Rules and Guidelines

Winlink 2000 (WL2K) is a global amateur radio service, and is subject to amateur radio regulations of the country where each participating station is located. Access will be denied to anyone who does not adhere to these regulations. Winlink 2000 is also used for Army MARS emergency communications and by other volunteer agency communications programs. The Amateur regulations do not always apply to those user classes.

Since the inception of Winlink 2000, its participating stations have utilized the Internet to automatically forward traffic, and using the Amateur bands for links with its end-user community. This, of course, is faster, and saves valuable spectrum for real-time end-user connections. On HF Pactor, the radio users of the Winlink 2000 system initiating a contact are present as control operators, and therefore, WinLink 2000 operations do not fall within the category of "automatic control" per U.S. FCC Part 97.221. As described within the FCC Part 97.221, such operations are either under "automatic control" or "local or remote control."

Listen First! Because there is a live human being (control operator) is always present at the initiating station, one common theme is paramount to the successful operation of the system. This common theme, which is consistent with all Amateur Radio operations, consists of simply listening on the frequency about to be used by the initiating station in order to determine if that frequency is occupied. Obviously, if the frequency that is about to be used is occupied, the proper procedure is to either wait until it is free before transmitting, or find another Radio Message Server (PMBO) whose frequencies are not otherwise occupied. Not only is this a common courtesy to other Amateurs, but it is also a specific requirement of any Country's rules which regulate Amateur licenses, worldwide.

On HF frequencies, the Winlink 2000 Airmail user always provides a printable identification of the calling station, and the station being called, after each and every transmission. In addition, the calling time for the Airmail calling station is now only as long as the called participating Winlink station's scan cycle. This usually ranges from 5 to 15 seconds, depending on the number of frequencies for the particular station being called. Although such features greatly reduce the on-air calling time, it still does not replace the need to listen first before transmitting.

Summary of US Part 97 Rules pertaining to Winlink 2000

Winlink 2000 complies with §97.109 Station control, for 3rd Party traffic rules:
"e) No station may be automatically controlled while transmitting third party communications, except a station transmitting a RTTY or data emission. All messages that are retransmitted must originate at a station that is being locally or remotely controlled."

Winlink 2000 complies with Section §97.219(c) for 3rd Party traffic Content Rules:
§97.219(c) provides protection for licensees operating as part of a message forwarding system. "...the control operators of forwarding stations that retransmit inadvertently communications that violate the rules in this Part are not accountable for the violative communications. They are, however, responsible for discontinuing such communications once they become aware of their presence."

Winlink 2000 complies with §97.309 for data emission codes:
"(4) An amateur station transmitting a RTTY or data emission using a digital code specified in this paragraph may use any technique whose technical characteristics have been documented publicly, such as CLOVER, G-TOR, or PacTOR, for the purpose of facilitating communications."

Winlink 2000 complies with Sub-Part E when so designated (i.e.: §97.403 Safety of life and protection of property):
"No provision of these rules prevents the use by an amateur station of any means of radio communication at its disposal to provide essential communication needs in connection with the immediate safety of human life and immediate protection of property when normal communication systems are not available."

Message Content

The first thing to remember is that there is no privacy over amateur radio. Anyone who is equipped with equipment and software can read any message handled by Winlink 2000. Each of the participating network stations routinely monitor messages passing through the system to ensure acceptable message content. Any improper message caught by one of the system operators is deleted and the sender advised.

Third-Party Traffic

Third-party traffic is any traffic transmitted over the Amateur bands that is either from or to a non-amateur. In the Western Hemisphere (with a few exceptions) there is no restriction on third-party traffic being passed over amateur radio. Many countries outside of the Western Hemisphere also now permit third-party traffic over amateur radio. Messages between amateurs even if they originate or are delivered over Internet are not considered third-party traffic. Third-party traffic only deals with that portion which is transmitted over the radio spectrum.

Since there is no limitation on third-party traffic over Internet itself, messages passed between WL2K participating stations, or a participating station and the Internet are not restricted. Only when the message involves a non-amateur and is passed over a radio link is the issue a concern. For example: if a message originates in the U.K. on Internet but is delivered to a U.S. amateur over the radio from a U.S.-based station no third-party rule is broken even though the U.K. does not allow third-party traffic over amateur channels. Likewise, a message originating over the radio from a U.S. amateur and passed to a U.S. station is legal even if it is addressed to the Internet address of a non-amateur in the U.K.

Users must make themselves familiar with these third-party rules for the country in which they are operating as well as linking with if they are exchanging messages with non-amateurs. See the country list for countries known to permit third-party traffic for U.S. stations and their reciprocals.

