Military during 1st Gulf War for H & W & hidden ID troop

movement detail. 1991 CBS 30 minute documentary: “Last Voice from Kuwait” with Charles Kuralt.

NTS/MARS usage heavy. Still used by both ! Still the currently adopted system for NTS/D & MARS.

1997: Winlink Classic with NetLink & Airmail client Link HF digital radio messages to Internet SMTP e-mail. World adopts SMTP (IETF RFC822) e-mail. MARS/NTS did not. NTS/MARS

dropped off… “The Internet is not ham radio.”

2000: Worldwide Winlink 2000 network deployed using the Airmail end-user client to provide enhanced messaging over Radio while integrating a total Internet Interface. MARS, NTS/D continue using Winlink “Classic” 1986 technology, however,

Change is in the wind!

2001- Today: Proven existing, mature, reliable, secure, working, Global radio messaging network system.

Emphasis on expanded use for Emergency Communications.

Seamless Global Internet substitute for EmComm:

Currently used by U.S. Federal, State, local Government & others, including ARES/RACES.

No Telex, no Telegrams, no NTS formatted ARRL Radiograms..only SMTP e-mail format is used. (Want NTS/MARS formats? Put it as an attachment.)

Telpac gateway with Paclink clients developed for EmComm local “last mile” communications. (Expanded deployment into ARES & RACES.)

Commitment to continue to enhance the network topology and functionality for ARES.

Winlink 2000, a bit of History (Continued)

Winlink 2000 Today

Approximately 150,000 radio message/260,000 Minutes though system, Monthly. (more than all branches of MARS & ARRL field networks combined.)

Over 5,100 weekly users to over 75,100 email recipients.

Over 43 Standard Participating locations (PMBOs) with 23 in USA. Many locations contain multiple stations.

2.1 minute Ave. est. delivery time to PMBO for Pickup

Over 200 VHF/UHF Telpac nodes in operation.

HF radio access, VHF/UHF radio access, Telnet Access, WEB Browser Access.

New Inclusion of non-public EmComm PMBOs.

Enhanced, more flexible & redundant network topology currently under development with even less Internet dependency.

Winlink 2000 Feature Overview

Features Worldwide, proven, existing, reliable,redundant system with its

own on-going management and support systems.

Looks and works like common SMTP e-mail.

• Uses any combination of SMTP addresses mixed with Radio addresses. For EmComm, can use tactical addresses.

• Multiple “to” and “CC” addressing.

• Sends multiple binary attachments.

• Handles tactical addresses.

Secure due to binary protocol & secure user login.

Easy to configure and use.

Software is free, hardware is NOT!

WEB browser/Telnet or VHF/UHF/HF access

System is Fault tolerant & completely redundant.

Flexible:

• Can use existing Packet nodes, or digis, or switches.

• Can use existing Participating Stations (PMBOs.)

• Has backup remotely located Central Servers (CMBO.)

• Older generation BBSs may be replaced with Telpac nodes.

Intelligent “follow me” routing.

Distance insensitive, transparent nodes: Local, Regional, National or International…it does not matter.

WL2K Features (continued)

Highly adaptable for emergency use.

• May replace “broken” Internet links: local, regional, national or international.

• Designed for mobile or fixed operations.

• The Winlink 2000 Catalog may be tailored for detailed instructions, policy employment, complex procedures or medical information for each community.

• Position Reporting for locating mobile users: • ARRS

• ShipTrak

• Text-based e-mail reply tracking system

• Auto non-published real-time Position Tracking.• NOAA MAROB weather reporting system

• May be expanded for SKYWARN applications. Local “Hubbing” PMBO can maintain email connectivity among

community Agencies with or without the Internet!

WL2K Features (continued)

Uses “B2F” binary Protocol:

It is in the public domain.

Secure against “hacking” due to compression & error correction.

May be wrapped by most ARQ modes.

provides approximately 44 percent data compression.

Needs no “special” consideration in a secure IT Infrastructure. Works inside, outside the firewall (DMZ) or router.

All user Interfaces may be password protected.

“Instant” self-registration option can be turned on/off.

Heavy virus/SPAM protection: accept list, etc. can all be turned on/off.

NO learning curve for end-user agencies. NO additional stress!

WL2K Features (continued)

Winlink 2000 complies with §97.221 for an Automatically controlled digital station: For Wider than 500 Hz: 97.221 (b) A station may be automatically controlled while transmitting a RTTY or

data emission on the 6 m or shorter wavelength bands, and on the 28.120-28.189 MHz, 24.925-24.930 MHz, 21.090-21.100 MHz, 18.105-18.110 MHz, 14.0950-14.0995 MHz, 14.1005-14.112 MHz, 10.140-10.150 MHz, 7.100-7.105 MHz, or 3.620-3.635 MHz segments.

