[ARES] Year end review of Winlink 2000 and future goals

[John Kraus KC4ZGQ]

I hope everyone is having a very Merry Christmas.

Steve Waterman K4CJX posted a year end review and outline of the direction 
and plans for Winlink in the next year.  I pasting it into this email and 
posting a copy on my 
<http://www.kc4zgq.com/wordpress/archives/71#more-71>disaster<http://www.kc4zgq.com/wordpress/archives/71#more-71> 
response site.  The copy on my site has working links.

I am very hopeful that we will see considerable growth over the next year.

Again Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

To: "Wl2kemcomm" <wl2kemcomm at yahoogroups.com>
From: "K4CJX" <k4cjx at comcast.net>
Subject: Winlink 2000 during 2005, and prospects for the future

All,

  2005 was quite a year for Winlink 2000. The Winlink 2000 development 
group is most appreciative to all those involved for their dedication and 
valuable input.  Additional expertise and resources have been added to the 
core group, greatly broadening the scope and reliability of the 
system.  Together, we are all building a premier Amateur radio digital 
network, and we should all be proud of our collective accomplishment.  Here 
is a glimpse of what took place during 2005, and what we expect for the 
future .

The Network:

-  As requested by the ARRL and as promised by the Winlink development 
team, there is completely new network topology in place, which should 
virtually eliminate network downtime.  Specifically, the move from  the 
concept of a Central Server with a standby backup, using an MS ACCESS 
database, to a  totally mirrored, redundant Common Message Server (CMS) 
system, now using a more powerful and diverse MYSQL database, has been 
implemented. Year 2005 will end with two fully operational, mirror image 
Common Message Servers . The PMBOs now continuously alternately seek all 
CMS systems should one of the servers become inoperative or its Internet 
path interrupted. A third Common Message Server is now being prepared in 
Perth, Australia,  for implementation during the first quarter of 2006, and 
it is anticipated that a fourth such system will be located in Europe 
shortly thereafter.   Even with its two current redundant CMSs, the system 
uses only a small fraction of its total capability.

-  Implementation of very powerful Common Message Server tools, which will 
allow direct administrative control, and information extraction, from all 
CMSs from a remote computer anywhere there is a working Internet.

- Message batching as an attachment was added to the tactical address 
schema for messages without e-mail addresses. The ARRL NTS leadership has 
made recommendations about how to use this facility ,  and is in the 
process of working toward getting the organization in tune with their 
wishes. The need for the distribution of non-email addressed messages was 
brought into the limelight during the Tsunami disaster, and with the recent 
domestic hurricane disasters. Manual distribution of such messages is a 
tough nut to crack, especially when there is little local coordination or 
agreement between the Amateur communities and their agencies.  Hopefully, 
many lessons were learned and positive steps are being taken to rectify 
problem areas. Regardless, the facility now exists for end-point 
distribution  of such non-email addressed messages .

- The PMBO has evolved into a hubbing Mail box server for both long 
distance and "last mile" coverage anytime the Internet fails, but 
especially, during a disaster. When connected to the Internet, these Radio 
Message Server PMBOs, communicate directly to any operational CMS whenever 
a message is pending in either direction.

  - There is now a robust suite of client programs, including Paclink AGW 
and Telpac, which will allow community EmComm groups to offer great benefit 
to their served agencies and the community at large. Airmail has been 
enhanced and is in the process of further enhancement.

  - A stand-alone WEB server now resides in a caged harden site, which has 
greatly enhanced the Winlink 2000 WEB site, WEB Access, and a secure FTP 
server .

  - The first Winlink 2000 program to contain a completely automatic 
download feature has been successfully implemented with Paclink AGW and 
Paclink PostOffice. The plan is to complete this auto-download feature to 
all Winlink 2000 modules during 2006.   This is accomplished with an 
out-only, high range TCP port opening, which is favored by agencies hosting 
the these modules.

- Real-time Status and versatile Google maps have been added to show the 
current status of the entire network and its major components. 
www.winlink.org/status    A password protection is available for the EmComm 
PMBO view.  Current status information is available as a 
text-based  Catalog item downloadable by all radio users.

  -  In addition to the APRS mapping system, Position Reporting directly 
from the Winlink 2000 system is now available: 
www.winlink.org/positions/PosReports.aspx

- The PMBO replacement,  called the "Radio Message Server" or RMS, is being 
coded in several different varieties, which will make deployment much 
easier for those who have an interest in becoming a part of the 
network.  At  the request of the ARRL and others, we will deploy manual 
"local and remote" control operator initiated HF polling should the 
Internet be lost by the Radio Message Server type containing its own 
database. Completion of the Radio Message Server suite is planned for 2006.

