Email through HF radio

The mobile HF email stuff comes in two forms, HAM (Amateur Radio - free service), and commercial or co-op (like Sailmail for a yearly fee). Both use identical equipment and almost identical software.

 

For the hardware, you will need:
 - HF transceiver
 - HF antenna coupler or antenna matching system
 - Pactor modem manufactured by SCS in Germany (see http://www.yachtwire.com/)
 - interconnecting cables.

For the software:
 - HAM's use Airmail (free from website http://www.airmail2000.com/ )
  -The Sailmail software and service is covered at http://www.sailmail.com/
The shoreside (ground based) service for the HAM email is "Winlink".  See the Winlink site for all the info about how the system works, its advantages and restrictions http://winlink.org/.

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Some good sites to help put it all together: (borrowed from the boating folks)
http://www.docksideradio.com/sm_guide.htm

http://members.aol.com/CruisingServices/info.htm

Some great little books to get folks started at
http://www.idiyachts.com/.

CarolAnn Garratt’s HF guru, Wes Whitley, would be glad to consult on the use of HF and HF email in aircraft or remote locations. Telephone consulting would be free.
Wes Whitley can be reached at (321) 779-9544.