your arguments in the beginning (pure and honest) earned you a subscriber. Not as a prepper, just because you cover ground that is super interesting...thanks for posting, be followin' ya!
You may not run a ham channel, but your ham information is way superior to most of the stuff I get from most ham channels. I got hooked on you from the Moscow days........excellent vid!
Thanks for the feedback and support. I agree - too many ham radio themed channels get bogged down in the technology and forget to show how the technology can be applied in emergencies.
I have seen a few of your videos in the past, and enjoyed every one of them. You do excellent work, and your explanations are spot on. Your explanation of DStar (a few years back) was what allowed me to finally GOTA with it. Anyway, your stuff is so good that I actually considered you a HAM channel LOL. Keep it up! Look forward to your next videos. -KJ6NNJ (soon to be K4GMO)
you probably dont care but if you guys are stoned like me during the covid times you can watch all of the latest movies and series on InstaFlixxer. Have been watching with my gf during the lockdown xD
This ham radio guy appreciates your efforts. Even though I am not a prepper, my initial reason for getting into ham radio was/is emergency comms. I live in the Wash DC area and experienced an almost total comms dropout on three occasions, 9-11, the Virginia earthquake, and the 2012 Derecho. that was enough to convince me. Keep up the good work. 73s KM4TIN
I'm late to this thread, yes, ... 9/11 - there was a intentional RF Blackout for the DC Metro area initiated by Mt. Weather for approximately 72 hours following the strikes. As the helicopters flew across my front yard at treetop level following the Appalachian Trail, the State Police restricted access to the top of the mountain unless proven that you lived there. The DoD (via DCA) ensured Critical Comms throughput for themselves first, ...and then the various masses second. Former resident of Bluemont,Virginia who often rethinks of those few days atop the mountain, 5 miles from the front gate. Anything is possible. Everything is probable.
I think your videos are great. I use an Icom IC-M802 with a SignaLink sound card and Winmor to send and receive email on my sailboat. There are a lot of features on RMS express. I only use a few myself but it's great to keep in touch with family when we travel. Personally, I use it to send position reports and download weather. Keep up the good work.
Commsprepper I for one appreciate your videos as prepping and ham radio information are some of what I am interested in. It seems like many people only want to hear and see exactly what is "perfect" for them and they expect all things to be catered to them. I watch/read/listen to a wide variety of information and extract what I find useful and discard that which I don't. For many people these days that is too much work. You continually provide me with good ideas of things that I might like to try or things that I want to be aware are a possibility (such as the current video). We all make choices for how we spend our time and our money, as you point out. There are consequences, both good and bad, to every choice we make. I have found it very helpful that you have made the choice to share your knowledge with others. Unfortunately for you, that opens you up to trolls who are just looking to bash people they feel they are inferior to. Hopefully, for all of us that find your channel useful, you will continue to spend your valuable time, making videos that instruct, as well as spark our imagination. I am still new in the ham radio world and do not have an HF radio yet. Although I likely would not spend my money on the modem you have, I was paying close attention to how easy the Icom was to control and it gave me ideas for features and functionality that I will look for when I purchase my first HF radio. Just an example of taking information and finding what works for you and what doesn't. Keep up the awesome work and don't let the trolls bring you down!
I find your videos very informative and inspiring. I appreciate the time and effort you take to make these very good videos. You have helped me tremendously, and I am sure, countless others. Keep up the good work.
Another outstanding video. And you began with lots of valid points. If I wanted to play along with the complainers I could make the argument that if they really wanted to cut costs, improve throughput, simplify equipment, make it portable and battery operable, then they should use CW. But I forgot, no one is required to learn it anymore; so they don't. I get some of the same type of feed back from the "official" emergency communications leadership in my area for use of Packet and Outpost PMM on vhf. They reject it but can't seem to get their preferences functional at all. Don't let them discourage you. You are doing an excellent job. Keep it up. By the way, The more I see of that IC-7300 on your videos, the more I want one.
Thanks for the kind words and support. I don't let them get me down at all. I have watch all of your packet videos and have done my best to get my packet up and running.
Thanks for the video. EMCOMM attracted me to communications and it is still the driving force. It is a concept not everyone understand. Somehow they think they will have their phones and internet always available. The other day we had a total system failure that left my location with no power. Everything went down. For a time cell phone service was available then collapsed. Even land line was affected. I was able to connect to Civil Air Patrol Region HQ with my prepped station running on batteries and solar charging.
Great Video, I work in remote areas where cell phone reception is very spotty. Winlink is how I keep in touch with family while I am working. People often forget how fragile the communication network is, your videos regardless of who the intended audience is hold a wealth of PRACTICAL information of how to cope with the loss of conventional communication infrastructure.
Hey Commsprepper and others. No disrespect toward WL2K intended RE: in my other comments. And it is a great video .... I was just making a comment about how busy WL2K is nowadays .... and also to bring up the fact that for the full benefit of WL2K to work, an internet connection *is* required (between the RMS and CMS) .... I know not all of us (preppers) have amateur radio licenses, but for those of us who do, when the big event happens, we're gonna want to make sure we have alternatives to using internet connections. Some of the sound card modes are very good alternatives for point-to-point communications without the need for internet .... and when the average prepper sees the cost of an SCS modem, those sound card modes look REAL good!! Thanks again for the dialog -- and some great videos!
The HAM community has space for everyone…I’m a Ham that’s not as active as I’d like to be…I find this interesting because supporting the local community makes sense and being ready in case makes sense…not all disasters are Hollywood blockbusters…sometimes they’re local and leave people without power for weeks…no power, no smartphone, no satellite access…it’s just plain smart to have prepper blood … I ran EMS for thirty years and was an Emergency and Trauma first assist nurse…I cut tissue during trauma surgery and helped the trauma surgeon (think of it as a permanent first/second year trauma resident) anyway after I got into a hell of a car accident…I had to stop and switch to neuroscience… I have my np and one heck of a prepper medical kit…and I got my extra class HAM radio license…not for social reasons but because what I’ve seen happen out there in all my years … realizing how wrong things can go … locally…hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and yes, civil disorder… you should be proud of your channel … you cover both HAM radio topics well and prepping topics also …although there are choices beyond the PACTOR…a subscription service would go offline during a major disaster
Thank you Hank!!! :-D While we have talked about the price and other options before. I have and will always be an advocate of having data capabilities. I think NOT having it would be due to plain stubbornness on the operator's part. Your channel turned me on to the data side of things several years ago and while I am not practicing at it. I am planning on putting it in place this spring with my 817. 73 de N0BPS
Smart move. If people don't get ham radio by now then they never will. I do EP training and your site is great. This is what people need to know. Good job...73...WD7N
I don't pass out praise easily or often. I've been a ham for 40 years now and have trained many folks. As a former Marine Comm Sergeant and Signal Officer in the Army core comm training is exact what real intelligent folks really need. I have to go back and brush up on my CW. Going to need it in the future. Again...73...You are most welcome, sir.
