WINLINK 2000

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WINLINK 2000

• And Other Options

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What is WINLINK 2000?

• A system of sending and receiving email over
  Amateur Radio
• HF used widely by campers, boaters,
  missionaries
• VHF/UHF up growing use for ARES and disaster
  communications
• Was used in Katrina Disaster and others
• A BIG controversy!

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WINLINK Architecture
Central Message Server (CMS)
The Central Message Servers are the hub of
WINLINK. There are three of them around the
world, mirrored to each other via the Internet.
They provide mail routing and other important
functions.
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Winlink Architecture (2)
Central Message Server (CMS)
The Participating Mailbox (PMBO), or 'Radio
Message Server' provides local or regional mail
routing. It can communicate to the CMS via
the Internet, or in an emergency, via HF radio
and another PMBO.
PMBO or RMS
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Winlink Architecture (3)
Central Message Server (CMS)
TELPAC is normally used as a gateway between
radio stations and the PMBO. It can also
be built directly into the PMBO, so stations
using radio can connect directly to the PMBO.
PMBO or RMS
T E L P A C
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WinLink Architecture (4)
Central Message Server (CMS)
PMBO or RMS
T E L P A C
PACLINK
PACLINK provides a way to tie existing email
clients into WINLINK. A PACLINK node can be
connected to an existing email network, and will
forward email to and from the PMBO. PACLINK is
normally connected via radio, either PACTOR on
HF or PACKET radio, 802.11 or DSTAR on VHF/UHF.
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WinLink Architecture(5)
AIRMAIL
Central Message Server (CMS)
PMBO or RMS
T E L P A C
PACLINK
AIRMAIL is a standalone email client. Normally it
is used on HF to connect to a remote TELPAC
gateway. It can also be used on VHF with a
packet TNC.
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Recommended Equipment

• VHF/UHF 9600 baud packet radio
• PC's, TNC's and radios for AIRMAIL portables
• PC's, TNC's and radios for PACLINK servers
• PC with Internet connection for TELPAC -or-
• PC with Internet connection for TELPAC and local
  PMBO or RMS (Emergency PMBO)
• Without Internet connection, PMBO can route mail
  to all local PACLINK or AIRMAIL clients
• DSTAR and 802.11 networks are being used

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Now a word from...

• ARES-WINLINK
• DSTAR
• 802.11

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In addition to our individual ARES users, we
stand by our Commitment to our community
Government and Civil Agencies
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• To Supply De facto e-mail
• using their existing e-mail programs,
• on their own computers in their own offices,
• with no additional invasive software,
• seamlessly, transparently, from user-to-user.
• from inside their own County or around the world
• from inside a disaster area, and without normal
  e-mailservers or Internet links.

This is the purpose of Winlink 2000 E-mail via
Amateur Radio
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Agency Focus on Emergency digital communications
Normal E-mail requires an internet connection

• Between Agencies
• Between an Agency and the Field
• Between an Agency to multi-points
• Between Agencies and anywhere!

Routine
Critical
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Agency Focus

• If a community Last Mile internet link is
  broken, or the agency e-mail server is down,
  e-mail cannot flow.

Critical Medical Tactical Info sent!
What the ????
X
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The last mile is an important concept in
Emergency Communications.
The last mile is the path across an area where
conventional communications have been disrupted
or overloaded by an incident.
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Unfortunately, in todays World, we cannot
predict the frequency, size, nature or location
of our disaster areas! We be must prepared,
Globally.
Local?
Global?
Regional?
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• For the end user it must
• look like e-mail and use familiar software like
  Outlook
• have an address book and a spell-checker
• allow multiple recipients (to, cc)
• send multiple attachments
• be able to use tactical email addresses
• and NOT add to the stress or learning curve when
  in an emergency situation

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• System Requirements
• It must work on multiple computers on a LAN
  without additional desktop software, and not
  invade security,
• be automated,
• use available and future digital radio modes,
• interface with commercial communications systems
  like telephone, cellular telephone, the Internet,
  etc.,
• have speed, performance and accuracy,
• and immediately deliver emergency traffic
  seamlessly, end-to-end.

