In spades. As you might have guessed, we had a problem with this web site. Worse, the problem developed with the site designer on vacation far away from his backups and tools, and unexpectedly far away from decent internet access. It is a good thing we have kept the web site non-mission-critical. The WL2K radio e-mail system worked well through the web problems.

So, we apologize for any inconvenience that the downtime may have caused you, and we thank you for your patience. Everything seems back to normal now. The good news is that we have started on a newer, simpler and better site, with mirroring on another server so this need never happen again. More about it as we get near the "go-live" debut.

If you do spot a problem with the site, as always, please notify Lor, W3QA by using the "E-mail Us" link on the main menu above. Thanks!

Version 2.1.0.1 of RMS Relay is the program for VHF RMS Packet stations that need manual message forwarding when their internet connections go down.

Please UNINSTALL any current version of RMS Relay BEFORE you install this version. Also, this version requires MS .NET Framework 3.5. That can be found on the Microsoft site if you do not already have it in the operating system (Add / remove programs should let you see if it is there).

HF forwarding is manual only, and requires the Pactor 3 protocol (SCS PTC modem). It will not work with other protocols, and is meant to be used sparingly for emergency use only.

The program is for WL2K sysops only and may be found on the www.winlink.org site under "DOWNLOADS" and on the RMSBeta Yahoo Reflector. For more information on RMS Relay, click here.

Steve, k4cjx, aaa9ac
Winlink Development Team

"Winlink allowed for more than 60% of the traffic being sent without the need of bogging down a net." [From the ARRL E-Letter, March 18, 2009, and the ARRL. -Ed.]

Based on an actual event that occurred ten years ago, Operation Deep Freeze simulated 28 miles of highway I-77 in Virginia being closed as a result of a massive winter storm. A simulated rescue effort to remove stranded motorists to a triage area, then to hospitals or shelters as per the need, was also involved. Amateur Radio was used to coordinate these efforts. Amateurs also passed traffic for chainsaw units, feeding units, medical supplies, cots, blankets, snowmobiles, snow shoes, cross country skies, backup relief workers, SAR, inquiries of road conditions, and constant SITREPs.

A separate SKYWARN network secured ground truths from the field to make up-to-date reports. This network consisted of three broad coverage repeaters. WXSpots and Winlink were also used in addition to voice to pass weather information to and from the National Weather Service office in Blacksburg, Virginia. Other repeaters and simplex channels were used to handle both priority and simulated emergency traffic.

This is an interim version of Paclink, which includes the new native KISS driver for Packet modems, and which fixes the proper placing of the callsign in the SCS PPTC II PRO "PAC MYCALL" so that it will properly initiate a contact when changing callsigns in the modem.

The full install requires an uninstall of the 3.0.3.x version. If you install this version in the same place, it will not disturb the configuration.

The file is located on the Winlink WEB site under "Downloads" and in the files section of the PaclinkMP Yahoo Reflector.

Steve, k4cjx, aaa9ac

By Ignacio Reyes Jr., stakeholder relations manager, Austin-Bergstrom (Texas) International Airport

[The MARS WL2K system was a key subject of this training for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers. The photo shows participants using a MARS WL2K radio e-mail drop kit. --Ed.]

The power lines are down. Wireless phones, blackberry devices and computers are not working. A senior agency official asks a group of TSA employees to send a damage assessment and status report to headquarters. The team sets up portable antennas, powers up battery-operated high-frequency (HF) radios and adjusts the tuning and transmits the information. The transmission was successful, ensuring that additional assistance will arrive.

That scenario, with participants from headquarters and the field, was part of TSA's Contingency Preparedness Program (CPP) held in San Antonio during the Communications Working Group Conference March 5-7. The training and conference focused on the contingency communications technology available to TSA in support of disaster operations.

As part of the exercise, participants developed emergency communications responses to address hurricane-disaster communications challenges. The training covered all modes of communications, including use of satellite phones and high-frequency Army MARS (Military Affiliate Radio System) radio e-mail communications, site protection and setup training, licensing, and a practical demonstration as the final exam.

"TSA has excelled in disaster response operations in previous years," said Don Klapka, program manager, CPP. TSA has partnered with government agencies, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and departments of Defense and Homeland Security, in interoperability communications exercises that have enhanced TSA's ability to communicate during response efforts to Hurricanes Dolly, Gustav and Ike. "As TSA expands its coverage of transportation modes, so does the need for contingency experienced volunteers."

TSA's communications specialists supporting the CPP have received national and international recognition within the HF radio community. TSA trainers have also been featured in the industry magazine publications like QST, Amateur Radio CQ and World Radio.

The latest version comes on the heels of the 2.0.0 GA release of the Linux RMS Gateway on February 13th.

It is a full Linux version that performs similarly (but with a much different implementation and "look") to the Windows RMS software, and provides another platform for Winlink deployment for those who desire to use the Linux platform.

The software is Open Source, except for a small special purpose library, and is distributed as source code along with the binary of the special library.

Please visit the WL2K Sysop Software page to find a full description of the software, as well as support details.

The Linux RMS Gateway is available in the "Downloads" area of this web site. Click here to Download (log in first).

This is a reminder. As we previously announced, beginning the afternoon of March 5 Telpac stations that attempt a logon will get a message "Invalid gateway indicator - Disconnecting".

Telpac software is no longer supported on the Winlink 2000 system. Telpac Sysops should upgrade to RMS Packet or Linux RMS Gateway software. Learn more about WL2K sysop software: click here.