Digital Training Update ”Every Station a Digital Station”  NEDTM1 - Started 28 MAY 2013  That’s the “Northeast Division Digital Training Multi-Mode Net One”  NCS Stations AFE2DM (AFA2HV), AFE3EC (AFA3RH)  Frequent contributors AFA1DI, AFA2QD, AFA2DO  The purpose of the net is to advance the digital capabilities of Northeast Division AFMARS members  Typically 10 to 15 stations per net  17 sessions to-date  Sound card mode set-up, use of MT63, use of Winlink 2000 and modem modes covered in detail or introduced since May.

Digital Training Update ”Every Station a Digital Station”  What does it mean to be a digital station on a division net?  This is the ability to relay a message to the recipient via digital modes  Almost all traffic on the nets are net summaries to AFA1VY  This requires Winlink 2000 to make the relay  This can be accomplished with a sound card mode called WINMOR or with a PACTOR modem  WINMOR (FREE!) is packaged with RMS Express (FREE!) and available on the winlink.org website  PACTOR 1 modems include many of the older Kantronics and AEA PK 232 models  PACTOR 1-4 modems are available from SCS GMBH. They cost a lot but are fast!  If you would like to take traffic on the division nets this is what you need  Hardware needed for RMS Express/WINMOR is a sound card interface (cheap!)

Digital Training Update ”Every Station a Digital Station”  Recommended Level of Capability for Every AFMARS Member  Hardware:  Sound card mode interface between radio and computer  Related cabling  Software:  RMS Express (with included WINMOR software modem) for Winlink 2000 system access  MT63 capable software such as FLDIGI, DM780, MultiPSK, MixW etc (there are many)  Currently FLDIGI has the advantage in accurate reproduction of formatted iinformation spaced by tabs and keyboard spaces  Advanced Capability  Hardware:  SCS PACTOR 3 or PACTOR 4 (The Dragon) capable modem  Software:  FLDIGI with suite of helper applications

Digital Training Update ”Every Station a Digital Station”  ECOM and Digital Modes – How will we use it?  Good question. Operational concept still being developed.  Likely that it will be used to send error free traffic of length unsuitable for voice communications  Images as attachments via WL2K  Spreadsheets  Other documents  ECOM nets will likely be mixed mode where initial contact is established by voice and traffic passed with a digital mode if needed.  Challenges  Interoperability with other MARS services  Navy-Marine Corp MARS = MT63 (√)  Army MARS = M110A (x)  Interoperability with ANG units M110B and other modes  Expensive modems  Potential for proprietary software issues with some hardware

Digital Training Update ”Every Station a Digital Station”