For 500 Hz: 97.221 (c) A station may be automatically controlled while transmitting a RTTY or data emission on any other frequency authorized for such emission types provided that: (1) The station is responding to interrogation by a station under local or remote control; and (2) No transmission from the automatically controlled station occupies a bandwidth of more than 500 Hz.

Winlink 2000 complies with §97.109 Station control, for 3rd Party traffic rules: (e) No station may be automatically controlled while transmitting third party communications, except a

station transmitting a RTTY or data emission. All messages that are retransmitted must originate at a station that is being locally or remotely controlled.

Winlink 2000 complies with Section §97.219(c) for 3rd Party traffic Content Rules: §97.219(c) provides protection for licensees operating as part of a message forwarding system. "...the

control operators of forwarding stations that retransmit inadvertently communications that violate the rules in this Part are not accountable for the violative communications. They are, however, responsible for discontinuing such communications once they become aware of their presence.“

Winlink 2000 complies with §97.309 for data emission codes. (4) An amateur station transmitting a RTTY or data emission using a digital code specified in this paragraph

may use any technique whose technical characteristics have been documented publicly, such as CLOVER, G-TOR, or PacTOR, for the purpose of facilitating communications.

Winlink 2000 complies with Sub-Part E when so designated (i.e.: §97.403 Safety of life and protection of property):

No provision of these rules prevents the use by an amateur station of any means of radio communication at its disposal to provide essential communication needs in connection with the immediate safety of human life and immediate protection of property when normal communication systems are not available.

Winlink 2000 in the USA and Part 97

Paclink, with multiple computers in a served agency, either behind or in front of a router and/or firewall.

Telpac

Multi-channel VHF/UHF

Packet w/ B2F

Protocol

CMBO Server

Telnet

Mobile Paclink

Local “Hubbing” PMBO (Allows all hubbed

traffic to continue with loss of the Internet.)

Very Important!

MS Outlook

Or

Outlook Express

User Interface

Airmail High

Speed HF

All it takes is one computer, TNC, the Paclink program and an antenna!

All it takes is one Laptop, a Transceiver, SCS TNC, the Airmail program and an antenna!

Telpac…WL2K’s Telnet <> Packet Bridge

Telpac

Telnet

TCP

AGWPacket Engine

TNCs/Packet Radios

or

TELnet PACket Bridge

RS232

WL2K PMBO

Telnet server

Paclink

AirMail

Terminal

Radio Client

Programs

AX.25

AX.25

AX.25

Key Features:

Easy set upNo local databaseMultiple active connectionsSupports all WL2K functionsAGW Packet Engine support

HF(Future)

Paclink AGWPacket/Telnet

Client SMTP Server

POP3 Server

Standard E-mailClient:

(Outlook,Netscape, Eudora, etc)

Address Book:E-mail addressesRadio addressesTactical addresses

TCP

Multiple Prioritized Channels

Telnet Packet

Protocols

WL2K B2F Keyboard

AGWPacket Engine

TCPTelnet

WL2K Telnet Servers

Setup:Call signs,User accts,Channels,Connect

scripts

Support for Multiple E-mailClients via LAN

WL2K PacketPMBOs or Telpac Nodes

AX.25

PaclinkPostoffice

Paclink… A Windows Radio E-mail Server for the user Interface

Key features:

Mixed radio/E-mailPacket Engine supportMultiple user E-mail interface5 levels of auto-alternate routing

Priority routing example: 1. Telnet via Internet 2. 9,6kb Packet-to-Telpac 3. 9.6 kb Packet-to-backbone 4. 1200b Packet 5. HF Pactor to distant PMBO

(future)

Current Paclink New Paclink

1. Paclink consist of one Module.

2. Paclink has unlimited number of Channels.

3. Paclink uses call letters as email addresses  (One channel = one call = one email account.

4. Call SSIDs are significant in defining an email address.

5. The path of communications for Paclink is manually set to either Telnet or Packet via the AGW Packet Engine.

6. Paclink-to-Paclink now possible.

7. Paclink must be installed manually.

8. Available now.

1. Paclink consists of  2 separate modules, the Paclink Post Office (email server) and the Paclink AGW Communications module.

