HFMail

HFEmail

AIRMAIL PACTOR 3 – HF Terminal – Packet Client – Internet Access Rev.: 5/17/2002

AIRMAIL is a radio Email messaging program, (similar to Outlook) for connecting HF radio PMBO

mailbox Stations of the Worldwide WINLINK 2000 (WL2K). Once connected, message transfer is

completely automatic. Airmail also has an option for an Internet connection via the AIRMAIL

Telnet Client module.

Cut off from Cell phone service; no Magellan, Inmarsat Satellite phone Email, no Email,

No File xfer., no WX FAX; Welcome to WL2K.

The following instructions will setup a PTC-IIex PACTOR-3 controller HF (5.2Kbps – 2.2KHz BW)

Station for: WL2K AirMail: Email - via HF, also TELNET Internet and VHF Packet TNC may be

installed also.

Hardware:

Install a SCS PTC-llex PACTOR controller

Cables: TNC PTC-IIex cable BUX COMM IC13HVUB or KHVI13ARC

(PTC-IIex 8 pin DIN connector to HF radio ACC2 13 pin DIN connector cable)

Cable to radio external speaker.

Note: Disconnect External speaker from PC Input. Connect radio’s External speaker to speakers.

Note: P.S. +10 to +20VDC 500mA power supply is required for the PTC-IIex.

Download:

Airmail: v3.3.081 4.1MB http://www.siriuscyber.net/

HF Propagation Calculator: http://siriuscyber.net/ham/itshfbc.exe

Unzip itshfbc and do AirMail: Tools - Setup Wizard.

Recommended frequencies:

Update Station/Frequency: http://www.winlink.org/node/107

NTIA/ITS HF http://www.siriuscyber.net/ham/#propagation

MDC ERP www.arrl-mdc.net/

AirMail program v3.2.035 4.1 MB

Telnet Setup:

Connect PC DSL modem to your Internet Provider

Click Tools/Options/Modules

Select Internet Access – Apply - OK

Click MODULE Internet Access

Connect to: type i.e. wl2kw (CBMO – MBO – PMBO)

Click Settings:

Telnet Settings: Connection Properties

Remote Callsign: type wl2kw

Remote Host: type Washington.winlink.org

Port: 8772

Timeout: 120

Local Callsign: (your CALL)

Password: cmstelnet

Protocol: select B2

Click OK

Operating TELNET Email via Internet:

Connect PC DSL modem to your Internet Provider

Click FILE/NEW

Select from the Address Book or type a Ham Callsign or Internet Email address on the To: or

CC: lines

Example addressing To: ie. AA3EU or

Example addressing To: ie. [email protected]

Note: Both addresses will deliver the Email to his TELNET Client, if AA3EU

connects to Winlink by his TELNET Client. Both addresses will deliver

the Email to his HF Terminal, if AA3EU connects to Winlink by his HF Terminal.

An Internet Email addressing of: [email protected] will deliver the Email to

his TELNET Client, if AA3EU connects to Winlink by his TELNET Client, or will

deliver the Email to his HF Terminal, if AA3EU connects to Winlink by his

HF Terminal)

Click OK to exit Address book and open message form.

Sending/Receiving TELNET Email:

Compose an Email message.

Click MESSAGE/POST or the POST Icon.

Click BBS Mode (Send & Receive messages & Bulletins).

Connect To: ie. N0IA

Click GREEN Button.

Watch the Tx Data and the Rx data window to monitor your messages being transmitted and

received. It will indicate bytes sent and bytes received.

To Update Bulletins:

Click KEYBOARD Mode.

Click SEND WORD.

Click GREEN Button.

type INFO

type LB for Bulletins

type B (Bye)

Note: After viewing received Message or Bulletins in the Inbox, Click File/Close to return to

the Message Index.

Note: If you are installing and operating both a HF TNC and a VHF TNC; Use an "A-B Data Switch"

for switching the PC’s COMM 1 Port between the HF Pactor TNC and the VHF Packet TNC.

