Before I got involved in a cruising boat I thought of radio being a voice transmission device. You know, you talk on it, you hear other people talk on it. When pressed I had to admit, yes, I know that they used Morse Code on the radio, too. I mean I’ve seen war movies from WWII, so I know about that. Oh, and weather fax, yes – that’s when an audio signal is used to draw a weather map. Seems weird but very useful. But Email access via HF Radio?? I would have said that email is a different animal than radio.
But little did I suspect that just a few years later I would be using the HF Radio mostly for Internet Packet Data, including email access. What is packet data? It’s a way of sending data over a network, which is basically what the internet is. So, ta-dah, the HF Radio, by using a Pactor Modem can speak internet for you. Now it speaks internet VERY slowly, but you didn’t want to spend time on Facebook while you’re cruising, did you?
What can you do with internet access via HF radio?
So the radio internet is too slow for Facebook, what can you do? These are the most essential services we use daily on Phoenix:
- download weather files
- read and send email (no images)
- automatically update your location to YOTREPS or Winlink (Ham radio users only) so your family know where you are. They will need to look you up by your ham radio call sign. This is like a free personal EPIRB tracking your location!
What do you need to get email access via HF Radio?
- HF Radio (Ham, SSB or both), antenna, grounding etc
- Pactor Modem (translates audio to data packets)
- Licenses depending on usage (see chart below)
- Software (Airmail) running on PC
What We Use Aboard Phoenix
So on Phoenix we use our Pactor Modem connected to the ICOM 735 which can access both SSB and Ham stations. (Read an article about how to connect a Pactor Modem and other devices to your onboard laptop.) We have our Ham General class licenses that give us the right to use much of the HF spectrum (the first level license, Technician, is mostly for voice communications on VHF and UF parts of the spectrum – for HF you really need the General class). We use Airmail Software to talk to the Pactor modem (it can also use your wireless signal when you are ashore).
If you have a ham radio you will be connecting to Winlink stations and if you have a Marine SSB radio you will be connecting to SailMail stations. If you are lucky to be capable of both kinds of radio transmission you can use the same installation of Airmail to talk to both kinds of stations. However, make sure you have the applicable licenses for each system (see below).
Airmail also has an excellent GRIB weather file downloader and viewer. I use the downloader but I prefer to view the weather files on Coastal Explorer so I can see the weather overlaying my navigation charts. OpenCPN also has this capability. Airmail’s viewer is called ViewFax and is very good if you don’t use electronic charts. It is included in the download of Airmail.
And if your Airmail is configured to use the GPS connected to your PC, or you choose to enter your position manually, your lat/long will automatically be sent to YOTREPS or Winlink (Ham radio users only) mapping systems for your family to follow your progress.
Glossary
Winlink – a free worldwide system for sending and receiving data packets (email and weather) by radio via Ham stations
SailMail – a worldwide system for sending and receiving data packets (email and weather) by radio via SSB stations with a yearly fee for its members.
Airmail – a software program that allows a user to send and receive emails on Winlink and/or SailMail stations. It also aids in the download of weather files.
RMS Express – a software program developed by Winlink to replace Airmail. Both systems are still used so try both and see what you prefer.
Brief overview of Ham/Winlink email vs SailMail email
Both systems require a radio modem. The much faster Pactor III is worth the software upgrade if you have a Pactor II. If you are buying a Pactor new (very $$$), and money is not an issue, get the P IV and I will drool with envy. It’s about twice as fast as the PIII.
| Ham / Winlink | SailMail | |
|---|---|---|
| Radio type | Any ham (amateur radio service) radio | Any marine SSB radio. |
| Membership Costs | No cost | $275/year |
| License Required | General ham license for each user | FCC station license for the onboard radio, not for the users. $220 for 10 years. Restricted RadioTelephone License for one person on board. $70. See more info |
| Type of Email | Personal, non-commercial email only. NOT for work! See * below | No restrictions |
| Transmission size Limits for email messages | No size limits | Pactor III: 10 kbytes/msg Pactor II: 5 Kbytes / msg |
| Transmission size limits for grib files | No size limits | Pactor III: 30 kbytes/msg Pactor II: 15 Kbytes / msg |
| Transmission limits | No time limits | Up to 90 minutes / week connection time |
| Station Count | > 45 stations world-wide | 20 stations world-wide |
| Frequency List | These change from time to time. Get Latest Pactor Frequency List | Updated from the program or see article on SailMail Frequencies |
| Site | Winlink.org | SailMail.com |
Useful Links
- Instructions for downloading and installing AirMail 3
- THEN add SailMail stations to your Ham installation of Airmail: SailMail and Ham on Airmail
- SailMail Recommended Operating Practices
- Winlink.org
- Latitude 38 Article on SSB
- Pactor Primer
*Limitations on Ham Email Usage
Note that Winlink’s definition of Commercial Use is quite stringent and provides a strong argument why you need to use Sailmail as well as Winlink services. From Winlink Terms and Conditions:
Examples of such prohibited message content include, but are not limited to: personal business conduct such as ordering any type of supplies or parts, arranging for slips, dockage and repair services, restaurant reservations, personal medical or business appointments, rental cars, airline tickets, or lodging, conducting commercial business, banking or investment negotiations and transactions, or messages supporting business arrangements of any kind, including receipt of subscribed or regularly sent digital information or automated message feeds including messages from paid weather tracking services, etc.