2. Same.

3. Email addresses are separate from from Calls. A 'single site callsign' handles all the tactical email addresses at a given site. When a Paclink Post office is set up, the local site call sign is set up as a 'default' account, which is usually the sysop address. However, no other radio call can be used for  an account name at that site.

4. The PMBO pays on attention to the call sign, but looks for the actual email address.  Therefore, Call SSIDs are not relevant and may change in nodes or switches with no adverse effects.  This will allow the inclusion of most formerly unusable complex Packet paths.

5. There are 5 user-definable auto-routed priority paths for Paclink communications: (Example: Telnet, 9,600 Baud Packet direct, 9,600 baud Packet indirect, 1200 Baud  Packet direct, HF Pactor (future).

6.  Paclink only communicates to the Winlink 2000 network.|

7. Paclink now has an install Wizard.

8. Available soon!

New Paclink Automatic Alternate Routing

Complex View: LOCAL Hubbing PMBO with Co-Located Telpac node

A complex view: Internet OK

Complex view: Internet Failed!

Complex View: Multiple Section Assist

A BASIC WINLINK HF LONG RANGE FIELD STATION

You will need the following equipment:

•Amateur radio High Frequency (HF) transceiver (IC-706KIIG, great!).

•Pactor capable modem: (Pactor II @ 800 bps. P3 @ 3600 bps. Highly recommended over Pactor 1 @ 200 bps. (Example: an 80 Kbyte file on Pactor 1: approx. 80 Min, On Pactor 3, approx 5-7 min.)

•HF multi-band (mobile/portable) antenna, and possibly an antenna tuner (SGC 230 is great)!

•12V DC power source

•Laptop Computer (Win 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP) and Airmail for HF.

Winlink 2000 Future Enhancements Currently Under Development

CMBO & Backup will become 6-8 multiple “CMSs”

PMBOs will become RMSs

Less complex RMSs will randomly route to CMSs

Ability to alternate route from Internet to RF only during EmComm.

Telpac: Add HF forwarding.

Paclink: Add HF forwarding.

Additional High-speed protocol.

So, what does all this look like?

“Real life” examples

Harris County (Houston,) Texas

Winlink 2000 is a proven, existing,

operational, dependable, redundant,

secure, reliable Amateur radio email

messaging network that is being made

available to the ARES community.

(However, each community of interest must

put it in place.)

So, What’s Next?

ARES: what other options are available for Seamless Radio email? Do they provide end-to-end, transparent, SMTP email throughput to the community Served Agencies desktops?

Make a “yes/no” decision about Winlink 2000. If “yes,” then...

Learn to use Airmail, Telpac and Paclink.

Deploy local Telpac gateway(s).

Deploy mobile Paclink stations & fixed Paclink LANs in places where it will be used during an emergency.

VHF/UHF new or existing links to bring it all together.

Deploy self-powered, mobile/fixed Airmail, long-range HF Stations

Consider a non-public “hubbing” PMBO for the area

Meanwhile…..

Devise a Plan! Insure that there is no duplication of efforts in your “last mile” coverage

area.

Set up an strategy for implementation with your local ARRL ARES organization. Set up a time-line for each task.

Coordinate efforts with the Winlink Dev. Team, EC’s,SECs,DECs/SM, etc.

Ask other ARES communities for assistance.

Set up personnel responsibilities with Time-lines!

Handle the finances. “How much will it actually cost”?

Involve and commit the end-user. They are the one’s to benefit!

Implement the plan in stages.

Test it, and Test it again.

Provide a presentation and demo for your served agencies.

Continue to promote your capabilities.

Related Links & Additional Information Winlink.org

Winlink.org/status (real-time monitoring of the network) Winlink.org.features.htm Winlink.org.stations.htm (public Winlink participating network stations) Winlink.org/news.htm (articles & publications) Winlink.org/client.htm (downloads of client info and programs.)

winlink.org/Emergency.htm (includes this presentation) http://www.arrlstx.org/digital/HCARESDignet.htm

(Harris County Digital Plan) http://www.fadca.org/ecomm/index.html (Florida’s digital Packet network and plan)

(EmComm presentations by the Florida Amateur Digital

Communication Association)

Related Yahoo Groups: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/telpac-paclink/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wl2kemcomm/

EchoLink Discussion Group, Wednesday, 00:00 UTCCourtesy of the *W8FSM* conference Server.

ARRL: "ARESCOM" Plan to Enhance Emergency Communication Capability

http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2004/07/20/2/?nc=1 July 15, 2004 ARRL Board of Directors Minutes:

http://www.arrl.org/announce/board-0407/

Any Questions?