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AE5V's Winlink
Getting Started Pages -- Excellent!
K0QED's Winlink for ARES
FAQ
Understand This
Info About VHF/UHF Packet
| | Here is the fruit of your labor... a list of tips for efficient digital operating in the
Winlink radio email system. Each tip is given a unique number. Some sample tips
are here to get us started. Categories are in bold.
Choosing hardware and software
 | 1. Work with what you have and add what you are missing. Many hams already
have a laptop computer, a transceiver, or a TNC. If what you already have
meets the minimum requirements, keep it and add what you are missing. The
chances are very good you have something to get started with if you have had
your license for a while. (Sample) |
| 6. There are many ways to carry your emergency battery. I
use a yellow 20" Toolbox (Master Mechanic, model
355 302 [or 923813, both numbers on label], with a big
comfortable handle, bought from Berwyn Hardware, an ACE Hardware Store).
Inside: 32Ah SLA battery with 3-foot #10 red & black power
cable/Anderson Powerpoles, my Midtronics Charge Xpress (model CXC-1005
12v./1.5 Amp Fully Automatic Onboard Battery Charger), small digital
volt/ohm meter, Diamond Antenna Duplexer MX-72H, and 35 feet of coax. (de
N3AO 21Jul)
|
| 7. A space and energy saving item for inclusion in your
portable packet station is a uTNC (Micro TNC) from Elcom, in Greece.
It is a TNC which connects to a USB port on your computer and derives its
power in that manner, eliminating the need for one more 12V DC connection
and the associated wires and power poles. The output wire requires the
installation of a mini-DIN connector, which can be made from a PC mouse
cable. It is tiny 1 9/16" X 2 1/4" X 3/4" in size with three
LEDs. It is fully supported by AGWPEPro. A reasonable item, at the (last
seen) price of $99! (de W3AHR 21 Jul)
|
| 21. Another suggestion for your TNC is the TNC-X from John
Hansen, W2FS. This is a TNC that is based on a PIC microcntroller and it
operates in KISS mode so it is compatible with the AGW Packet Engine. One of
the great things about it is that it is available in kit form and is fun to
build. You can also purchase it pre-assembled if you prefer. Either way the
price is very reasonable at less than a hundred bucks with everything. I see
that there is even a new case option available so I think I'll have to build
another one. :-) It can be configured to communicate with your
computer via a serial port or there is also a USB adapter available. A neat
thing about using the USB is that the TNC does not require a separate power
cable.
I have been using mine off and on for a year or so and find that it works
fine. It is very convenient to throw in the bag with the laptop PC and have
packet to go. Something you may want to consider when you are constructing
yours is to wire the radio port to match any other TNCs that you may have. I
wired mine to match my Kantronics KPC-3s so the radio-TNC cable will work
with either. More info is available at http://www.tnc-x.com/. To point out a
possible negative is that AirMail does not currently work with the AGW
Packet Engine so the TNC-X won't work for this mode (at least as far as I
know), but the TNC-X seems to work fine for Paclink/Telpac, etc. (de N3XPD
14 Aug) |
Deploying within 2 hours of the call
| 2. Preparation. Pre-package your station in a durable container that
allows transportation, easy hookup to power and antennas, and that provides
protection and security. Hams can get inventive and creative here. With
everything in place, cables fitted, and antennas, masts and emergency power
ready, you can leave behind a last-minute equipment scramble as you depart,
and when you get to your assignment, you can set up fast. (Sample) |
Setting up your station - Hardware
| 8. Make sure your portable station includes adequate extension cords and
outlets for AC power. In addition to a rugged 25-foot (or longer) extension
cord, an outlet strip with surge protection capable of powering your radio,
laptop, printer and other accessories is a necessity. Wall-mounted
transformers or "wall-warts" take up a lot of space on an outlet
strip. Solve that problem by bringing an inexpensive 2-prong extension cord
to power those. And while you're at it, bring some spare fuses for for any
equipment that uses them. (de WB3GCK 23 Jul)
|
| 10. When handling message traffic for a served agency, a
portable packet station isn't of much use unless you have a printer to go
along with it. Small inkjet printers are readily available at low
cost. In fact, they are sometimes thrown in for free when you buy a
computer. When you take your inkjet printer into the field, make sure you
have spare cartridges, a supply of paper and your printer cable in your go
kit. It's also a good idea to periodically test your portable printer.