Dude. Your channel is excellent. Zero worries on folks getting butthurt on content. Nothing to worry about there, for sure. Subject matter is stellar and appreciated. Keep it up. 73's.
Nice demo! The only thing I would say as a now 30-year ham is that it really is not even necessary to respond to the nay-sayers. Everything you did was clearly within the bounds of the FCC (i.e. applicable to you and me) rules, which are out there on the Internet and available in print for those that want to kill trees and feel paper in their hands. You've made a follower out of me! 73, KG4Y
Thanks for the interesting video. Now there is a cheap (free with limited speeds) alternative with speeds up to 7000kb/sec. It is software defined and it is called vara HF. It works even better than the pactor used in your older video.
There is a very cheap alternative for that called easy digi...that and a laptop or even a smartphone can do this...I use the easy digi interface for all my digi ham modes including winlink and even Morse code...I have even used it with a cheap pixi cw kit...this is a good video showing how well digital over HF works..
Sadly nope. Zero data modes at all. There is a proposal to allow it with the our equivalent of the FCC but until then. Nope. Sadly. And your channel brought my interest up.
Love this Video which was instrumental in me setting up Winlink - I have the Yeasu interface for my FTDX 1200 unit so I am able to just use the softmodem option on the PC to then interface with the radio interface without the need for the physical modem. Thank you.. W8BFO 73s
Haters really interest me. If they can do it better... if they have a different point of view ... by all means ... MAKE A VIDEO and share YOUR talent ... but they will probably only get a handful of views... like CNN and MSNBC ... lmbo ... Good Video ... God Bless...
I think most of the disparager's of the $1500 price tag are unfamiliar with WinLink and it's capabilities. If you are in a situation, for instance, like Katrina, you will need a modem like the SCS for the SPEED to handle multiple emergency messages. You get what you pay for.
What a good example for using this great system! The question is not, why you have a modem this expensive, the question is why this modem is so expensive in the first place? PACTOR was invented by ham radioists, and allthough it is legal to use it on some channels you may only use a pre made modem. Hell my transceiver only cost me 500 bucks, no way I'm gonna spend this much! cuagn es 73 de DF6QZ
It's a German made product - those are not cheap. However, you get what you pay for and SCS modems are the best! I run allot of data and stable/quality links reduce repeats and in the end... wear and tear on the equipment. Thanks for the channel support and comment. Hank DA1KH
In 2005 we got the ptc-iiex and it is amazing. Yes we didn't need it but at the time, the sound card interfaces were horrible. It still works great and it has the pastor 3 included
My comment not to be a criticism, I think there are so many possibilities/options with new and old technologies, I think anyone willing to prepare for inevitable emergencies, is just good planning and good sense. Beyond the emergency prep. your immediate communities benefit by having communications people not dependent on infrastructure. I think a lot of Emergency management officials are starting to realize this, the last 10mor 15 years. 73's.
Great demo. I have a P3-USB modem and use it quite frequently. It is not better than internet email, but given that our society today is 100% reliant on INTERNET and email....should that capability ever crack, if even only a tiny bit, people will be crying that the sky has already fallen. Pactor and Winlink are unbeatable solutions that will work even if the INTERNET were to collapse completely (seriously doubt it ever will do that in my lifetime, but who knows??). Besides, it is fun! I hope some day the narrow-sighted FCC will see fit to legalize P4 ops!
No kidding. I just found out how absurd the prices are for these. Sent my first email on a field event the other day on a rig not my own. Thought "hey neat, I want this" then saw the price. OUCH. they could have a better broader more robust network of nodes and participants but they price them out of it with the expensive modems.
Bob Ross various MODEM boxes exist to create the audio packets that get sent via radio. The expensive Modems cost $1500 to do this. They are worth it in their own way. You can also create sound packets via WINLINK software. Much harder to get the settings correct. Can use a SIGNALINK sound device, or even your own sound card in the computer. But the adjustments are pretty advanced to make it work well. Then you still need an HF ham radio with 100w capability and a good antenna for 40m out in your back yard. And you need good propagation conditions.
Thanks for your reply. I am getting involved in this. FYI: Last summer here on the Texas Gulf Coast Hurricane Harvey knocked out my electricity for 7 days. My relatives in Florida and friends elsewhere thought I was dead. I am getting a generator installed for the next one, but even so, I will still not have the internet until the service providers are back up and running. Plus I just built a new 30' Rohn 25g tower for 40 meters in my back yard. I will be using Farallon Electronics out in Calif for my purchase, plus I will also be purchasing an ICOM 802, so I am looking for a turn key solution. Anyway, why did you purchase an SCS P4 when the protocol is too wide and not allowed on amateur frequencies?? It would seem that the P3 protocol with the SCS 1071 Modem would be a better solution??? I don't know, I am just asking??? Cost is not an issue for me, but I don't wish to spend money on something I cannot use. Thus your comments are greatly appreciate. WD5GYG Mike Malloy
Just FYI, the SCS PTC-II Dragon series pactor modems are the latest line of the SCS PTC modems that will go to "PACTOR 4", which at the moment is not allowed to use that Pactor level in the United States (Absent a disaster that the FCC has made brief exceptions for Hams like Hurricane Harvey and Puerto Rico). I have found and own Pactor level 1-3 modems that I've bought for as little as $99.00 used off of Ebay, some like "Pinoak Podlink" and "Seawave" modems that only required a solder bridge removal and reflash of the ROM to get a working SCS PTC-II modem again. They are occasionally popping up on Ebay and Craigslist if one is patient and can't afford the $1300+ for a Dragon series modem..
Thanks for this video as well it is a great way to get info and if you needed to in a severe weather situation (tornado, hurricaine, flooding) could be a great tool for A. R. E. S., /R. A. C. E. S. situation as well and something my E. C. may be interested in as well
great stuff. i run the 7300. you dont need the external modem that you have as the 7300 has two integrated connection which will allow you to control the rig And funtion as a modem. i use VARA, which gives insane speeds for the bought version. 73
That’s actually the first time I’ve seen a P4Dragon used. Very impressive! I do have a question…why not allow Winlink handle the CAT control of the 7300 instead of manually changing the frequency?
I like your point on your modem. Typically I stay away from purpose built modems because they typically cannot be updated. Yes all modems should auto sync and adjust depending on connections, but I am not sure the soft modems do the very well. Mine does not.
you doing good content that crosses the prepper and ham communities. if people cant see that , its their problem. lol my only complaint its the silent films you do ilmao. only cause usually it over my head. "i am not a smart man".......but i know what communication is.
hahahaaha, I grew up using a modem like this for all my e-mail exchanges with pen pals. We were off in a remote area of Africa and this was the only way we got e-mail. Spent HOURS sitting in front of the radio.
