Hillbilly Heaven
Explorer
I know Winlink and Email has been discussed a few times here before, but found a video that answers the question of internet needed or not.
Most Winlink users will tell you the Winlink will not work unless there is internet in the world. This is wrong!
Typically a message will go from User to RMS station and then via internet to the CMS. I found out there are RF backbone links between some RMS stations. So it is possible for a User to send a message to one RMS and the person it is sent to receive it at another RMS station STRICILY using RF connections.
This was key for me as I wanted a system that was independent of the internet. How does a person out in the wilderness without internet get a list of RMS stations for the software to work? By using his existing list of RMS stations to download a list via RF to update his list. This option does exist in the Winlink software.
Reason I am concerned is remember the Arab Spring where the government shut down the internet and people were using MESH networks to get information out of the country. There is a small and limited number of CMS stations but many RMS stations around the world within easy reach of HF.
Many of us travel thru smaller countries where such an event could happen or it could happen in a country where a CMS is located.
Watch the video and get a much better understanding of how Winlink works and how it would be very useful for Expedition travelers. No you are not going to be able to upload all your pics to make all your friends jealous, but you will be able to get health and welfare traffic. Also notice he is only using 10 watts of power to send his messages.
Most Winlink users will tell you the Winlink will not work unless there is internet in the world. This is wrong!
Typically a message will go from User to RMS station and then via internet to the CMS. I found out there are RF backbone links between some RMS stations. So it is possible for a User to send a message to one RMS and the person it is sent to receive it at another RMS station STRICILY using RF connections.
This was key for me as I wanted a system that was independent of the internet. How does a person out in the wilderness without internet get a list of RMS stations for the software to work? By using his existing list of RMS stations to download a list via RF to update his list. This option does exist in the Winlink software.
Reason I am concerned is remember the Arab Spring where the government shut down the internet and people were using MESH networks to get information out of the country. There is a small and limited number of CMS stations but many RMS stations around the world within easy reach of HF.
Many of us travel thru smaller countries where such an event could happen or it could happen in a country where a CMS is located.
Watch the video and get a much better understanding of how Winlink works and how it would be very useful for Expedition travelers. No you are not going to be able to upload all your pics to make all your friends jealous, but you will be able to get health and welfare traffic. Also notice he is only using 10 watts of power to send his messages.