So You Are
Interested in Doing Winlink?
(A brief outline on
where to start by AD7HK & AD7HL)
What is Winlink?
There are many answers to this question…here’s just one! Hams can use their radios to digitally
transmit messages to each other, or to virtually to anyone with an Internet
email address, anywhere in the world.
The Winlink system can be used from anywhere in the wilds, or at sea,
where there is no phone or Internet service available. Winlink can also be used
from locations where disaster or other circumstances render commercial
phone/Internet inoperable. Email-type
messages are sent via the ham’s radio (over the air) to other hams nearby or
far away who do have Internet service. They, in turn, inject incoming messages
(along with all types of needed attachments) into their Internet for ultimate
delivery to your addressee. This
Radio-Internet system is backed-up by pure ham radio in the event an extremely
wide Internet email outage occurs.
How Do I Get Started?
Go to Winlink.org and read all about it.
Please study the material so that it becomes part of your world. You will need to thoroughly understand the
definition of several new terms (which at first may all sound about the same)
and be able to visualize in your mind’s eye what each term specifically refers
to. Without a good handle on the new
terminology at the beginning, you may find that your understanding can become
swamped with confusion. Once you digest
the information on Winlink.org, do outside reading on Winlink and its unique
vocabulary using the many helps listed in Google Search. Also talk to other hams and ask
questions. Check into the BARC Winlink
voice net 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on 146.720, Mt.
Logan Repeater.
Here are some very
important preliminary DO’s and DO-NOTs:
DO learn how to use a
Windows computer--yes, email is very much computer related! If you can’t learn to control certain
functions in Windows, you will probably have a very hard time effectively using
Winlink. Merely following a checklist of
instructions without being able to “manage” Windows will leave you hog-tied and
unable to problem-solve when certain settings change without your
understanding. One of the biggest
challenges is understanding how USB Ports in Windows change automatically and
without warning. You simply have to
learn this part of Windows, and how to use the Control Panel, Device Manager,
manage where your files are located, plus how to manage all your devices &
printers.
DO NOT rely on
others’ understanding of how to set-up or maintain your computer. While Winlink is not complicated, you have to
be able to manage some rather complex issues that regularly occur. There is nothing wrong with Winlink that
requires you to manage Windows; rather there are so many variables in Windows
and so many different types/styles of digital equipment, you must know how to
make them work together. Lacking the
ability to adjust settings yourself, especially based on certain things that
Windows automatically changes internally, you may find yourself eternally
dependent upon others to help you each time your operating conditions change.
What Equipment & Software Do I Need? A basic Winlink setup consists of a radio, a
computer, and a TNC device to make them work and talk with each other. The TNC between your computer and radio is
the complicated part--and there are many TNC manufacturers, styles and types to
choose from. Some are expensive, some
are cheap, and sizes vary a lot. The
most complicated part is hooking them up to each other--we all know how many
different radios are on the market and there is a wide variety of TNCs, as
well. All are different (compatible and
some incompatible too).
New
Radios: New FM radios are on the
market which have the needed TNC already included inside the radio. These are more expensive, but some can save a
lot of confusion and set-up hassle. You
just run a cable from a special plug on the radio over to a computer port,
start the radio & software, and get yourself on the air. Some of these radios are the Kenwood D700,
D710 and D72. Be sure to check RMS
Express setup listings in the applicable Packet Winlink Session to ensure your
radio is listed as compatible--especially before you buy a new radio. Not all modem radios are listed!
Older/Less Expensive Radios: If you want to use an existing radio or a
less expensive radio, you are still in luck.
Handheld radios work but they are not always the optimal solution
because of their size, antennas, difficulty to adjust, and power
limitations. It’s always nice to have a
more powerful mobile type radio available--especially if you are not 100% sure
of what operating locations/places you may have to use someday. Unfortunately some radios have no plugs for
direct connection to a TNC, but you may be able to buy or build the cabling
after you finally determine exactly which two pieces of equipment you will be
connecting. You will need to
interconnect audio/ data-in, audio/data-out, and a press-to-talk control line. Keep in mind to look for radios that do have
a data plug for easy connection of these three lines.