I was sending Emails to and from the English Astronaut Mike Foale 20yrs ago using a 2mtr ex RT and a home brew Modem at 1200 Baud total setup cost me about 50 NZ$ including the home made antenna made from scrap ally ..my brother in Liverpool UK used to get my email when it pasted over UK later that day all great fun...Also used to speak regularly with a Ham in Tonga via Rtty only 75 Baud but instant and no modem involved just a relay to tap out the mark space cw tone with an old Commodore Vic20 it had a massive 3k of ram LOL funny how things progress especially price wise...nice video good luck.
Why did you choose PACTOR vs. the other modes available for Winlink? I've been using UZ7HO Soundmodem software, a Signalink USB, Yaesu 857D and Winlink Express to send messages via VHF packet to check in to a weekly Winlink net. I chose this set-up as it was the easiest way for me to get up and running on Winlink due to not having a good HF antenna worked out yet. The 7300 seems an ideal radio for digital d/t it's internal sound card USB capability. Not knocking the PACTOR modem as I would certainly have one if I could, just can't personally justify the $$.
I chose the Pactor modem over Winmor because of the speed. Pactor is like flying across the country, where Winmor is like taking the bus. In the long-run of high operational use the slower speeds of Winmor collectively add to the wear and tear of the radio. My average connection session with Pactor is less than 1 minute, where an average Winmor session is five minuets. That's allot of transmitting and allot of heat building up in the radio. Using a fast mode allows me to transmit and receive messages much faster and places less demands on the radio.
Ok, gotcha. That's one of the things I like about the VHF packet mode, as it is also much faster. I can typically run 10w or less and most of the other users local to me using 80m & 40m Winmor are running such low power that none have voiced any concerns. I think at most they may have power set at 20w. But, if you are running higher power I can see where that may be a concern. Thanks for the reply!
Good stuff as always, Hank! It's like my future ex-wife Taylor says, "Haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate..." How 'bout a peer to peer connection test? I've done it a couple times before; but I'm out of practice! The EmComm group I'm in plans to use it for stuff like emailing a supply list to an EOC or a list of people at a shelter.
Richard Slusher We use Winlink in SW Ohio for EMCOMM. We plan to do more testing during a local LEPC MCI exercise. Will be assisting with patient tracking reports using templates. P2P is a great function. We are in progress of working with the OH section to develop a state-wide Winlink network including the use of P2P. It's also a great way to send files because your not limited to the CMS file size restriction. I enjoy your videos Hank, please don't get discouraged. 73!
I like your reviews, I'm a little confused why you have the modem? Winlink Outpost is free software, I use use FL digi, or Outpost or on my 7100 that has the ability to do that using DV voice it send the data while I'm talking. I don't even need my kam 98 bbs anymore, at least for HF. I have done this exact email exchange on HF with no modem needed many times. Do you use that modem because you use for M.A.R.S. operations?
Love the video. I've got a couple of questions: 1: What type of antenna are you using? 2: Will the software allow direct connection to another like equipped station, rather than using a local node? Thanks, Sincerely Robert Chambers.
To disencourage the critics, one can do the same Pactor experiments with, for instance, a cheap AEA PK232 modem with a V7.0 or higher update. With a bit of luck your up and running in Pactor 1 for about 30 to 40$. 73 PB0AKB
Never need to apologize. I just wish that other You Tube posters made videos at clearly and concisely as you. Your videos could be stand alone HAM radio or Prepper channels. Getting back into HAM after a 2 year repose.
I think this is neat, any thoughts on satellite messengers like the garmin inreach? I know most preppers don't like the idea of a subscriber based system but in most disasters, it will work.
Hey, just trying to be constructive here: The title of the video should say "Email" not "Gmail", at no point did gmail have anything to do with any of this, the fact that the from address was gmail is irrelevant. I might be simple minded but I was expecting to see you opening a gmail window through the radio which I thought would be quite a feat haha Thanks for the vid anyway, it's good to know that it can be made easy like this.
Thanks for the comment. I chose gmail because I thought it would capture that this technology can work with stuff folks are familiar with. This said your observation is valid and I will give some thought. Again - thanks for the comment.
I think you missed the point - in this example there is no Internet at the HF radio location and the radio is reaching out to an area that still has Internet to enter email at that point.
Commsprepper yeah I feel you on that it isn't cheap but, it's cheaper than most transceivers and a little skill with Gnuradio blocks could be of great use. But nevertheless still a very good presentation of HF transmission and it's multitude of uses. I'm still relatively new to the RF scene and you were a recommended channel from another prepper and I am thoroughly impressed with your skill level
good job, would love a pactor modem but most likely will be going the sound card option. signal link or mfj 1204. between this psk31 and voice. a guy should always be able to reach someone. KE0HMS
Very interesting video - Had no idea that would be of any interest but as you well pointed out it is. I have a question, is it possible to achieve that with a simple smartphone a dual band handheld provided that there is a repeater (with internet access) in reach of the handheld? if so What type of handheld and what type of software would I need? Thank you.
Handhelds are VHF/UHF. In this case you need Packet modems (i.e. Kantronics KPC-3). Then you would use Winlink Express with Packet sessions in peer-to-peer mode. All this - provided you have an Amateur radio license.
Hello Vitor, actually you're talking apples and oranges. A couple of thoughts: 1. Winlink (formerly RMS Express) is only designed to runs on the Windows x86 platform, so that rules out smart phones. 2. The part of the Winlink technology that stores and forward messages to the internet is called RMS, which is very different from the Winlink client software demonstrated here, and again runs on the Windows platform. If you want to set up that part of the architecture suggest looking at Intel's NUC line of small form factor computers. 3. Regarding using HH radios connecting to VHF Packet networks via WinLink, suggest connecting the radio to your computer via Mobilink's bluetooth modem which has interface cables available for many popular radios, such as the Yaesu VX-6R, which I use.
@@Commsprepper Many thanks for the information. My initial goal was to find a way to spot myself while on a remote summit. Adding the ability to email is fantastic. Again many thanks
Could you do a demonstration of communicating directly person to person using PACTOR and the SCS modem? The green Winlink progress bar is king of strange, going from right the left, instead of the more natural left to right. Dave KY0L
How do you coordinate with the other receiving station to have them accept your emails and have them resend emails on your behalf? Wouldn't they have to have your email password in order to open up your email and resend it again? Or do you just make up a new email address just for this purpose and they resend to you all email after you log on to their modem? How do you avoid junk email?
Emails are sent to message servers and are addressed to other email addresses. Passwords are not needed. Junk mail is screened out with a specific line of text in the subject line (I will not share here).
