WINLINK GLOBAL RADIO EMAIL®️… …is a network of amateur radio and authorized government stations that provide worldwide radio email using radio pathways where the internet is not present.
• Built, Operated, and Administrated Entirely by licensed “HAM” volunteers.
• Supports Email with attachments, position reporting, weather and information bulletins.
• Well known for its role in interoperable emergency and disaster relief communications.
• Capable of operating completely without the internet.
Who is using Winlink to Support Emergency Communications?
• Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARRL ARES)
• Military Auxiliary Radio System (DOD/MARS)
• Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES)
• National American Red Cross (ARC)
• Southern Baptist Disaster Relief
• Salvation Army
• US Coast Guard
• Many Federal, state, and local government agencies, world-wide
Why use Winlink?
• Reliability
• Over a 15 year period, it demonstrated 99.99% availability and 100% accuracy in message transmissions.
• Radio Connection Bridge to Internet e-mail.
• Messages sent via radio from a user without internet to a Winlink radio node that has internet connectivity to inject the message into the normal internet email system and conversely from internet back to radio.
• Standard email formats and Features
• ICS forms embedded within program; i.e., ICS 213 General Message Form, ICS 309 Communications Log, etc.
• Binary file attachments such as pictures, PDF’s, spreadsheets
• Automatic message compression/decompression to minimize message size
• Whitelist used to control SPAM.
Modes of Operation
• Normal Mode – stores in an internet connected E-mail server (Common Message Server)
• Peer-to-peer connections between radio end-users. Two operators using same frequency & same protocol to exchange traffic.
• Radio only store and forward without internet
Interoperability
• Winlink does not restrict users to a single communications protocol, RF frequency, or band. The system supports a constellation of RF gateway nodes that operate on a wide range of HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies. The system also supports wide range of communication protocols such as PACKET, VARA, ARDOP, and PACTOR.
Geographical Dispersion & Redundancy for Reliability
• Wide range of RF gateway nodes located in a variety of locations.
• If one gateway fails, other gateways are available (especially via HF).
How does Winlink work?
Email over RF
VHF/UHF – local line of sight
• Packet (core use – locally)
• Ability to Digipeat from RMS to RMS
• VARA FM (growing popularity)
HF –
• Long distance, or regional using NVIS
• Several dozens of RMS gateways
• Various modes
• VARA HF (“fast” speeds)
• Free – limited speed
• $80 – Registered, “fast” speeds for HF
Telnet – Internet only
• No transceiver required
• Uses Winlink Common Message Servers
• Internet Connection Required
Requirements
Typical Winlink Station
• Basic Requirements
• Amateur Radio License
• Winlink.org registration + issue of ID AB5MC@winlink.org
• Winlink Express software (FREE)
• Telnet Station = computer + internet connection
• VHF/UHF station = Radio + TNC + computer + antenna
• Or Radio + soundcard + computer with TNC software + antenna
• HF station = Radio + soundcard + computer + antenna
Winlink Global Radio Mail
– What it isn’t and things to remember.
• It is not designed for:
• Daily personal email – Same as all amateur radio digital modes, messages are non-encrypted, in open.
• Large volume – keep traffic light / minimal for gateway sharing.
• Large attachments; photos, file sharing, etc. Larger file size, longer to send/receive over RF. •
Things to remember:
• Replies and email string history needs to be removed / minimalized to reduce file size.
• Don’t expect super high speeds
• Remember this over RF, speeds are similar to 90’s era slow dial up. Some modes are faster than others, but it’s still sending data over RF.
• Expect to encounter multiple attempts on some days with operation over RF
• Propagation varies and affects gateway communication. A certain station that worked yesterday may be difficult today.
• Stay in practice
• Winlink Wednesday Nets over RF is a very good way to stay familiar and in practice sending mail over RF.
• Winlink Wednesday Virginia – every Wednesday, large traffic, the original Winlink Wednesday; winlinkwednesday.net, KN4LQN@winlink.org
• North Texas Winlink Wednesday – local, good for capturing Grayson Co. traffic. 1 st & 3 rd Wednesdays; groups.io KF5VO@winlink.org
• Don’t get discouraged with initial set up. Station configuration can be a challenge at first.