Winlink2000

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Getting Started with Winlink2000 A Tutorial
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Equipment Needed for Winlink2000
(1) a Windows-operating system computer, (2) a
VHF/UHF or HF transceiver., and (3) a terminal
node controller (TNC or radio modem) or a sound
card interface.
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Winlink 2000 Programs
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What is AirMail?
AirMail is a complete stand-alone package for
e-mail over Ham Radio for either HF PacTOR or
VHF-UHF Packet. AirMail is a 1) radio messaging
system, 2) a radio terminal program for
keyboard-to-keyboard, and keyboard-to-bulletin
board system communication, and 3) a standalone
email program Presently, AirMail does not
support soundcard operation. A TNC is necessary.
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The Best Solution
As shown on the earlier slide, the best approach
is with the suite of programs using the AGW
packet engine. AGW PE - handles all traffic
between all packet applications and TNC or
soundcard. All applications connect to AGWPE and
share a TNC and provide multiple services such as
APRS, a packet mailbox, a packet cluster, and a
digipeater. PaclinkAGW w/Paclink Post Office
provides a packet interface to SMTP e-mail
clients. Paclink AGW adds VHF/UHF packet radio
and Telnet channels to e-mail clients. Paclink
Post Office is a transparent e-mail server and
can serve an entire LAN of computers hosting
existing e-mail clients, such as Outlook, Outlook
Express, Eudora, or Thunderbird, etc.
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The Ultimate A Winlink 2000 Telpac Node
Telpac stands for TELnet PACket bridge. A Telpac
node connects a wireless VHF/UHF packet radio
station to Internet Telnet servers via radio
using the AX25 packet with the B2F protocol. A
network of AirMail stations or Paclink servers
and existing e-mail clients that can connect to a
Telpac node find that easy access to the Winlink
2000 system is provided to one or many
clients. To operate a Telpac station with a TNC
or via soundcard mode, all versions of the
operating systems (Win98, Win2000, and WinXP)
must have all updates and Service Packs installed
and Windows 2000 and WinXP require the use of
Microsofts NET Framework 1.1, and not the 2.0.
version to operate Paclink AGW.
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Transfer Protocols
The B2F protocol is a Winlink2000 unique binary
protocol that allows multiple addresses, mixed
radio and e-mail addresses and attachments. It is
not bloated with overhead like the TCP/IP
protocol and results in higher throughput than
the TCP/IP protocol. All Winlink software
supports the popular bulletin board system FBB
protocols used for the exchange of messages. They
include the B1F, BF, and ASCII protocol F.
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Terminal Node Controllers (TNC)
The TNC must support the HOST mode and may need a
firmware upgrade. Compatible TNCs
are Kantronics KPC3, KPC3, KAM98, KAM,
KPC9612 AEA/Timewave PK-88, PK-232, PK900,
DSP232, PK-96 MFJ-1278 ROM version 3.7
needed Not all TNCs will work with Airmail
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Choosing Radios and TNCs
The best choice in a radio for use on
VHF/UHF packet is one with a data port
. It is nice to have the receive and
transmit audio within the same connector.
A TNC or soundcard is needed for VHF packet.
AGW Packet Engine (AGWPE) is needed
beyond AirMail. AGWPE is a software
engine that controls many different
types of TNCs. AGWPE supports
SOUNDCARD operation at 1200 baud.
Airmail works works only with TNCs listed in its
setup menu.
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Legacy TNCs
Older TNCs may need a 50 to 75 firmware
upgrade. All older TNCs will run 1200 baud
packet. Some newer ones might operate at 9600
baud. BE CAREFUL! Some VHF/UHF FM radios meant
for voice operation only may not operate at 9600
baud.   Beware of a transceiver with a built-in
TASCO TNC. The TASCO TNC will not work
with Winlink2000 e-mail. It is designed for APRS
(automatic position reporting system)
use only - an external TNC is needed
to operate Winlink2000.
