[K6BW] WINMORE update status

[Bill Smith]

Enclosed is a note from Rick Muthing who posted this update on the
PacLink users group.  WINMORE is a sound-card based software package
intended as a replacement for Pactor 1 and to some extent for the
expensive SCS hardware modem.  The protocol is designed to work on HF
frequencies (2-30 MHz) and VHF (2 meters and 440) in conjunction with a
program package called Winlink 2000 (WL2K).  Winlink 2000 is implemented
as a radio network with an Internet backbone.  

What all this really means is that we will be able to set up a mail
system that works in the same way as the one you are using to read this
message.  Instead of an Internet connection, we will be able to use our
radios.  That means we will still be able to send and receive printed
messages even if the phone and power are not available (presuming an
operational computer is available, such as a battery operated laptop or
a computer operating from a backup generator).

The update follows:

A brief update on to where we are with WINMOR the new sound card mode
being developed for WL2K.

We have begun limited over-the-air testing on 10.140.0 USB Dial and
18107.0 USB dial between K4CJX, VE1YZ, KN6KB and W5SMM.  This is
currently limited to 1K and 10K block exchanges of random binary files
with end to end verification. (after all FEC and ARQ).

The results look encouraging though there is still some optimization
required especially on the fastest QAM16  modes.  The tests have been
done using WINMOR’s 200 Hz, 500 Hz and 2000 Hz bandwidths using 4FSK,
QPSK and 16QAM modulation modes including auto mode control.

I am now in the process of the initial integration of the WINMOR virtual
TNC into Paclink (the new Paclink) and RMS HF (the new replacement for
RMS Pactor).  This will take some time to complete and to do initial
testing before any beta testing can proceed.

WINMOR will NOT replace Pactor but be used in addition to Pactor. The
RMS HF will be able to operate BOTH WINMOR and Pactor (1-3) but not
simultaneous connections. While WINMOR may not equal P2 and P3 in total
performance it will provide lower cost, higher performance and more
robustness than P1.  The primary applications will be for those lower
usage Emcomm applications which have trouble justifying the high cost
and low utilization of the P2 and P3 modem.

As soon as the Winlink web site is back on line Lor will update the site
with the preliminary WINMOR spec and speed comparison worksheet to
support the currently posted  DCC 2008 paper and PowerPoint
presentation.

There is a WINMOR yahoo group set up
(  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WINMOR/ ) but there will not be much
activity on this until we get closer to beta testing which I suspect
will start sometime in February depending on what snags are encountered.

73,

Rick Muething, KN6KB

Winlink Development Team