Note: Download Monthly-Update Station & Freq. lists.

The Station and Frequency data, downloaded with AirMail v3.2.035,

(AirMail's System.Ham file), is out of date. New PMBO Stations are being added

or discontinued, operating frequencies added or discontinued; operating changes,

some no longer service Radio-Emails, only NTS traffic and some not servicing

PACTOR-1. VIEW/MBO BULLETINS /FREQUENCY LIST /STATION LIST

are updated when you request/download ZS5S_Bulls/PMBO from your PMBO,

New update info. is published, the 1st of each month and can be

requested/downloaded from zs5s.

APRSLink provides a link between the Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS) and the

Winlink 2000 Radio e-mail system. APRSLink monitors all APRS traffic gated to the

Internet, worldwide, and watches for special commands that allow APRS users to:

read short e-mail messages sent to their [email protected] account

send short e-mail messages to any valid e-mail address or Winlink 2000 user

perform e-mail related maintenance (see commands below)

be notified of pending Winlink e-mail via APRS message

query APRSLink for information of the closest Winlink interface (Telpac gateway or PMBO)

Properly licensed Amateur Radio operators are automatically registered in the Winlink

2000 system the first time they send a message through the system with the AirMail

software program. To Register and use APRSLink See www.winlink.org/newmail

& click Register (Sign in/out – New Message – Sign in/out)

Additionally, your APRS station must have sent at least one APRS position report (beacon)

prior to attempting to access this service. In that way, APRSLink can know your Amateur

Callsign, location, and station type.

Available Commands via APRS

H or ? = HELP

L = Return list of pending messages

R# = Read message number #

Y# = Reply to message

P = Playback

A = Create an Alias

F# = Forward message

K# = Kill number message

T = Info on closest Telpac Gateway (Telpac: K7BC-10 FM18JS 4 miles)

M = Info on closest PMBO/RMS (PMBO: W3JAL FM18TV 42 miles)

I = Info on closest APRSLink (APRSLink v1.1.0.0 www.winlink.org/aprslink.htm)

To Transmit a message with APRS’s, APRS+Message Box

W = Email to Winlink address or Callsign (ie:[email protected] or aa3eu)

W1 = Subject

W2 = First line of message

W3 = Second line of message

W4 = another line

/EX (transmit on the last line of message)

Note: I have found that pre-typing your message on the Desktop and pasting each line

of the message into the APRS+SA Send message window will save a lot of time and

eliminate errors.

Here's how it works: You send an APRS message using WLNK-1 as the destination Callsign

with one of the above commands as the message text. APRSLink responds by sending APRS

messages back to you via your IGate. Of course, your IGate must be configured to gate

those messages back to RF - it should be.

APRSLink will detect if your request is from a Kenwood TH-D7 or TM-D700, and attempt to

format retrieved messages to fit the display of those devices. For a TH-D7, this means

you are limited to receiving a maximum of 48 characters per APRS message, and a maximum

of 64 characters for the TM-D700. When you request to read an e-mail from the Winlink

system, APRSLink will send one or more APRS messages back to your station. Reading

large messages (over a few lines) is not appropriate, and APRSLink limits the number

of APRS messages it will send back to your station.

APRSLink is tailored to fit the needs of remote TH-D7 and TM D700 users, but is fully

functional for other clients as well. To allow easy entry using the D7 or D700

keypads, you can use a keypad letter instead of a number for the second part of

commands that require message line numbers. For example, to read message 3 you can

send Rd instead of R3; use Rj for message 5, etc. Actually, any letter on the key

will be interpreted as the number on that same key for any command that uses a number

following the command character.

If you desire notification of pending Winlink e-mail just add the callsign of the

APRSLink server somewhere in your station's position comment (or status text) and

you'll be notified with an APRS message whenever you have unread mail on the Winlink

system. Notification is sent once per day but is reset whenever you use APRSLink to

access your Winlink e-mail. In that way, mail received after you have read the

current batch will trigger another notification.Initially, there will be a single

APRSLink server using a callsign of WLNK-1. Additional APRSLink servers may be added

at a later time - if so, they will use the same Callsign and a different SSID;

-2, -3 etc.

