A SailMail Primer
05/29/2008
©1998-2008 Jim Corenman and Stan Honey
This document or portions of it may be distributed in either print or electronic form so long as credit is given to the SailMail Association.
Please send any corrections or suggested clarifications to sysop@sailmail.com .
This document is intended as a guide for members of the SailMail Association. Subjects covered include advice on equipment selection, installation, getting started with the software and using the system. There is an extensive section on Frequently Asked Questions and Tips that is useful even to experienced users of SailMail.
To make it easy to bring a copy of the SailMail website on board with you (including this primer), here is a .pdf file of the entire website including all of the application notes. To save it on your computer, right click it and then select "Save Target As" and then store it somewhere on your laptop where you can easily find it . We update the website from time to time, so update your copy occasionally.
The SailMail Association is a non-profit association of yacht owners that operates and maintains an email communications system for use by its members. SailMail email can be transferred via SailMail's own world-wide network of SSB-Pactor radio stations, or via satellite (Iridium, Inmarsat, Globalstar) or any other method of internet access.
The following sections provide detailed information:
The SailMail system implements an efficient email transfer protocol that is optimized for use over communications systems that have limited bandwidth and high latency. Satellite communications systems and SSB-Pactor terrestrial radio communications systems both have these characteristics. The SailMail email system's custom protocol substantially reduces the number of link-turn-arounds and implements compression, virus filtering, spam filtering, and attachment filtering. The combination of the protocol, compression, and filtering dramatically improves communications efficiency.
The SailMail Association maintains its own world-wide network of SSB-Pactor private coast stations in the Maritime Mobile Radio Service. Email that is sent to a SailMail member's email address can be seamlessly retrieved via SSB radio, via satellite, or via any other access to the internet.
Many budget-conscious SailMail members primarily use SailMail's network of SSB private coast stations to enjoy the most cost-effective email communications worldwide. Other than the membership fee to join the SailMail Association and the initial hardware cost of a SSB and Pactor modem, there is no cost per message for use of the SailMail radio network.
Other SailMail members use the SailMail's world-wide network of SSB-Pactor radio stations, but also carry Iridium or other satellite communications in addition as a backup and for urgent communications in times of difficult HF propagation.
Finally, some SailMail members primarily access the SailMail email system via their satellite system, taking advantage of SailMail's efficient communications protocol, compression, and filtering to minimize their satellite time and cost. Some of these members also carry a Pactor modem for use with their SSB as a backup communications system to their satellite system.
In order to send and receive SailMail email messages, you will need Windows compatible computer, satellite or other access to the internet, and/or a marine SSB radio and Pactor modem to access SailMail's worldwide network of SSB-Pactor radio stations.
It is necessary to install the AirMail software on the member's computer. AirMail runs on Windows 95/98/NT/2000/ME/XP/Vista* and handles message creation/editing. A number of SailMail members successfully run AirMail on Apple computers using Virtual PC or similar PC emulation programs. See the Application note in this Primer for more detail on the use of Apple computers. The AirMail software is also typically used by ham radio operators to access the ham Winlink network, so if you are a ham and also use Winlink, AirMail can be configured to access both networks. * (For use with Vista see the application note describing the required settings within Vista to allow AirMail to run.)
Using Pactor-III, the SailMail system can pass email messages of a length of up to 10kBytes (five text pages) and file attachments such as grib weather forecasts of up to 30 kBytes. If a member is using Pactor-I or Pactor-II, the permitted messages are half the lengths for Pactor-III. Members are limited to 90 minutes of SailMail station time per week, calculated over the previous week. There is no limit to the number of messages that can be handled over satellite or other internet access.
Three components are needed to use SailMail's worldwide network of SSB-Pactor radio stations: a marine SSB transceiver (and antenna), a Pactor-modem, and a computer with the appropriate software. The Pactor-modem is the only specialized piece of equipment, and is essentially a specialized modem designed for radio communications, analogous in concept to the ubiquitous computer telephone modem used for telephone connections. The Pactor-modem generates the audio signals that are sent via the radio transmitter, and decodes the incoming audio signals from the radio receiver. The primary connections between the Pactor-modem and the radio are two audio signals (audio in and audio out), plus a PTT (push-to-talk) signal to tell the radio when to transmit.
Transceivers
Transmitting and receiving digital signals is similar to voice, and most modern marine SSB radios will do the job. Ideally, the audio signals to and from the HF modem will be line-level (100mV rms.) signals to a rear-panel connector, allowing the radio to be interchangeably used for digital and voice communications. Some older radios (in particular, the Icom M700) do not provide a rear-panel "accessory" connector so a marine radio technician will need to be hired to add an accessory jack. It is generally more cost-effective to buy a new radio rather than to pay for an expensive modification to an older radio. For comments on various marine radios used by SailMail members, see the application note on radios in the Application Notes section below.
The second issue is the transmitter's ability to transmit a continuous full-power signal without damage. Some recent transceivers can do this without a problem (e.g. Icom M710, M700-Pro, M802), but many older transmitters (e.g. the Icom M700, SGC SG-2000, SEA 235, Furuno) will have to be operated at a reduced power setting. This generally works ok as 50 watts is enough output when conditions are good, but if you are buying a SSB and intend to use SailMail, choose a radio that can transmit data at full power.
