Cannon Beach Fire Department Packet Radio Instructions
CBARS: KE7ZHX
2/15/2017 Version by Tim R Crawford, KE7TAC
The 2 drawer file cabinet, on the floor, to the lower right of the station setup contains equipment manuals.
The Station Log should be on top of the portable computer to the right of the ICOM radio, on the desk.
CBFS does have wifi access but may not if area wide power failure.
Winlink Notes:
Your Winlink email account is a use-it or loose-it thing. If you have not used your client program via radio or telnet for 400 days (using Webmail online doesn't count), your Winlink account will be automatically purged and your correspondents will receive non-delivery messages.
If your account is purged, however--no worries. It is easy to create a new account when you need Winlink radio email again. Just configure and use your client program, make a connection, and your account is re-created automatically.
Introduction Reading:
The TNC will operate RMS Express Pgm as VHF Packet or HF Pactor (the TNC has been wonky for awhile now on HF but keep at it and it generally will work)
The RMS Express pgm operates pretty much the same whether using VHF or HF transmission frequencies EXCEPT VHF uses the “Packet Winlink” mode while HF uses the “Pactor Winlink” mode.
In Addition, the HF “Pactor” mode will auto tune the freq on the Radio and will in addition auto match the Antenna.
When switching between the two Modes Tab options (“Packet Winlink” or “Pactor Winlink”) you may have to close the RMS Express pgm and turn off the TNC briefly before restarting the RMS Express pgm.
Operating Steps:
1) Turn on power to all equipment from the power supply under the desk (Transmitter mic may be on top of the power supply, connect before turning transmitter on) per the following sequence: Turn power on for the Radio (middle left side) and for the TNC (push button on right) & then the Computer (Topside left of center).
a) Be Certain that Squelch is on and no sound detectable as the packet pgm will not send any data, if otherwise.
2) Using the lower left knob (sticks out) change the memory frequency to the following for VHF:
1st Choice: 144.96
OR
IF Going to use HF the Freq shown will auto tune the radio to the appropriate frequency from any frequency shown on the dial when first turned on. [See HF]
3) Password for CB computer: Cannon Beach Fire Insure that the USB plug from the packet TNC is connected to the “red” marked port and that the power cord is plugged into the computer.
4) Click on the “RMS Express” program (icon on left side)- and wait while all info loads.
5) Go To VHF or HF sections as appropriate
ok to leave on 100 watts if preset
VHF:
a) There is a drop down box to the right of the “Open Session:” at the top of the open window. Select “Packet Winlink”. This will be a simplex operation.
b) Now Click “Open Session (TNC must be on)”
c) A new Window will open (Packet Winlink). Watch for message that Packet has initialized.
d) Note the Connection type drop down box on the left side of the “Packet Winlink” window. Select “Direct” if station is a Direct Node; Select “Digipeater” if station is a Digipeater Node. The available station opens are listed below.
e) In the box to the right of the selected Connection type enter the station call sign whether a Direct Node or a Digipeater Node.
If Digipeater Node then in the “Via” box enter the Digipeater call sign (second call sign shown).
Example of Direct:
Example of Digipeater:
f) Click on “Start” (top left hand side of window) and start the session. Messages waiting to be sent should be and if any messaged waiting to be received they will show up in the Inbox on the RMS Express main window (simply click on the Inbox to read).
This is not any preferential order. Use whatever works; you may have to try several different options for a connection.
KC7ZBI-10 Direct Node PRIMARY
W7CLA-10 Direct Node
WA7VE-10 Direct Node
W7CLA-10 WA7FIV-8 Digipeater linked
WA7VE-10 WA7FIV-8 Digipeater linked
At the moment W7CLA (Clatsop EOC) and WA7VE (Seaside grade school) all have satellite internet connections. WA7FIV is simply a digipeater at Hal’s home, in Seaside, relaying to either the Seaside grade school or the EOC.
Packet Practical Considerations as of this date (12/13/2016)
1) The most likely RMS site that is reachable is KC7ZBI; Ed Clark has both a UPS system for this install and his home has a backup generator; internet is via DSL (phone).
a) The other VHF RMS sites will probably not connect
2) County Repeater W7CLA-10 has been having some problems and if unable to reach then retry at differing times.
3) Hal’s digipeater ( WA7FIV-8) works well from here, however, it may not always be available.
4) Historically, at this location, HF Packet has proven to be more reliable.
Creating messages Section will follow the HF Instructions.
When finished with all activity switch the frequency to 145.49 unless 146.74 system is linked (not as of date) prior to shutting down &
DISCONNECT THE HF ANTENNA FROM THE AUTO TUNER, beneath the desk. Place the Microphone underneath the desk on top of the Auto Tuner.
HF
Use this option only if WiFi is available. (otherwise you will be guessing as to available stations-although there is a radio search option that is worth trying); However, do not hesitate to use if VHF connections are not available, even if no WiFi and try a previous HF station noted in the station log or previous ones listed within RMS express.
If Switching from VHF to HF be sure and turn modem off first then back on as well as restarting RMS Express.
Please read previous information RE operation of equipment and be sure all turned on and ready.
a) There is a drop down box to the right of the “Open Session:” at the top of the open window. Select “Pactor Winlink”.
b) Now Click “Open Session.”
c) A new Window will open (Pactor Winlink). Watch for message that Packet has initialized.
d) On this screen click on the “Channel Selection” option.
e) It will take a few minutes for the list to rebuild itself via an internet connection. Note the color boxes on the left hand side of the Channel Selector screen. Green suggests a good connection possible; yellow suggests that possibly a connection can be made and red suggests that a connection will be unlikely with that specific node (1st column noted as “Callsign”).
