I am posting this for Steve/KB1TCE, who has been operating an amazingly well developed HF WINMOR and more system, tied-in with VHF and other modes. This is where we would like to go. This is for his on-the-air system, which I have used many times before I even know who Steve was.
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Invitation to TAPRN Digital Net Participants
in the Northeast
KB1TCE Owl’s Head BPQ32 BBS and Winlink Server:
Direct Access for Distant Users
KB1TCE operates a full time BPQ32 Bulletin Board System (BBS) from Owl’s Head, about half way up (or down if you are a real Mainer) the Maine coast (FN54kb). We have a number of local users on the 2 and 6 meter access ports. I also operate a Winmor port on 80 meters (3585 USB dial) and this is used by people who are too far away to connect to the VHF ports. The HF port permits access to the BBS for personal messages and Winlink email for hams who use RMS Express.
At the present, the RMS Express port will not handle bulletins but there are plans by the BPQ32 author, John Wiseman (G8BPQ) to add that capability.
I would like to invite the TAPRN members who have begun using RMS Express and who are within range of my station to try out the BBS. If you have never used a radio BBS before, this will give you a good idea of the benefits of store and forward for emergency communications.
What follows below are the detailed instructions for access.
KB1TCE-1 BBS via HF (Winmor)
For HF Winmor access you will need to install RMS Express (see user software at www.winlink.org). For hardware you will need a PC (Windows XP or later). If you have not used RMS Express before, be sure to read the Winmor Primer, also available at the Winlink site. You will also need a soundcard interface. We are using the SignaLink USB which works fine but it is critical that the Delay knob be at zero (full counterclockwise).
Access to the BBS using RMS Express requires that you be set up for this by the sysop. Send the sysop (kb1tceATbelljarDOTnet) your call sign, name, location (city/state). If you currently use a local packet BBS, please also include your home BBS address (HA).
1. Open RMS Express and compose your message (do not use peer to peer).
2. Address messages as follows:
- To place a private message on the BBS, send the message to
callsign@kb1tce. Example: w7asa@kbitce. The “@kb1tce” tells BPQ32 that the
message is destined for the posting on the kb1tce BBS and is not Winlink
email.
• If sending to multiple addresses, put a semicolon between the addresses.
• When you connect, RMS Express will also download any BBS messages waiting for you.
3. Open the Winlink Winmor session (WINMOR WL2K) and set your dial to 3585.0 kHz USB.
4. Set the connect session to KB1TCE-1 in the box just below “Setup.”
5. Initiate the connection if the frequency is not busy.
RMS Express will do the rest of the work. I will compose a welcome message for new registrants so you will be assured of having something waiting for you.
Winlink Email Access via KB1TCE-10
The following assumes that you have a working knowledge of using RMS Express and the Winlink system.
To send a message through the Winlink system, simply use RMS Express WLK2K Winmor mode to connect to KB1TCE-10 (3585.0 kHz, USB) just as you would to any other Winmor RMS. KB1TCE-10 will show up in the station list.
When you connect you will also retrieve any messages that are waiting for you.
You may also see KB1TCE-5 on the station list. This is my non-BPQ32 Winlink server on 20 meters. It is Winlink system only.
If you have any questions, please contact me at the aforementioned email address.
73,
Steve KB1TCE