The Pactor-modem:
SailMail works best with the SCS Pactor-II modems. SCS currently builds three models, the SCS PTC-IIex, the SCS PTC-IIpro, and the SCS PTC-IIusb. SCS used to build other units designated the SCS PTC-II (with no suffix) and the SCS PTC-IIe. The significant difference is the SCS PTC-IIex and the SCS PTC-IIe do not include the interface that allows them to directly set the frequency on marine radios. If you have a SCS PTC-IIex or SCS PTC-IIe and want your computer to remotely set the frequency on your radio (very convenient), you will need to add a second serial port to your computer which is often done by purchasing a USB to serial port adapter. From this point on in the documentation, all SCS modems will be referred to simply as SCS PTC-II, unless the documentation is specifically referring to one model. Given the choice, the SCS PTC-IIpro or SCS PTC-IIusb are preferred for SailMail because it is a great convenience to have the frequency on your radio set remotely by the computer, and it is a hassle to have to add a USB/adapter and have yet another wire strung around attached to your laptop. For details on the remote control tuning of a radio, see the application notes in this SailMail Primer.
Any PTC-II, IIe, IIex, IIpro, or IIusb modem can be licensed to use the Pactor-III protocol for a fee (paid to an SCS dealer or to SCS, not to SailMail). Pactor-III transfers data 3-4x faster than Pactor-II with good signals, and is slightly faster than Pactor-II even with weak signals. We strongly encourage all members to use Pactor-III.
SailMail will also work with older Pactor-I modems including the PTC-I, KAM+, Kam98, PK232, PK900, DSP1232, DSP2232, MFJ-1276, MFJ-1278B, and DXP38, but at substantially reduced performance (5 times slower). Pactor-III offers much faster and more robust connections at somewhat higher cost. You should get a PTC-II modem with a Pactor-III license if you want to transfer more than 2-3 emails per day, or cruise more than one thousand miles from your nearest SailMail station. The SG-7200 modem is not capable with the AirMail software that is used by the SailMail system.
The Computer:
Any computer that can run Windows 95/98/NT/2000/ME/XP/Vista will do the job. If you are using Vista, see the application note: Vista. Members with Apple computers have successfully used SailMail and the AirMail software by using one of the Virtual PC programs. Most recent Windows computers and Apple computers do not have a 9-pin serial ports, and so will require a USB-Serial converter.
Other Requirements:
Besides a HF modem, radio, and computer, your on-board station will require a reliable source of 12-volt power and a good antenna. A marine SSB transmitter draws around 20 amps when transmitting at full power, and sending email requires a lot of full-power transmitting. A full page of text is about 2000 characters which takes less than a minute using Pactor-III on a good day. Not a big number in terms of amp-hours, but if your batteries or wiring aren't up to the task then you will have problems that may be very hard to identify. Additionally, be sure that your batteries are fully charged PRIOR to using the SailMail system; marine SSB's are very intolerant of low voltages, particularly when sending data.
Antenna installation is another important topic and a good ground system is absolutely critical. The most important aspect of a radio installation is the ground connection from the antenna tuner; this is the worst place to cut corners. The standard antenna arrangement for a sloop is to use an insulated backstay driven by an automatic tuner. The antenna tuner is typically mounted under the deck near the backstay, and is grounded to the keel with a 3" copper strap. Additional 3 inch wide copper straps should also connect to all nearby metal, such as stern pulpit, metal tanks, and the engine. Keep electrolysis in mind, and remember that radio ground tapes from antenna tuners can incorporate series capacitors that will block any DC electrolytic or galvanic currents (see the Practical Sailor article on grounding in their October 15, 1996 issue which is available from Belvoir at 800-424-7887). A version of the same article is available on the West Marine website in the West Advisor's section and is included as an application note in this primer: www.sailmail.com/grounds.htm
Common mistakes are a ground strap that is too small, ground straps that don't connect to enough metal, or an antenna lead wire that is run right alongside a backstay below the backstay insulator. The latter problem is very common and shunts a large part of your signal to the ocean, so put the lower antenna insulator at the extreme lower end of the backstay right above your turnbuckle or backstay adjustor. Then use plastic tubing to insulate the lower part of the backstay (above the insulator) that is within the crew's reach. Radio waves propagate just fine through the plastic tubing, but the plastic tubing will protect your crew just as well as the insulation on the feed wire would have. The fact that you don't have the feed wire running near a grounded backstay will dramatically improve your radio's efficiency.
Some folks ask if there is any magic length for a backstay antenna. The answer is "yes and no." In general longer is better, and unnecessary wire or rod terminations are bad, so often the best approach is to have the top insulator right at the masthead, and the bottom insulator right at the top of the backstay adjuster. This eliminates four wire terminations (which are sources of rig failure) and gives you the longest antenna. There is a wrinkle (as always). Base loaded verticals (e.g. backstay) antennas are hard to efficiently load if their length is an even multiple of 1/4 wavelength (e.g. 1/2 wave, or 1 wave, or 3/2 wave ...). Therefore if you are also a ham, and 14.313 MHz is really important to you, avoid those lengths. A 1/4 wavelength in feet is 234/(freq in MHz), so a 1/4 wavelength at 14.313 MHz is 16.35 ft. Therefore, if you are a ham, avoid having a backstay antenna that is 32.7 feet or 65.4 feet long. If you are not a ham and just use SailMail, then just go with the "longer is better", and "fewer swedge fittings is better" principles. There are enough SailMail frequencies so that if your tuner has trouble tuning your backstay at some frequency because you happened to end up at exactly 1/2 wavelength, there will be other SailMail frequencies on which it will work fine. Remember when working out the length of your backstay antenna, you start measuring right at the tuner, and you include the length of the feed wire that connects to the backstay in your measurement.
Having read all of the above paragraph, remember that the most important part of your antenna installation is the ground connection to the tuner. That is the best place to invest your energy to have a SSB that works great.
If you don’t have a backstay or don’t want to add an insulator then a 20+ foot marine whip antenna will work fine, again with an automatic tuner and a great ground on the antenna tuner.
