1. Winlink 2000 System Evolution for Enhanced Emergency Communication Mark Parmley-NR4J April 30, 2015
Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

2. Organization of This Presentation
Brief review of Winlink 2000 architecture
Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

3. Organization of This Presentation
Brief review of Winlink 2000 architecture
Features of Winlink 2000 that make it well suited for EmComm use
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4. Winlink 2000 System Architecture
Hierarchal levels of the Winlink 2000 system:
Client system – Radio, computer with Winlink software, TNC (or sound card) and you, the end-user!
Radio Message Server (RMS) – Radio gateway between the client (end-user) and the Winlink system backbone
Common Message Servers (CMS) – Winlink backbone
5 CMS locations
redundant, fault-tolerant
located on 3 continents
One CMS sufficient for operation
Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

5. Organization of This Presentation
Brief review of Winlink 2000 architecture
Features of Winlink 2000 that make it well suited for EmComm use
Recent enhancements to the Winlink system to adapt to new requirements by the EmComm community
Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

6. Organization of This Presentation
Brief review of Winlink 2000 architecture
Features of Winlink 2000 that make it well suited for EmComm use
Recent enhancements to the Winlink system to adapt to new requirements by the EmComm community
Implementation Strategies
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7. What is Winlink 2000 Worldwide system for sending e-mail via radio
Provides from almost anywhere in the world
Provides vital support for 10,000+ sailors
Adopted for contingency communication by many government agencies
Used by infrastructure-critical NGOs such as International & American Red Cross, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, DHS Tiered, AT&T Disaster Response & Recovery, FedEx, Bridgestone Emergency Response Team, etc.
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8. Types of Interfaces
Homebrew