Inkjet cartridges can sometimes dry up over time. (de WB3GCK 26 Jul)
|
| 14. Did you know that Airmail can act as an email server for other Windows email clients?
I didn't know it until today when I was perusing the help files and stumbled upon it.
This means that if for whatever reason you prefer a particular email client such as Outlook, Outlook Express, T-Bird, etc you can still use them and Airmail will happily work with them.
As for myself, I like the email client in Airmail just fine so I think I will stay with that. It just nice to know that there are other options.
By the way, I am writing this message in Outlook Express so if you receive it you know that it works.
(de N3XPD 3 Aug)
|
| 15. I just finished upgrading my home station using the new
uTNT TNC from Greece. I meticulously drew up a diagram for the connections
between the uTNT and mini-DIN used on my transceivers. I used Powerpoint as
it allows picture importing. I scanned the appropriate pictures from the
uTNT and radio manuals. I then pasted them into a Powerpoint slide. Then I
drew the lines showing the connections using the colors of the wires on the
connector. That way, it is very easy to understand when wiring. When done, I
print several copies. One goes in my portable station's case along with
radio and TNC manuals. Another goes on the wall near my home radio, and yet
another is folded neatly and slid under the radio. That way it is always
handy. (de WA3NOA 4 Aug)
|
| 16. Here's a scheme that prevents TNC-radio cable
headaches. Buy several PC mouse/keyboard 5- or 6-foot extension cables from
Radio Shack, or any computer outlet. They have a male mini-DIN that matches
the pin standard for data connectors on all makes of transceivers. The other
end is a female mini-DIN, and the cable is good-quality 6-conductor stuff
with a foil shield and bare drain wires. Cut the cable in half, and add your
TNC connector to the half with the male mini-DIN. Use the standard
radio-data-port pinout scheme (in your radio manual or on the web) and this
cable can be plugged directly into many radios. If you have other
radios that do not use a mini-DIN data port, use the other half and install
the connector for your specific radio. Plug together the factory-molded
mini-DINs and you have a custom cable that is convertible. If other radios
or TNCs come along, just do the same thing and all your half-cables will be
compatible with each other, and you will never again have to make up
complete custom cables. Probably cheaper than buying all the parts and it
saves you from wiring mini-DINs, which is TOTALLY IMPOSSIBLE for my old eyes
and nubby fingers. (de W3QA 4 Aug)
|
| 17. When I first set up my portable station, I was having
some problems with occasional noise raising the noise floor on my receiver
and it happened to fall on the CCAR packet frequency. I finally
resolved the issue by placing a couple of 'clip-on' ferrite choke
cores on all my cables. These included: Power to the TNC and radio and
serial port cable to the TNC. These cores can be easily obtained at
Radio Shack as part number 273-104 for about $7.99 for 2. You just loop the
cable, or lay it through, the core and snap the core shut. Very easy and a
simple fix to a pesky problem! (de WA3NOA 5 Aug)
|
| 19. It is a good idea to paste
a label somewhere your portable printer that shows the proper ink cartridge
number on it. I keep a spare cartridge with the printer, but sometimes I
need to get another one, and am always searching for the proper number in
the manual. Having it prominently displayed on the printer makes it very
easy. (de WA3NOA 9 Aug)
|
| 20. It is a good idea to keep a
printout of the known good settings for your TNC in
the case with your portable station. It took me awhile to get things right,
and they are saved on the laptop. However, if you have to re-load the
software, or have to go to another PC, it is great to have the exact TNC
parameters handy. I keep my information on a label pasted right onto my TNC.
(de WA3NOA 9 Aug) |
Setting up your station - Portable Antennas
| 9. A mag-mount antenna needs a ground plane. As one may not be available
when needed, I include a cookie sheet with my portable digital station. I
went to K-Mart and bought the largest one I could find. I find it works well
with my small dual-band mag-mount antenna. My station is packaged in two
cases and I found that there was no room for the cookie sheet and it was
awkward to carry. I drilled two holes in the cookie sheet, and two
corresponding holes in one of the cases. I attached the cookie sheet to the
case with wing nuts and it is now very easy to carry. (de W3WA 22 Jul)
|
| 18. I have constructed several portable J-Pole
antennas and have found a perfect solution for an extendable mast. If you go
to Home Depot and look in the painting department, you will find several
extendable poles used for paint rollers. They can be fiberglass or aluminum.
