Last week I talked about messages being sent by Packet Radio and the use of the "ST" as opposed to "SP" when posting messages on Packet Radio BBS' or PBBS'. When posting messages on Packet Radio BBS' and PBBS', you should always use the "ST" which stands for "Send Traffic". This week you will learn a little bit about the Winlink 2000 (WL2K) system. The WL2K system is an interface between Packet Radio, whether it's on VHF or HF, it still works the same. WL2K is a combination Computer/NODE that operates on radio networks or stand-alone and allows you to send and receive E-Mail to and from the internet. To send a message through the internet from Packet Radio you need to connect to a Winlink 2000 NODE by either HF or VHF. There is a special program that you can download from the internet called "Airmail" and it looks like "Internet Explorer", but for this bulletin we will discuss using a Dumb Terminal or a computer communications program such as Procom Plus or Hyperterm. The first thing you must do is connect to a WL2K NODE, at the present time the only one available on VHF is on the DAREN 145.69 MHz system. The WL2K NODE is K8KHW-10 which can be accessed through the Ritchie County NODE of RITCWV. When you get connected to it, you will get a sign-on message. From there you will use the "SP" command. The format is the E-Mail address to where you are sending your message. The format will look something like this: SP SMTP:wa8llm@yahoo.com. After you type the E-Mail address and press <enter>, you will get a message back telling you to enter a "Subject Title", just like you do when using the internet. After you press <enter> again it will tell you to enter your message and when you’re finished to place a "/EX" on a new line. If you're successful you should get a message back that says your message has been sent. Basically sending your messages through the WL2K system is the same as using a Packet BBS or PBBS, with a lot of the same commands.
Ken Harris WA8LLM
Wood County WV;
ARES Assistant Section Coordinator WV
ARES District Emergency Coordinator WV DISTRICT 3