With radio email, digital information from a computer, tablet, or smart phone is converted to sound, and fed into a radio that transmits the an email message over the air. There are many ways to accomplish this using various bands and modes of operation. The two primary modes of operation are:
Send the message through a worldwide network of stations called "Gateways" that can relay purely via RF by addressing the message to a call sign, or it can also connect your message to a standard internet email address, by sending it to a station outside of a disaster zone that still has internet capability.
Winlink can also send in radio only modes and directly from one radio station to another. This last mode is called P2P. (Peer-to-Peer)
Each of these options has a variety of protocols that may be used to send message on different bands, including HF, VHF, & UHF.
On a computer or laptop, we typically recommend using a free Windows Program called "Winlink Express."
On an Android tablet of phone, there is a program called "WOAD." (Winlink on Andriod Device)
On the iPAD or iPhone, a station would use a program called RadioMail.
There is also a version that can run on Linux.
To get started, you install the software, register your call sign, and configure it to connect your computing device to your radio. There are a variety of ways to do this, including Bluetooth, radios with a built in interface, and hardware devices or cables that you purchase or make.
The information on this webpage is geared towards people using Winlink Express on a computer or laptop, as that is the most commonly used mode.
Instructions on how to setup Winlink are beyond the scope of these instructions. Your computer and radio must already be setup and configured properly to use radio email modes in this Comex.
There is information on these topic on YouTube.com, as well as local operators who are experienced with the various methods to help you get started.
Send Winlink traffic via any RMS Gateway & Mode to tactical call: HCCDA. (VARA FM Winlink is the fastest RF option if you are within range of a VHF or UHF RMS Gateway)
Start by submitting a Winlink Check-in form. (& Check out by noon.) See the Guide to using the Winlink Check-in Form.
Use: Select Template, open Standard Templates→MAPPING-GIS FORMS→
Use forms: Winlink Check-in.txt, & Winlink Check-out.txt
For message traffic:
Use: Select Template, Standard Templates→HI STATE forms→HCDA forms→
Use forms: Situation Report.txt, Request For Assistance.txt.
Emergency Alert Messages. EAMs are sent from EOC to Winlink capable stations who have checked in. (Hub and relays retransmit the EAM via voice.)
Tip: Create favorites for these forms on your Message Template Bar. (Click the Message menu and choose Set Favorite Templates.)
Start Winlink and make sure it is configured/registered properly with your callsign showing at the top left side of the window. (Run a test session to make sure you are able to connect.)
Start a new message, open the appropriate template in your browser, fill it out, submit the form, and close the browser tab when it shows an empty window.
Update the “To” as needed on the Winlink new message window. Post it to Outbox.
Select the appropriate session type and click the “open Session” button.
Listen on frequency to make sure no one else is transmitting.
When the session window says “Ready” and the frequency is clear, click start.
After the transmission is complete, check to make sure messages appear in the sent items folder. (Your outbox should now be empty.)
Attempt to send all messages to Winlink Tactical call: HCCDA by 11:45 AM.
Check for incoming responses approximately 5 to 10 minutes after your last message has been sent. Check for final message acknowledgements from the EOC between 11:45 and noon.
Send your Winlink ICS-309 log to: tonykitchen808@gmail.com via email by 9 PM on the day of the Comex.
You can automatically get the 309 file from Winlink. Use the message menu, and choose “Generate 309 Communication Log.” Use the button to save the PDF file on your computer. Email it as a file attachment via regular email.
Hub and relay stations that use Winlink may also submit a manually created ICS-309 representing the voice traffic they send and receive. Use any common file format. [.DOC, .ODT, .PDF, or graphic format (JPG, PNG, etc) ]
You can use your smartphone or scanner to take a picture of your manual log and send it as an Email attachment.
Notes:
Do not send a PDF (or graphic) version of the 309 via RF Winlink. A PDF or graphic file would jam up the RMS gateway for too long.
For real world incidents, stations would hold onto their communication logs, and forward them when requested or as otherwise instructed.
If it were necessary to transmit a 309 form via Winlink, generate a .csv version of the file and send it via Winlink as an attachment. The preferred mode would be to use VARA (VHF or UHF) if possible.