Re: [digitalradio] Keeping connected and tools in the toolbox
It appears that there has been no change to the peer to peer support in the RMSpacket. I know that when I brought this up a few years ago, the programmer was adamant that they not have peer to peer support in Telpacs because it was strictly designed to be a simple internet telnet to packet connection. The concern that others expressed at the time was that most potential or casual users would need to learn several different and rather complicated systems (packet is extremely complicated compared to other modes), and would be very risky for emergency use when you just want it to work. Airmail 2000 has been the program of choice for many who have selected packet as their main VHF mode of data transport and if we ever had enough hams to get involved with packet for emergency use, I would have to recommend that direction for now. The reason some are focusing exclusively on Winlink 2000 is that they want one solution, believe (incorrectly according to my Division Director) that Winlink 2000 is THE solution and no other from the ARRL, and consider the majority of emergency hams to be of limited knowledge, particularly with the large number of new Technician class hams who have a large learning curve and can not operate HF so will only be using VHF packet for digital. But is it possible to have enough radio amateurs who are involved with emergency communications who can actually use all these different modes and systems? I know that in our area it is not possible, but in heavily populated areas you might be able to build a core group. That is how it has been explained to me by some proponents of Winlink 2000. With the advances of digital modes, packet is not very robust and can not tolerate weak signals, thus for those of us looking forward, there may be better approaches such as NBEMS which can work with very weak signals and do it with sound card modes that are low cost. I don't know of anyone in our Section using ALE for signaling but I know of some ops who are using an 80 meter HF packet store and forward system with what seems to be very poor results based upon the number of retries. The ALE modulation, particularly the FAE400 mode, may be a far better choice, especially if a BBS type system were developed as VE5MU mentioned recently. In ALL cases, we must not lose sight of the fact that you must always have phone (voice) communications available in emergencies. Digital data plays a much smaller secondary role. To show you how absurd it can get, in our Section we have Digital Communications Coordinator who actually believes that having hams check in to his Winlink 2000 VHF only PMBO via RF or even via the internet is somehow an emergency amateur radio net. Needless to say, the Winlink 2000 (and earlier Winlink/Netlink/Aplink) systems have been around for decades, so this is nothing new. But what is new are the changing faces of new hams coming in and the loss of others who may have the most experience. So on going activities are never ending. I am very skeptical that using government funding will help a lot in developing networks with active and motivated operators. I really believe that history has shown the reverse. When radio amateurs see a value in a particular mode or system, they will support it as they overwhelmingly did with packet. Even HF Pactor was once popular (as was Amtor) but those days are gone as sound card modes really are the main direction that most of us digital operators have taken and trying to buck that trend may be counterproductive. 73, Rick, KV9U Jeff Moore wrote: If I understand your question, you want to know if 2 or more stations are connected to a gateway if they lose communication if the Internet connection goes down!? The gateways don't (AFAIK) provide peer to peer communication directly. They provide a connection point into the WL2K system to pick up or leave your Airmail. That connection between the gateways (RMS or Telpac) and the CMS servers is usually via Internet, but can also be done via packet (if it's close enough to the CMS server) or via HF/Pactor. That said, the Airmail2000 program does provide one capability that the Paclink MP program doesn't currently -- peer to peer connectivity between packet (and possibly Pactor) stations running the Airmail software. As far as packet goes that can be accomplished with a basic packet station running a terminal program of some kind. With the right terminal program, both keyboard to keyboard chat and file transfer capabilities exist. This is why I believe that the Airmail/WL2K system should be considered just one tool in the bag of Emcomm tricks to be used along with NBEMS, ALE, and other digital communication modes. The trend I see is to put all your eggs in the WL2K basket. I'm not sure that's a smart thing to do. Use the WL2K system, but also practice and use the other modes that are available for Emcomm
Re: [digitalradio] Keeping connected and tools in the toolbox
In ALL cases, we must not lose sight of the fact that you must always have phone (voice) communications available in emergencies. Digital data plays a much smaller secondary role. To show you how absurd it can get, in our Section we have Digital Communications Coordinator who actually believes that having hams check in to his Winlink 2000 VHF only PMBO via RF or even via the internet is somehow an emergency amateur radio net. This is an important point and one of the reasons that we recommend 2 meters for NBEMS whenever it is feasible, because on 2 meters, you can mix voice and data on the same frequency. In addition, although we are improving NBEMS support on HF with a new static-robust mode (soon to be released), 2 meters is still the band of choice for fastest transfers and dependable point-to-point circuits. 73, Skip KH6TY NBEMS Development Team
Re: [digitalradio] Keeping connected and tools in the toolbox
Skip, I haven't seen any NBEMS postings yet. When the new mode is released I'll add it to DM780. Simon Brown, HB9DRV -- From: kh6ty [EMAIL PROTECTED] In addition, although we are improving NBEMS support on HF with a new static-robust mode (soon to be released), 2 meters is still the band of choice for fastest transfers and dependable point-to-point circuits.