9. RIGblaster Duo

10. WB9JFR interface

11. Built in interface

12. Winlink 2000 Architecture CMS RMS (gateway) Client (you)
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13. Client Winlink Stations
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14. Winlink Connection Modes
HF Pactor 1, 2, 3 and 4 – Fast and reliable but requires an expensive modem ($1500+)
HF WINMOR – “Poor man’s Pactor”. Not as good as Pactor, but operates with inexpensive sound card device ($100). Speed between Pactor 2 and 3.
VHF/UHF Packet
9600 baud – Fast, reliable, range limited and requires $400 modem (Kantronics or SCS Tracker).
1200 baud – Slower, but can use inexpensive Byonics TinyTrak-4 modem, MFJ TNC-X
Telnet – Non-radio connection through the Internet. Good for training and use if radio is down or network is busy.
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15. Pactor Speeds (HF)
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16. Winlink Ham HF Gateways in America & Europe
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17. Advantages of VHF/UHF Packet
Much smaller and more convenient antenna for VHF/UHF. Excellent for drop-kits.
Less expensive modem (TNC) than Pactor
High speed – 9600 baud over VHF/UHF using SCS Tracker or Kantronics KPC modem (about $400)
FM connections are usually reliable and static-free
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18. Disadvantages of VHF/UHF Packet
Requires local VHF/UHF RMS site. Many locations don’t have access to a VHF/UHF RMS
Usual limitations of VHF/UHF – line of site, limited range, possible blockage by hills or buildings
If the local infrastructure is down, the local RMS will probably be down too
HF is a better choice for backup communications in major emergencies
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19. Winlink Ham VHF/UHF Gateways in America & Europe
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20. What Winlink 2000 Offers for EmComm
Flexibility:
Internet-only (Telnet) direct connections to Winlink
Radio link bridge to Internet
Radio-only store and forward messaging
Peer-to-peer connections between radio end-users
Various levels of security including message encryption
Interoperability: Connect different types of systems
Bridge different radio capabilities (VHF/UHF/HF)
Bridge protocols: Pactor, Winmor, Packet, Robust Packet
Seamless integration with Internet
Geographical dispersion and redundancy for reliability
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21. What Winlink Offers for EmComm (more)
Standard format with many features
Binary file attachments (pictures, pdf, spreadsheets)
Automatic message compression/decompression
Encryption capabilities available to Agencies on non-amateur channels
Time independence
Ability to collect messages while unattended
Good operation at most power levels
Not limited by station-to-station propagation
Message logging, and ICS report generation
Wide adoption by EmComm related agencies
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22. Levels of Message Validation & Correction
No validation or correction – RTTY, BPSK-31
Forward Error Correction (FEC) – Redundant information transmitted so minor errors can be corrected: MT63, Olivia, QPSK-31
Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ) – Positive or negative packet acknowledgements from receiving station: Pactor, WINMOR, Packet, TCP/IP
Pactor and WINMOR use both FEC and ARQ
Only ARQ provides 100% accurate message delivery
Accuracy is essential for EmComm
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23. Disaster Assessment Picture Sent Via Winlink 2000
Public safety systems do fail.
Kentucky ice storm picture from TEMA recon
vehicle.
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24. Good Operation at Most Power Levels
Location: Nashville, TN
0.5 watts Pactor 3: South Carolina, New York, Michigan, Texas, Canada, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Iowa
0.5 watts Winmor: Wisconsin, Maine, Ohio, Texas, Indiana, South Carolina, and North Carolina
5 watts Winmor: California and Canada
Excellent for field operations on battery power
100 watts is recommended for normal operations
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25. Recent Enhancements to Winlink for EmComm
Service Codes to manage lists of channels
RMS Express enhancements
Radio-only store and forward message hubs
Trimode RMS Server software
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26. Service Codes and Restricted Channel Lists
Growing demand for separate channel lists
Public (ham)
EmComm (ham)
MARS
GOVT
Other: International Red Cross, AT&T Disaster Recovery, etc.
Each channel (frequency) has an associated service code
Service codes are selected by the RMS node sysop
Service codes are entered into client programs
Service codes create channel lists with limited access
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27. RMS Express Service Codes
Additional origination callsigns or tactical addresses for each “my callsign.”
RMS Express Service Codes
Additional security available.
Ability to review and select messages prior to download.
Combine multiple service code lists.
Propagation guidelines available.
HF quality updates
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28. RMS Express HF Channel Selector
Manual SFI input
RMS Express HF Channel Selector
Estimate of Signal Path Quality
Service Code Group
Throughput
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29. RMS Express Enhanced Support
Supports multiple modes
Current version is
Supports multiple call signs
Add additional folders
Right click
Right Click
Import contact list or put them in manually
Contact created for each message sent
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30. RMS Express Message Review
Review pending messages before downloading
Select which messages to download
Message too large & not wanted
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31. Message Receipt Acknowledgements
Positive acknowledgment that message was received
Information about message filled in automatically
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32. Files menu options
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33. Information Requests
Use the “Winlink Catalog Request” feature in RMS Express to request:
Weather maps for most areas of the world
Weather forecasts
Maritime HF nets and frequencies
Satellite images
Location of closest 30 stations
ARRL Newsletter, e-letter, etc.
Lightning
Satellite Keplerian elements
Search and Rescue Coordination Center info
Misc. bulletins
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34. RMS Express Query Catalog
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35. Weather Map Image Returned for Request
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36. Winlink Position Reports