   -  The new APRSLink, www.winlink.org/aprslink.htm has been thoroughly 
tested and implemented with a formal announcement pending, shortly. This 
short text-based messaging system ties APRS ,worldwide, directly into the 
Winlink 2000 e-mail system for short message e-mail deployment  to and from 
the APRS messaging system.

- The LINUX platform has entered the Winlink 2000 arena this year. There is 
currently an operational Telpac gateway available and a client program 
being coded on the LINUX platform. These efforts are not part of the 
Winlink Development Team's direct efforts, but the team is ready to assist 
and encourage those who wish to code client modules for the system.

The Environment:

  - The WL2KEmComm Reflector, which was conceived  by one of our ARES 
users, has grown from approximately 400 to over 1050 members thus far this 
year. This reflector is there to assist those Amateurs who are interested 
in deploying Winlink 2000 for EmComm. The WL2KEmComm Reflector continues to 
expand, offering explanation,  presentation, planning, configuration, and 
implementation assistance to its members. To join, visit 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wl2kemcomm/

- The ARRL ARESCOM committee and BoD objectives for the network topology 
have been met completely, and with the assistance of those experienced in 
EmComm, additional features are now being coded to make Winlink 2000 much 
less Internet dependent, and more robust where emergency situations 
demand.  Last year, the Winlink Development Team, through the former ARRL 
ARESCOM committee agreed to keep source code with the ARRL per the BoD 
minutes.

  - There are now 22 Emergency only hubbing PMBOs, many residing in 
hardened sites such as County EOCs, all sitting idle until needed for 
periodic testing (exercises) or emergencies.

  - Public PMBO deployment is continuing to be optimized to the Worldwide 
user community during the low sunspot cycle period. This process will 
continue, with the deployment of a Public PMBO in the Philippines this 
January.

  Activity:

  - The aftermaths from the Tsunami disaster, the failure of INTELSAT 804, 
the four hurricanes that played havoc with Florida and the Caribbean, and 
the current domestic Katrina/Rita disasters continue to illustrate the 
importance of Amateur radio's ability to deploy digital communications 
during emergencies. The US Coast Guard, the United Nations, NOAA, remote 
missionaries, Health organizations, governments with remote Research 
facilities, and other government and civil agencies, worldwide, continue to 
use Winlink 2000 when other means of communications are not available.  We 
are very proud to be able contribute in making Amateur radio a useful tool 
for emergency communications for these and other agencies when the need is 
there.  It will be the responsibility of the Winlink development team to 
continue to provide easier to deploy modules for the EmComm community as we 
move forward into 2006.  In fact, In addition to the self-updating facility 
for Winlink 2000 modules, at his own initiative, one of our PMBO SYSOPs has 
started a successful on-line class to make the deployment of Winlink 2000 
client programs in  the EmComm environment better understood.  The ARRL 
continues  their direct involvement in assisting and publicizing their 
commitment to digital communications in general and Winlink 2000 in 
particular. We look forward to working with the ARRL through the ADNMT 
committee set up by their BoD for this purpose.

  -  Winlink 2000 now consists of over 8,400 Amateur radio users. This is 
almost a 25 percent increase during 2005.  Worldwide, there are now over 
217 active VHF/UHF Telpac gateways in the Winlink 2000 network, 22 active 
EmComm PMBOs, 50 active Public PMBOs, and approximately 98,000 e-mail 
recipients, who, for the most part, only know of Amateur radio because of 
the Winlink 2000 service. This has certainly helped the Amateur community 
gain recognition, especially during emergencies, and has brought many into 
the Amateur service.

  The Future:

As SSB was viewed in the days when the AM mode reigned supreme, any digital 
communications greater than interactive typing speeds has been viewed by 
some as an  intrusion.  Much misinformation has been spread around on the 
public reflectors, causing much misunderstanding and confusion. However, 
with the current ARRL proposed band plan now before the FCC, perhaps there 
will be a chance for further entry of a younger and more progressive 
mindset to enter the Amateur service.  As it is now with other 
communications services, and most likely in the future of Amateur radio, 
there will be "wired" and "wireless . "What is really excellent is that 
the  proposed ARRL band plan allows for those who wish to preserve their 
current operating modes, but it also allows for new and enabling 
technologies to be explored, developed and implemented on the Amateur bands.