This section describes the simplest way to get on the air and try out SailMail, which is to use your SSB in USB mode, just like you do for voice. If you use SailMail for more than just occasional use, and have a SSB that is capable of having its frequency set by your laptop, you will certainly want to enhance your setup to allow your laptop to remotely set the frequency on your radio. Marine SSB's that are capable of having their frequency be remotely set by the AirMail software include the Icom M710, Icom M700pro, Icom M710RT, Icom M802, SGC SG-2000, SEA-235, and Codan-9390 radios. To set up your radio to be remote controlled, you will need an additional wire to the radio's control port, either from a second serial port on your laptop (if you use a SCS PTC-IIex or IIe), or directly from your HF modem (if you wisely use any of the other SCS Pactor modems). Details of remote control for radios that are capable of being remote controlled are available in the help files that are part of the AirMail software, so go ahead and download and install the AirMail software and take a look. There is also some overview information in the Application Notes section of this Primer. If you are getting a dealer to set you up, get the dealer to configure the remote tuning right away, supply the extra wire (with ferrites), and show you the ropes. If you are sorting out your installation yourself, first try out SailMail using the regular old voice USB mode as described below, and then as you build confidence, look up the appropriate application note and set up the remote tuning from your laptop.
There are three cables required to get your HF modem hooked up (not counting the remote tuning cable): a data cable between the HF modem and the computer, an audio/PTT cable between the HF modem and the radio, and a power cable to a 12-volt supply (note that it is possible to wire some radios to power the HF modem through the audio cable). The data cable sometimes comes with the HF modem or can be purchased at the computer store. The PTC-II modems have a 9-pin female (modem-style) connector with a pin-out designed to connect directly to the 9-pin male D connector found on most PC's. This is a standard "straight-thru" computer-store cable (with all pins connected) but will need to have clip-on ferrites added at both ends. Buy a quality brand-name cable (e.g. Belkin); some of the cheapo cables are unshielded. You will have to add ferrites at both ends.
The audio/PTT cable will have four wires: transmit audio from the HF modem to the transceiver, receive audio from the transceiver to the HF modem, a push-to-talk (actually "ground-to-transmit") connection, and ground. The cable must be shielded, with the shield connected to the connector shell at both ends. The pin connections are different for each HF modem and each radio, so generally a cable must be made up specially for each configuration. If the radio has a rear-panel "Accessory" connector then that should be the first choice, otherwise the front-panel microphone connector can be used as an extremely undesirable second choice. An accessory jack provides line-level input and outputs and (on most radios) disables the microphone when the rear-panel "PTT" connection is activated. This cable (as with all others) must have clip-on ferrites at both ends. Some radios have 12 vdc available at their accessory jacks (e.g. Icom M710, M700pro, M710RT, M802). If you use one of these radios, it is convenient to have the SCS PTC-II be powered directly from the radio.
Whatever connection you use, be sure that the transmitter audio is not being over-driven. The PTC-II HF modem can be adjusted from the AirMail software, and default settings in AirMail are ok for many transceivers. If, however, your radio is only designed for voice duty, (e.g. SGC SG-2000, SEA-235 ) it is worth checking that the radio is not being over-driven, which could cause it to overheat. For instructions on how to check and set the drive levels to your radio, see the Application Note on Setting Drive Levels, in the Application Notes section of this Primer.
The PTC-II HF modem uses an 8-pin DIN connector for its HF audio connections, although all of the useful signals are on pins 1 to 5 so a 5-pin DIN connector will work just fine. In fact, the German pin layout for an 8-pin connector does not match the geometry of the American pin layout, so if you melted the original connector trying to solder it then a 5-pin connector is the easiest replacement. The 5-pin connectors from Radio Shack also don’t melt as easily as the German ones. A good trick is to also buy a female connector, and plug the male connector into the female connector to hold the pins straight while you are soldering it. The pin numbering for DIN connectors is inconsistent, so check the PTC-II manual carefully for the pin locations.
Many marine electronics dealers sell pre-assembled cables for many common radios (e.g. Icoms). If you are using an Icom M710, M700pro, M710RT, or M802, just buy a pre-assembled cable.
The relevant connections on the PTC-II HF modem are as follows: For more detail see the help files in the AirMail software.
| Pin 1 | Transmit audio (TxD) from the HF modem to the transmitter |
| Pin 2 | Ground (audio signal return) |
| Pin 3 | Push-to-Talk (PTT), connect to ground to transmit |
| Pin 4 | Receive audio (RxD) from the receiver to the HF modem |
| Pin 5 | Power supply input to PTC-II (alternative to pin jack) |
| shell | cable shield |
These signals, or something equivalent, will be present on the transceiver's rear-panel accessory connector or front-panel mike and speaker jacks, so simply match up equivalent signals (and keep a drawing of how you did it!).
The power connector used by the PTC-II is a 5.5mm x 2.1mm coaxial-pin connector, also available from Radio Shack (although HF modems typically come with one). The center pin is positive, not negative, and the penalty for wiring it backwards is severe. Note that the PTC-II has an alternate 12V input on pin 5 of its HF audio connector, which can be used instead of the coaxial-pin connector, thus eliminating the need for a power cable altogether.
A few comments on RFI: A transmitter pumping out 100-150 watts in digital modes can generate quite a bit of stray RF, which often finds its way into the HF modem and computer cables and raises all sort of havoc. A good ground system and shielded cables with clip-on ferrites installed are essential. It is always necessary to use clip-on ferrites, and often necessary to use a coax line isolator (next to the tuner in the coax that leads to the radio) to block RF interference. So save yourself time and aggravation by purchasing 12 clip on ferrites and one line-isolator from the vendors mentioned below, and install them when you install and set up your Pactor-modem.
