Digital Communications - Made Simple for Cruisers
www.made-simplefor-cruisers.com
Published: 7/10/12
Overview
There are times when you just cannot talk to a fellow cruiser via voice. With voice we are
trying to understand the words and inflections of the calling station and high levels of
background noise levels can be very challenging.
When you need to get your message out or find out what the weather is going to be, the best
alternative to voice communications is digital communications. Digital has a better chance
than voice as it is really only looking for ones and zeros in a known format.
Most people are familiar with text messaging on your phone, but did you know that if you use
Sailmail or Winlink you have the tools on board to basically text a fellow cruiser. The process is
very simple with only a couple of added things to do to change from listening to sending. This
procedure assumes your radio, modem, and Airmail are already set up for use on Sailmail
and/or Winlink. While you could use any Dumb Terminal, let keep it simple and use Airmail.
The Process
1.
Both the sending and receiving stations must be ready to receive messages.
2.
Turn on your radio, Computer, and PACTOR modem.
3.
Set the frequency to the desired frequency you are authorized to transmit on.
4.
Start the Airmail program
a.
The program you use to do Sailmail and/or Winlink.
b.
Start just like if you were getting ready to send and receive email.
5.
Using your computer’s mouse device,
click on “Tools” and then “Dumb
Terminal”.
a.
This will open a window similar
to the window you use for
Sailmail and/or Winlink.
6.
There will be no green start or red stop
button.
7.
Press “Esc” key to get the Command
prompt, “cmd:”
Airmail - Dumb Terminal Display