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Why?
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Why? Traditional role of Amateur Radio support

• Report health and welfare of affected public
• Voice communications among served agencies
  (EOC's, hospitals, shelters, and incident
  command.)
• Site tactical support Incident Command, search
  and rescue, damage and storm reporting (SKYWARN).
• Formal, Structured written emergency traffic
  handling.

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Why? Our traditional methods fail for complex
message handling in todays agency environment!

• Since the advent of e-mail
• Need for delivering written procedures, lists,
  graphics, images, and Pre-defined, formatted,
  documents to multiple recipients!
• Multiple recipient e-mail with binary attachments
  is the de facto standard to carry written
  information.
• Hand-written message forms are seldom used, and
  are not transparent to normal operations!
• For complex messages, voice, Morse code,
  Radiograms, and traditional Packet radio wont
  do
• way too slow, translation required, inflexible,
  prone to error, no permanent record, not
  self-originating, not point-to-multipoint.
• doesnt go end-to-end from user-to-user on their
  own computers in their own offices no
  attachments and no automatic distribution..

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Emergency Digital (written) Complex
Communications For Community Agencies
With Telex? When was the last time an agency
used Telex? With a Telegram? When was the
last time they sent a Telegram? With a voice
relayed NTS Radiogram or MarsGram? (could be an
attachment) With W0RLI Packet H-routing?
HUH??? Do what??? The accepted Global
standard is now SMTP e-mail !

• We can keep Agencies connected without an
  immediate Internet connection.

Bottom Line Lets make EmComm as easy
transparent as possible for those who need it
during an emergency situation. Lets not
forget It is their party and we want to be
invited!
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Why? The ARRL is now implementing a National Plan
July, 2003 In cooperation with its partnership
with Homeland Security, and at their
recommendation, the ARRL Board has agreed to
provide a nationwide digital system to enhance
the communications capability of the Amateur
Radio Emergency Service (ARES). There are
situations, the Board said, when ARES "must have
the capability to pass digital traffic across the
nation quickly and accurately. It must also be
transparent, seamless,end-to-end, and take only
minutes from origination to destination.
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E-MAIL VIA HAM RADIO
How ?
do Hams do that?
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So, what does all this look like?
Real life examples
E-MAIL VIA HAM RADIO
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Harris County (Houston,) Texas. A mature
system.
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PMBO, K4CJX, (Davidson County. Backup for Telpac
/Paclink)
Williamson County, TN, A works in process.
Proposed ICOM D-Star (100,000 bps)
The Williamson County,TN, WCARES Winlink 2000
network revolves around several hardened sites
in prime locations. Multiple PMBO and TELPAC
gateway sites add redundancy.
T
WC4EOC-10, Brentwood
HF/VHF Airmail or VHF Paclink (multiple computer)
deployable vehicle.
WC4EOC-10, Franklin
T

• Telpac Gateway sites use 802.11b to back to the
  EOC.
• First Telpac Route for all sites is Telnet
  (Internet.)
• Second Telpac route is telnet to the K4CJX PMBO
• Outbound EOC PMBO D-Star route to external
  Internet gateway.

PMBO WC4EOC, EOC-to-Williamson County Medical
Center Paclink.
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Alternate Internet via D-Star
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WC4EOC-10, Lepers Fork
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WC4EOC-10, College Grove
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So, Whats Next?

• Examine the option what else is available for
  complex radio messaging? Does it provide
  end-to-end, transparent, multiple recipient de
  facto e-mail to the community Served Agencies
  desktops?
• Make a yes/no decision about Winlink 2000. If
  yes, then...
• Learn to use Airmail, Telpac and Paclink.
• Deploy local Telpac gateway(s).
• Deploy mobile Paclink fixed Paclink LANs in
  places where it will be of value during an
  emergency.
• Deploy VHF/UHF new or existing links to bring it
  all together.
• Deploy self-powered, mobile/fixed Airmail,
  long-range HF Stations.
• Consider a non-public hubbing PMBO for the area
• Meanwhile..

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Devise a Plan!