[digitalradio] Keeping connected and tools in the toolbox
Couple questions/thoughts on your comments, Jeff, One of my main concerns about the local design of Winlink 2000 was that all stations would lose their connectivity to each other as well as the internet since the developer wanted to keep the Telpac (Telnet internet to Packet RF) connection very simple. If two or more stations are connected to a Telpac (or RMSpacket) now, can you continue to communicate with each other if you lose the internet connection when using Paclink MP? Or is it still the older design? Although some areas may have at least some hams with some understanding of Airmail, NBEMS, PCALE, etc., I don't think we have any in the area I live. For the most part, the recent cliche of having a lot of tools in the toolbox, may be a sure way to have little that works at the most critical times. Can you find enough hams to be able to use all these modes and systems efficiently, especially during an emergency? Or do you have one basic tool in the toolbox that you try and improve your understanding of and ability to use under any conditions? 73, Rick, KV9U Jeff Moore wrote: Andy, I was going to reply to your earlier message re Emcomm when I saw this message. The issue of email clients with regard to Emcomm is an interesting issue. I don't think most people use the Web-based email clients, I know I don't. I can use them in the event that I need to, but I prefer to use Outlook Express since I like to keep important emails on my computer. I could also use Outlook, but I prefer the simpler interface to OE. That said, AIRMAIL2000 is it's own email client, and I suppose if that's all you have it will work fine. However, you can use Paclink MP instead of Airmail2000 and gain almost all of the functionality of Airmail (and some that Airmail can't do) and be able to use it with your normal email client (if you use an email client). I was going to suggest this option to you, because you had said you didn't have an RMS gateway in your area (or you didn't want to maintain one. The Paclink MP program gives you an interface to the WL2K system that provides a level of flexibility that includes the ability to function as a mail hub. IOTW, you can install Paclink MP on a served agency's computer network and they can then route emails through it instead of their normal email gateway. The program provides direct internet access, access via HF Pactor, and access via packet into the WL2K system. It's also very easy to setup, works with more TNC's than Airmail, can actually use AGWPE with soundcards and TNC's, etc. So it's an option that should be included in your Emcomm tool bag along with Airmail2000, NBEMS, PCALE, etc. Jeff Moore -- KE7ACY DCARES - Deschutes County ARES Bend, Oregon
Re: [digitalradio] Keeping connected and tools in the toolbox
Rick W. wrote: Couple questions/thoughts on your comments, Jeff, One of my main concerns about the local design of Winlink 2000 was that all stations would lose their connectivity to each other as well as the internet since the developer wanted to keep the Telpac (Telnet internet to Packet RF) connection very simple. If two or more stations are connected to a Telpac (or RMSpacket) now, can you continue to communicate with each other if you lose the internet connection when using Paclink MP? Or is it still the older design? In the new series of RMS programs there is a RMS Relay Program that is not released yet. It provides for local email when no Internet connection is available at the RMS Packet or RMS Pactor gateways. Again, there is more information straight from the WDT on the website. The Roadmap document provides a summary overview. www.winlink.org Tim N9PUZ
