E-mail using Ham Radio!! It's FREE!!

Let's take a look at the free Winlink E-mail system. It uses HF and VHF to send e-mail over radio to the internet. It works for sending and receiving. Today's setup is Winlink on VHF over packet. This works all over the world. They suggest a donation, but you can use it for FREE!
winlink.org

[@sealstech8087]

My brain was already buzzing with info as I sit here copying notes from every source I can to try to burn some of it to memory for a tech test. This was a fun and informative rabbit hole for me to follow. Gave me yet another concrete reason to get a ham license. 🍻

[@matthooper5059]

Studying for my Tech license now....but dang this is soooo cool. I feel I'm gonna jump off the deep end once i get on the air, lol.

[@joshbloom9646]

Great news! So glad to hear it. I've been a ham for over 30 years and it's been such a fun hobby with always something new. Enjoy.

[@austinpayton8643]

i realize Im kinda off topic but does anyone know of a good place to watch new series online ?

[@jacerayan4457]

@Austin Payton I dunno atm I have been using flixportal. you can find it on google :D -jace

[@austinpayton8643]

@Jace Rayan Thanks, I went there and it seems like they got a lot of movies there :D Appreciate it !!

[@jacerayan4457]

@Austin Payton No problem xD

[@donm1025]

Very informative...thanks...Just got a technician and general license and one thing on the list is to do email...

[@Stenn333]

One clarification....the TNC is not really the "brains," as you described, it's just a D-to-A converter, and vice versa...the "brains" is WinLink...everything is happening in software, converted to analog, and transmitted.

[@muhammadilmanroyyan6996]

This is pretty cool if you can make an app for your smartphone that can be activated by hooking up a ham radio to your phone, its like whatsapp but using ham radio

[@brentjohnson6654]

Good video. Nice overview of Winlink. I have seen some configurations that required VOX on the radio. It would seem on your setup that you have some sort of rig control (assuming that would be controlled by the TNC). The reason I ask is some have complained about missing some information if setup in VOX. Thanks, 73!

[@joshbloom9646]

Correct! The newer Icom radios, like my 7300, can have CAT control and audio work over the one USB cable. It's a really sweet and clean setup. Once you have the drivers installed it just works and I love that! Good luck.

[@brentjohnson6654]

josh bloom thanks for responding. One day I need to buy you a drink or a coffee to thank you for your assistance. I am a curious one so thanks for your patience.

[@joshbloom9646]

Correct, some radios cannot be controlled by computer. On those radios you would use VOX. It will work for some digital protocols, but not others. Better to get a newer radio, like the IC-7300 which can send digital controls and audio over one USB cable. Most newer radio can be computer controlled.

[@Shotolover-c4b]

I climb cell phone towers and I’ve decided to take the class. To send an email in this form would I have to get the extra license to use the hf band?

[@joshbloom9646]

Kraig, If you get the General license you'll be able to use some of the digital Winlink nodes, but you'll be limited. If you get the Advanced class license you'll be able to use all the nodes, regardless of frequency (within the Ham Bands) and will have better luck. Get your General license first, then when you have time upgrade to Advanced. If you go to the one day Ham Cram classes, which is what I recommend, you'll likely pass, even if you don't leave understanding all the theory. In some areas there is Winlink of VHF which you could do with a Technician license. But if you are within range of a VHF Winlink node you're probably also within range of cell phone reception. The real advantage of using HF (vs VHF) is that it will work when you are way out in the wilderness or if there is a tornado that takes out all the local infrastructure, you can still send Winlink email via distant Winlink nodes. I've connected to nodes over 2000 miles away using the 7 mHz band (aka 40 meters). It's easy to get started, good luck!