The following text is inserted into messages sent through APRSLink to the Internet.

Messages addressed to a ham callsign or to a [email protected] e-mail address do

not contain this disclaimer.

================================================

This message was sent using a remote device which has

limited capacity. When replying use plain text, keep

the message as short as possible and include no attachments.

================================================

APRS is a registered trademark of APRS Software and Bob Bruninga, WB4APR

Packet Client (VHF)Client-Client, Station-Station, Peer - Peer setup:

Click Tools/Options/Connection

Select Modem Type: i.e. KPC+

Select COMM Port: COM1

Select Baud Rate: 9600

Select: Show Link Messages

Audio Tones: Center frequency: 1500

Audio Tones: LSB/USB convention

select Advanced modem settings:

Click Select modem tones

Click Ignore CTS

Click Tools/Options/Settings:

Type your Callsign:_______ and select:

BBS Forwarding Protocol: B2F. (B2F combines & compresses Email message Binary

text to save transmission time; it is not encrypted but provides privacy).

Type your Lat:____ type your Lon:____ (required for ITS/HF PROP. reports)

Click Tools/Options/AutoAnswer select: Accept Incoming Connects

Type Welcome Text: i.e. Welcome to (your Call) AirMail BBS

Type Home BBS:____

Type Zip Code:____

(R:Stamp ID Automatic set to [AirMail3.2])

Click Tools/Options/Modules Enable Modules:

Enable VHF Packet Client - Apply

Click: SETUP: TNC- ie. Kam+ Port-COM1 Baud-9600

Click OK – Apply - OK

VHF Radio Setup:

Set VFO to local ARES Net frequency i.e. 147.090

Set RF power

Operating: Creating & Posting an Email to be sent your Call (i.e. AA3EU to KB3QMO):

Sending, Create a message to a Station expecting a direct connect

Click FILE/NEW

Close Address Book

Click Post To: i.e. KB3QMO, & Post via: type i.e.: KB3QMO

Create your Subject & Message

Click OK

Click on AirMail Outbox Folder; your Message will be there.

Operating VHF (PACKET) setup:

Click Windows/Terminal

Click Mode Select Packet

Click MODULE/Packet Client:

Packet Client window displays: "Date/Time Packet initialized ok"

(If "modem Initialization failed", perform a HARD RESET with J15.

And run TNC AUTOBAUD ROUTINE to automatically set TNC to

computer's COM port Baud rate)

To TX an AirMail message from Packet Client to Packet Client:

Click Module/Packet Client

“Packet Initalized OK”

Click Keyboard

Type Call i.e. KB3QMO of other Packet Client, after Connect to:

Type your Call i.e. AA3EU after Connect as:

Click Green Connect Button

“receive Connect msg. from other Packet Client”

In lower TX Window, type SP CALL of other Packet Client Station - Enter

After Prompt typs Subject of Message – Enter

After Prompt type Msg. Text followed on a separate line /EX

Message is Saved

Use other packet Commands for additional BBS Options

To TX a “POST Messages” from Packet Client to Packet Client

Click Module/Packet Client

“Packet Initalized OK”

Type Connect to: (their CALL i.e. KB3QMO)

Type Connect As: (your CALL i.e. AA3EU)

Click GREEN Circle Icon(Connect)

VHF Packet Peer to Peer message sent/received

(POST messages are sent, POST messages at connected to Station are received by your Station)

Connect to your PBBS i.e. AA3EU-1 to see Received Messages.