• Insure that there is no duplication of efforts in
  your last mile coverage area.
• Set up an strategy for implementation with your
  local ARRL ARES or RACES organization. Set up a
  time-line for each task.
• Coordinate efforts with the Winlink 2000
  Development Team, ECs,SECs,DECs/SM, etc.
• Ask other ARES communities for assistance.
• Set up personnel responsibilities with
  Time-lines!
• Handle the finances. How much will it actually
  cost? Who should pay?
• Involve and commit the end-user. They are the
  ones to benefit!
• Implement the plan in stages.
• Test it, and Test it again.
• Provide a presentation and demo for your served
  agencies.
• Continue to promote your capabilities.

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Winlink 2000 is a proven, existing, operational,
dependable, redundant, secure, reliable Amateur
radio e-mail messaging network that is being made
available to the ARES RACES communities.
(However, each community must put it in place.)
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APRSLink

• Allows users to send and receive email through
  WINLINK via APRS
• Allows multi-line messages
• Notifies users when mail is waiting to be
  downloaded if requested

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The Controversies

• HF WINLINK uses very expensive gear
• PACTOR III proprietary modem
• WINLINK relies on Internet connections
• Not so much anymore
• AUTOMATED stations cause QRM on HF
• Commercial SAILMAIL product available

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Any Questions?
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Digital Radiofor the Last MileLast 30 Miles

• Digital Amateur Radio
• vs.
• WiFi

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Agenda

• Introduction
• Recent Disaster EmComm
• Digital Technology in Amateur Radio
• D-STAR Technology
• High Speed (IP) Connectivity
• Low Speed (Serial) Connectivity
• Voice
• EmComm Requirements
• Sample Scenario
• Summary

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Primary Modes Used

• VOICE
• Winlink
• Packet
• CW

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D-STAR

• Digital Smart Technology for Amateur Radio
• Developed by JARL
• Open Protocol Specification
• Digital Voice
• Digital Data

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D-STAR High Speed Data

• 1.2 GHz
• 128 Kbps (150 KHz BW)
• IP
• Ethernet Connection
• Internet Capable

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High Speed Data
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D-STAR vs. WiFi

• 128 Kbps
• 15-20 Mile Range
• Omni-directional Antennas for Range

• 10 Mbps
• 1-2 Mile Range
• Directional Antennas for Extended Range

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D-STAR Voice/LS Data

• 144 MHz, 440 MHz, 1.2 GHz
• 4800 bps (6 KHz BW)
• 3600 bps AMBE Voice (EC)
• 1200 bps Data
• 3 Wire RS-232 or USB 1.0
• GPS Capable

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Digital Voice/Low Speed Data
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DV vs. AV

• Combined Voice/Data
• 6 KHz Bandwidth
• Error Correction
• Greater Range

• Voice Data on Separate Channels
• 12 KHz Bandwidth
• Weak Signal Noise

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Dstar VHF
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VHFUHF handhelds
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Dual Band Mobile
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1.2 Ghz. High Speed
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D-STAR Applications

• D-PRS
• Icom GPS APRS
• Remote Internet
• Simultaneous Voice Data
• Simultaneous Voice GPS Data

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Sample Scenario

• Katrina Aftermath
• Infrastructure Destroyed or Ineffective
• Command and Control Destroyed or Significantly
  Reduced
• SAR Efforts Required
• Shelters Deployed Throughout
• Logistical Support Required

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Primary Communications(Non-Amateur Radio)

• Satellite Voice
• Satellite IP
• Direct VHF/UHF Agency Communications

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Amateur Radio Requirements

• Rapid Deployment
• D-STAR Go Kits
• Trained Communicators
• Amateur Radio Operators
• Radios Compatible with Temporary Infrastructure
• D-STAR High Speed Connectivity with Satellite
• D-STAR Low Speed Connectivity (including Voice)
  with Satellite
• Large Area Coverage
• 10-30 Mile Radius
• Voice/Data/IP
• D-STAR DV on single channel
• D-STAR High Speed IP

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High Speed Data
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Digital Voice/Low Speed Data
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Summary

• Single Channel Voice Data
• Wide Area
• Rapid Deployment
• Extensive Data Support
• Automatic Report GPS Correlation
• Simple Equipment Configuration