HF Email on the cheap (sort of)

[jgorm]

Thanks a ton Dave! I really appreciate the info!

[taugust]

It is interesting to see how this thread took off. I am glad Dave quoted from the Winlink site, as that quote is pertinant. And thanks Dave for your input, as you are obviously more experienced at this than I. And I have set up my WINMOR station, and have it working, although the rig control is still not there.

A couple of points:

For this to work with a sound card interface, Airmail will not work. You need RMS Express as your email program, as it is (currently) the only WINMOR compliant software. WINMOR (a protocol) is what is needed to use a sound card interface. If you want "performance," Pactor will be the way to go, at a price.

Yes, the Yaesu 857D will work, as that is what I am using. The SignaLink USB connects to the computer through the USB port and to the radio through the data port, with 6 pin miniDin connector (for the 857D). You order the SignaLink USB with the connector for your radio. I thought the software would control the radio through the data port, but I found out today that it only controls the PTT through the data port. Software control of the radio (mainly tuning control) through RMS Express also requires another cable from the computer to the CAT port (for Yaesu radios). You can forgo this cable and tune manually, as I have been doing.

As for speed, it is S...L...O...W. I believe it is essentially equivalent to Pactor 1 speeds. It takes several minutes, depending on connection to send a very small text email. Currently, there is (apparently) a daily time limit of 60 minutes connection time. Also, there is an email size limit of 120K (compressed size, I don't know how you will measure that). This is for occassional use and for small size email, but in the backcountry, who is in a hurry Think of it as sending an OK message (like SPOT), with a little more detail. You could send your Lat/Lon and a brief description of your location, and maybe a small photo.

[DaveK]

Tim:

Thanks for the write up. If you are going to make it to Borrego Fest, please make sure to bring your HF email set-up along with your double chocolate Dutch oven cake makings.

[BigDave]

Tim:

Thanks for posting this information!!! There was no way I could do the pactor anytime soon and this looks like a way for me to stay in touch when I am way out and about. I too have the 857d and am very much interested in any additional info you have regarding this email system, websites, etc....

Thanks again for putting this info out here.


Dave

[cruiserlarry]

If you are going to make it to Borrego Fest, please make sure to bring your HF email set-up along with your double chocolate Dutch oven cake makings.

Yeah, then we can sent pics of the chocolate cake to those who can't attend

[unwiredadventures]

One more question, Does the RMS allow you to check your email and communicate via the IMAP email protocol, or is only a sending email option?

It's a "store and forward" system. it does not use IMAP. You'll use the proprietary software to make the magic happen. Dave, correct me if I'm wrong, I believe that you are assigned a new email address once you "sign up" to be part of the HF email network.

[DaveK]

One more question, Does the RMS allow you to check your email and communicate via the IMAP email protocol, or is only a sending email option?

It's a "store and forward" system. it does not use IMAP. You'll use the proprietary software to make the magic happen. Dave, correct me if I'm wrong, I believe that you are assigned a new email address once you "sign up" to be part of the HF email network.

Correct.

[taugust]

You won't be able to check your current email with this system, as stated above. Once you make a connection, via radio, to a remote mail server, you are assigned an email address, which is (your call)@winlink.org. Anyone wishing to contact you in the wild will need to use this email address.

You have to make the first connection via radio, to vaildate your callsign and prevent misuse of the system by non-hams. After you are on the system, you can request a password and thereafter, be able to check your winlink email over the web via the winlink.org website. You have to maintain your account by using it at least once every 400 days, or your account will be dropped. You can reactivate by sending another email via radio.

It looks like I will only be at BorregoFest for the afternoon and evening of the potluck. I will see about setting this system up.

I did get software control of the radio working by purchasing a rig control cable from HRO. It is the RIGtalk USB interface from West Mountain Radio. You can also use this cable to control the radio for normal QSO's with free software off the net, like Ham Radio Deluxe.