...is a network of amateur radio and authorized government stations that provide worldwide radio email using radio pathways where the internet is not present. The system is built, operated and administered entirely by licensed "Ham" volunteers. It supports email with attachments, position reporting, weather and information bulletins, and is well-known for its role in interoperable emergency and disaster relief communications. It is capable of operating completely without the internet--automatically--using smart-network radio relays. Licensed Winlink operators/stations use both amateur radio and government radio frequencies worldwide. Support for the system is provided by the Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc., a US 501(c)(3) non-profit, public-benefit entity. Winlink Global Radio Email®️ is a US registered trademark of the Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc.

Winlink Accounts...

...are created with a client program. You can not create one here.

We require

• A valid amateur radio license, or
• a license from a participating government service or agency. Ship station, marine or general radiotelephone licenses DO NOT qualify.

How To Get an Account

• Download, install and configure any client software. We suggest Winlink Express. Study its help about installation and use.
• If using Winlink Express, with an internet connection fill out the form presented on first startup after installation. See the help article "Basic Configuration" for guidance. Be sure to include a password and password recovery address. Click 'Update'. Winlink Express makes the process easy. Your account is created!

If you use a different program than Winlink Express:

• Follow the program's help or instructions to configure it for your callsign and use. Connect with the system (sending a message via Telnet is okay) to create your account. Do not use a password on your first connection. Your radio email address is YOURCALL@winlink.org. A message containing your password will be sent to your account. Retrieve it with a second connection. After retrieving your password, secure login will now be enforced by the CMS, so be sure to set your password in your client program.

To recover your password and log into your account on this site:

• At any time, use the recovery form [My Account] to have a password re-sent to your account or password recovery address. Retrieve it using the appropriate program.
• Use your callsign as your username, and password to log in here. You can change your password once you're logged in.
• Be sure to edit your account settings here and set a password recovery address!

Winlink accounts stay alive only with client program use via radio or telnet connections only; Webmail and other accesses don't count!. Accounts off-air for 400 days are automatically purged. Use it or loose it!

The mission of Boat Watch is to maintain a worldwide network of resources to aid mariners that are missing or overdue; have a boat stolen; or to whom urgent messages need to be relayed. Winlink Global Radio Email is proud to be a partner of BoatWatch.org since 1999.

Current Watches
See Boatwarch.org for a current listing of lost or overdue vessels.