Which is where the AEA/Timewave PK-232 comes in. While WinLink’s protocols can ‘piggyback’ on many different modes with a node-based infrastructure, we’d at least initially just use AX.25 Peer-to-Peer connections to carry the data. This is useful because, whilst we could set up wide area WiFi, long-distance WiFi tends to be based on point-to-point links rather than an omnidirectional service to cover an area.Thus, we can have email access over several miles of course, independent of any cellular coverage. WinLink provides a mechanism for email without any internet requirement. It should also help the Control station with information management.
If some of this mundane, routine traffic could be moved onto an email network, the voice net would then be clearer for any less routine message exchange, and also should decrease the probability of mistakes caused by mis-hearing numbers. In particular, we’re involved in a number of marathons, cycle rides and other events where the main UHF voice net gets very busy with people passing routine messages about which participants have reached their location. The ultimate objective is to use WinLink Express with our local Raynet group. Over the past several weeks, I’ve had a project to resurrect an old PK-232MBX AX.25 packet radio Terminal Node Controller (TNC, or basically what we’d today call a MODEM) so I can send email over radio.