Commsprepper oh course it would take time depending on all the variables. Had a bit of fun when I was doing keyboard to keyboard back in the 80's and watched the algorithms get better along with multiplexing. Thanks for bringing awareness to the current threshold where most interested parties can utilize this resource independently. 👍🏻
On Pactor there is an ISS (Information Sending Station), and an IRS (Information Receiving Station). The ISS divides the information to be sent into "packets". Each packet sent by ISS has a number called a checksum embedded in the packet. The checksum is a number the ISS calculates based on the information content of the packet. ISS will send a packet and then wait for either an ACK or REJ (Accept or Reject) packet from IRS. If the IRS calculates the checksum and it agrees with the checksum sent by ISS then it will send an ACK. If it doesn't agree it will send an REJ. ISS will send the next packet if it received an ACK or repeat the previous packet if it received an REJ. The switching back and forth in transmission is this process of sending packets and ACK's or REJ's, among other things. If you listen to packtor on the air you will notice that one station transmits a little longer than the other. That would be the ISS. Even on automated pactor links like Airmail or RMS you will hear the stations switch back and forth between IRS and ISS but it happens automatically. A pactor connection has a nice rhythm to it when you hear it on the air. You hear a Buzzzz Blip, Buzzzz Blip. The Buzzz is the ISS longer transmission and the Blip is the shorter IRS transmission.
Help me understand how your family members who dont own ham radio get an e-mail message to you on your ham radio. At some point, don't they need to find someone with a ham radio and a set up like yours? Why not use PSK 31?
non-commercial third-party traffic is permitted in the Amateur radio service. The Winlink system creates an email address with your call sign, and the Winlink system acts at the relay (in both directions) between your ham station and the Internet users.
OVer two minutes on qualifying remarks - that is they way it was years ago. Nobody could say anything without fear of being flamed. Today, I think posters now have the attitude of "I do not give a sh*t if I offend you" - which is a bit of relief cus 2 mins of qualifying your remarss is just way too much
The options are called sessions in the software. Here is a list 1. Telnet allows you to use an Internet connection to login to the system (no radio or modem required). 2. Packet radio (VHF/UHF) uses Terminal Node Controller modem (i.e. Kantronics). This mode works with local RMS stations. 3. Pactor (HF) this is the modem I have and the fastest mode on the system. 4. Winmor (HF) is a sound card based modem that provides a low-cost HF option but at a reduced speed. Most modern HF radios have built in sound cards. If you have an older HF radio you can add a Signal Link unit to run the Winmor mode. Many folks use the Winmor mode because of the high cost of the Pactor SCS modems.
I just came across your channel. Have you made a video showing how to send and receive emails etc. by using APRS on both VHF as well as HF? Cheers 73 de OZ2BO
Sorry if I missed it but with this setup and your e-mail being sent over HF... can anyone else scanning also receive your e-mail? Just like when speaking/cw etc anyone can hear your conversation.
In theory yes but it would require owning a SCS modem. This said, I don't know how to do it, nor have I heard of it being done. I should note that encryption or masking of communications in the Amateur radio service is not permitted.
@@Commsprepper Actually no, another SCS modem owner would not be able to eavesdrop, as the modems perform a handshake prior to connecting, and without that handshake the receiving modem doesn't connect to the sender...
I've got a video from 2015 where someone uses a PK232 with Pactor 1 to do the same thing. Not sure how often that is realistically done but I see Pactor 1 listed on winlink lists a lot. Can one still post and receive with a pk232 and Pactor 1 ?
In theory Pactor 1 can work with non-SCS modems like Kamtronics but in practice Winlink has dropped support for it due to the VERY slow speed. You could still try peer to peer. Better to try Vara with a good external sound card such like signaling usb
your arguments in the beginning (pure and honest) earned you a subscriber. Not as a prepper, just because you cover ground that is super interesting...thanks for posting, be followin' ya!
You may not run a ham channel, but your ham information is way superior to most of the stuff I get from most ham channels. I got hooked on you from the Moscow days........excellent vid!
Thanks for the feedback and support. I agree - too many ham radio themed channels get bogged down in the technology and forget to show how the technology can be applied in emergencies.
Awesome! 👍 Always look forward to your videos. Keep up the good informative work!
I have seen a few of your videos in the past, and enjoyed every one of them. You do excellent work, and your explanations are spot on. Your explanation of DStar (a few years back) was what allowed me to finally GOTA with it.
Anyway, your stuff is so good that I actually considered you a HAM channel LOL.
Keep it up! Look forward to your next videos.
-KJ6NNJ (soon to be K4GMO)
you probably dont care but if you guys are stoned like me during the covid times you can watch all of the latest movies and series on InstaFlixxer. Have been watching with my gf during the lockdown xD
@Adrien Sonny Yea, have been using InstaFlixxer for months myself :D
This ham radio guy appreciates your efforts. Even though I am not a prepper, my initial reason for getting into ham radio was/is emergency comms. I live in the Wash DC area and experienced an almost total comms dropout on three occasions, 9-11, the Virginia earthquake, and the 2012 Derecho. that was enough to convince me. Keep up the good work. 73s KM4TIN
We are neighbors and I remember all three events well. Derecho was a great test of my ham gear, generator, and window A/C unit.
I'm late to this thread, yes, ...
9/11 - there was a intentional RF Blackout for the DC Metro area initiated by Mt. Weather for approximately 72 hours following the strikes.
As the helicopters flew across my front yard at treetop level following the Appalachian Trail, the State Police restricted access to the top of the mountain unless proven that you lived there. The DoD (via DCA) ensured Critical Comms throughput for themselves first, ...and then the various masses second.
Former resident of Bluemont,Virginia who often rethinks of those few days atop the mountain, 5 miles from the front gate.
Anything is possible.
Everything is probable.
I think your videos are great. I use an Icom IC-M802 with a SignaLink sound card and Winmor to send and receive email on my sailboat. There are a lot of features on RMS express. I only use a few myself but it's great to keep in touch with family when we travel. Personally, I use it to send position reports and download weather. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for the feedback and kind words.
Commsprepper I for one appreciate your videos as prepping and ham radio information are some of what I am interested in. It seems like many people only want to hear and see exactly what is "perfect" for them and they expect all things to be catered to them. I watch/read/listen to a wide variety of information and extract what I find useful and discard that which I don't. For many people these days that is too much work.
You continually provide me with good ideas of things that I might like to try or things that I want to be aware are a possibility (such as the current video). We all make choices for how we spend our time and our money, as you point out. There are consequences, both good and bad, to every choice we make. I have found it very helpful that you have made the choice to share your knowledge with others. Unfortunately for you, that opens you up to trolls who are just looking to bash people they feel they are inferior to. Hopefully, for all of us that find your channel useful, you will continue to spend your valuable time, making videos that instruct, as well as spark our imagination.
I am still new in the ham radio world and do not have an HF radio yet. Although I likely would not spend my money on the modem you have, I was paying close attention to how easy the Icom was to control and it gave me ideas for features and functionality that I will look for when I purchase my first HF radio. Just an example of taking information and finding what works for you and what doesn't.
Keep up the awesome work and don't let the trolls bring you down!
