[FADCA] Tampa Hamfest (Burt KI4FH)

[Burt Wizeman]

-----Original Message-----
From: bud Thompson [mailto:budt at cfl.rr.com] 
Sent: Monday, November 28, 2005 6:01 AM
To: fadca at mailman.qth.net
Cc: burt at burtwizeman.com
Subject: Re: [FADCA] Tampa Hamfest (Burt KI4FH)

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Burt Wizeman" <burt at burtwizeman.com>
To: "'bud Thompson'" <budt at cfl.rr.com>; "'Florida Amateur Digital
Communication Association'" <fadca at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, November 28, 2005 00:05
Subject: RE: [FADCA] Tampa Hamfest (Burt KI4FH)


...

* * *

>What is the hiarchey of components for an email to fly?
>I am thinking it is workstation --> digi --> switch -->
>mailserver/box.

I'm not sure what you mean - What is needed by a user is a computer
(preferably Win2000 or XP), and a packet station (TNC, 2M radio, antenna.)
When it is all configured the user has one or more additional e-mail
accounts in Outlook Express on the computer.  These WL2K accounts use the
packet station to send/receive e-mail rather than use the internet out to a
conventional ISP.  Over the air it is necessary to link to a Telpac node
(i.e. Gateway) to get to a participating station (PMBO) and thus to the
internet to make the exchange.  Locally, it may be required to have some
packet infrastructure to get from the user to the Telpac node.  This could
be as simple as a digipeater to extend the range from the user to the Telpac
Node.  The Florida Layered Packet Network represents infrastructure to cover
vast areas of the state.  Each ham community should have a way to navigate
to the network.  This may mean only a digipeater - or could be a full 
service
FPAC switch with a 2M LAN and backbones to neighboring LANs (ham
communities.)

>Has anyone created a tutorial?

There are many covering several facets / steps of the system.  All
WL2K-related programs have documentation on how to install/configure and
use.  These may be found at http://www.winlink.org/Client.htm down the page
is a section titled  Below are the client programs and their documentation
and install information for the end-user.  The programs you need to be
familiar with are Telpac, Post Office, and Packlink AGW.  You will also need
a terminal program for general work and investigation.  I recommend Winpack.
You will also have to have AGW Packet Engine - I recommend starting with the
free version and later you can pay $50 for the Pro version.  I've been doing
all this for three years and have not purchased the Pro version yet.

The typical user does not have a Telpac Node running, but it is important 
that all users understand the function of Telpac nodes.

You will see reference to a program called Airmail.  That program was
designed for HF but has a packet capability that supports WL2K E-mail over
ham radio.  The packet side is not quite as user friendly as the Paclink
group, but it does work.  Also, the messages are not tied to Outlook
Express, rather to a dedicated message manager/e-mail client that has the
feeling of Outlook Express.  Airmail is not needed by the user except for
HF, or unless the computer is running Windows 98.

You might review the Assignments on my E-mail over Ham Radio by E-mail
course for the E. Central Florida E-mailers.  The basics are there for
anyone - the radio connections to try are local area-specific so will not
work except in E. Central Florida.  These may be found at
http://www.k1kwg.net/n0ia/ scroll down to Packet Lessons.

73,

bud N0IA
386 574 4124
386 956 0386 Sprint Cell


Thanks Bud, you have given me a good start and answered my question.

Burt Wizeman
KI4FH
Ellenton, FL