Ferrite chokes come in two useful sizes: one is about 1" long with a 1/4" hole through the middle, and the other is about 1" long, with a 1/2 " hole through the center. Ferrite chokes act as RF blocks, allowing intended "differential-mode" signals to flow, but blocking any undesirable common-mode RF currents. Their primary function is to break up RF ground loops and keep RF current off of cables where RF interference can couple into everything. You should clip a ferrite choke onto both ends of the wire between the laptop and the Pactor-modem, onto both ends of the wire between the Pactor-modem and the SSB, onto both ends of the tuner control/power wire between your tuner and your SSB, and finally onto both ends of the antenna coax between the SSB and the tuner. If you have a remote control wire between a SCS PTC-II and your SSB, or between a second serial port on your laptop and your SSB, there should also be a ferrite choke on both ends of this wire. Most installations also benefit from ferrites clipped onto the power wires to the SSB and to the Pactor-modem. If your SSB interferes with your autopilot, try clipping ferrites onto all of your autopilot interconnections. The ONLY place that you SHOULD NOT clip a ferrite choke is onto the antenna lead-in wire between the High Voltage output of the antenna tuner and your backstay or whip antenna; the common-mode RF signal in this wire is the intended signal, and must not be attenuated. Ferrites nearly always help, and in any event can do no harm, on all other wires.
Ferrite chokes with a 1/4 " hole are available from Radio Shack (cat.no.273-105c), or from any of the Marine Electronics Dealers listed on the opening page of the SailMail website. Another source of high-performance type-31 ferrite chokes is The Radio Works (www.radioworks.com) 800-280-8327. They come either with a 1/4" hole for $2 each, or with a 1/2" hole for $4 each. The chokes with a 1/4 " hole look neat when clipped onto the SSB and laptop wires, but the 1/2 " hole chokes allow you to put multiple turns of the wire through the choke, which is multiple times more effective. The 1/2 " hole choke is generally required to fit on the tuner control wire, the SSB power wire, and the antenna coax between the SSB and the tuner. When you clip on a ferrite choke, it is essential that there is no air gap between the two halves of the ferrite. If your ferrite will be a permanent installation, the best practice is to remove the two halves of the ferrite choke from the clip-on plastic case, mate the two halves around your cable, and then tightly tape the two halves together with stretchy plastic tape. This technique ensures that the two halves of the ferrite are tightly pressed together with no air gap between them. If you are neat and careful with the taping, the result can look very professional or you can snap the cover on over the tape. Again, get a dozen snap-on ferrites.
A ferrite Line Isolator is highly recommended to be put in the coax between the transceiver and the tuner (ideally near the tuner). A Line Isolator is a much beefier version of a clip-on ferrite choke (about ten times more effective) and blocks the stray RF path to ground via the coax shield and transceiver ground, forcing the antenna currents to use the proper ground strap that is connected to your antenna tuner. An excellent Line Isolator is model T-4 (ungrounded version) which costs $30 from The Radio Works (www.radioworks.com), 800-280-8327, their web site also has an excellent discussion on grounding and RF interference. Also, be sure to put two or more clip-on ferrite chokes on the tuner control/power wire, some near the tuner and others near the SSB.
We assume that you are running Windows 95/98/NT/2000/ME/XP/Vista. (If you use Vista, see the Vista application note.)
| HAMS read this! If you are a Ham, and want to use AirMail for both Ham use and SailMail use, you should download and install the SailMail Version by following a link from the download page of this website. Your Ham setup will not be affected, but by downloading and installing the SailMail Version in addition to the Ham Version (in either order), some additional files and configurations will be installed so that you will be able to use SailMail as well as Winlink from the same AirMail installation. |
The download version of AirMail is packaged as a self- extracting "Zip" file, which is available by following the links from the Download Page on this website. If you already have a previous version of AirMail installed, when you run the download file it will upgrade your previous version of AirMail, and will preserve your settings and address book.
To uninstall AirMail, simply delete the files and folders under the C:\Program Files\AirMail folder.
Start AirMail and answer the initial questions, providing your marine callsign which should look something like "WXY1234".
Once the AirMail software in installed, if your computer has access to the internet, you can go ahead and try connecting to SailMail via the internet. In the Message Index Window, click the "Internet" button, which looks like a lightning bolt. Then click the "connect" button, which looks like a green ball. You system will send and receive any messages just as if you were connected via radio. This assumes that you are using a version of AirMail that is 3.3.069 or later.
Next do the rest of the radio-related installation...
When you first use a Pactor-modem or if you are seeing odd behavior, you might need to initialize the unit, particularly if it is a second hand unit or if it has been used with other software. The easiest way to do this is to use the "dumb terminal" that is part of AirMail. For instructions, see the application note: Setting the baud rate and initializing an Pactor-modem, set the baud rate, initialize the Pactor-modem, and when your Pactor-modem is initialized and talking to the dumb terminal at the correct rate, return here. You should only have to do this once, when you get a new Pactor-modem.
Before doing anything else, go to Tools/Options on the menu and check the settings. Most of the settings described below should be preset for you in the initial settings of AirMail, but you will need to at least enter your Pactor-modem type.
On the connection page in the Modem Connection section, select the appropriate Modem type and check that the com port and baud rate are correct (we recommend 57600 for the PTC-II). For starters, put a check mark in the "Show Link Messages" box (this allows you to see the chatter between your computer and the Pactor-modem). You can uncheck this later after things get going to reduce the clutter in your terminal window. In the Radio Connection section "None" should be checked (other selections are for setting up the remote control of your radio, which is described in the Application Notes for particular radios). In the Audio Tones section the Center Frequency should be "1500". For the most straight-forward initial setup, put a dot next to USB, and use the radio in USB/J3E (normal voice SSB) mode. Leave the Amplitudes set to their default for now. If you are not sure what you are doing, or how your radio should be set up, then get help from your marine radio dealer (and pay him or her for the time).
