Software

Paclink MP

Paclink MP is WL2K software developed by Victor Poor, W5SMM, and Rick Muething, KN6KB, of the Winlink Development Team (WDT). Paclink MP (MP means Multi-Port) is a new implementation of a streamlined, Winlink 2000 radio e-mail client that interfaces with most popular e-mail client programs, like Microsoft Outlook Express and Mozilla Thunderbird. It is exceptionally easy to install and use. Paclink MP adds telnet, VHF/UHF packet radio, and HF Pactor radio channels for WL2K connectivity to compatible user e-mail client programs.

Paclink MP is intended for use with the Winlink 2000 system and uses the B2F protocol that supports attachments, multiple addresses and tactical addresses. Paclink is licensed for amateur use only by the Amateur Radio Safety Foundation. Commercial application of Paclink MP is not licensed and not permitted. For commercial use contact the authors. It is supported by the WDT and by the Winlink community.

Paclink MP is currently in beta release and can be obtained by joining the Paclink MP e-mail group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PaclinkMP. The current version of the program with documentation is in the files section.

RMS Packet

RMS (Radio Mail Server) Packet is software intended for WL2K sysops. This software 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.

RMS Packet is simple to install and run, and requires a minimum of computer and radio equipment. It runs on virtually any WinXP and later computer with .NET extensions that has a permanent connection to the internet. It supports the most popular TNCs directly, and almost all others through the AGW Packet Engine or Packet Engine Pro software.

RMS Packet is ideal to provide a temporary emergency portal for radio e-mail users, or for fixed installation at unattended remote locations where it can provide wireless e-mail communications to the "last mile".

Computer and Internet Requirements:
All RMS Programs require a full-time Internet connection. The speed of this connection is not critical. RMS Packet is designed to sense loss of connectivity and recover or reconfigure automatically. The computer should be a fairly modern 500 MHz or greater Pentium/Celeron running one of the following OS with .NET 2.0 installed:

  • Windows 2000 or 2000 Pro
  • Windows XP or XP Pro
  • Windows Vista (32 bit or 64 bit versions) any Vista configuration

Specifically, Win 95, Win 98 and Win ME are not supported and will not run the required .NET 2.0.

The computer and TNCs should be powered from a smart uninterruptable power supply (UPS) that has a reserve battery and signals Windows to begin an orderly shutdown via an interface when battery power is low.

RMS Packet programs should be installed in the "startup" directory and the computer configured to auto-boot on power applied. Check the RMS Packet help for references on how to do this. The objective is to set the computer and RMS program to operate unattended and to start automatically when power is applied.

Authorization:
All RMS programs require your call sign to be in the WL2K system, with a password and an administrator-assigned Keycode unique to your call sign. You will not be able to install and operate the programs unless this is set up by a systems administrator.

RMS Packet is released for free distribution to amateurs who will maintain their stations on the network 24/7 or who will use it as a portable emergency asset. Use the contact form to request a keycode, which is required to run the software. To download the program, you must have a site account on this web site. Go to Login > Create new account, to create one if you have not done it already.

RMS Pactor

RMS (Radio Mail Server) Pactor, with it's suite of administration programs, is software intended for WL2K sysops who operate High-Frequency stations. This software supports an HF Pactor radio gateway station to the WL2K system. RMS Pactor stations are part of the controlled and frequency-coordinated global network of WL2K participating stations.

Use of RMS Pactor is currently limited to existing WL2K HF stations. If you have an interest in operating a WL2K HF station, please contact Steve Waterman, K4CJX.

TelPac-Node/LinuX

This is Linux software for a Telnet-Packet radio bridge to a Winlink 2000 host. It does the same job as RMS Packet, exactly. It is independently developed, maintained and distributed under the GNU General Public license by Hans-J. Barthen, DL5DI.

TelPac-Node/LinuX was developed based on the "tcp_call" from LinuX ax25-tools 0.0.8,, enhanced for full-binary transfer and automatic password protected user- and node-logon at WL2K CMS hosts. To run this software you need:

  • an existing ax25 installation on your Linux server with ax25-enabled kernel, ax25-libs and ax25-tools
  • a TNC, soundcard or other packet-radio modem drivers, axip/axudp or anything else that is supported by Linux to run packet radio
  • radio equipment (usually a data-ready FM transceiver for VHF/UHF/SHF)
  • a 24/7 internet connection
  • a registration to connect to the Winlink2000 CMS hosts
  • in some countries a special radio license is necessary to run an automatic amateur radio station

To obtain the software and for more information see the web page at http://www.prgm.org/projekte/telpac-node/.

Airmail

Airmail is independently developed, distributed, and supported by Jim Corenman, KE6RK. It is the oldest and most widely used program for sending and receiving messages using the WL2K system. Airmail may be used for HF Pactor, VHF/UHF Packet, and for telnet connections over any TCP/IP medium including the internet and high-speed radio media like D-Star and HSMM. Once connected to a WL2K station, message transfer is completely automatic. On the ham bands, Airmail can transfer messages automatically with any station supporting the BBS or F6FBB protocols, such as Winlink 2000, F6FBB, MSYS and other Airmail stations. When used with WL2K, Airmail also contains position reporting capabilities, and a propagation prediction program to determine which of the participating Winlink stations will work from anywhere on Earth.

To obtain a copy of Airmail, including the installation and operating instructions, download the program from the Airmail WEB page.

Airmail support is available from ke6rk@airmail2000.com or from the Airmail email group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/airmail2000/.
 

The Winlink Development Team

The Winlink 2000 system, and Winlink user software is built, maintained and supported by the Winlink Development Team (WDT), your membership in the Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, and your tax-deductible donations.

Victor D. Poor, W5SMM
Rick Muething, KN6KB
Steve Waterman, K4CJX
Tom Lafleur, KA6IQA
Lee Inman, K0QED
Stephen Hicks, N5AC
Hans A. Kessler, N8PGR
Don Moore, KM0R
Tyler Gaillard, KT4XD
Lor Kutchins, W3QA
Neil Hughes, VE1YZ
Don Trotter, VE1DTR
Phil Sutherland, VK6KPS

Airmail, the popular user program, is written and supported by Jim Corenman, KE6RK.

Administrators of internet email systems needing to contact the WL2K System Administrator, please use this link.

Contributing Editors

Don Felgenhauer, K7BFL
Paul Drothler, WO4U, AAV4DJ, AAC4TN
Justin Kates, KB3JUV, AAT3OT

We need a few good editors who know the WL2K system!

Would you like to join our editorial team? We promise it won't take much time, and with our new site, it won't take a webmaster's skills. So, let us know your abilities and your interest. Use the Contact form to send a note to the Webmaster. Thanks!

Emergency?

  • Is this an EMERGENCY? Concerns about family or friends at sea? Get help through Winlink 2000 NOW.

  • For medical assistance: Winlink Catalog item > ZS5S_BULLS, check "MEDICO"
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  • Depending on your location, you may wish to contact the various marine or Amateur SSB networks