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

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

Organization of This Presentation Brief review of Winlink 2000 architecture Features of Winlink 2000 that make it well suited for EmComm use Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

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.

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.

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 Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

What is Winlink 2000 Worldwide system for sending e-mail via radio Provides e-mail 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. Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

Types of Interfaces Homebrew

RIGblaster Duo

WB9JFR interface

Built in interface

Winlink 2000 Architecture CMS RMS (gateway) Client (you) Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

Client Winlink Stations Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

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. Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

Pactor Speeds (HF) Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

Winlink Ham HF Gateways in America & Europe Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

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-9612+ modem (about $400) FM connections are usually reliable and static-free Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

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 Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

Winlink Ham VHF/UHF Gateways in America & Europe Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

What Winlink 2000 Offers for EmComm Flexibility: Internet-only (Telnet) direct connections to Winlink Radio link bridge to Internet e-mail 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 e-mail Geographical dispersion and redundancy for reliability Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

What Winlink Offers for EmComm (more) Standard e-mail 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 Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

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 Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

Disaster Assessment Picture Sent Via Winlink 2000 Public safety systems do fail. Kentucky ice storm picture from TEMA recon vehicle. Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

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 Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

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 Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

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 Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

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 Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

RMS Express HF Channel Selector Manual SFI input RMS Express HF Channel Selector Estimate of Signal Path Quality Service Code Group Throughput Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

RMS Express Enhanced Support Supports multiple modes Current version is 1.2.8.0 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 Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

RMS Express Message Review Review pending messages before downloading Select which messages to download Message too large & not wanted Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

Message Receipt Acknowledgements Positive acknowledgment that message was received Information about message filled in automatically Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

Files menu options Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

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 Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

RMS Express Query Catalog Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

Weather Map Image Returned for Request Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

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 Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

Posting a Position Report Data from a connected GPS unit. Useful in tracking with e-mailed disaster assessments. WX assistance to the NWS Voluntary Marine Observation Program. Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

Winlink.org Real-time Position Report Page Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

Position Tracking Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

GRIB File Requests Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

GRIB Map Returned by Winlink System Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

RMSMessageLog ICS-309 Generator Messages during period Select folders Starting & ending report period Generate ICS-309 pdf file Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

Generated ICS-309 PDF Message Log Report Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

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 e-mail format is used and file attachments are supported Option to hold messages until Internet available HF forwarding to a RMS station via Pactor Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

Radio-Only Message Hub Topology Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

HF Forwarding from Radio-Only Hub Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

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 Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

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 Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

Trimode RMS Channel Setup Screen Per channel: Frequency, Bandwidth, scan period, modes, callsign, & class of service Flexibility allows conforming to regulatory environments Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

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 Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

Winlink Drop Kits for Field Operation Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

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 Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

WL2K Implementation Strategies Case 2: Small Community Madison, AL Single local VHF RMS Packet server 145.010 VHF Digipeaters: Madison, Morgan, and Franklin Counties providing access to a large area of North Alabama Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

WL2K Implementation Strategies Case 3: Birmingham Metropolitan Area Jefferson/Shelby Counties 2 local VHF RMS Packet servers Homewood (145.050), Hoover (145.010) VHF digipeater BHM9 (Shades Mountain) and a Walker County digipeater is off air RMS Relay (1) with HF forwarding Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

Hurricane Sandy Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

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 e-mail and accessing the Internet to post to blogs and to Facebook, and we finally found an e-mail address for the Coast Guard. As a last-ditch effort, we used Winlink to e-mail 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. Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

Alabama WL2K Recent Additions VHF digipeater (145.010) provides access to Madison County RMS Huntsville area VHF RMS inWhitesburg (N4WGY on 145.010) Provides access to Madison County RMS South Alabama VHF RMS in Wetumpka (K4GR on 145.690) Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

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) Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

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 Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

Shameless Plug SATERN www.satern.org Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network SATERN www.satern.org Net on Saturday mornings at 10:00A.M central 7.262 MHz Everyday except Sunday on 14.265 kHz SSB @1500Z Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

Thank you! Questions? Information about Winlink can be found at www.winlink.org For more information, contact Mark Parmley, NR4J nr4j@1791.com http://webpages.charter.net/nr4jmark Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.