Under the Advanced button on the connection page check the box "Reset Modem before initializing", check "Set Modem Tones", and leave TxDelay set for 20 and CSD to 25.
On the settings page you should see your marine callsign under the SailMail tab. If there is a HAM tab, and you are not a ham, then enter your marine callsign there as well. Enter your SailMail Password in the "System Password" box. SailMail Passwords ARE case sensitive, so enter it carefully. "B2F" protocol should be checked; don't change this. Ignore the Keyboard Mode, and Station Location settings. In the Messages Window, set max characters per line to 72, check "Show Header Panel", and set "Defer Incoming..." and "Reject Incoming..." to 0. Be sure that the "Show Header Panel" box is checked; this makes it much easier to address messages.
Don't make any changes to the folders page. AirMail will create a set of message folders when it starts, for incoming and outgoing messages, and a "saved" folder. It is recommended to use the defaults.
On the routing page, you should not need to make any changes. Under auto posting there should be "User/default/SailMail". In older versions it is "default=SAILMAIL".
Ignore the bulletins, AutoAnswer, and other pages for now. When you get up to speed, you can monkey with this other stuff and learn about it by reading the Help that is included in the AirMail software. For now, we just want to get you sending and receiving messages via SailMail as quickly and easily as possible.
Click the OK button (not cancel) to close the Options Window and save the settings.
Now open the Terminal Window (click the right-most "Terminal Window" button which looks like a blue globe). Watch the upper screen - after 2-3 seconds it should show a list of setup commands in red - these are the "Link Messages" that you elected to show in the Tools/Options/Connection Window. If all that worked then you should be ready to connect. If that didn't work, your laptop and Pactor-modem are not talking to one another and you need to re-initialize your Pactor-modem, fix your cable, and/or sort out your COM port, BEFORE proceed with these instructions.
Be sure to leave the "Handshake" button pushed in. The AirMail software supports three different modes (BBS, Keyboard, and Unprompted). BBS mode ("Handshake" button pushed in) is the default mode and is ALWAYS the appropriate mode for use with the SailMail stations.
In the Terminal Window in AirMail, you will notice two or three pull down menu's, the third from the right (if you have it) should remain set to SAILMAIL and the second from the right should be set to the SailMail station that you want to connect to. The right window selects the frequency.
Unless you have hooked up an additional cable to remote-control your radio, the frequency selection in the right menu does not do anything and does not change the operation of AirMail. You can, however, select the desired frequency in the right menu, and then refer to the frequency at the bottom of the Terminal Window in order to let AirMail calculate for you the frequency that your radio should be set to. Refer to the application notes if you are interested in having the AirMail software remote control your radio, which is a huge convenience and you will definitely want to eventually do if you have a radio that supports it. If you do not have remote-control, it is convenient to program the SailMail frequencies into the memories in your radio following the instructions that came with your radio and the instructions below.
First, make sure your computer has access to the internet via Iridium, Inmarsat, Globalstar, cellular data networks, WiFi, or any other method. One quick way of testing that your internet access is working is to open www.google.com in your browser. Once you have access to the internet, in the Message Index Window, click the "Internet" button, which looks like a lightning bolt. Then click the "connect" button, which looks like a green ball. You system will send and receive any messages just as if you were connected via radio. This assumes that you are using a version of AirMail that is 3.3.069 or later.
If you use Iridium for accessing the internet, consider using the Iridium PPP Data Service instead of the Iridium "Direct Internet Service." This is a direct-to-internet connection through the Iridium internet gateway in Phoenix that is simple and provides very fast setup, which minimizes your Iridium connection time. You can even set up AirMail to make the connection via your Iridium phone, transfer your messages, and then disconnect. You will be amazed how quickly and efficiently this works and how little Iridium time is required given the compression and efficient protocol of the Sailmail system.
For details on how to set up your computer and AirMail installation to use the Iridium PPP Data Service, see the notes at: www.saildocs.com/sailmail/iridiumPPP.txt You can also request an email containing this document to be sent to you by sending a blank email to iridiumPPP@saildocs.com
The next step is to set the transceiver for an appropriate frequency. For short range, pick a lower frequency (e.g. 2MHz or 5MHz). These low frequencies will work up to a few hundred miles in the daytime and up to one thousand miles at night. The intermediate frequencies (e.g. 7MHz) will work up to several thousand miles at night. The high frequencies (e.g. 10, 13, 18 MHz) are best for the longest distances, many thousands of miles, during the daytime.
Be sure that the "Clarifier" (sometimes also called "Clarity" or "RIT") is either turned off, or is in its centered "detent" position.
The frequencies listed below are the Designated Center Frequencies from SailMail's stations. These are the frequencies that should be visible in the right-hand window on the top of your terminal window in AirMail. If you are using regular old USB mode (same as for voice) then you need to subtract 1.5 kHz* from the frequencies below in order to calculate the frequencies to enter into your radio. As mentioned, AirMail can do the subtraction for you, look at the bottom of your terminal window.
* This assumes that you have your modem tones set to a center frequency of 1500 Hz (recommended). If under tools/options/connection you have center frequency set to 1700, then you need to subtract 1.7 kHz to calculate the dial frequency to set your radio to in USB mode.