VHF TNC: Easiest is to use a real AX.25 packet VHF
enabled TNC rather than an auxiliary soundcard.
There are several older used TNCs at swap meets that can work extremely
well. One of the easiest to use (and can
also be run with only a 9-volt battery) is the Kantronics KPC-3
(non-plus). Check out RMS Express
software’s list of other supported TNCs for additional ideas. There are several current models that are
being used in the valley: AEA/Timewave
PK232, Kantronics KPC-3+, Kam+, Bionics TinyTacker4, TNC-X, Opentracker USB,
etc. (Search for current TNCs on any amateur radio vendor’s site.)
HF
Considerations: First you must
decide if your TNC is going to be used for VHF-only connections to the Winlink
system, or if you expect to someday desire to use Winlink on an HF radio,
too. There is a very big difference
here. VHF Winlink is only line-of-sight,
and it’s harder to find a Winlink station in many parts of the world. They are a lot faster than HF if you can find
a station, and are simpler to use.
HF Uses
WINMOR: If you want to operate
Winlink from the “wilds” you will want to use an HF radio with an HF Interface
to contact HF Winlink stations hundreds or even thousands of miles away, to get
your email out and safely into the Internet.
Adding the HF option (with a different speed of digital signal, etc.) is
a good idea for many reasons, but is not always for everyone, especially if you
“never” want to get a General or Extra class license. In the event you decide
to go with an HF capability, the name of a really new system for HF Winlink (as
an alternative to the very expensive HF Pactor TNC) is called WINMOR. It is slower than Pactor-3, but is free and
included in the Winlink software package.
WINMOR doesn’t use a TNC, but operates (with an “Interface”) through
your computer’s sound card when properly cabled into your HF radio. Audio in/out connections to your radio are
similar to a VHF TNC, with a few minor exceptions. Some of these interfaces may include the
luxury of an independent sound card and/or sport easily adjustable controls for
audio lines to your radio (to offset the “minor exceptions” mentioned in the
previous sentence). The following
brands of HF soundcard interfaces to consider: SignaLink, RIGblaster, MFJ, etc.
Self-Help
HF Interfaces: Don’t overlook the
money-saving idea of building your own computer soundcard-to-radio interface
from easily found electronic parts. All
of mine are from designs you can find on the internet, and the ones on AD7HL’s
home computer were made by simply adding a couple of very tiny resistors, just
under the screw-on plastic plug covers of her two audio interface cables. Level adjustments are made and stored in the
Windows Audio Mixer as on-screen slider settings. Of course more sophisticated
plans and ideas can also be found on the internet.
VHF TNC
and HF Interface Connections to a Computer:
The modern world is quickly changing over to USB printers, scanners, and
a variety of other peripherals.
Interfaces and TNCs used to all have serial computer connections, and
many still do. If you have a newer or
portable computer to use on Winlink, chances are your computer no longer
includes a serial port. If this is true
for you, then you can always get a USB to Serial adapter, but beware--MANY of
the cheaper adapters will not work for computer-to-TNC purposes (a flood of
counterfeit Prolific chips from China messed up the market, so look for FTDI
type adapters to be safe). You will
probably be much happier with a TNC/interface that goes directly into a USB
slot on your computer.
Software: Free is great, and RMS Express is the most
versatile software available. I’ve tried
others that do work, but the Winlink people are building and constantly upgrading
RMS Express and are developing features that are well ahead of other software
brands. They do ask for a deductible
donation, and in view of all the good they provide, it’s a pleasure to help
support their service.
A BIG BONUS: In
the event you already have a soundcard to radio capability such as for PSK-31,
you are almost home free. Basically all
you will need to do is run RMS Express and tweak it up. Or, if you add HF RMS Express now, you will
also be set to run soundcard software like PSK-31, as well as SSTV, RTTY, JT-65
and other modes.
FIN: Good luck
in your personal search for equipment and information on Winlink. Unfortunately, only you (the ultimate
operator) can make the best judgment for yourself, while taking into account
your budget, your ability to organize & operate the needed equipment, and
your time constraints. Try to do your
own research. Don’t worry too much about
the end game, but more about a fun journey through someplace new, exciting, and
personally rewarding. After all, isn’t
that what our hobbies are all about?