1. Getting Started with Winlink2000
A Tutorial

2. Equipment Needed for Winlink2000
(1) a Windows-operating system computer,
(2) a VHF/UHF or HF transceiver., and
(3) a terminal node controller (TNC or radio modem) or a sound card interface.
Equioment needed to run Winlink 2000

3. Winlink 2000 Programs

4. What is AirMail?
AirMail is a complete stand-alone package for over Ham Radio for either HF PacTOR or VHF-UHF Packet.
AirMail is a 1) radio messaging system,
2) a radio terminal program for keyboard-to-keyboard, and keyboard-to-bulletin board system communication, and
3) a standalone program
Presently, AirMail does not support soundcard operation.
A TNC is necessary.

5. The Best Solution
As shown on the earlier slide, the best approach is with the suite of programs using the AGW packet engine.
AGW PE - handles all traffic between all packet applications and TNC or soundcard. All applications connect to AGWPE and share a TNC and provide multiple services such as APRS, a packet mailbox, a packet cluster, and a digipeater.
PaclinkAGW w/Paclink Post Office – provides a packet interface to SMTP clients. Paclink AGW adds VHF/UHF packet radio and Telnet channels to clients. Paclink Post Office is a transparent server and can serve an entire LAN of computers hosting existing clients, such as Outlook, Outlook Express, Eudora, or Thunderbird, etc.

6. The Ultimate – A Winlink 2000 Telpac Node
Telpac stands for TELnet PACket bridge. A Telpac node connects a wireless VHF/UHF packet radio station to Internet Telnet servers via radio using the AX25 packet with the B2F protocol. A network of AirMail stations or Paclink servers and existing clients that can connect to a Telpac node find that easy access to the Winlink 2000 system is provided to one or many clients.
To operate a Telpac station with a TNC or via soundcard mode, all versions of the operating systems (Win98, Win2000, and WinXP) must have all updates and Service Packs installed and Windows 2000 and WinXP require the use of Microsoft’s NET Framework 1.1, and not the version to operate Paclink AGW.

7. Transfer Protocols
The B2F protocol is a Winlink2000 unique binary protocol that allows multiple addresses, mixed radio and addresses and attachments. It is not bloated with overhead like the TCP/IP protocol and results in higher throughput than the TCP/IP protocol.
All Winlink software supports the popular bulletin board system FBB protocols used for the exchange of messages. They include the B1F, BF, and ASCII protocol F.

8. Terminal Node Controllers (TNC)
The TNC must support the HOST mode and may need a firmware upgrade.
Compatible TNCs are:
Kantronics KPC3, KPC3+, KAM98, KAM+, KPC9612
AEA/Timewave PK-88, PK-232, PK900, DSP232, PK-96
MFJ-1278 – ROM version 3.7 needed
Not all TNCs will work with Airmail

9. Choosing Radios and TNCs
The best choice in a radio for use on VHF/UHF packet
is one with a data port . It is nice to have the receive
and transmit audio within the same connector.
A TNC or soundcard is needed for VHF packet.
AGW Packet Engine (AGWPE) is needed beyond
AirMail. AGWPE is a software engine that controls
many different types of TNCs. AGWPE supports
SOUNDCARD operation at 1200 baud.
Airmail works works only with TNCs listed in its
setup menu.

10. Legacy TNCs
Older TNCs may need a $50 to $75 firmware upgrade. All older TNCs will run 1200 baud packet. Some newer ones might operate at 9600 baud.
BE CAREFUL! Some VHF/UHF FM radios meant for voice operation only may not operate at 9600 baud.  
Beware of a transceiver with a built-in TASCO TNC The TASCO TNC will not work with Winlink It is designed for APRS (automatic position reporting system) use only - an external TNC is needed to operate Winlink2000.

11. Unacceptable TNCs These transceivers with built-in TASCO TNCs are
unacceptable for use with Winlink 2000.
Kenwood TH-D Kenwood TM-D700
Kenwood TS Alinco DR-135T/EMKIII
Alinco DR-235T/MkIII Alinco DR-435T/EMKIII
Alinco DR-620T/E Alinco DR-635T/E

12. Software Download The free software is found at these URLs:
FREE version of AGW Packet Engine:
Winpack:
AirMail:  
Win2000 and WinXP users will need the following
available from Microsoft:
Microsoft .NET Framework Version 1.1 Redistributable
Package
Paclink AGW, Paclink Post Office and Telpac:

13. Install and Configure Winpack
WinPack provides a full-featured Windows interface
to use with a Terminal Node Controller (TNC) or with
a computer sound card with other software. It works
well for basic testing we need to do later with a TNC
and other parts of the Winlink2000 system.
The configuration will be for use with a TNC in cmd:
(native) mode, and later for use with Paclink AGW
operating on computers using the Win2000 or XP
operating system.

