7-feb-06by alan, kb2wfpage 1 airmail email via radio! ++
TRANSCRIPT
7-Feb-06 By Alan, KB2WF Page 1
Airmail
Email via radio!
++
7-Feb-06 By Alan, KB2WF Page 2
What is Airmail?
• Is an important tool in our toolbox for Emergency Communications
• Can use the internet to pass traffic IF it is available– If the internet is down, radio is used– If the internet is operating,
• It helps with traffic load• It can reach outside the radio world and into the day-
to-day world
• Can be used on HF or VHF– Our focus is on VHF only in this session– HF networks are worldwide
7-Feb-06 By Alan, KB2WF Page 3
It provides email-type messaging
• It looks like normal email• Meets agency needs
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It supports attachments
• Small attachments can be added
• Limited to text and small attachments. Typically 10 -20Kb is OK
• Attachments enable:– Spreadsheets, for example
• shelter residents details• Logistics supplies or needs
– Photographs• Jpgs are best
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Best suited to?
• Very detailed reports and lists
• Need for 100% accuracy
– Airmail uses error correction
• Semi confidential messages
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It is NOT
• Classical packet– Packet is ‘type as you go’– Packet requires a high skill level
• good knowledge of many commands• It is more prone to operator errors
– But both use digipeaters
• A Blackberry– Blackberries rely on a central system which may
overload– Airmail is more diversified
7-Feb-06 By Alan, KB2WF Page 7
Typical Equipment Required
A VHF Airmail station requires:• A TNC
– SCS and most Kantronics TNCs
– 1200bps
• Almost any radio– needs audio in and audio out
• A computer– Windows of any version! Even Win 95!
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How does it connect?
Direct with another station
Airmail can connect
To the internet via Telpac
To the internet via telnet
PC
Radio
TNC
Airmail
PC
Radio
TNC
Airmail
I
N
T
E
R
N
E
T
PC
Radio
TNC
Telpac
PC
Radio
TNC
Airmail
PC
Radio
TNC
Airmail
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7-Feb-06 By Alan, KB2WF Page 10
How is it relayed?
It can be relayed via• Digipeater• KA node
PC
Radio
TNC
Airmail
PC
Radio
TNC
Airmail
Radio
TNC
Digi or node
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7-Feb-06 By Alan, KB2WF Page 12
http://winlink.org/positions/telpacpos.aspx