Business Content

Directly or indirectly enhancing one’s pecuniary interest over amateur radio is universally prohibited. Such traffic is any message that is related to an amateur’s business or other activity involved in making money or attempting to make money for the amateur. Such things as placing orders to trade stocks are a clear-cut example of disallowed message content. On the other hand, in the US, the FCC has opinioned that merely ordering items for personal use is not in violation of the rules so long as it is incidental to your activity as an amateur and not to enhance your pecuniary interest. Even though the Winlink user may use Telnet or WEB ACCESS and never transfer information over the Amateur radio spectrum, it is the policy of the Winlink administration to abide by the Part 97 (US rules) as it pertains to business related message content.

For unsolicited email to any given radio user, the WL2K network manager can block any incoming message from LIST servers or block any “subscription” type messages that might contain business related traffic. The best way to avoid such unsolicited mail is to keep your Winlink email address private.

Encrypted Messages

All messages must be in plain language over a publicly posted format. Attachments to messages must be of file types with extensions that can be viewed with commonly available software such as .doc, .rtf, .jpg, .bmp, etc.

The system will not accept executable files from Internet with extensions such as .exe, .com, .vbs, etc. This not only reduces the chance of an encrypted message but also is another protection against an unwanted virus.

Obscene Content

Messages with obscene content are not allowed on the Winlink 2000 system, and will be deleted when discovered; and the sender immediately locked out of the system whether the sender accesses the system via Internet or radio. The particular PMBO determines if a message is obscene and usually warns the originator prior to taking any action.

Software Lockouts

If a user receives unwanted or improper messages from Internet he or she need only advise the system administrator (address a message to ‘SYSOP@Winlink.org’ and the source of those messages can be locked out of the system. If a user (Internet or radio) persists in breaking the content rules then the system administrator or one of the Winlink 2000 Radio Message Server station operators will lock the abuser out of the system.

Viruses & SPAM

Every message that is offered to the system from Internet is automatically scanned for viruses, and any detected virus deleted before the message is entered into the system. The recipient is notified whenever a virus attachment is detected and purged. Where possible the sender is also automatically advised that his or her system is sending viruses. (Note: Some viruses hide the address of the sender.) At the option of the Winlink 2000 network manager, specific file attachment types may be blocked. This allows immediate protection before virus definition updates may be available.

SPAM or unsolicited email messages are handled through several services employed by the Winlink 2000 system. Each user has the ability to determine their own SPAM tolerance level or use their own individual "Whitelist."

Callsign (license) Validation

Currently, any amateur may self-register with the WL2K system by logging into any participating station via radio or over Telnet on the Internet. Once a new station has appeared in the system one of the WL2K PMBO system operators will verify the call against the appropriate country’s available amateur call database. This ensures the call valid and that the amateur’s privileges are appropriate for the frequency band used. If this information is not found or available, the radio user will be requested to provide documentary evidence that their call and privileges are valid. The station will be locked out of the system if it is not supplied within a specified time. All "special temporary authority" agreements from CEPT, IARP or other special type of agreements must be sent as evidence prior to using the system, along with the location of the holder.

Alternatives

If an amateur needs to send a message with business content or finds himself in a country that does not allow third-party traffic, WL2K may still be usable. Messages can be accessed from any WEB browser or by using the telnet module in Airmail 3.x. Either way, the message will not pass over a radio channel and not be subject to amateur rules.

Login Security

WL2K with Airmail 3.x offers an optional secure login for radio users. This is done using a mechanism that is secure and avoids sending the password over the radio. This allows users to protect themselves from someone pirating their call, and gaining unauthorized access to the system. (Note: This does not secure any messages passed over the radio. It only ensures that the link is established with a known station.)

US Amateurs operating in Mexico

There often is confusion regarding licensed US Amateur operations in Mexico and in Mexican waters. Here is a response from Moises G. Ramirez Rodriguez, Director of License Issuance for CoFeTel (Mexico's "FCC") in Mexico City regarding the legality of the various U.S. Class licenses operating under their 6 Month Temporary permit.

First, here is a breakdown of the license equivalencies:

• US Advanced & Amateur Extra = Mexican "Clase I" (Class I)

• US Technician Plus & General = Mexican "Clase II" (Class II)
• US Novice & Technician = Mexican "Novato" (Novice)

The Mexican "Clase I" and "Clase II" licenses/permits allow full access to HF, with the only distinction being on power output (1250 watts for "Clase I", 500 watts for "Clase II").

The Mexican "Novato" license allows use of 7.000-7.100 on HF at up to 150 watts. On 40m, 7.000-7.050 is for CW and 7.050-7.100 is SSB. No provision for non-CW data modes is made in the Mexican regulations for a "Novato" license/permit - only A1A, A2A, J3E, and F3E.

NO US TECHNICIAN OR NOVICE CLASS LICENSE IS ALLOWED TO OPERATE HF DATA MODES, INCLUDING WINLINK 2000. Technician Plus holders DO have an option to use Winlink 2000 on HF while in Mexico or Mexican waters, assuming they do have the 6 Month Mexican Reciprocal license. Those who have such a 6 Month permit must FAX a physical copy of their Mexican license Permit receipt to the Winlink administration before they are allowed Access.

Reference

U. S. amateurs will find more specifics in the FCC rules.