Note the “Mode” column. This reflects the available pactor version that the station can handle. As of this date we do not have P4, only P2 is available on our TNC, as of date; however, all Node Versions are backwards compatible so not an issue when selecting a station.
e) Select one of the call signs to try for a connection (click on first column)-keeping in mind the above Note. The author suggests, at least during the day, a 10 meter frequency with a distance greater than 600km (one of the other column’s shown), or if band conditions are poor then try 40/80 meters for someone closer; KE7XO, K6IXA, has worked well in the past on 10 meters while K7NHV has worked well on 80 meters, close in; either in the green or yellow. Keep in mind that during the day you will have some skip so stations need to be a bit further away; on the other hand during the day sometimes you can have good luck with 40 or 80 meters on closer in stations. You may have to try several of the listed stations before you get a working connection.
f) Click on the main window and Note that the call sign you selected now has it’s frequency shown and the radio will automatically also tune to this frequency and then tune the autotuner.
g) Click on the “Start” button and connection will be attempted. The screen will describe progress. If unable to connect go back to the selection screen and choose another callsign/location.
WARNING: At the start of the connection activity be sure and watch the transceiver to insure that the TX frequency does not change (i.e. to 144.89)… if it does, first stop the transmission by clicking either stop or abort then shut everything down (including the computer) and restart all. On 4/8/2015 I had to switch to Packet Mode and attempt a connection before turning everything off then back on to correct this infrequent anomaly.
When you do have a connection, after any messages in the outbox have been transmitted then any messages awaiting for delivery will be transmitted and can be read by clicking on the “ Inbox.”
Creating messages
1) Under the call sign at the top left hand side of the RMS Express main screen you will see a icon that represents a page. Click on this to create a message (winlink box should be checked on the message form when opened).
2) When finished with message click on the “Post To Outbox” option; the message will be automatically sent when a new connection is made via VHF or HF.
3) In an emergency the EOC will require that messages follow a prescribed form. These forms can be accessed after step 1 by clicking on the “Select Template” option (left hand side to the left of the close option on the “Enter a new message” form. The main form used will be the one with “ICS213” in the string; simply follow the instructions.
CAUTION: These forms are supposed to be signed by the onsite Authority and a copy maintained. This will require availability of a printer. The absence of the onsite Authority signature may create financial liability for the operator for any supplies requested.
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Miscellaneous Notes:
To Access the Radio’s Menu and turn on or off the automatic tuner.
a) Push the top left hand button in one time.
b) Choose Other
c) Use the buttons below the arrows on the left side of screen to find the menu item # for the automatic tuner. Rotate the VFO knob (large right hand knob) to turn either on or off.
To Access the Radio Power menu item simply select “QS” after push the top left hand button one time and then use the VFO knob to change.
When Running “TESTS” or using equipment be sure and make a log entry into the log book!
Have to Register Call Sign at WINLink www.winlink.org
+ Downlaod the RMS Express pgm from this same site.
As of ~ 11/01/15 Winlink now requires a password for access. The password is inserted into the setup file: D6O7WA and the default email for password recovery is Cameron Francey’s (AF7DK): .
CBARS Registered WINLink: KE7ZHX Pass Word: 10CBARS09
Also with Pass Word: 10CBARS09 (both passwords have been inactive for some time so less than certain they are still useable).
Tuner Settings List for HF are in the log book??-not as of date
In Case of Emergency:
There should be communications available through and from the Oregon Emerency Network on 80 meters: 3980.00
Phone email addresses for sending Text Messages To a Phone
· T-Mobile:
· Virgin Mobile:
· Sprint:
· Verizon:
· Nextel:
· AT&T:
· Consumer Cellular:
· Cricket:
Alltel
[10-digit phone number]@message.alltel.com
Example:
AT&T (formerly Cingular)
[10-digit phone number]@txt.att.net
Example:
For multimedia messages, use [10-digit-number]@mms.att.net
Example:
Boost Mobile
[10-digit phone number]@myboostmobile.com
Example:
Cricket Wireless
[10-digit phone number]@sms.mycricket.com
Example:
For multimedia messages:[10-digit phone number]@mms.mycricket.com
Example:
Nextel (now part of Sprint Nextel)
[10-digit telephone number]@messaging.nextel.com
Example:
Sprint (now Sprint Nextel)
[10-digit phone number]@messaging.sprintpcs.com
Example:
T-Mobile
[10-digit phone number]@tmomail.net
Example:
Verizon
[10-digit phone number]@vtext.com
Example:
Virgin Mobile USA
[10-digit phone number]@vmobl.com
Example:
Other U.S. and Canadian carriers:
Bell Canada: [10-digit-phone-number]@txt.bellmobility.ca
Centennial Wireless: [10-digit-phone-number]@cwemail.com
Cellular South: [10-digit-phone-number]@csouth1.com
Cincinnati Bell: [10-digit-phone-number]@gocbw.com
Metro PCS: [10-digit-phone-number]@mymetropcs.com or [10-digit-phone-number]@metropcs.sms.us
Qwest: [10-digit-phone-number]@qwestmp.com
Rogers: [10-digit-phone-number]@pcs.rogers.com
Suncom: [10-digit-phone-number]@tms.suncom.com
Telus: [10-digit-phone-number]@msg.telus.com
U.S. Cellular: [10-digit-phone-number]@email.uscc.net