Winlink, why me?

[ne3r]

Everybody knows that I'm not a big fan of Winlink, specifically the way it works with Pactor III on HF. But unfortunately, I'm in the position where I'm quite knowledgeable about it as well. As an active member of ARES in my county, they keep trying to get me to drink the winlink koolaid :) and help them get on the air with winlink.

So, how to be part of the ARES solution without being part of the winlink problem. I do belive it is possible to use winlink in a responsbile way for legitimate messages, but in doing so, I feel like I'm supporting a system that is often used incorectly to the detrement of other amateur radio operators.

(keep it constructive)

73 de Joseph Durnal NE3R

[N2RJ]

Why do you put your callsign in the tags? You can easily search your own posts without tagging every post you make with your callsign.

[kn4ds]

Everybody knows that I'm not a big fan of Winlink, specifically the way it works with Pactor III on HF. But unfortunately, I'm in the position where I'm quite knowledgeable about it as well. As an active member of ARES in my county, they keep trying to get me to drink the winlink koolaid :) and help them get on the air with winlink.

So, how to be part of the ARES solution without being part of the winlink problem. I do belive it is possible to use winlink in a responsbile way for legitimate messages, but in doing so, I feel like I'm supporting a system that is often used incorectly to the detrement of other amateur radio operators.

(keep it constructive)

73 de Joseph Durnal NE3R

Help develop a VHF path for Winlink from your area to other EOCs, and to the state EMA.

[ne3r]

Why do you put your callsign in the tags? You can easily search your own posts without tagging every post you make with your callsign.

Normally because I run out of interested tags at about 3 or 4 :) when I'm striving for 5.

Do you have some sort of alert set for posts with the word winlink! :) Hmm, maybe it is a fox news alert! LOL

73 de Joseph Durnal NE3R

[kn4ds]

Why do you put your callsign in the tags? You can easily search your own posts without tagging every post you make with your callsign.
'cause I can :p

[KC4RAN]

VHF over packet will at least keep the traffic somewhat in the clear (FBB compression notwithstanding). But two things to consider...

1) Your callsign, your risk. If these are going to be links that are nailed up all the time, make sure that you understand and that they understand that any traffic sent across this link is carried with your callsign and thus your responsibility for content.

2) Make sure that what they're intending to do with the link is actually appropriate and shouldn't be handled on municipal government frequencies. For example, if a municipality came to you and asked you to put up an amateur radio data link between a rural EOC and an urban one, and then you found out that they would be using it for day-to-day operational traffic like HR stuff, regular city/county email, then that would be when you should make the decision that while you "could" construct something that would work, that it wouldn't be what we're supposed to be doing in support of emergency operations, and you should inform the decision-makers that it would be more appropriate to buy commercial gear and put it on FCC-assigned municipal frequencies instead of amateur ones.

[N2RJ]

Do you have some sort of alert set for posts with the word winlink! :)

In my brain ;)

Hmm, maybe it is a fox news alert! LOL

73 de Joseph Durnal NE3R

I doubt it... I de-subscribed myself. I only have a test account subscribed to troubleshoot it when it gives problems.

[KI4ITV]

If you're the most knowledgeable and qualified person... AND they know your position about Winlink on HF, then something is not right to begin with.

Their questions should begin with why you have such a position or what has led you to this conclusion.
NOT, will you do it for us anyway.

Please hold your ground on this one. Winlink on HF is a problem that is only going to get far worse as general propagation gets better in the coming cycle.
The last thing we need is the reluctant (but knowledgeable) to concede and put more stations on the air for the technically unwashed yet email savvy "gottahaveits".

There are 3077 counties in the United States and that does not include independent cities like we have in Virginia. I could only imagine what the bands look like when the various agencies in every county are up and running Winlink on HF.

[KI4NGN]

There are 3077 counties in the United States and that does not include independent cities like we have in Virginia. I could only imagine what the bands look like when the various agencies in every county are up and running Winlink on HF.
Laughing....they'll all learn first hand about WinLink QRM. :)

[WA6MHZ]

Winlink has revitalized Packet Radio here in SoCal, which had just about dried up after Email became trendy. TNCs went cheap or were given away, old computers were trashed. APRS was about the only use for Packet, but TNCs weren't really needed for Trackers as the TINY TRACKs by Byonics were vastly superior and much cheaper than a TNC. But then came the Winlink fad and now TNCs are hard to find and are quite pricey on Ebay as all the EMCOMM folks are snatching them up to build into GOKITS getting ready for the next disasters. Digipeaters see new life as Winlink traffic is passed preparing for the worst. The Hospitals and EMS agencies are highly favorable of the great way Winlink supports them. So Winlink has indeed given Packet a new lease on life, despite all its detractors, mostly those who hate the Sailboat HF traffic. VHF Winlink is NOT QRMing anyone and putting dusty Digipeaters back into service

[ab0wr]

I simply cannot wait until all these hospitals and EMS agencies learn the lesson that FEMA learned the hard way during Katrina -- email doesn't work for EMCOMM, especially when safety-of-life and property is concerned.

I guess some people just *have* to learn the hard way.

tim ab0wr