You can send position reports to the Winlink system
Coordinates sent via connected GPS
Otherwise, your position may be entered manually
Position Reports are sent to:
Winlink system map
ShipTrak maps
APRS maps
YotReps maps
Extremely valuable for pinpointing locations, especially for maritime operation
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37. Posting a Position Report
Data from a connected GPS unit.
Useful in tracking with ed disaster assessments.
WX assistance to the NWS Voluntary Marine Observation Program.
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38. Winlink.org Real-time Position Report Page
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39. Position Tracking
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40. GRIB File Requests
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41. GRIB Map Returned by Winlink System
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42. RMSMessageLog ICS-309 Generator
Messages during period
Select folders
Starting & ending report period
Generate ICS-309 pdf file
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43. Generated ICS-309 PDF Message Log Report
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44. Winlink Radio-Only Messages RMS Hub
New capability for Winlink system
Radio-only: No Internet connection is required
RMS node running the RMS Relay program acts as a standalone message hub for multiple users
Messages are stored in a local database on the hub until picked up by the recipient
Any number of stations can communicate as long as they all connect to the same hub
Standard format is used and file attachments are supported
Option to hold messages until Internet available
HF forwarding to a RMS station via Pactor
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45. Radio-Only Message Hub Topology
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46. HF Forwarding from Radio-Only Hub
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47. Winlink Peer-To-Peer Radio-Only Operation
Peer-to-peer: direct radio connection between end-users
The Internet is not used, all communication by radio
Only the two client stations are involved
100% error-free transmission and file attachments
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48. New “Trimode” RMS Node Software
Single program allows one radio/computer to control:
Pactor
Winmor
Robust Packet
The RMS station simultaneously monitors and responds to connections from all three protocols.
A single computer and radio can service up to 8 channels with any mix of protocols.
Each channel has its own service code
Replaces RMS Pactor and RMS WINMOR
Enhances interoperability between modes
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49. Trimode RMS Channel Setup Screen
Per channel: Frequency, Bandwidth, scan period, modes, callsign, & class of service
Flexibility allows conforming to regulatory environments
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50. General notes
HF usage has a time limit of 120 minutes a month for public users
VHF/UHF access is unlimited
Use the same audio/mic gain settings as you would in PSK 31 operation (don’t overdrive, less is more)
Verify the frequency is clear before attempting to connect to an RMS
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51. Winlink Drop Kits for Field Operation
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52. WL2K Implementation Strategies
Case 1: Isolated User/Agency
For this case, HF is the answer
Blount County EMA EOC Oneonta, AL
HF Radio
SCS Modem
PACTOR
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53. WL2K Implementation Strategies
Case 2: Small Community
Madison, AL
Single local VHF RMS Packet server
VHF Digipeaters: Madison, Morgan, and Franklin Counties providing access to a large area of North Alabama
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54. WL2K Implementation Strategies
Case 3: Birmingham Metropolitan Area
Jefferson/Shelby Counties
2 local VHF RMS Packet servers
Homewood ( ), Hoover ( )
VHF digipeater BHM9 (Shades Mountain) and a Walker County digipeater is off air
RMS Relay (1) with HF forwarding
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55. Hurricane Sandy
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56. Amateur Radio Saves Lives
On Monday morning, October 29, the tall ship HMS Bounty was in the embrace of Hurricane Sandy 90 miles off Hatteras, NC and taking on water. Doug Faunt, N6TQS, survivor and ship's electrician, told the ARRL that the Bounty crew tried various methods to call for help, including a satellite phone, “... we got nothing when tried calling out on HF. We tried calling the Maritime Mobile Net, but nothing was out there. We had Winlink on the ship that we used for and accessing the Internet to post to blogs and to Facebook, and we finally found an address for the Coast Guard. As a last-ditch effort, we used Winlink to the Coast Guard for help. Within an hour, we heard a C-130 plane, and later, a helicopter overhead.” According to Faunt, it was Captain Robin Walbridge, KD4OHZ, as master of the ship, who sent out the distress messages.
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57. Alabama WL2K Recent Additions
VHF digipeater ( ) provides access to Madison County RMS
Huntsville area
VHF RMS inWhitesburg (N4WGY on )
Provides access to Madison County RMS
South Alabama
VHF RMS in Wetumpka (K4GR on )
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58. Conclusion Winlink use continues to grow, especially for EmComm.
The Winlink Development Team continues to enhance capabilities to adapt to changing needs
Service Codes provide a much-needed enhancement to channel management
RMS Express and Paclink have been enhanced to improve EmComm service.
Radio-only Winlink store and forward hubs
Trimode RMS server consolidation
V4 CHAT client (FEC & ARQ connected mode)
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59. Conclusion
Less is more! Reduce mic gain or computer sound card output for best results.
Use the same audio settings for Winlink as you use PSK-31
If you show Automatic Level Control (ALC) active, you are providing too much audio to the rig.
Technicians? Not too hard to upgrade to general, Technicians can have an available control op, use VHF Winlink nodes or peer to peer mode above 30 MHz
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60. Shameless Plug SATERN www.satern.org
Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network
SATERN
Net on Saturday mornings at 10:00A.M central
7.262 MHz
Everyday except Sunday on kHz
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61. Thank you!
Questions?
Information about Winlink can be found at
For more information, contact Mark Parmley, NR4J
Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.