Thanks for the comment and kind words.
I find your videos very informative and inspiring. I appreciate the time and effort you take to make these very good videos. You have helped me tremendously, and I am sure, countless others. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for the feedback and kind words.
Another outstanding video. And you began with lots of valid points. If I wanted to play along with the complainers I could make the argument that if they really wanted to cut costs, improve throughput, simplify equipment, make it portable and battery operable, then they should use CW. But I forgot, no one is required to learn it anymore; so they don't.
I get some of the same type of feed back from the "official" emergency communications leadership in my area for use of Packet and Outpost PMM on vhf. They reject it but can't seem to get their preferences functional at all.
Don't let them discourage you. You are doing an excellent job. Keep it up.
By the way, The more I see of that IC-7300 on your videos, the more I want one.
Thanks for the kind words and support. I don't let them get me down at all. I have watch all of your packet videos and have done my best to get my packet up and running.
Glad I could help out brother! Very cool things you bring awareness to here on youtube. I see that other Ham operators appreciate your info as well.
Thanks for helping out.
This is a great series and I can't understand how anyone could fail to see utility of this technology.
I think it has allot to do with PPD (post purchase depression).
tks for the video. A old communication guy coming out of retirement has a lot to learn about comm systems now available. The digital world is HUGE.
I prefer digital over voice. Hank
Thanks for the video. EMCOMM attracted me to communications and it is still the driving force. It is a concept not everyone understand. Somehow they think they will have their phones and internet always available. The other day we had a total system failure that left my location with no power. Everything went down. For a time cell phone service was available then collapsed. Even land line was affected. I was able to connect to Civil Air Patrol Region HQ with my prepped station running on batteries and solar charging.
CAP is a great program. Glad hear hear the battery and solar worked out.
Great Video, I work in remote areas where cell phone reception is very spotty. Winlink is how I keep in touch with family while I am working. People often forget how fragile the communication network is, your videos regardless of who the intended audience is hold a wealth of PRACTICAL information of how to cope with the loss of conventional communication infrastructure.
Thank you.
Hey Commsprepper and others. No disrespect toward WL2K intended RE: in my other comments. And it is a great video .... I was just making a comment about how busy WL2K is nowadays .... and also to bring up the fact that for the full benefit of WL2K to work, an internet connection *is* required (between the RMS and CMS) .... I know not all of us (preppers) have amateur radio licenses, but for those of us who do, when the big event happens, we're gonna want to make sure we have alternatives to using internet connections. Some of the sound card modes are very good alternatives for point-to-point communications without the need for internet .... and when the average prepper sees the cost of an SCS modem, those sound card modes look REAL good!! Thanks again for the dialog -- and some great videos!
As always you do not disappoint..I will be getting one of these modems..SOON!! Its been on my list.. like many things. Great Job as always!!
Thanks.
The HAM community has space for everyone…I’m a Ham that’s not as active as I’d like to be…I find this interesting because supporting the local community makes sense and being ready in case makes sense…not all disasters are Hollywood blockbusters…sometimes they’re local and leave people without power for weeks…no power, no smartphone, no satellite access…it’s just plain smart to have prepper blood … I ran EMS for thirty years and was an Emergency and Trauma first assist nurse…I cut tissue during trauma surgery and helped the trauma surgeon (think of it as a permanent first/second year trauma resident) anyway after I got into a hell of a car accident…I had to stop and switch to neuroscience… I have my np and one heck of a prepper medical kit…and I got my extra class HAM radio license…not for social reasons but because what I’ve seen happen out there in all my years … realizing how wrong things can go … locally…hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and yes, civil disorder… you should be proud of your channel … you cover both HAM radio topics well and prepping topics also …although there are choices beyond the PACTOR…a subscription service would go offline during a major disaster
Thank you Hank!!! :-D
While we have talked about the price and other options before. I have and will always be an advocate of having data capabilities. I think NOT having it would be due to plain stubbornness on the operator's part. Your channel turned me on to the data side of things several years ago and while I am not practicing at it. I am planning on putting it in place this spring with my 817.
73 de N0BPS
You can always count on me to lust after your Pactor modem! May you always use it in good health and good fortune.
Thanks.
New Ham License here and this video is well appreciated. Thank you.
Thanks
Smart move. If people don't get ham radio by now then they never will. I do EP training and your site is great. This is what people need to know. Good job...73...WD7N
+WD7N Thank you for the kind words.
I don't pass out praise easily or often. I've been a ham for 40 years now and have trained many folks. As a former Marine Comm Sergeant and Signal Officer in the Army core comm training is exact what real intelligent folks really need. I have to go back and brush up on my CW. Going to need it in the future. Again...73...You are most welcome, sir.
I'm feeling a bit guilty now. I too have let me CW skills fade. In my case, fade away completely. Perhaps it's time to dig out the cassettes again?
Thanks for another great video. Your videos are the reason I started using Winlink and it has worked out well for me.
Cool. I like stories with happy endings.
Dude. Your channel is excellent. Zero worries on folks getting butthurt on content. Nothing to worry about there, for sure. Subject matter is stellar and appreciated. Keep it up. 73's.
Thanks for the comment!
Awesome video! We are working with CODAN right now but congrats ! Very interesting!
I'm sure you could connect an SCS modem to a CODAN unit.
Nice demo! The only thing I would say as a now 30-year ham is that it really is not even necessary to respond to the nay-sayers. Everything you did was clearly within the bounds of the FCC (i.e. applicable to you and me) rules, which are out there on the Internet and available in print for those that want to kill trees and feel paper in their hands. You've made a follower out of me! 73, KG4Y
Thanks for the support.
Thanks for the interesting video. Now there is a cheap (free with limited speeds) alternative with speeds up to 7000kb/sec. It is software defined and it is called vara HF. It works even better than the pactor used in your older video.
There is a very cheap alternative for that called easy digi...that and a laptop or even a smartphone can do this...I use the easy digi interface for all my digi ham modes including winlink and even Morse code...I have even used it with a cheap pixi cw kit...this is a good video showing how well digital over HF works..
thanks for the tip.
Your content is so touching
This is fantastic. It really would make your options of living away from the rat race and remaining connected broader. Thanks for the demo.
Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.
Hf email is amazing. Sadly on the base license here in Aus I can't use but your channel is what drew me to it. Don't stress with haters!
Can you run VHF packet? RMS also supports VHF Packet.
Sadly nope. Zero data modes at all. There is a proposal to allow it with the our equivalent of the FCC but until then. Nope. Sadly. And your channel brought my interest up.
Better than most who just like to repeat what most of us can read in the manuals.
Love this Video which was instrumental in me setting up Winlink - I have the Yeasu interface for my FTDX 1200 unit so I am able to just use the softmodem option on the PC to then interface with the radio interface without the need for the physical modem. Thank you.. W8BFO 73s
Thank you for the comment and channel support.