Other Packet i.e. KB3QMO will connect to his PBBS to receive his Messages

Note: KPC3P Commands:

ENTER COMMAND: B,J,K,L,R,S, or Help >

B(ye) PBBS WILL DISCONNECT

E(dit) n [BPTYNFH] [>tocall] [<fromcall] [@BBS] "old" "new"

J(heard) CALLSIGNS WITH DAYSTAMP

J S(hort) HEARD CALLSIGNS ONLY

J L(ong) CALLSIGNS WITH DAYSTAMP AND VIAS

L [x [y]] [;] LIST MESSAGES x THRU y YOU CAN READ

L <|> call LIST MESSAGES FROM OR TO CALL

LB LIST BULLETINS

LC [cat] LIST CATEGORIES

LL n LIST LAST n MESSAGES

LM(ine) LIST UNREAD MESSAGES ADDRESSED TO YOU

LO [+|-] LISTING ORDER

LT LIST TRAFFIC

LTn DISPLAY LOCATION TEXT n=1-4

K(ill) n DELETE MESSAGE NUMBER n

KM(ine) DELETE ALL READ MESSAGES ADDRESSED TO YOU

R(ead) n DISPLAY MESSAGE NUMBER n

RH n DISPLAY MESSAGE n WITH HEADERS

RM(ine) READ ALL MESSAGES ADDRESSED TO YOU

S(end) call SEND MESSAGE TO callsign

S[B|P|T] call SEND BULLETIN, PRIVATE, or TRAFFIC

ENTER COMMAND: B,J,K,L,R,S, or Help >

HF Terminal (PACTOR-3) setup:

Click Tools/Options/Connection:

Select Modem Type: PTC-IIex “ex”

Select COMM Port: COM1

Select Baud Rate: 57600

Select: Show Link Messages

Audio Tones: Center Frequency: (TNC Center Freq v. radio SSB offset freq)

Type: 1500

Audio Tones: USB

Select Advanced modem settings

Click RESET Modem

Click Ignore CTS

Click Tools/Options/Settings:

Type your Callsign:______

Type your Lat:39 25 50 N type Long:076 58 32 W (Lat/Long Required for ITS/HF PROP.

reports)

Select BBS Forwarding Protocol B2F. B2F combines & compresses the Binary

text portion of the Email to save transmission time. The text looks

encrypted; it isn't, but does provide some privacy.

Click Tools/Options/AutoAnswer select: Accept Incoming Connects

type Welcome Text: i.e. Welcome to AA3EU's AirMail BBS

type Zip Code: (Optional)

(R:Stamp ID Automatic set to [AirMail3.2])

Click Tools/Options/Modules Enable Modules:

Enable Terminal Window Select-Show in Taskbar

Enable VHF Packet Client Select-Show in Taskbar

Click VHF Packet Client SETUP:

TNC: ie.: Kam+ Port: COM1 Baud: 9600

Enable Telnet Client Select-Show in Taskbar

Click APPLY

Click OK

In your AirMail Message Index screem, Click on the message ID PublicPMBOs’

Click on Tools/Make Frequency List – Update – Save - OK

Click VIEW/FREQUENCY LIST - select those PMBO Stations: you can hear. Save - OK

Click VIEW/PROPAGATION:

Current Reliability - Sunspot or Solar Flux value and Click Update

A current Sunspot & SFI source: http://www.solen.info/solar

Click twice on CALL; Blue number= UTC hour; Green= RELIABILITY percentage.

Click WINDOWS/CATALOGS (to request Bulletins: Global & PMBOs)

Click WINDOW/POSITION REPORTS (POSITION/WEATHER TXing is optional)

HF Radio setup:

Set all IF Filters to OFF (or as wide as possible)

Set Audio RF to MAX

Set VFO to: 14.097.20 3.820 LSB

Set Transmitter output power to ¼ manufacturer’s rated RF power output, 25 watts or

less is a good operating setup for a 100 watt transmitter and linear performance.

WARNING: Operating 100% duty cycle at 100% output power will cause harm to the transmitter.

Set Mode to USB (Pactor-3 Airmail is always USB)

Set Processor to OFF and SWR ON

Adjust Tuner for 1:1

Set SWR OFF and ALC to ON

AIRMAIL Program/Radio Setup:

Click MODULES/HF TERMINAL

The Terminal window will be activated and indicate that: PTC-II Initialized OK –

<Host Mode Started> - <Connections Enabled>.

