Winlink

This not a tutorial on how to deploy Winlink – it is a brief description with references. If you follow the instructions below, you will be using the system as just another email application using the internet. This is still an important capability because it is the basis for all other applications of the Winlink system. This is also the simplest – the Winlink system is very flexible and, as a result, can be very complex because of all the options available.

What is Winlink?

“Winlink, or formally, Winlink Global Radio Email (registered US Service Mark), also known as the Winlink 2000 Network, is a worldwide radio messaging system that uses amateur-band radio frequencies and government frequencies to provide radio interconnection services that include email with attachments, position reporting, weather bulletins, emergency and relief communications, and message relay. The system is built and administered by volunteers and is financially supported by the Amateur Radio Safety Foundation.” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winlink)
In short, Winlink is the ability to send email and text messages without the internet, although, it can use the internet.

What’s Required for Winlink?

Winlink is a system with a lot of parts. Let’s break it down.

At the individual level, you must have a computer and software to handle the messages. The most effective software application is RMS Express. You can use it for free, but you will receive nag notices. Support the Winlink system by registering your software.
Then you have an option. If you don’t have a radio, you must have an internet connection. In this case, Winlink is just another email application. This is the Telnet option.
If you have a radio, then you need to connect the radio to the computer. How you do this will depend on whether your radio has a soundcard or not.
If your radio has a soundcard, like the ICOM IC-7300 has, then you just need a USB cable from the computer to the radio – see your radio manual for details.
If your radio doesn’t have a soundcard, you need to provide a soundcard between the radio and computer. There are a lot of options for a soundcard. I use Tigertronics Signalink because it has a lot of how-tos and the Tigertronics website has references for nearly every radio there is. Just google soundcard for your radio for more soundcard options.

Account Setup
You need to be connected to the internet for this first part.
1. Download RMS Express from https://winlink.org/WinlinkExpress.
2. Go to your Downloads folder and double click on Winlink_Express_install
3. Double Click on Winlink_Express_install.exe
4. Winlink Express will start installation
a. Accept everything/defaults (Next/Next/Install/Finish)
b. Winlink Express will start
5. Click on Settings/Winlink Express Setup
6. The Setup screen appears
7. Fill in all the information and accept defaults
a. Under Service Codes, type PUBLIC EMCOMM
b. Be sure to include a password and password recovery address.
8. Click Update
Your Winlink account will be created!

Create a Message
1. Click on Message, then New Message
2. The New Message form appears
3. If you are sending a plain message, then just fill out the form as you would any email message.
a. If you are sending a message to another radio operator, use their Amateur Call sign as the address.
b. You can also use email addresses.
c. Separate each address with a semicolon (;).
4. When you have completed the message, click on Post to Outbox.

Send (and Receive) a Message via Telnet
1. With the message in the Outbox, you are ready to send the message.
2. Make sure that Telnet Winlink is shown in the dropdown menu
3. Click Open Session:
4. When you click on Open Session: a new window opens, labelled Telnet Winlink Session.
5. Click Start and magic happens!
6. Congratulations!!!! You have sent a message.
7. Depending on your settings, you will either receive any waiting messages automatically (default) or be asked if you want to download any waiting messages. After they are downloaded, they will appear in your Inbox.

Sending and Receiving via Radio
Because there are so many options for using radio to send Winlink, I am NOT going to go into any details of how to do so. I would suggest googling Winlink with your radio and soundcard, reading the Winlink website helps, and finding a mentor to help you.

There's LOTS more
Winlink has a lot of capabilities which I haven’t gone into here. For example:
· There are built-in forms which, if you are involved with emergency communications, are extremely important.
· You have the option of going through the Content Management System (CMS) of the Winlink system, using post boxes, or direct peer-to-peer connections.
· The system is also highly configurable.

Help
If you are in the Spokane area, there is a Winlink workshop every second Saturday from 12:30 to 3:30 PM at the Spokane County Emergency Management building, 1121 W. Gardner Ave, Spokane, WA 99260 that is open to everyone. Contact me if you have any questions or wish to attend.