Every SailMail station provides service in Pactor, Pactor-II and Pactor-III. SailMail's stations and their frequencies are as follows:
| Location | Callsign | Frequencies in kHz |
| Palo Alto, California, USA | WRD719 | 5881.4, 7971.4, 10343, 13971, 13986, 18624 |
| San Diego California, USA | WQAB964 | 2759, 5740, 7380, 10206, 13874, 18390, 23060 |
| San Luis Obispo, California, USA | WHV861 | 2800.4, 5861.4, 8020.4, 10320, 10982, 13915, 13946, 18296 |
| Friday Harbor, Washington, USA | WHV382 | 2794.4, 5830, 7995, 10315, 13940, 18277 |
| Honolulu, Hawaii, USA | KUZ533 | 2701.4, 5836, 7957.4, 10325, 13930, 18264 |
| Rockhill, South Carolina, USA (three transceivers) | KZN508 | 2656.4, 5876.4, 7961.4, 7981.4, 10331, 13998, 18618, 18630 |
| Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada | XJN714 | 4805, 7822, 10523, 13937, 14436.2, 18234, 21866 |
| Firefly, NSW, Australia (five transceivers) | VZX | 2824, 4162, 5085.8, 6357, 7498, 8442, 8684.5, 10476.2, 12680, 13513.8, 14436.2, 16908, 18594, 22649 |
| Maputo, Mozambique, Africa | RC01 | 5212, 7957.4, 10335, 10522, 12689*, 12694, 13930, 13992*, 14588*, 18264, 18630*, 22212* (* these frequencies use a directional antenna pointed NE into the Indian Ocean) |
| Brunei Bay, Brunei Darussalam (two transceivers) | V8V2222 | 5212, 6305, 8399, 10323, 13426, 14987, 16786, 18893, 20373, 22352 |
| Brugge, Belgium (four transceivers) | OSY | 6330.5, 8422, 12580.5, 16684.5 |
| Corpus Christi, Texas, USA | WPTG385 | 2720.8, 5808.8, 5859.4, 7941.4, 10361.4, 13906.4, 13926.4, 18376.4, 22881.4 |
| South Daytona, Florida, USA | WPUC469 | 2807.8, 5897.4, 8009.4, 10366.4, 13921.4, 18381.4, 22961.4 |
| Chiriqui, Panama | HPPM1 | 4071.5, 5731.5, 8181.5, 10446.5, 13876.5, 18436.5, 23046.5 |
| Chiriqui, Panama | HPPM2 | 4078.5, 5738.5, 8188.5, 10453.5, 13883.5, 18443.5, 23053.5 |
| Los Lagos, Chile | CEV773 | 2828.5, 5266.5, 10620, 10623, 13861.5, 13875 |
| Abu Tig Marina, El Gouna Egypt | SSM678 | 2824.5, 4162.5, 6239.5, 8325.5, 12394.5, 16598.5, 18866.5, 22645.5 |
| Chaguaramas, Trinidad | 9Z4DH | 2212, 5005, 7405, 10150, 13548, 17103, 18172, 20528 |
| Manihi Atoll, Polynésie Française | FOHXM | 1919, 4206.5, 6222.4, 8289.4, 12576, 16785.5 |
(if members want to receive an email that will automatically update the information on SailMail stations and frequencies that is kept in their AirMail software, send an email to stations@saildocs.com)
Use your radio in USB (J3E) mode (the same mode as for voice). Some radios have an "email" mode that enables a narrow band filter. This is intended for older SITOR systems; do not use these modes for SailMail. Instead just set your radio in regular voice USB (J3E) mode. You must subtract 1.5 kHz from the above frequencies in order to work out how to set the frequency on your radio. For example for the first frequency listed for WRD719, a radio in USB mode would be set to 13984.5 kHz (13986 minus 1.5). AirMail will do this subtraction for you and you will see the frequency for your radio to be set to along the bottom of your terminal window.
If you do not have AirMail set up to remote set the frequency on your radio, and you want to program SailMail's frequencies into the memories of your radio, then either step through the frequencies in the terminal window and get AirMail to do the subtraction for you, or carefully sharpen your pencil, do the subtractions, and double-check your work. Enter these frequencies very carefully into the memories of your radio, following the instructions supplied with the radio. Be very careful, it is a fool's errand to try to connect to SailMail on the wrong frequency. If this doesn't make any sense to you, get some help from your marine radio dealer.
Some marine radios are delivered in a configuration in which they may not transmit on the SailMail frequencies. If you find that your radio has these "lock-outs" then you will need to arrange for a licensed marine radio technician to change the configuration of your radio. If your new radio is an Icom M802, read the application note on the M802 that is on the SailMail website.
Go to the terminal window by pressing the button with the blue globe in it. In the terminal window, check that the "handshake" button is pushed in. Check that your "clarifier" is centered. Check all of the frequencies, if you hear a periodic "chip, chirp" or a periodic "rasping" sound at 2-4 second intervals, that's somebody else using the station. Listen carefully, and when the station is idle then click the left-most green button (from the Terminal Window). The HF modem will call for about a minute before timing out, that is usually plenty if the propagation is good and the station is not busy on another frequency. If there is no answer then try another frequency or try some other time - it may be busy on a another frequency or there may be no propagation. While calling, if your radio is not clicking to transmit mode at 2-4 second intervals, then your Pactor-modem and radio are not talking to one another. Check the cable from your Pactor-modem to your radio. Similarly, the red LED's on your PTC-II should be flashing with the noise and signals received from your SSB when receiving. If the LED's are not flashing, then there is likely a bad connection in the cable from your Pactor-modem to your radio.
If your radio is clicking between transmit and receive when calling, check that your radio is drawing an additional 10-15 amps from your 12 volt system when it is transmitting. If the radio isn't drawing an additional 10-15 amps when transmitting, then your modulation levels are not set correctly or your tuner/antenna/ground system is faulty and your radio can't transmit at a reasonable power level because the tuner is unable to provide a good "match" to your radio.
