What hardware do I need?
The operation can be done with the SCS Tracker and Teensy RPR TNC !

Most SCS PTC modems can do the RPR protocol as well but the Winlink software only accepts the SCS Tracker and Teensy RPR TNC as hardware if your are using Windows OS. Winlink Express uses only the Host Mode which is not supported i.e. on a P4dragon.

If you are using Linux as OS you can work around via KISS Mode.

Which program can do the Winlink connection by RPR?
In this demonstration Winlink Express is shown. It can be downloaded from the Winlink website Winlink Express

In the FTP folder of Gregory R. Hand find the ITS HF Propagation Program and install it first. It provides condition forecasts within the station selection area of Winlink Express (very smart !)

Do I need a valid Winlink address?
Yes.


See the following example with an ICOM IC-7300, SCS-Tracker and Teensy RPR TNC

Frequency selection has to be done manually or you may put a memory like in this example. The DIAL frequency is taken from the Winlink Express table. USB(-D) of course.

Open Winlink Express and select Robust Packet Winlink. Press Open Session followed by Channel Selection and verify conditions forecasted.
If no stations are show press Update Table while connected to the internet and the complete list will be updated.

In order to have a positiv initialization you have to make the setup for TNC and Radio. As usual be careful with the Transmit Level. Check that max ALC level is not exceeded.

When setup and channel selection is done press Start on the Robust Packet Winlink Session window. Winlink Express will connect Winlink via the selected station (RMS) and look for your emails in the system.
The trackers show 2 green LEDs indicating beside 'power on' that the connect status. The alternating rhythm of LEDs (R)DCD & (R)PTT marking the exchange of the packets.

After successful exchange the program looks like this

The RPR email exchange works as well as Peer-to-Peer connection. It is then not a kind of chat room but again a possibility to ask for MY emails kept in the OUT BOX of the peer's station.
In that case the emails must have been compiled as PEER-to-PEER mail (see selection in the header of Winlink Express ⇒ Message ⇒ New Message window) plus both peers must have the window Robust Packet P2P open. Then you may start the peer-to-peer connection any time convenient.

So for once the trackers are not reduced to work as stand alone position sending device or the KISS slave of an APRS program. It is fun to see the trackers working like the big PACTOR brothers. By the way: if the conditions are excellent you may see it jumping automatically to R600 speed.

Enjoy!