Digital Training Update”Every Station a Digital Station”

NEDTM1 - Started 28 MAY 2013

That’s the “Northeast Division Digital Training Multi-Mode Net One”

NCS Stations AFE2DM (AFA2HV), AFE3EC (AFA3RH)

Frequent contributors AFA1DI, AFA2QD, AFA2DO

The purpose of the net is to advance the digital capabilities of Northeast Division

AFMARS members

Typically 10 to 15 stations per net

17 sessions to-date

Sound card mode set-up, use of MT63, use of Winlink 2000 and modem modes

covered in detail or introduced since May.

Digital Training Update”Every Station a Digital Station”

What does it mean to be a digital station on a division net?

This is the ability to relay a message to the recipient via digital modes

Almost all traffic on the nets are net summaries to AFA1VY

This requires Winlink 2000 to make the relay

This can be accomplished with a sound card mode called WINMOR or with a

PACTOR modem

WINMOR (FREE!) is packaged with RMS Express (FREE!) and available on the winlink.org website

PACTOR 1 modems include many of the older Kantronics and AEA PK 232 models

PACTOR 1-4 modems are available from SCS GMBH. They cost a lot but are fast!

If you would like to take traffic on the division nets this is what you need

Hardware needed for RMS Express/WINMOR is a sound card interface (cheap!)

Digital Training Update”Every Station a Digital Station”

Recommended Level of Capability for Every AFMARS Member Hardware:

Sound card mode interface between radio and computer Related cabling

Software: RMS Express (with included WINMOR software modem) for Winlink 2000 system access MT63 capable software such as FLDIGI, DM780, MultiPSK, MixW etc (there are many)

Currently FLDIGI has the advantage in accurate reproduction of formatted iinformation spaced by tabs and keyboard spaces

Advanced Capability Hardware:

SCS PACTOR 3 or PACTOR 4 (The Dragon) capable modem

Software: FLDIGI with suite of helper applications

Digital Training Update”Every Station a Digital Station”

ECOM and Digital Modes – How will we use it? Good question. Operational concept still being developed. Likely that it will be used to send error free traffic of length unsuitable for voice

communications Images as attachments via WL2K Spreadsheets Other documents

ECOM nets will likely be mixed mode where initial contact is established by voice and traffic passed with a digital mode if needed.

Challenges Interoperability with other MARS services

Navy-Marine Corp MARS = MT63 (√) Army MARS = M110A (x)

Interoperability with ANG units M110B and other modes Expensive modems Potential for proprietary software issues with some hardware

Digital Training Update”Every Station a Digital Station”