When you get connected you will see the welcome message. If things are working correctly then your computer will respond with your callsign and exchange any email that is ready to go in either direction, and then disconnect. If you got this far, then all of the technical stuff is working, the wires are all hooked right and you figured out the frequencies correctly, congratulations.
If the Pactor-modem is not working properly, your problem is likely either with communications between your laptop and Pactor-modem, or with the connection and configuration between the Pactor-modem and your radio. If the Pactor-modem did not initialize properly when you opened the Terminal Window in AirMail (i.e. its lights flashed etc), then the Pactor-modem may be configured in a way that is incompatible with AirMail, or your com port may not set up correctly.
If the Pactor-modem IS responding to commands from the computer, but the radio isn't responding and transmitting when you try to connect, then your radio interface is probably the problem. If you cannot fix the problem by carefully reading these instructions, or comparing notes with another SailMail user with a similar configuration, then you should track down a marine radio dealer and pay for some professional help.
If the modem is responding to the computer, and radio is switching between transmit and receive, check that your radio is drawing 10-15 amps more on transmit than on receive when calling on SailMail. If it doesn't, try your radio on voice. If you give a brief whistle into the mic when using your radio on voice (on a clear channel after identifying yourself and announcing that you are testing), your radio should draw 15-20 amps from your 12 volt electrical system. If it doesn't you likely have a tuner/ground/antenna connection problem. If the radio draws 15-20 amps when you whistle into the mic, but doesn't draw 10-15 amps when transmitting via Sailmail, then you likely have a connection problem to the modem, or your modulation levels are set incorrectly.
If you got this far then try composing a couple of test messages. Do this by going back to the main window (F6 to switch or close the Terminal Window by clicking the "X" in the upper right corner) and click the "Format a New Message" button (all the buttons have "hints" if you pause the cursor over the button for a moment). For the first, choose "sysop" from the address book and click "OK." In the To: field should be "sysop@sailmail.com ". In the Subject: line type "first test message.". The lines below the subject make up the body of the message. Send a message to SailMail sysop saying that you figured it out and can now send and receive messages via SailMail. Click "Post Via" if necessary to set the adjacent box to SAILMAIL. (If a "dialog box" appears, check the box to "always use this path for Email.") Finally, click the "post the current message" button to post the message for sending (the button looks like a postbox). That will save the message and mark it for sending, and return you to the index. Your new message should be in the index with a "postbox" icon next to it indicating that it is posted waiting to be sent.
Now go back to the Terminal Window (F6 or globe button). Check that the "handshake" button is pushed in, and the clarifier is set to center. Listen, and if the frequency is clear, reconnect to the station as before, and this time your messages should be uploaded to the SailMail station. SailMail will disconnect automatically when done.
If all that works then your HF modem is wired right and your transceiver is working. If there are performance or other problems then carefully re-read the section in this Primer titled, "Installation Basics" and read the section titled, "Frequently Asked Questions, Troubleshooting, Tips and Trivia" below.
Be extraordinarily careful when you address your messages, and double-check the internet email addresses before sending. Many messages sent by new SailMail members never make it because they are not addressed correctly. In some cases you will not receive a "bounce" message in response to an incorrectly addressed outgoing email; it will simply vanish. Don't guess at friends' email addresses; instead, send an email to a mutual friend and ask for the correct email address.
Internet addresses always include an "@" sign, never have spaces in them, and generally end in ".com", ".org", ".gov", or ".edu" unless they are going to a non-USA based web server, in which case they often end in a two digit suffix that identifies the destination country (for example ".nz" for a message to New Zealand, "au" for Australia, "fr" for France, etc).
To Send a Message:
Remember that all internet addresses contain exactly one "@" sign, contain no spaces, and have at least one "." to the right of the @ sign. Carefully check your To: and CC: addresses.
Messages sent from the internet to your boat should be addressed:
CALLSIGN@sailmail.com
Where CALLSIGN is your boat's marine callsign which should look something like WXY1234
Encourage your correspondents to carefully address their email to you. If they send email to your SailMail address and they incorrectly type your callsign, they may not receive a "bounce" message, depending on their typo.
It generally takes about an hour for email to get between the internet and the SailMail station in either direction, so be patient. If you send a message to yourself for test purposes, it may take up to two hours to re-appear on the station for download
LISTEN FIRST. Before you transmit, be sure to listen carefully to be sure that there is no traffic in progress. Sometimes the chirps or periodic rasping sounds only come at 4 second intervals, so listen for a while. If there is traffic on frequency, you will not be able to connect, and your attempts will just delay the traffic that is already underway for the duration (1 minute) of your call. There is no "free-signal". Specifically, if you hear "chirping" or a periodic "rasping" on a SailMail frequency then the station is in use; DO NOT TRY TO CONNECT.
Keep in mind that the SailMail stations (with the exception of KZN508, VBV2222, OSY, and VZX) have just one transceiver that scans the frequencies looking for a call. These stations therefore can only handle one connection at a time. Many members find it convenient to tune around and listen on all of the frequencies assigned to the station that they want to connect to, to see if the station is busy. If they hear that a single-radio station is busy on a frequency, it is fruitless to call that station on another frequency (it doesn't cause interference, it is just pointless). Instead, wait until the station is open, and then call on whichever frequency that you figure will work best. If a station is too busy, consider trying another station. If you connect in the late afternoon or evening at a higher frequency, you can connect to stations that are quite far away.