Haters really interest me. If they can do it better... if they have a different point of view ... by all means ... MAKE A VIDEO and share YOUR talent ... but they will probably only get a handful of views... like CNN and MSNBC ... lmbo ... Good Video ... God Bless...
Thanks for the comment and kind words.
I think most of the disparager's of the $1500 price tag are unfamiliar with WinLink and it's capabilities. If you are in a situation, for instance, like Katrina, you will need a modem like the SCS for the SPEED to handle multiple emergency messages. You get what you pay for.
Great stuff brother no sweat on the hate overlook them
What a good example for using this great system! The question is not, why you have a modem this expensive, the question is why this modem is so expensive in the first place? PACTOR was invented by ham radioists, and allthough it is legal to use it on some channels you may only use a pre made modem. Hell my transceiver only cost me 500 bucks, no way I'm gonna spend this much!
cuagn es 73 de DF6QZ
It's a German made product - those are not cheap. However, you get what you pay for and SCS modems are the best! I run allot of data and stable/quality links reduce repeats and in the end... wear and tear on the equipment. Thanks for the channel support and comment. Hank DA1KH
In 2005 we got the ptc-iiex and it is amazing. Yes we didn't need it but at the time, the sound card interfaces were horrible. It still works great and it has the pastor 3 included
I love the SCS products.
My comment not to be a criticism, I think there are so many possibilities/options with new and old technologies, I think anyone willing to prepare for inevitable emergencies, is just good planning and good sense. Beyond the emergency prep. your immediate communities benefit by having communications people not dependent on infrastructure. I think a lot of Emergency management officials are starting to realize this, the last 10mor 15 years. 73's.
Good points. Thanks for sharing.
Fantastic video! Thanks, Comms
Thanks for watching.
Great demo. I have a P3-USB modem and use it quite frequently. It is not better than internet email, but given that our society today is 100% reliant on INTERNET and email....should that capability ever crack, if even only a tiny bit, people will be crying that the sky has already fallen. Pactor and Winlink are unbeatable solutions that will work even if the INTERNET were to collapse completely (seriously doubt it ever will do that in my lifetime, but who knows??). Besides, it is fun! I hope some day the narrow-sighted FCC will see fit to legalize P4 ops!
Thanks for the comment.
I am a big fan of the digital modes and myself use the Signalink. Thank you for sharing how your modem works in this video.
Thanks for the comment.
Great video Henry.
Thanks!
Add a dot matrix printer and I would be having flashbacks to the 1990s and the early days of modems. What's old is new again. Great demo.
Model 40 Teletype Corporation belt printers!
I do EXACTLY the same thing with my hundred dollar Signal Link modem. Yes, it's slower but works JUST FINE. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BUY A $1500.00 MODEM.
No kidding. I just found out how absurd the prices are for these. Sent my first email on a field event the other day on a rig not my own. Thought "hey neat, I want this" then saw the price. OUCH. they could have a better broader more robust network of nodes and participants but they price them out of it with the expensive modems.
Hey Bob would you be so kind as to link where you can buy the modem that you use?
Bob Ross I've got one of these, can you maybe do a video how to use it for winlink ?
Bob Ross various MODEM boxes exist to create the audio packets that get sent via radio. The expensive Modems cost $1500 to do this. They are worth it in their own way. You can also create sound packets via WINLINK software. Much harder to get the settings correct. Can use a SIGNALINK sound device, or even your own sound card in the computer. But the adjustments are pretty advanced to make it work well. Then you still need an HF ham radio with 100w capability and a good antenna for 40m out in your back yard. And you need good propagation conditions.
WINMOR.
Need more people so spread this video more
Thanks for your reply. I am getting involved in this. FYI: Last summer here on the Texas Gulf Coast Hurricane Harvey knocked out my electricity for 7 days. My relatives in Florida and friends elsewhere thought I was dead. I am getting a generator installed for the next one, but even so, I will still not have the internet until the service providers are back up and running. Plus I just built a new 30' Rohn 25g tower for 40 meters in my back yard. I will be using Farallon Electronics out in Calif for my purchase, plus I will also be purchasing an ICOM 802, so I am looking for a turn key solution. Anyway, why did you purchase an SCS P4 when the protocol is too wide and not allowed on amateur frequencies?? It would seem that the P3 protocol with the SCS 1071 Modem would be a better solution??? I don't know, I am just asking??? Cost is not an issue for me, but I don't wish to spend money on something I cannot use. Thus your comments are greatly appreciate. WD5GYG Mike Malloy
Another useful tool for the prepper. Thanks for the excellent video....I think I'll be getting me a goooood modem
Thanks for the comment and channel support.
Just FYI, the SCS PTC-II Dragon series pactor modems are the latest line of the SCS PTC modems that will go to "PACTOR 4", which at the moment is not allowed to use that Pactor level in the United States (Absent a disaster that the FCC has made brief exceptions for Hams like Hurricane Harvey and Puerto Rico). I have found and own Pactor level 1-3 modems that I've bought for as little as $99.00 used off of Ebay, some like "Pinoak Podlink" and "Seawave" modems that only required a solder bridge removal and reflash of the ROM to get a working SCS PTC-II modem again. They are occasionally popping up on Ebay and Craigslist if one is patient and can't afford the $1300+ for a Dragon series modem..
Thanks for the comment.
Outstanding Demostration! Are you using a wire antenna??
Very interesting. I just bought the 7300.
Great radio
Great demo as always Sir!
Glad it helped.
Thank you for what you do Commsprepper
Thanks for watching and supporting the channel!
Hell fire my AR upper by itself is 1500 $ I wish I just had 15 in my fully outfitted rig. 😉
Thanks for this video as well it is a great way to get info and if you needed to in a severe weather situation (tornado, hurricaine, flooding) could be a great tool for A. R. E. S., /R. A. C. E. S. situation as well and something my E. C. may be interested in as well
These modes have great potential. Thanks for the support.
You are very welcome and again thanks for the video and the info
great stuff. i run the 7300. you dont need the external modem that you have as the 7300 has two integrated connection which will allow you to control the rig And funtion as a modem. i use VARA, which gives insane speeds for the bought version. 73
That’s actually the first time I’ve seen a P4Dragon used. Very impressive! I do have a question…why not allow Winlink handle the CAT control of the 7300 instead of manually changing the frequency?
I like your point on your modem. Typically I stay away from purpose built modems because they typically cannot be updated. Yes all modems should auto sync and adjust depending on connections, but I am not sure the soft modems do the very well. Mine does not.
SCS is very good about firmware updates. I have seen nothing, and I mean nothing, that comes close to this modem.
Thx for this great video! what would you recommend for ocean passages with ability to send receive files, weather etc over the internet?
You have, by far, my favorite comms channel on RUclips.
