How is WINMOR / WL2K Forwarding accomplished?

[WA4STO]

In the past several months, I've gone from nothing but questions about WINMOR to being absolutely satisfied with WINMOR's ability to handle my prepping-communications needs.

One question could use some more documentation, or maybe it's just that I haven't been able to find the answer  just yet.  When I send a message to someone that is likely going to result in a response, I notice that the response magically appears even though I am definitely NOT connecting to the same station at that point.

In fact, propagation anomalies usually dictate that I will NOT be  using the same station.  W0ECM might be incredibly strong here at 8AM on 40 meters, whereas K5AES on 20 might be the best solution at 1PM.  I get that.

What I don't get is what protocol is used by the system overall to determine where to send my incoming messages such that I am so very successful at getting those messages?  Surely, it can't be that a given message is being sent to ALL the likely culprits.

One fellow answered my question (here, I think) by suggesting that the messages might be sent to, say, the three most recently visited sites.  But that implies that the system, overall, knows that I've picked up the message(s) and to delete them from the other systems.

Whatever the case, I'm thrilled with the way it works; I just wonder if there's any documentation on this sort of thing?

73 de Luck, WA4STO

[geoffrain]

I'm new to WinLink myself but I think email is stored centrally and pulled up over the Internet by the server at whichever station you connect with.


Geoff

[WA4STO]

I'm new to WinLink myself but I think email is stored centrally and pulled up over the Internet by the server at whichever station you connect with.


Geoff

Oho, now that's interesting.  Thanks, Geoff.

That possibility suggests a couple of things to me:

1.  Post SHTF, I need to settle in, quickly, to the one or two RMS stations I'll be querying.  Especially if the power's out over a very wide area.  Or if the internet is...

2.  I need to figure out -- right now would be good -- which of the RMS  stations have the capability of running everything off of emergency power.  And which ones intend to.

73 de WA4STO

"Have you switched your amateur radio station license address to a PO Box yet?"

[KC9TNH]

1.  Post SHTF, I need to settle in, quickly, to the one or two RMS stations I'll be querying.  Especially if the power's out over a very wide area.  Or if the internet is...

2.  I need to figure out -- right now would be good -- which of the RMS  stations have the capability of running everything off of emergency power.  And which ones intend to.

73 de WA4STO

Good questions. I'd pick several favorites with DEMONSTRATED reliability in general testing, which are geographically dispersed. After all, you don't want your favorite relays to be in the same boat you're in (literal or figurative). Then contact the volunteer owner to inquire - after thanking them profusely for doing what they do - and discuss their continuity plan, if any.

My quick review (lotta stuff there) of the WINLINK FAQ's etc. indicate to me that, in general, RMS relay stations accept & forward traffic to the big Common Message Servers (the same ones you connect to if you do a quick Telnet session) if the internet is up (to them). If it's down, it's up to the Sysop at the RMS relay site as to what parameters they set in their software that dictates how long they'll perform "store & forward" capability for when the net comes back up.  If you contact them when that time has expired & they've been down for awhile your session will get something like "No CMS available; connection refused."

If you're a visual type, check out the pick on page 1 of Phil Sherrod's fine intro paper here:

http://www.winlink.org/webfm_send/184

8)

[gil]

2.  I need to figure out -- right now would be good -- which of the RMS  stations have the capability of running everything off of emergency power.  And which ones intend to.

I suspect none of them would be running for long. Either they would not have the capability or generators would run out of gas. Also, the station owners might be looted. Remember, they are mostly owned by older OMs. People would have other concerns than maintaining a radio station.

That is why I think digital modes are nice for local or regional emergencies; not a nationwide one. I am leaning towards having Winlink capabilities myself, mind you.. Anyway, if you can do digital, you can obviousely do SSB. Do not discount CW. You can do more with CW and Morse than with any other mode using very little power. CW is my go-to mode.

I will say again that being portable is a must. You never know if, when or where you'll have to go.. If I have to bug out, the computer and Signalink box stay behind..

Gil.

[KC9TNH]

That is why I think digital modes are nice for local or regional emergencies; not a nationwide one. I am leaning towards having Winlink capabilities myself, mind you.. Anyway, if you can do digital, you can obviousely do SSB. Do not discount CW. You can do more with CW and Morse than with any other mode using very little power. CW is my go-to mode.

I will say again that being portable is a must. You never know if, when or where you'll have to go.. If I have to bug out, the computer and Signalink box stay behind..

Gil.

I'd never discount CW; it remains the last mode of choice up here in the land of the 54? aurora.

If you're bugging out in a nationwide emergency, w/o your digital capability and opting only for CW, are you talking OCONUS then? I think the varied tools in the bag are important because of the flexibility to gather or share information about something that is undefinable. I could bugout OCONUS too with some difficulty but other than routine QSO's with foreign hams, not nearly as many folks in my circle who might remain can use CW as can read or hear English.

[gil]

If you're bugging out in a nationwide emergency, w/o your digital capability and opting only for CW, are you talking OCONUS then?

No, but I do keep in mind that motorized transportation might not be available.. So, the less I carry the better. Down to ounces.. Also, SW receiving is much more important that transmitting.. Digital modes are probably the least used modes after SSB, AM,FM,CW. In a nationwide emergency, again, I believe few of those stations would be operational for long. So, I just wouldn't bother with the extra weight.
I don't have a BOL, so I wouldn't move out by choice. In those circumstances, I'm not carrying a laptop! My KX3 does SW listening, RTTY and PSK31 right out of the box, that's what I'll reach for first. The internal ATU can even tune a 25' RG-174 cable, with nothing at the end of it! The internal batteries can easily be recharged with a small foldable solar panel.. The ideal survival radio. No Winlllink? Who cares, there would be no internet anyway, and too few people use it.. The KX3 while being small, isn't my smallest radio, but it does so much.. For anyone with a safe location to bug-in, digital modes are a nice addition to an existing station, but not for me. For me it just means extra stuff I have no need for on the move... I'll still experiment with it because I want to be able to send emails to my parents in case of regional blackout, but that's it.. I also want to get into some NTS nets to be able to send radiograms.. They have 10wpm nets, and that's great for me. It won't be long before I can do 20wpm anyway..

I like to divide preps in three categories: "Indispensible", "nice to have" and "extra." A radio goes into the "nice to have" category. A laptop is an extra. So, digital modes are "extra," meaning that anything in that category will be dropped first or most likely not taken along when relocating. One might ask: "Why isn't a radio indispensible?" I can live without a radio; probably not without a water filter. You get the idea.. Digital modes and it's associated hardware is pretty far down my list..

Gil.

[KC9TNH]

You get the idea.
Gil.

Yep. Everyone's situation or planning need is different, but I'm trackin' with you. Thanks for the reply.