Note: Read: Help – Setting Audio Levels.

Click CONTROL/SET PTC-II Amplitude

Click TX

Adjust the Radio MIC. Control for Max. RF Power and no occurrence of Automatic Level Control

(ALC)

Click TX OFF

Chose a Station and frequency, and listen for no activity.

Click on the Music noteIcon. This will generate a 10 W RF signal for adjusting your tuner if

needed.It repeatedly sends your Call sign at low power.

Click MODE/Monitoring Enabled

Select PACTOR 3

Click Current Station box and select a station ie. k4cjx (select a Station with the best

Propagation.

Select a "Center frequency" i.e. 14.098.7 (VFO Freq. 14.097.2)

Set HF RADIO: VFO DIAL Frequency to: SEE the Status Bar at the lower-right Dial

freq= ie. 14.097.2 USB

Operating HF Terminal Radio-Email PACTOR-3:

8772 – 30 – aa3eu – cmstelnet – B2

Note: Make your first contact in KEYBOARD MODE so you will have a chance to read

the PMBO help files.

Tune: PACTOR-III is signalized by blinking of the PACTOR-I/II-LED.

Under optimum conditions, only the two outermost LED’s of the tuning indicator are lit.

Click KEYBOARD

Click Send Words

Listen for a QUIET frequency (no PACTOR chirping or other modes).

Click the GREEN-light (Connect) button. Typically you will be

calling for 30-60 seconds before connecting. If the PMBO doesn't answer

your call after 1 minute, AirMail automatically times-out, and will quite

trying to connect to the PMBO. The PMBO's PC may be busy on the other freq.

When you connect to the WinLink PMBO you may receive a “Connect To message”.

In the lower KEYBOARD mode box:

type H (Help) command, and WinLink will return a list of commands.

type I (Info) command

type LB (List of Bulletins) (may not be supported by some PMBO)

type R + Bulletin number, to read that Bulletin.

To LOG OFF: type B (Bye)

TO DISCONNECT immediately (or stop calling): CLICK the RED Button.

Sending/Receiving Radio Email

Click FILE/NEW

Select from Address Book or type a Ham Callsign or Internet Email address on the To: or CC:

lines.

Example addressing To: AA3EU

Example addressing To: [email protected]

(both addresses will deliver the Email to his Telnet Client, if AA3EU

connects to Winlink by his Telnet Client). Both addresses will deliver

the Email to his HF Terminal, if AA3EU connects to Winlink by his HF Terminal)

(an Internet Email addressing of: [email protected] will deliver the Email to

his Telnet Client, if AA3EU connects to Winlink by his Telnet Client or will

deliver the Email to his HF Terminal, if AA3EU connects to Winlink by his

HF Terminal)

Notes: HF Radio-Email supports attachments; however, the radio link can be SLOW,

and each individual determines the size of the attached message. Sending an

attachment of more than 20K bytes is usually not productive. Executable files are

not allowed as attachments. .DOC, XLS, JPG, BMP, TIFF, files are permitted as

long as they are small.

Click OK to Exit Address Book and open message form.

On the third line type the message subject

Click POST via: type WL2K

Compose a HF radio Email message; limit text to 5-10KB

Click POST Icon or MESSAGE/POST. (saves message and Marks for sending)

Click MODULES/HF TERMINAL

Click BBS Mode (Send & Receive messages & Bulletins).

Click GREEN Button to Connect to your PMBO - your message will be

automatically sent to the PMBO. Any messages for you at the PMBO will

be down loaded and the PMBO will disconnect automatically when done.

Watch the TxData window and the RxData window to monitor your message

being transmitted and received. It will indicate bytes sent and bytes

received.

Watch the lower left-hand window below TxData window and see the Freq.=

change from -37 to -1 and Speed= change from 200 to 1400

Note: In HF TERMINAL, lower center window:

PACTOR3:MONITOR:REQUEST will be indicated by a Yellow.