Thank you for the kind words and channel support. Respectfully, Hank
Why apologize! Zero Fu$ks given. I like the video, its like comparing an M4 to a 10/22 they both will work. Good kit Thanks you!
you doing good content that crosses the prepper and ham communities. if people cant see that , its their problem. lol my only complaint its the silent films you do ilmao. only cause usually it over my head. "i am not a smart man".......but i know what communication is.
Thanks for the kind words and support.
hahahaaha, I grew up using a modem like this for all my e-mail exchanges with pen pals. We were off in a remote area of Africa and this was the only way we got e-mail. Spent HOURS sitting in front of the radio.
Radio email is great.
Excellent content, as usual
Thanks.
Nice Video Commsprepper! Is there a reason you don't use Winlink to tune the radio rather than tuning it manually yourself?
I prefer the manual approach.
I was sending Emails to and from the English Astronaut Mike Foale 20yrs ago using a 2mtr ex RT and a home brew Modem at 1200 Baud total setup cost me about 50 NZ$ including the home made antenna made from scrap ally ..my brother in Liverpool UK used to get my email when it pasted over UK later that day all great fun...Also used to speak regularly with a Ham in Tonga via Rtty only 75 Baud but instant and no modem involved just a relay to tap out the mark space cw tone with an old Commodore Vic20 it had a massive 3k of ram LOL funny how things progress especially price wise...nice video good luck.
Why did you choose PACTOR vs. the other modes available for Winlink? I've been using UZ7HO Soundmodem software, a Signalink USB, Yaesu 857D and Winlink Express to send messages via VHF packet to check in to a weekly Winlink net. I chose this set-up as it was the easiest way for me to get up and running on Winlink due to not having a good HF antenna worked out yet. The 7300 seems an ideal radio for digital d/t it's internal sound card USB capability. Not knocking the PACTOR modem as I would certainly have one if I could, just can't personally justify the $$.
I chose the Pactor modem over Winmor because of the speed. Pactor is like flying across the country, where Winmor is like taking the bus. In the long-run of high operational use the slower speeds of Winmor collectively add to the wear and tear of the radio. My average connection session with Pactor is less than 1 minute, where an average Winmor session is five minuets. That's allot of transmitting and allot of heat building up in the radio. Using a fast mode allows me to transmit and receive messages much faster and places less demands on the radio.
Ok, gotcha. That's one of the things I like about the VHF packet mode, as it is also much faster. I can typically run 10w or less and most of the other users local to me using 80m & 40m Winmor are running such low power that none have voiced any concerns. I think at most they may have power set at 20w. But, if you are running higher power I can see where that may be a concern. Thanks for the reply!
Good stuff as always, Hank! It's like my future ex-wife Taylor says, "Haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate..." How 'bout a peer to peer connection test? I've done it a couple times before; but I'm out of practice! The EmComm group I'm in plans to use it for stuff like emailing a supply list to an EOC or a list of people at a shelter.
Do you have Pactor?
Nah, I haven't bit the bullet on that purchase yet. We used SignaLink interfaces when I was in Texas Army MARS.
Richard Slusher We use Winlink in SW Ohio for EMCOMM. We plan to do more testing during a local LEPC MCI exercise. Will be assisting with patient tracking reports using templates. P2P is a great function. We are in progress of working with the OH section to develop a state-wide Winlink network including the use of P2P. It's also a great way to send files because your not limited to the CMS file size restriction.
I enjoy your videos Hank, please don't get discouraged. 73!
Good stuff! Thanks for sharing.
I like your reviews, I'm a little confused why you have the modem? Winlink Outpost is free software, I use use FL digi, or Outpost or on my 7100 that has the ability to do that using DV voice it send the data while I'm talking. I don't even need my kam 98 bbs anymore, at least for HF. I have done this exact email exchange on HF with no modem needed many times. Do you use that modem because you use for M.A.R.S. operations?
Because none of the sound card modes can hold a candle to the Pactor 3 or 4 modes.
Love the video. I've got a couple of questions: 1: What type of antenna are you using? 2: Will the software allow direct connection to another like equipped station, rather than using a local node?
Thanks,
Sincerely
Robert Chambers.
In this video I had a dipole antenna. Winlink does support peer-to-peer (P2P).
Great presentation by the way on how Winlink works.
thanks
Very nice! KeepEmComin!
KD2GAE Bob
Eastern Long Island
Thanks Bob. I will do my best to keep them coming.
keep up the good work!
Thank you.
To disencourage the critics, one can do the same Pactor experiments with, for instance, a cheap AEA PK232 modem with a V7.0 or higher update.
With a bit of luck your up and running in Pactor 1 for about 30 to 40$.
73 PB0AKB
Never need to apologize. I just wish that other You Tube posters made videos at clearly and concisely as you. Your videos could be stand alone HAM radio or Prepper channels. Getting back into HAM after a 2 year repose.
Thank you for the kind words and channel support.
So what if this isn't a ham oriented channel. You have info for your niche. The modem works great in your demo. Good job. 73s from K9DWB
Thanks. Some of video are off topic but I try to stick to technology stuff and general communications and prepping.
I think this is neat, any thoughts on satellite messengers like the garmin inreach? I know most preppers don't like the idea of a subscriber based system but in most disasters, it will work.
+aquatrax123 I have not used it so I can’t say but I like any mode of comms.
Hey, just trying to be constructive here: The title of the video should say "Email" not "Gmail", at no point did gmail have anything to do with any of this, the fact that the from address was gmail is irrelevant. I might be simple minded but I was expecting to see you opening a gmail window through the radio which I thought would be quite a feat haha Thanks for the vid anyway, it's good to know that it can be made easy like this.
Thanks for the comment. I chose gmail because I thought it would capture that this technology can work with stuff folks are familiar with. This said your observation is valid and I will give some thought. Again - thanks for the comment.
nice video.................
Thanks.
Very cool!
Thanks.
If the internet goes down where you are, the net will prob go down where the hf base station is to, not the best, but still cool.
I think you missed the point - in this example there is no Internet at the HF radio location and the radio is reaching out to an area that still has Internet to enter email at that point.
I prefer to listen in on radio chatter not transmit but this is very interesting. Have you tried the HackRF one?
I have not. Only so much play money.
Commsprepper yeah I feel you on that it isn't cheap but, it's cheaper than most transceivers and a little skill with Gnuradio blocks could be of great use. But nevertheless still a very good presentation of HF transmission and it's multitude of uses. I'm still relatively new to the RF scene and you were a recommended channel from another prepper and I am thoroughly impressed with your skill level
good job, would love a pactor modem but most likely will be going the sound card option. signal link or mfj 1204. between this psk31 and voice. a guy should always be able to reach someone. KE0HMS
Thanks.
Very interesting video - Had no idea that would be of any interest but as you well pointed out it is. I have a question, is it possible to achieve that with a simple smartphone a dual band handheld provided that there is a repeater (with internet access) in reach of the handheld? if so What type of handheld and what type of software would I need?
Thank you.