14. WinPack w/Win2K and WinXP
If you are using Win2000Pro or XP, Winpack is AGWPE compliant and is needed to run each of the component parts of the Winlink2000 system, including Paclink AGW, Paclink Post Office, and, eventually later, Telpac.

15. Open AGWPE.zip and unzip it to a folder C:\AGWPE
Create a shortcut on the Desktop for AGWPE.exe
Download AGWPE.zip and open to a folder

16. Winlink2000 w/Win 2000 and newer OS
The very first software to be loaded is Microsoft NET Framework 1.1. PacLink AGW requires Microsoft NET Framework 1.1 to run. It will not run with NET Framework 2.0. If NET Framework 2.0 is already on your computer, do not remove it, it will co-exist with NET Framework 2.0.
It is necessary to load Microsoft Net Framework 1.1

17. Install AGWPE Click the Desktop icon for AGWPE – then click I Agree
The Radio Port Selection window will open. Click on New Port

18. AGWPE Port Setup
The default screen for adding a new port. Select your Comm port and baud rate of the serial port. Use the drop down arrow to select your TNC model. The proper settings will be loaded for your TNC model. Add a description for the TNC port.

19. Paclink AGW-What is It?
Paclink AGW adds AX25 packet radio and Telnet channels for WL2K connectivity to Outlook Express and other POP3/SMTP clients. Paclink AGW is intended for use with the Winlink 2000 system including the B2F protocol that supports attachments, mixed addresses and tactical addresses.

20. Paclink Post Office-A Bridge to Email
Paclink Postoffice is the companion program for all Paclink clients and implements the POP3/SMTP mail server functions.
Paclink Post Office is the “bridge” between the radio and the computer program.

21. Paclink AGW
Click Paclink AGW. It will self-extract to a temporary folder. Click on setup.exe to install the program.

22. Paclink AGW Setup Wizard
Click Next and then check Everyone and then Next again

23. Click Next. Paclink AGW will install
Click Next. Paclink AGW will install. When the Installation Complete screen appears, you may click Close

24. Install Paclink Post Office
Open Paclink Post office. Click setup.exe
Choose Next for the first step
and choose Next again on the screen pictured below.

25. Paclink Post Office Install Confirmation
The title bar of the real Paclink Post Office screens will say Paclink Post Office.
Click Next on the screen above and Close on the on screen to the right.

26. Paclink Post Office
MUST BE CONFIGURED BEFORE Paclink AGW
YOUR COMPUTER MUST BE
ON THE INTERNET FOR THIS NEXT OPERATION.

27. Paclink Post Office Configuration
When Paclink Postoffice is started for the first time, the popup menu below will appear:
Click OK - the Paclink Post Office Properties menu will appear as below:
Enter your call sign, and choose a password. You can also select to allow other LAN clients access to the Post Office. Click Update

28. Paclink Post Office Configuration
When you click Update on the Properties menu, you should get
a confirmation similar to the following indicating the Paclink
Postoffice Outlook Express configuration wizard has set up a
corresponding account on your Outlook Express client.
When you start Outlook Express and request it Send/Receive
mail you will be prompted to enter the account password.
Once this is done Outlook Express should remember the
password.

29. Outlook Express Configuration
Start Outlook Express.

31. Click "Tools" then "Accounts"

32. Your callsign should appear as one of the Outlook Express accounts. Highlight the new account name and click Properties from the menu on the right side of this screen.
Click "Apply"

33. Configure Paclink AGW

34. Email to be sent via packet is stored until the next
packet connection

35. Tactical Accounts Paclink can use Tactical accounts, just enter the
account name in the appropriate block, as seen
in the figure below.

36. This completes the installation and configuration of
Winlink 2000 using the AGW suite of programs and
AirMail.
Telpac installation will be covered as a separate subject.