  In its Order from RM-10740, 11/2004, the FCC plainly states, "As an 
initial matter, we note that one of the purposes of the amateur service is 
to contribute to the advancement of the radio art.[1] We believe that 
amateur radio operators using amateur service spectrum to develop new 
communications systems are using the service in a manner that is consistent 
with the basis and purpose of the amateur service. We also believe that our 
Rules should not be an impediment to amateur radio operator's development 
of new or improved communication systems. In this regard, we note that the 
reason amateur radio operators currently may not transmit communications 
that combine image emission types and data emission types on HF frequency 
segments where data emissions are authorized is not a technical reason, but 
rather is because our Rules do not authorize stations to transmit both 
image and data emission types on any HF frequency segments.[2] We also note 
that amateur radio operators apparently have developed communication 
systems and technologies that transmit both image and data emission types, 
and that they are using these systems for communicating. For this reason, 
we are persuaded that our Rules are not in harmony with current emission 
and operating practices, and that our Rules may be impeding amateur radio 
operators in advancing the radio art."

  In this same Order, they continue by making the following remarks 
regarding formal regulation, "Voluntary band planning allows amateur 
stations that desire to pursue different operating activities to pursue 
these activities by dividing or segmenting the amateur service spectrum. 
Voluntary band planning also allows the amateur service community the 
flexibility to 'reallocate' the amateur service spectrum among operating 
interests as new operating interests and technologies emerge or operating 
interests and technologies fall into disfavor."

  This clearly places some additional responsibility on the Amateur 
community, but really, it is already there. For Winlink 2000 on HF, a great 
majority of its domestic operations are crammed into the very narrow auto 
forward sub-bands  even when it is not always illegal to move them out,  It 
shares these narrow segments  as a "local and remote control" operation 
with  various  fully "automatic" non Winlink operations. The small portion 
outside these sub-bands that operate a more narrow Pactor mode, operate 
between the voluntary RTTY, PSK, and CW portions of the HF bands. 
Domestically, the current part 97 rules allow such "local and remote 
control" "data" operations all the way to the bottom of the bands, but each 
service has worked out its own spots, voluntarily. How do we 
know?    Winlink 2000 has never received a citation from the FCC or any 
other government agency regarding anything it has done.  It has, in fact, 
been encouraged  to continue to expand.    Even Australia has moved into 
the current century, now allowing Internet connectivity, and had written to 
the WDT prior to the rule change, encouraging its operations in their 
country.

  With the move toward automatic signal detection techniques, such data 
transfer systems will most likely will never have issues. Frankly, even now 
and in the US, the current voluntary arrangements are actually working, and 
even to the extent that RTTY, CW stations are literally  "forgiven by 
mutual agreement" during contests for their intrusions into other voluntary 
areas. However, with the propose band plan initiated by the ARRL, much more 
progress may be made, and with much less conflict. Fact is, faster data 
communications are going to happen, and such local and remote control or 
"semi-automatic" operations consists of any operation that is greater than 
typing speeds. This does not mean that new developments will take place at 
the expense of those who wish to deploy past and current technology, but 
what it does mean is that with separation by bandwidth, it will not be 
necessary for a modern communications system that utilizes state-of-the-art 
error control coding such as pulse shaped OFDM, which to date yields the 
best spectral efficiency on HF today, to compete  in the same spectrum with 
a relatively primitive, uncoded, single-carrier DBPSK system without 
ARQ.  Each will have its own place and space, and each may shrink or 
expand, dependent on its popularity at the time.

  How does Winlink 2000 fit into this schema, domestically? As long as 
there is a commitment to allow new technologies to expand, Winlink 2000 
will continue its quest for higher efficiency operations. This, really is 
not a Winlink issue, but one that has an effect on all digital 
communications, be they voice, image or data, and the future of how our 
Amateur service will be perceived. No one knows what the future will hold, 
but as the FCC clearly states, with current and future blocked 
opportunities due to their current hardcode regulatory environment, such 
progress is currently  " impeded the radio art," and if left in place, will 
make future developments impractical.

Thanks to all those who have contributed in making Winlink 2000 a premier 
communications methodology for Amateur radio.

Steve, k4cjx



73 de John Kraus KC4ZGQ
Georgia DEC for Digital Communications
DIGITAL_COMMS_GA at COX.NET

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