Fldigi- Realtime Messaging System Winmor – Radio E-mail System HF Digital Modes Fldigi- Realtime Messaging System Winmor – Radio E-mail System

What is a Digital Mode? Digital Modes are a means of operating Amateur Radio from a computer keyboard In this context, we are normally talking about chat modes used on the HF (high frequency) bands Used to have a regular conversation in a similar way to voice or CW, where one operator talks for a minute or two, then another does the same. Normally a two party QSO, but these chat modes could allow multiple operators to take part in a net.

What is a Digital Mode? #2 The computer acts as a modem(modulator - demodulator) Sound card used to convert digital of PC to analog audio for the radio Can use the built in PC sound card or external such as Tigetronics SignaLink Software program can control the transceiver depending on type Remote control connector (Icom CI-V or Serial) Audio input via ACC connector or Mic

What is a Digital Mode? #3 Many software programs available Digipan, HRD/DM780, MixW, MultiPSK, HamScope & Fldigi Most are multi-mode PSK, DominoEX, MFSK, RTTY, CW.. Easy tuning of signals using “Waterfall” display Shows multiple QSOs Prearranged message “Macros CQ, Me/QTH, Rerun, Brag..

What is a Digital Mode? #4 Because of sophisticated digital signal processing, digital modes can offer: Performance that cannot be achieved using voice (and in some cases even CW), through the use of reduced bandwidth PSK31 uses100 hertz channels with 30 hertz signals Tens of QSOs in a 3Khz bandwidth versus one voice Improved signal-to-noise performance (Reception below noise level) Reduced transmitter power requirement (Typically use 5 to 30 watts) Some modes also offer built-in automatic error correction

What is a Digital Mode? #5 Digital Mode operating procedure is not unlike Morse operation Many of the same abbreviations are used (CQ, DE, FB, K, SK, PSE, btu.. ) Software such as Fldigi makes for simple operation Most of the procedural business is setup for you using the keyboard and point-click mouse operation

What is Fldigi #1 A multi-mode software program intended for Amateur Radio Digital Modes using a PC Operates in conjunction with HF SSB radio Most digital modes use USB Sometimes used in VHF/UHF operation for NBEMS (Narrow Band Emergency Messaging System) Uses PC sound card I/O to radio May also use external sound card such as SignaLink USB from Tigertronics Uses audio-frequency signals Sound card converts digital characters of PC to analog sounds for radio

What is Fldigi #2 Software can typically control several radio functions depending model Change Band and Frequency RF Power, Squelch, Speaker Volume Fldigi is a multi-mode Can operate several digital modes Fldigi includes popular modes, such as PSK, MFSK, RTTY, DominoEX, Olivia, Contestia and even CW Fldigi runs on multiple operating systems Linux, OS-X(MAC) and Windows

Further Information Lead Developer: Dave Freese – W1HKJ WWW.W1hkj.com http://groups.yahoo.com/group/linuxham

Emergency Radio E-mail Systems Getting Started with Winlink 2000 & RMS Express with Winmor TNC

Radio E-mail Systems Winlink 2000 (WL2K)is a worldwide system for sending and receiving e-mail over radio The connection from the users computer does not depend on the Internet Widely used by mariners, RV Campers and various groups for emergency communication

Winlink Messaging System Perth, Australia San Diego, CA Brentwood, TN Halifax, NS Wien, Austria Common Message Servers (CMS) 5 Mirrored Servers Located Around The World Internet Radio Message Servers (RMS) Servers Maintained by Hams Around The World Provide Internet Connection to CMS Servers Ham Radio Station Running RMS Express & Winmor TNC

Winlink Messaging System Like regular e-mail, Winlink messages are sent to a specific address, and may contain attachments such as pictures, maps, ICS forms, etc. E-mails can be sent between other Winlink stations and normal SMTP/POP3 e-mail servers like gmail.com

Winlink Messaging System E-mails sent through Winlink on the ham bands must follow the usual rules for amateur radio communications May not be used for commercial applications, and messages may not be encrypted You can go to this site to check the current status of RMS servers http://www.Winlink.org/RMSHFStatus

Winlink Connection Modes There are four paths a user can connect to the Winlink system Via HF radio to one of the RMS hubs Via VHF/UHF radio to a local RMS hub Two RMS stations in V.C on 145.650 MHz Can use Outpost packet systems to send e-mails Via Telenet protocol over the internet Terminal emulation program that allows computer users to connect interactively to a server and access remote sites, e.g. on the Internet Via Winlink Webmail over the internet Like using G-Mail Need Winlink e-mail account: “ham call”@winlink.org

HF Winlink Operation Using HF radio, it is possible to connect to the Winlink system over long distances Often used by mariners to get information and send e-mail while cruising the high seas In a disaster, HF Winlink allows us to connect to a area where the internet may still be operational

Radio E-mail Systems As with all digital modes, certain protocols are used to encode data into a form that can be transmitted over radio Two protocols are used for sending Winlink messages over HF radio Pactor 3 Winmor

Pactor 3 Pactor-3: Is a superior protocol that can reliably send data over long distances with weak signals over extremely noisy conditions Used by most mariners and emergency organizations for contingency communications Unfortunately, Pactor-3 is proprietary protocol that requires a TNC that costs about $1,400 The ACS/ARES radio room here at ECSS has a Pactor-3 system

Winmor WINMOR: Winmor was developed by the Winlink development team as a low cost alternative to Pactor 3 It is an open protocol, and operates through low cost sound card devices such as the SignaLink USB $1,400 Vs $100

Pactor vs Winmor Pactor I 200 300Hz $50 -150 Pactor II 700 450Hz System Rate bits/sec (Max) Bandwidth Cost (Approx) Pactor I 200 300Hz $50 -150 Pactor II 700 450Hz $1K - $1.5K Pactor III 2722 2.2 – 2.4Khz $1.2K – 1.6K Winmor 500 329 500Hz Windows w/ Sound Card Winmor 1600 1314 1600Hz

Equipment Needed for Winmor Requirements are modest Computer running Windows XP through Windows 7 with at least 1 GB of Ram RMS Express Client software and associated ITSHF Propagation prediction A SignaLink USB sound interface A HF radio and associated antenna Winmor RMS’s are found on 80,40,30 & 20 meters

HF Channel Selection

Winmor WL2K Session

Winmor Sound Card TNC

Further Information On the web at: http://www.winlink.org/ http://www.Winlink.org/ClientSoftware http://www.greg-hand.com/hfwin.32.html http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WINMOR

The End Mike D’Amore – N6MDA