They range in sizes that can extend up to 25 feet. Collapsed, they are less
than 3 or 4 feet. On the antenna end...I buy the cheapest paint roller I
can...usually around $1.50 to $2.00. I cut off the handle and use that for
the antenna. I just U-bolt the antenna to the handle piece. You now have a
very simple to assemble/disassemble mast system that didn't cost an arm and
a leg! (de WA3NOA 5 Aug) |
Setting up your station - Software
| 11. In the event that you encounter software problems in
the field, it's a good it's a good idea to create a CD containing the
software installation files and documentation you use. For example, the CD
could contain the installation files for software applications like AirMail,
PacLink and Telpac, as well the user manuals and configuration guides. While
you're at it, you might as well include copies of the user manuals for your
TNC and radios. Although keeping copies of essential files on your hard
drive might be useful, having a CD handy would let you install software on
someone else's PC and configure it for radio email in a pinch. (de WB3GCK 26
Jul)
|
| 13. From recent personal experience: Start out with
the simplest configuration possible and try to become proficient at using
it. Airmail seems to fit the bill here and it is free and fairly painless to
get up and running. Read the manuals and help files. I know that this is
contrary to the nature of most hams but in my case it really helps. Avoid
the tendency to try to get it all and learn it all at one time. This just
adds to the early confusion and will almost certainly lead to much
frustration. (de N3XPD 2 Aug) |
Operating on HF Pactor
Operating on VHF/UHF Packet
| 3. You can use Airmail's address book to pre-prepare forms. For NTS
messages, damage assessment forms, or whatever, this saves time and solves
many problems if information must be standardized. Simply fill out an
address entry and add prompts in a column down the message body. Save the
item with a friendly name that helps you remember what this is. See the next
tip for an idea that helps keep Address Book entries organized, and easy to
find. (Sample) |
| 4. Naming Airmail's address book entries with a preceding symbol makes the
name rise to the top of the list. For instance, +FORM: NTS Message
will be conveniently near the top of the address list, right behind +FORM:
ICS Message, which sorts above it. Rename your most frequently used
address entries with preceding symbols or numbers, and you'll save time
searching down the list. (Sample) |
| 5. Using aggressive packet parameters for B2F forwarded messages in
Airmail or Paclink AGW allows you to make a connection quickly, send and
receive one or more messages efficiently, and then get off the channel to
let another operator have it. Unlike traditional packet, where many
keyboard-to-keyboard conversations may take place simultaneously between
stations sharing single frequency, Winlink B2F protocol works most
efficiently with a relatively clear channel. Listen first for a clear
channel, then connect. (Sample)
|
| 12. PACKET ENGINE PRO, quirk and solution:
Early in my radio/email operations I experienced a fault after unknowingly
shutting down PEP out-of-sequence. My KPC 3 would not engage properly on my
next restart of PEP. My "Elmer" Joe Vilardo suggested using
HyperTerminal to toggle "Auto off" reset KPC 3 and it corrected
the problem.
Simple Alternate: I thought of "Airmail" and it's
"Initialization" process... would it reset my KPC 3? I started
Airmail, [Modules>Packet Client] and I got "Initialized OK"
which reset my KPC 3. I closed Airmail, restarted PEP, and I found the
program could again engage the KPC 3. I was once again "Outlook
Express-operational". The important window shutdown order is: (1)
Paclink Post Office, (2) Paclink AGW and last, (3) Packet Engine Pro. It is
very easy to incorrectly shut down PEP without paying attention to the above
order process. I have used this simple alternate "Airmail"
initializing process numerous times without failure because it is faster
than going through Hyper Terminal reset process to toggle "Auto
off". So, don't remove "Airmail" after you get AGW and
Outlook Express operational. Good to have both programs available. (de KC3XL
27 Jul) |
Using Paclink as an email Server with tactical addressing
Sending internet email
Sending messages peer-to-peer
Using Airmail as a Hubbing Server
Dealing with an agency's email needs
Setting up and running a portable Telpac gateway
|
