Client Software for Radio E-mail Users

 

RMS Express

RMS Express is the preferred Winlink 2000 (WL2K) radio email client. It is in active development by the Winlink Development Team and is well-supported. RMS Express is designed to be most easily used by single users with a single call sign but it may be used to access one or two preset tactical addresses or alternate callsigns. RMS Express supports a wide selection of TNCs and multimode controllers, the new sound card mode WINMOR, as well as support for HF Pactor, SCS Robust Packet, VHF/UHF packet and direct telnet to WL2K CMS servers (for amateur radio High Speed Multimedia [HSMM], D-Star DD mode, or internet).

RMS Express is built for use with the Winlink 2000 system and leverages its features with simplicity as the prime design objective. It uses the B2F protocol that supports attachments, multiple addresses and tactical addresses. With the WINMOR mode RMS Express may be used peer-to-peer (connecting directly via RF to other RMS Express clients).

RMS Express may be used as a user client for emergency communications. However, before adopting RMS Express as your program for EmComm, please check with your local EmComm group for transition plans. This may be your ARES, RACES, MARS etc. organization that will be responsible for providing training and support.

System Requirements: 32 or 64 bit Windows OS (Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 2003 Server), or under Windows on the Mac using a VM engine or dual boot arrangement. Windows XP systems require Microsoft .NET v3.5 runtime installed. There are minimal CPU demands with the exception of WINMOR operation. The heavy DSP demands of WINMOR require a computer of at least 700 MHz Pentium/Celeron class and at least 512 Meg of memory. If multiple applications are running concurrently a faster computer and more RAM may be required.

Please go to the Winlink FTP site to download the latest version of the program. Minor version updates are handled by the software’s auto-update mechanism.

 

Paclink

Paclink is a streamlined radio e-mail client with a built-in POP/SMTP server that allows you to use most popular e-mail client programs, like Microsoft Live Mail, Outlook Express and Mozilla Thunderbird. It is a single- or multi-user client. It is exceptionally easy to install and use. Paclink supports telnet (for amateur radio High Speed Multimedia [HSMM], D-Star DD mode, or internet), VHF/UHF packet radio, and HF Pactor radio connections to WL2K servers and the user interface is through any common e-mail client program.

Currently, Paclink does not support the WINMOR sound card mode.

Paclink is intended for use with the Winlink 2000 system and uses the B2F message transfer protocol that supports attachments, multiple addresses and tactical addresses.

System Requirements: 32 bit Windows OS (Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows Server 2003). Windows XP systems require Microsoft .NET v3.5 runtime installed.

Please go to the Winlink FTP site to download the latest version of the program. Minor version updates are handled by the software’s auto-update mechanism.

A Webmail setup for Paclink

If you need to serve multiple users — like supporting an EOC in an emcomm situation — this setup using Paclink is highly recommended. Now you can provide a (local) email web server right on your Paclink machine. Users on a LAN can send and receive email through the Winlink system using only a web browser pointed to the web server on your Paclink machine. No need to configure different email clients for each user – just set up your tactical accounts in Paclink (which you would have to do in any configuration) and provide your users with the account login information and the URL to the Paclink WebMail server. You do one setup on the Paclink machine. There are no changes to agency computers.

Once you see this in action you’ll agree that this is the only way Paclink should be deployed for multiple users. There are virtually no setup costs other than making your Paclink machine accessible to the served agency.

Benefits

  • Easy deployment
  • Zero Cost – all software is free
  • Simple setup for users – a browser is all that is needed
  • Fully usable even if you are unable to connect with agency machines
  • Provides a fully functional Apache Web Server and MySQL Database that can be used for other applications

You can find a detailed recipe for installation and links to all the necessary free software at Lee Inman’s Active Ham web site.

 

Airmail

Airmail is independently developed, distributed, and supported by Jim Corenman, KE6RK. It is the oldest 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 DD mode 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 — Winlink 2000 RMS gateways, F6FBB, MSYS, BPQ32, and peer-to-peer to other Airmail stations. When used with WL2K gateways, Airmail also contains position reporting capabilities, support for downloadable weather, information and help bulletins, and a propagation prediction program to determine which of the participating Winlink RMS stations will work from anywhere on earth. It especially suits the needs of voyaging sailors.

To obtain a copy of Airmail, including the system requiremnts, 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/.