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Unacceptable TNCs
These transceivers with built-in TASCO TNCs are
unacceptable for use with Winlink 2000. Kenwood
TH-D7 Kenwood TM-D700 Kenwood
TS-2000 Alinco DR-135T/EMKIII Alinco
DR-235T/MkIII Alinco DR-435T/EMKIII Alinco
DR-620T/E Alinco DR-635T/E
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Software Download
The free software is found at these
URLs FREE version of
AGW Packet Engine
http//www.elcom.gr/sv2agw/inst.htm
Winpack http//www.winpack.org.uk/
AirMail   http//www.siriuscyber.net/ham/
Win2000 and WinXP users will
need the following available from
Microsoft Microsoft .NET Framework
Version 1.1 Redistributable
Package Paclink AGW, Paclink Post
Office and Telpac
http//www.winlink.org/Client.htm
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Install and Configure Winpack
WinPack provides a full-featured Windows
interface to use with a Terminal Node
Controller (TNC) or with a computer
sound card with other software. It works
well for basic testing we need to do later
with a TNC and other parts of the
Winlink2000 system. The configuration
will be for use with a TNC in cmd
(native) mode, and later for use with Paclink AGW
operating on computers using the
Win2000 or XP operating system.
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WinPack w/Win2K and WinXP
If you are using Win2000Pro or XP, Winpack is
AGWPE compliant and is needed to run each of the
component parts of the Winlink2000 system,
including Paclink AGW, Paclink Post Office, and,
eventually later, Telpac.
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Open AGWPE.zip and unzip it to a folder C\AGWPE
Create a shortcut on the Desktop for AGWPE.exe
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Winlink2000 w/Win 2000 and newer OS
The very first software to be loaded is Microsoft
NET Framework 1.1. PacLink AGW requires Microsoft
NET Framework 1.1 to run. It will not run with
NET Framework 2.0. If NET Framework 2.0 is
already on your computer, do not remove it, it
will co-exist with NET Framework 2.0.
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Install AGWPE
Click the Desktop icon for AGWPE then click I
Agree The Radio Port Selection window will open.
Click on New Port
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AGWPE Port Setup
The default screen for adding a new port. Select
your Comm port and baud rate of the serial port.
Use the drop down arrow to select your TNC model.
The proper settings will be loaded for your TNC
model. Add a description for the TNC port.
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Paclink AGW-What is It?
Paclink AGW adds AX25 packet radio and Telnet
channels for WL2K connectivity to Outlook Express
and other POP3/SMTP email clients. Paclink AGW
is intended for use with the Winlink 2000 system
including the B2F protocol that supports
attachments, mixed addresses and tactical
addresses.
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Paclink Post Office-A Bridge to Email
Paclink Postoffice is the companion program for
all Paclink clients and implements the POP3/SMTP
mail server functions. Paclink Post Office is
the bridge between the radio and the computer
email program.
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Paclink AGW
Click Paclink AGW. It will self-extract to a
temporary folder. Click on setup.exe to install
the program.
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Paclink AGW Setup Wizard

Click Next and then check Everyone and then Next
again
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Click Next. Paclink AGW will install. When the
Installation Complete screen appears, you may
click Close
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Install Paclink Post Office
Open Paclink Post office. Click setup.exe
and choose Next again on the screen pictured
below.
Choose Next for the first step
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Paclink Post Office Install Confirmation
The title bar of the real Paclink Post Office
screens will say Paclink Post Office.
Click Next on the screen above and Close on the
on screen to the right.
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Paclink Post Office MUST BE CONFIGURED BEFORE
Paclink AGW
YOUR COMPUTER MUST BE ON THE INTERNET FOR THIS
NEXT OPERATION.
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Paclink Post Office Configuration
When Paclink Postoffice is started for the first
time, the popup menu below will appear
Click OK - the Paclink Post Office Properties
menu will appear as below
Enter your call sign, and choose a password. You
can also select to allow other LAN clients access
to the Post Office. Click Update
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Paclink Post Office Configuration
When you click Update on the Properties menu, you
should get a confirmation similar to the
following indicating the Paclink Postoffice
Outlook Express configuration wizard has set up a
corresponding account on your Outlook Express
email client. When you start Outlook Express and
request it Send/Receive mail you will be
prompted to enter the account password. Once
this is done Outlook Express should remember the
password.
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Outlook Express Configuration
Start Outlook Express.
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(No Transcript)
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Click "Tools" then "Accounts"
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Your callsign should appear as one of the Outlook
Express e-mail accounts. Highlight the new
account name and click Properties from the menu
on the right side of this screen. Click "Apply"
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Configure Paclink AGW
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Email to be sent via packet is stored until the
next packet connection
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Tactical Accounts
Paclink can use Tactical accounts, just enter
the account name in the appropriate block, as
seen in the figure below.
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This completes the installation and configuration
of Winlink 2000 using the AGW suite of programs
and AirMail.
Telpac installation will be covered as a separate
subject.