IMPORTANT - ATTENTION ALL WINLINK 2000 USERS - IMPORTANT
(A similar message was sent to all WL2K users on June 25.)

Guarding users from the effects of internet SPAM is an important and daunting task for any normal internet email provider. For a specialized service like WL2K, it takes a different twist because of limited bandwidth for radio circuits and legal regulations on content over the amateur airwaves. Even our brick-wall whitelist with option to switch it off, is failing to limit the SPAM that infects our system. We are swamped with unwanted messages, which number from 60-100 to each legitimate incoming message. Our quest (your quest) to eliminate SPAM from our airwaves is not only important, it is required.

The WDT has tried numerous approaches to control it using the top software and commercial services available. Our "whitelist" has been the most effective, yet too many users do not use it properly and nothing has yet worked to eliminate the offensive (and illegal on-air) messages that leak through. In urgent and emergency situations, isolated WL2K users can not afford to have clogged message queues on slow radio connections.

Beginning August 1, 2008 all users with amateur callsigns will have the whitelist (accept list) activated permanently. Turning your whitelist off will no longer be optional. Also, whitelist reject notices will no longer be forwarded to WL2K users. The whitelist will function in all other respects as it has, with the exception of a "whitelist bypass word". You should tell your correspondents about this.

Hi everybody!
Just a short notice for all WL2K sysops running Linux:
We opened a separate Yahoo group for the Linux RMS Gateway. You will now find a first beta release of this completely reworked follow-up of the Telpac-Node/Linux. During next few days a few additional administration tools and a new version of the old telpac_aci will follow.

In case of any issues or questions please visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LinuxRMS

Best regards,

Hans, DL5DI

Planning, preparation, and training yield results. That sums up the work that has gone into the Army’s MARS program in the past year. In this month's Public Service column of CQ Magazine, Bob Josuweit takes a look back to see how MARS has re-invented itself to remain an important organization in providing emergency communications. WL2K has had a large part in it!

Download the entire article in PDF format. Also find it in the Downloads area under Documents>Articles. Used with permission.

At times users would received an error when performing actions after the WebMail screen had been displayed for a long period of time (15 to 30 minutes or more). The error was due to a web session time-out. This new version should correct this problem, but if you see errors or experience odd behavior while using WebMail be sure to report it (using one of the Winlink Yahoo! reflectors, not this web site, please).

73, Lee K0QED

Last Sunday, April 27th, day 218 of his non-stop voyage, Glenn Wakefield undertook a difficult and personal decision to end his world circumnavigation aboard Kim Chow. On April 23rd, his last WL2K reported position, Glenn reported difficult weather conditions and injuries to his ribs, making it difficult for him to talk loudly enough into his amateur radio rig. On April 24th, Glenn reported worsening weather with 50 knots of wind and 6-meter swells, and that Kim Chow had rolled over. He and the boat had sustained damage.

I was interested to read your report on Glenn Wakefield on 'Kim Chow' when I made landfall in Trinidad recently to complete my Atlantic crossing, as part of my own solo circumnavigation which started 26th March '07 and will hopefully end in May '08.

Earlier this week, after rigorous Beta testing, the Winlink Development Team released RMS Packet program. RMS is short for Radio Message Server. RMS Packet is software intended for WL2K sysops and supports a VHF/UHF packet radio gateway station to the WL2K system. RMS Packet stations are part of the network of participating stations, and they provide full automated messaging capability to the wireless amateur user using AX.25 packet radio in combination with the WL2K Common Message Servers. It is intended to replace Windows-based Telpac and PMBO packet ports. With the formal release, the Telpac program is now obsolete, and will no longer be supported.