PACTOR3:MONITOR:IDLE is indicated by Green & CONNECTED i.e. wl2kw

PACTOR3:MONITOR:TRAFFIC is indicated by Green

PACTOR3:MONITOR:TRAFFIC in ARQ indicated by Red

PACTOR3:MONITOR:SEND:PHASING will be indicated, no color

Now go to the AirMail [Message Index] window, Click on INBOX and check

for new messages from PMBO.

References:

PacTerm/PKTerm www.cssincorp.com

Pactor http://ecjones.org/pactor.html

Pactor Primer http://www.airmail2000.com/pprimer.htm

SCS http://www.scs.ptc.com/pactor.html

SCS http://www.scs-ptc.com,%20www.pactor.info,%20www.pactor.us/

SCS Update Station/Frequency:

SCS NcHost v2.27 http://web.inter.NL.net/hcc/PA0NC/ is used with SCS TNC

Distributor http://www.farallon.us/

Downloads http://www.siriuscyber.net/ham

WinLink 2000 http://www.winlink.org/pmbo.htm/sysop/wl2k.htm

WinLink startup http://www.qsl.net/wa2mzf/telnet.html

HF Propagation http://elbert.its.bldrdoc.gov/pc_hf/hfwin32.html

QST September, 2004; CQ October, 2003

Pactor http://www.boats.com/boat-articles/Electronics-113/The+Ham+e- mail+advantage/2846.htm

Telpac List register: http://www.winlink.org/status/TelpacNewEx.aspx

Winlink http://www.hamradio-online.com/1997/sep/hamlicense.html

Winlink http://webhost.sailnet.com/vog/onboard-email.html

WinLink 2000 download- http://filedudes.siol.net/win95/diskutil/winlink.html

WinLink 2000 download http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Utilities/File_Synchronizing_Utilities/Winlink_2000_Download.html

Winlink v2.9- http://members.lycos.fr/tu5ex/links.htm

Winlink Install www.faqs.org/faqs/pc-hardware-faq/lapstops/compaq-aero/section-143.html

RadioMinistries http://www.radioministries.org/

US Packet: http://www.uspacket.org/plan_a.html

Pactor-3 Critique http://www.qsl.net/nq5rp/newsletter22%20html.htm

AA3EU's Pactor-1 AirMail HF setup/operations http://www.qsl.net/aa3eu/form13.htm

AA3EU’s Pactor-3 AirMail HF setup/operations http://www.qsl.net/aa3eu/HFEmail.htm

AA3EU Winlink Location http://www.aprs.net/cgi-bin/winlink.cgi?aa3eu

PACTOR NET: Thursday 13:30 UTC 7268 LSB

Pactor-3 DPSK ARQ/40000KM t-put/with compress-2700-5200Bit/sec B-width-2200Hz

Pactor-2 DPSK ARQ/40000KM t-put/with compress- 400-800Bit/sec B-width-500Hz

Pactor-1 FSK ARQ/20000KM t-put/with compress- 100-200Bit/sec B-width/345Hz

PACTOR-III 5/1/2002

Pactor, a 2400Hz wide digital, ARQ mode at 5200bps throughput (2722bps with compression).

DXCC: 14.4KHz

Considerate Op. Freq. Guide AirMail

Automated Stations BBS & Gateways:

3.620 3.635

7.100 7.105 7.065 7.072

10.140 10.150 10.123 10.143

14.065 14.069 14.067 14.113

14.0950 14.0995

14.1005 14.1120

18.1050 18.110 18.098 18.108

21.0650 21.070 21.090 21.100

21.0900 21.100

24.9250 24.930

28.1200 28.189

HF Digital Committee Recommendation PACTOR-III BAND PLAN:

7.1037

10.1412

14.1067

18.1087

Pactor-3 Connections: – Pactor-1/2 Connections:

7.099.7 K4CJX 3.625.4 N0IA

7.102.2 KN6KB 7.062.4 N0IA

14.094.7 WB0TAX 7.102.2 K4SET

14.097.2 N0IA 7.102.2 WU3V

14.107.7 WB5KSD

joe mettle sends: