A "Warm Welcome" to First Time Visitors

    The purpose of this website is to introduce and support "visitors" to join the Winlink digital amateur radio system. It is directed particularly at the Australian radio amateur and family and friends.

    Winlink provides communication support to individuals who are, or have family or friends, in extremely remote and isolated locations around the world. Typically such people have no access to other reliable means of communication, like telephone or the Internet. It therefore includes:

•     Land travelers traversing the Australian outback by car, caravan, mobile home or by other means;
•     Recreational sailors and cruisers, in Australian inland or offshore waters or on the high seas - worldwide;
•     Missionaries, Aid Workers and Explorers in faraway places - around the world;
•     Disaster and Emergency Relief workers assisting in national or international support operations;
•     Family and Friends at home who like or need to stay in touch with the distant traveler; and
•     Amateur radio operators who have a calling to assist in providing this public service.

    Participants who like to operate amateur radio equipment must have an appropriate amateur radio license. Recent changes to amateur service regulations have made it a lot easier to get a license! Membership of the Winlink family will cost you $0.00 for now and evermore.

      If you who do not want to get a license, or have a need for sending business transactions (that are prohibited on the amateur radio bands), you should join the SailMail organization at www.sailmail.com. The subscription is US$250 per year.

     If not already a member, you are strongly urged to join the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA). During its current reform phase, do this by email directly to vk1@wia.org.au. For details of the ongoing reform proposals visit www.wia.org. WIA Membership costs Aus$26 per year.

•     It helps in communicating with travelers in extremely remote locations;
•     It's operated and maintained by amateur radio operators (hams);
•     It is provided for free  to all radio amateurs and family and friends;
•     Messages are in digital format, just like email and pictures on the Internet;
•     Messages are transmitted via amateur radio and forwarded via the Internet;
•     Communications may include photos, weather charts and safety alerts;
•     Messages may not include commercial or business transactions;
•     The digital data protocol used by Winlink is the world's most advanced; and
•     Shortly there will be more than 40 Winlink radio stations around the world.
   

     The content of this website is being revised. Material no longer helpful is being removed. Emphasis will be placed on education and Winlink support in Australia. Sections are:

•     Latest News, including Media Releases and an Index;
•     Winlink: Services offered and Requirements;
•     Joining Winlink as Users or PMBO Operators;
•     Participants; A listing of those who are assisting; and
•     Links to other related websites.
  

Our Mission

    AussieWinlink is assisting with the promotion and use of Winlink in Australia. Australian radio amateurs are on the verge of joining this international public service, Winlink radio stations in Australia will substantially improve worldwide coverage: (a) on the Australia continent; (b) a large part of the South Pacific and Indian Oceans; (c) the seas and straits to the south and southeast of Australia; and (d) the archipelago nations to the north of Australia.

"Quick Tour" and Navigating

•     If you are, interested in the subject, read the rest of this page and follow the links;
•     just browsing,  click on > Quick Tour for a short outline of Winlink;
•     interested in learning about navigating a website, click on > Navigation Guide; or

•     a repeat visitor who only wants to get the latest news, click > Latest News.

    Your name or email address will not be quoted or disclosed, without your permission,  to anyone at anytime. Your comments might be published, after appropriate editing, but if you so wish without your name or any other identifying information. You will never be approached  to provide voluntary or financial support.

    Because visitors to this website are from all over the world, as well as for the sake of efficiency, all communications with AussieWinlink are via Internet email to: support@aussiewinlink.org.

    Feel free to use the "Feedback" link on the top of this page for Questions and Comments.

To Continue Surfing

    Follow the links to any of the sections listed under Website Content above or go directly to Latest News.

Copyright © 2002-2008 AussieWinlink. Material may be quoted with acknowledgement of its source. Last modified: September 28, 2008