[@aandscrawfoski]

Hello can you help explain how to help me find a ssb hf fsk sdr hand shake reconnition , tranciver and modem system could be integrated into a compact radio using bands from 3 mhz to 28 mhz using maybe a raspberry pi or existing kits available being (compact for field conditions) capable of very noisy bands riding over jamming and using frequency hopping signals please? Thankyou for taking my question seriously. Note power amp and antenna could be separate devices. Thankyou

[@yv6eda]

Hi Josh! Thanks for the video! I wonder if you have a video detailing the Winlink setup to use it with the KPC-3. Thanks in advance!

[@joshbloom9646]

Sorry I don't, but maybe a future video.

[@watchmanmichael2023]

Thanks 😊👍

[@hfe1833]

nice video bro, whats the difference NBEMS and this and APRS? and also NBEMS?? Or still need digipeater???

[@joshbloom9646]

sorry, not familiar with NBEMS.

[@douglasfurlong1]

can this type of protocol send more then emails? say like data which you could use for weather reports ect out 200 miles at sea?

[@joshbloom9646]

Yes. Winlink is often used by boaters. Not great for pictures, but excellent for text.

[@douglasfurlong1]

is there any way to get mb's of data? Using another protocol?

[@joshbloom9646]

There is something called weather fax. It's not really my thing, but I googled it and found a link. You can also look up weatherfax via HF radio: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHOUd61obpmUgtksi=l3-oV7clRnnFcsUN

[@douglasfurlong1]

@@joshbloom9646 ya I already looked at it but it is like 700kb that's it..

[@douglasfurlong1]

thanks..good vid:)

[@wojciechpopiel9887]

What is tnc? How do you have pc connected to the radio? without connection diagram this video is as good as useless unfortunately..

[@theTIck197]

Does this work with other internet protocols? Do you know if this will work with gopher or bulletin board systems? Can you transfer data using ftp?

[@joshbloom9646]

There are many different ways to transfer data over ham radio. There are some TCP based protocols are not what I use. Other than Winlink which will send e-mail. Look at Packet Radio if you want to do FTP or bulletin board. In fact Packet Radio is pretty much all about bulletin boards.

[@RoyCyberPunk]

@carona various You have got to be trolling.🙄

[@tylerdean980]

@carona various with the power of AREDN, yes. But you probably shouldn’t.

[@capricornone2362]

How does the TNC connect to the radio 🤷 Does it connect through the mic jack?

[@joshbloom9646]

On my radio, the Icom 2720, it connects via a data jack in the back. Some radio have those and some don't. I think I bought the cable for maybe $20 on eBay. For those radios that do not have data jacks you can often use the mic jack and/or speaker jack, but it's usually cleaner to use a radio with a data jack if you have one.

[@capricornone2362]

@@joshbloom9646 OK, thx for the reply. I have a couple of Icom radios 1990's vintage. I researched their manuals & found out that they are TNC compatible through an 8pin connection on the back of the radios. Just passed my tech exam & looking forward to getting my station on the air 👍

[@davet9900]

Hi Josh thanks for the vid. Is it possible to send an email anonymously using this setup?

[@Robbie-sk6vc]

Probably not. And why would you want to do that? Hiding something? How unfortunate!

[@davet9900]

@@Robbie-sk6vc what

[@pbshooter100]

Ok it's not free. You have to buy a TNC.

[@joshbloom9646]

Well, nothing in life is really free. But you can use the wlinlink service for free. I had the TNC already.

[@N0SSC]

@@joshbloom9646 @pbshooter100 you don't need a TNC, there are free software TNCs available, like direwolf, soundmodem, and AGWPE. Most people use direwolf for VHF packet. On HF, no TNC is needed either, most people use Winmor which is the built-in winlink express software modem. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHbOYYqmoM2Ga7M

[@mattyinnit9009]

you can use Vara

[@pbshooter100]

@@mattyinnit9009 Ok what is Vara and where can I go to learn how to use it?

[@mattyinnit9009]

Vara is a software modem that can be used by Winlink, search on google for "Vara HF" or "Vara Modem"