Handhelds are VHF/UHF. In this case you need Packet modems (i.e. Kantronics KPC-3). Then you would use Winlink Express with Packet sessions in peer-to-peer mode. All this - provided you have an Amateur radio license.
Hello Vitor, actually you're talking apples and oranges. A couple of thoughts:
1. Winlink (formerly RMS Express) is only designed to runs on the Windows x86 platform, so that rules out smart phones.
2. The part of the Winlink technology that stores and forward messages to the internet is called RMS, which is very different from the Winlink client software demonstrated here, and again runs on the Windows platform. If you want to set up that part of the architecture suggest looking at Intel's NUC line of small form factor computers.
3. Regarding using HH radios connecting to VHF Packet networks via WinLink, suggest connecting the radio to your computer via Mobilink's bluetooth modem which has interface cables available for many popular radios, such as the Yaesu VX-6R, which I use.
@@Commsprepper Many thanks for the information. My initial goal was to find a way to spot myself while on a remote summit. Adding the ability to email is fantastic. Again many thanks
@@tedlavino2947 Thanks for the clarification and for the useful information.
Could you do a demonstration of communicating directly person to person using PACTOR and the SCS modem?
The green Winlink progress bar is king of strange, going from right the left, instead of the more natural left to right.
Dave KY0L
I would need to know someone who has a modem and time.
How do you coordinate with the other receiving station to have them accept your emails and have them resend emails on your behalf? Wouldn't they have to have your email password in order to open up your email and resend it again? Or do you just make up a new email address just for this purpose and they resend to you all email after you log on to their modem? How do you avoid junk email?
Emails are sent to message servers and are addressed to other email addresses. Passwords are not needed. Junk mail is screened out with a specific line of text in the subject line (I will not share here).
With handshaking and error correction it looks like you could even get a PDF attachment with the emails
You could but file size (if color or image based) would be a push.
Commsprepper oh course it would take time depending on all the variables.
Had a bit of fun when I was doing keyboard to keyboard back in the 80's and watched the algorithms get better along with multiplexing.
Thanks for bringing awareness to the current threshold where most interested parties can utilize this resource independently.
👍🏻
are the times during the connection the handshake so to speak? i noticed the icom would key up TX during the green bar download.
On Pactor there is an ISS (Information Sending Station), and an IRS (Information Receiving Station). The ISS divides the information to be sent into "packets". Each packet sent by ISS has a number called a checksum embedded in the packet. The checksum is a number the ISS calculates based on the information content of the packet. ISS will send a packet and then wait for either an ACK or REJ (Accept or Reject) packet from IRS. If the IRS calculates the checksum and it agrees with the checksum sent by ISS then it will send an ACK. If it doesn't agree it will send an REJ. ISS will send the next packet if it received an ACK or repeat the previous packet if it received an REJ. The switching back and forth in transmission is this process of sending packets and ACK's or REJ's, among other things. If you listen to packtor on the air you will notice that one station transmits a little longer than the other. That would be the ISS. Even on automated pactor links like Airmail or RMS you will hear the stations switch back and forth between IRS and ISS but it happens automatically. A pactor connection has a nice rhythm to it when you hear it on the air. You hear a Buzzzz Blip, Buzzzz Blip. The Buzzz is the ISS longer transmission and the Blip is the shorter IRS transmission.
Help me understand how your family members who dont own ham radio get an e-mail message to you on your ham radio. At some point, don't they need to find someone with a ham radio and a set up like yours? Why not use PSK 31?
non-commercial third-party traffic is permitted in the Amateur radio service. The Winlink system creates an email address with your call sign, and the Winlink system acts at the relay (in both directions) between your ham station and the Internet users.
I feel like am I learning about what Im doing when I hold X in the last of us
OVer two minutes on qualifying remarks - that is they way it was years ago. Nobody could say anything without fear of being flamed. Today, I think posters now have the attitude of "I do not give a sh*t if I offend you" - which is a bit of relief cus 2 mins of qualifying your remarss is just way too much
What are the other option for running this type of software if you don't have a modem like you have??
The options are called sessions in the software. Here is a list 1. Telnet allows you to use an Internet connection to login to the system (no radio or modem required). 2. Packet radio (VHF/UHF) uses Terminal Node Controller modem (i.e. Kantronics). This mode works with local RMS stations. 3. Pactor (HF) this is the modem I have and the fastest mode on the system. 4. Winmor (HF) is a sound card based modem that provides a low-cost HF option but at a reduced speed. Most modern HF radios have built in sound cards. If you have an older HF radio you can add a Signal Link unit to run the Winmor mode. Many folks use the Winmor mode because of the high cost of the Pactor SCS modems.
Is there no software that will do the job of the Pactor? Has nobody decoded this yet?
nope
so interesting. thanks!
Thanks.
Where did you get thoose nice rack handles?
portablezero dot com. make sure to mention you saw them on the channel ;-)
Curious what antenna you are using here?
Chameleon Antenna's 40m Windom.
I must have this modem.
You will never go back to sound card modes if you get one.
I just came across your channel.
Have you made a video showing how to send and receive emails etc. by using APRS on both VHF as well as HF?
Cheers
73 de OZ2BO
I have not. I use Pactor for HF radio email. Nothing else comes close to the speed of Pactor.
Sorry if I missed it but with this setup and your e-mail being sent over HF... can anyone else scanning also receive your e-mail? Just like when speaking/cw etc anyone can hear your conversation.
In theory yes but it would require owning a SCS modem. This said, I don't know how to do it, nor have I heard of it being done. I should note that encryption or masking of communications in the Amateur radio service is not permitted.
@@Commsprepper K thanks, as I would have thought that your e-mails would be made public using this, thanks for verifying
@@Commsprepper Actually no, another SCS modem owner would not be able to eavesdrop, as the modems perform a handshake prior to connecting, and without that handshake the receiving modem doesn't connect to the sender...
I just picked up a SSB package for $1000. It was gently used, looks brand new, and it works.
M802/AT-140 tuner/P4 Dragon modem. Was this a good deal?
yeh! That's a great deal. A really great deal (assuming everything works). Modem alone is over 1000 (check eBay).
whats the fastest tnc modem? and whats the cheapest tnc model? anyway to make your own tnc?
I've got a video from 2015 where someone uses a PK232 with Pactor 1 to do the same thing. Not sure how often that is realistically done but I see Pactor 1 listed on winlink lists a lot. Can one still post and receive with a pk232 and Pactor 1 ?
Not that I know of.
In theory Pactor 1 can work with non-SCS modems like Kamtronics but in practice Winlink has dropped support for it due to the VERY slow speed. You could still try peer to peer. Better to try Vara with a good external sound card such like signaling usb
Does a pastor radio require fsk or will it work on psk? I have an ft-857, which I'm told won't do fsk.
+John Guillory with this modem you set the radio to USB (upper side band). The modem takes care of the rest