T&T: Winlink may be Dead in Dec. probably not

[bob Austin]

Well it does not take long to get a response from Steve Waterman who is 
basically the #1 guy at Winlink who refered me to  the most recent post of 
AARL web site:

"FCC Working to Correct Error in Omnibus Rules Change Order (Nov 22, 
2006) -- In the recently released R&O 04-140 -- the "Omnibus" rules changes 
affecting the Amateur Radio Service -- the FCC inadvertently limited J2D 
emissions to 500 Hz bandwidth. We are happy to report that the FCC is 
working on an erratum to correct the J2D error. While nothing is certain 
until the erratum is actually released, it is fair to say that the FCC 
recognizes the problem and intends to fix it prior to the December 15 
effective date of the new rules. We will post further information on the 
erratum as it becomes available."

Also I want to bring to all of your attention the news site of Winlink:

www.winlink.org/news.htm

About the same time I joined Trawler World--or what ever it was called then, 
I first met the folks who were just starting this new E mail over Ham radio. 
At that time I was only one of two Hams on the Board of SSCA and got Steve 
and Vic Poor to give a presentation at the annual SSCA GAM.  The next year 
we arranged for a full day of Winlink presentations at an adjacent building 
and Winlink took off.  For a while we ran a medical/dental/vet consult 
service on Winlink--but we were all a bit nervous about medical legal 
implications and that was stopped.    If you take the time to read the news 
link above--you will see the vital role that Winlink played in the Katrina 
Diseaster as well as a number of world wide missions.  So it is not just a 
bunch of boaters.

I also took the time to read the blogs of those who oppose Winlink--and they 
have some good points. One is that many times Winlinkers check the mail 
multiple times a day.  They don't listen for other traffic before starting 
the transmission (which they need to legally).  I am the first person who 
would say "don't get a ham license to just save the $250 which Sail mail 
costs"--you need to learn to use the voice and involve yourself in the ham 
community.  There are lots of rewards.  There are also room for the 
Winlinkers, the CW, RTTY, Packet and voice people on ham radiio.

There is no question after "talking" with Steve, that Winlink is alive and 
well!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Bob Austin