[FARC] FW: I'm no expert, but

[WN3R, Dick]

I know only a couple things about Airmail and RMS Packet.

The KISS mode is more popular in TNC's (especially the "little ones") than
HOST mode.  So if you don't have the right HOST mode, getting Airmail to
work WAS a problem.  Just a few weeks ago, a new version of Paclink was
released, ver. 4.1.0.8.  It added KISSgeneric to the list.  This opens up a
whole new world like D700 and D710 and other built-in TNC's for Airmail or
any email client.



First, a bit of history.  I dusted off my 20 year old PK232/MBOX to use in
my Winlink node. It didn't work until I upgraded the firmware.  While it had
HOST mode, someone decided to change how the SW knew it was in HOST mode.
Just one CHARACTER kept the new SW from working with the old FIRMWARE. So
for just $50, I was able to redeploy a perfectly operating TNC.


Back to the present:
I now use Paclink with my normal Windows XP Outlook 2002 email client.  I
have not yet activated the RF modes since I have no radios here in
Rockville.

Yes, Joe, you can use command line to send and receive Winlink messages on
packet - no Airmail SW required.

On HF, Winlink uses Pactor I, II, and III.  Only III is the bandwidth killer
(it's also the fastest) - but it's also the least popular.  Most sites do
NOT have Pactor III capability.  I can guess as to why - cost and bandwidth
hog.

Based on the discussions I have been reading on the "right" way to do ecomm
digital, it reminds me of what has happened on the commercial public service
side.  "The best system is the one that I use."  In the good old days the
hams had AM and CW. Public service had AM and FM. Digital has complicated
things in more than just ham radio - for awhile telephone modems had their
own special means of increasing throughput (Pactor III) but still could work
at lower speeds with every other modem (Pactor I). HDTV took a long time to
get off the ground due to different formats. Even cell phones have competing
systems - GMS, PCS, and CDMA, TDMA, FDMA.

There is one thing that rings true.  If we simply go back to the good old
days when we had fewer choices, more systems would be compatible with each
other. But we would be missing out on some of the improvements.

So it comes down to CHOICE.  Things were so simple when we had just
Chocolate and Vanilla (still my favorite - but Choc.Chip is a close second)

Ecomm digital is tougher challenge today.  Whoever has the loudest voice and
puts in the most effort and manages to garner consensus will be THE one to
select the system and write the procedures for all others to follow.  And
not every follower will agree with it.  But what is clear, a choice must be
made.  Now the next challenge is to marry these differing systems to one
another so we can have universal messaging regardless of the last mile, 30
miles, or 3000 miles.  

Unlike digital, there are hundreds of languages spoken in this world.  We
American's are fortunate that ENGLISH appears to be the "universal" second
language for the rest of the world. Otherwise, we'd have to learn their
language.

Download Paclink 4.1.0.8 and let your troubles melt away.  We can all get
along. It just takes a new feature in the software.

73, Dick, WN3R