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Winlink FundamentalsAn Introduction AussieWinlink was established to: (1) lobby for the establishment of Winlink in Australia; and (2) when that was successful - as it is now - to promote the use of Winlink in Australia. It is not AussieWinlink's intention to play a technical role for the installation of amateur radio communication, or for that matter any navigational systems on board sailing and other oceangoing vessels or for the many land-based applications, such as, for 4WD or Caravan (Motor Home) use. In as far as radio amateurs do need advise and support with installation and subsequent use, and most will be capable of solving 99 percent of all challenges, good support is available within Australia (contact: www.pca.cc) and, of course, in the USA (contact: www.farallon.us). Operational matters can be answered by the Winlink Development Team (contact; Steve (K4CJX) at www.winlink.org. In addition local Amateur Radio Clubs are always likely to have a few members that are willing to give advise and/or a willing hand. In respect of Amateur Radio in Australia, current and prospective radio amateurs would do well by joining the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA), the national organization representing amateur radio in Australia. However, the large number of questions about Winlink that reach AussieWinlink by email, prompted us to review and update "Winlink Fundamentals" that provides some broad ranging information about Winlink applications, hardware and software requirements, training and testing and use of the may functions and products that are provided by Winlink. The updated article is attached together with schematics that show how, in the example chosen, radio communication and navigational instruments, together with a number of peripheral items are interfaced on a mid-sized sailboat. Before reading the article, the reader might wish to download and (preferable in colour/color) print these graphics. Having these available for reference while reading the article makes the task a lot easier. The links to the attached schematics, and the full article are: 1. For communications, navigation and peripheral equipment here > Schematic 1 (PDF File); 2. Of lesser importance is the power supply to the above system. Click here > Power Supply (PDF File); and 3. Article about installing Winlink communication, and separately, Navigation equipment > Article. It is hope that this contribution will contribute to many more Australia radio amateurs joining the free Winlink service for mobile operations and base stations providing support to Winlink Users in remote locations; for education; public service events and for local and international emergence and disaster relief operations and real-life events. AussieWinlink 30 August 2004 |
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