If you tune around and do not hear a single-radio station, go ahead and try to connect. If the station does not respond it is either because the station is busy on a frequency that you cannot hear because there is no propagation to you at that frequency, or it could be because there is no propagation at the frequency on which you are calling. If you are trying to connect to a multiple-radio station, just listen to make sure that your frequency is not in use, and then try to connect.
Not listening first, or attempting to connect to SailMail on a frequency that is already in use, is counter-productive, lubberly, pointless, rude, un-shipmatey, and violates International Telecommunications Law (as well as common sense). We are open to creative suggestions for ways of further clarifying this point.
It is ok to call on a frequency where a station is just finishing a connection. Be aware, however, that just because you hear the station identify itself in Morse code, the connection may still be in progress. The stations transmit their identification in Morse code itself every 7 minutes DURING a connection as well as at the end of the connection. If you call on a busy frequency, when another member is connected to the station, you will not be able to connect and your attempt may delay the traffic that is already underway. Your fellow SailMail members will be able to identify who you are, and you will be known forevermore as a heel and a lubber. Net, DO NOT call when the station is busy, and DO NOT reflexively call when you hear a Morse ID. Instead, wait to make sure that it is the end of your fellow member's connection before you call.
If you are connected to a SailMail station and some thoughtless heel tries to connect during your connection, do not disconnect. Let your connection continue. If you are using Pactor-III your connection will typically not be interrupted.
If you do not have AirMail set up to remote-control your radio, then be sure to program all of the SailMail frequencies into adjacent memories in your radio. This makes it easy to just scan around to see what the stations are doing. Again, the single-radio stations can handle only one connection at a time, so if a single-radio station is busy on one frequency you will not be able to connect by calling that same station on another frequency.
Be extraordinarily careful when you address your messages, and double-check the internet email addresses (including the "cc:" addresses) before sending. Many messages sent by new SailMail members never make it because they are not addressed correctly. In some cases you will not receive a "bounce" message in response to an incorrectly addressed outgoing email. Don't guess at friends' email addresses. Instead, send an email to a mutual friend and ask for the correct email address.
Fully charge your batteries JUST PRIOR to using SailMail. Marine SSB's are intolerant of even slightly low battery voltages, particularly when sending data. By trying to connect to the SailMail station with anything other than batteries that are fully charged, you are wasting your own time and batteries, as well as using more station time than is necessary. You will occasionally hear vessels whose signals sound garbled or distorted (unsuccessfully) calling the SailMail station. This garbled sound is nearly always caused by calling with batteries that are not fully charged, but can also be caused by RF getting into the Pactor-modem/radio wires or by over-driving the radio.
The system automatically computes a running average of your connect time over the last 7 days. Limit your usage to a running average of 90 minutes per week.
Carefully control access to your SailMail email address. Give it only to responsible friends and family members. Explain to them that the SailMail system sends email VERY SLOWLY and devastates your onboard batteries, and they should only send you important and brief email messages.
NEVER post your SailMail address on a website. If your SailMail address does get posted on a website, it will get "harvested" by the "trawling" programs that spammers use to find email addresses from the web, and you will start to receive spam messages within a day or so.
Instruct your correspondents not to forward to you Internet jokes and frivolous emails. Forbid them from putting your SailMail address on chain-emails, jokes, postings to Internet news-groups, websites, or widely cc'd emails that will attract SPAM to your SailMail address. If your SailMail address ends up on SPAM mailing lists, your SailMail account will become useless because it will become too time consuming for you to download all of the SPAM in order to get to the few messages that you really want to receive from close friends and family. If you maintain a website with your cruising newsletters, do not allow your SailMail email address to be visible on the website. If it is, it will end up on SPAM mailing lists. Before you joined the SailMail Association, there was never a single SPAM email sent to your SailMail address, and the SailMail Association never releases any member's email address to anyone. If SPAM starts, it is because of something that you or one of your correspondents has done. If one of your correspondents does err, and your SailMail account does end up on the SPAM lists, contact sysop@sailmail.com and we can change your SailMail email address. This will require you to inform your (desirable) correspondents of the new address. It is far preferable, however, to avoid the problem in the first place.
If you want to distribute email newsletters to multiple email addresses, designate a close friend to act as an Internet postman. Send one copy of your newsletter to your "postman" and let him or her forward your email newsletter to a list of email addresses (and/or post it on your website, after having first removed your SailMail address). Internet addresses tend to change frequently, and email messages sometimes bounce even when the address is ok. It is far easier for your Internet Postman to deal with these bounce messages than it is for you. If you send your newsletter directly from SailMail with lots of cc's, you will have trouble interpreting exactly whose addresses bounced, given the abbreviated bounce messages that the SailMail system returns to you. Further, the bounce messages will use your connect time and batteries needlessly. Even less efficient than sending multiple cc's from SailMail is the practice of sending identical messages one-at-a-time to different addresses from SailMail. This practice uses station connect time to send each copy of the message. Some folks apparently do this because they feel that their correspondents might feel slighted to just appear on a cc: list. Instead of sending individual messages, explain to your correspondents that you are using a bandwidth constrained system and sending cc's is the best that you can manage. If your friends still have their noses out of joint, find new friends. You might also consider using SailMail's relay service. For information send a blank email to relayinfo@saildocs.com
Keep a regular internet email account, and use it as your primary email address for all but your closest friends and family. Use this regular account for long or non-time-critical messages and for using as a return address when ordering items via the Internet. If you want to post an email address on a website, use this (non-SailMail) address.. You can check this address from time to time when you have regular access to the internet (internet cafe's work, as do phone lines of friendly harbormasters etc.). Have your friend who is acting as your Internet Postman check this account occasionally and forward important messages via SailMail. If you are cruising internationally, consider an account with www.attbusiness.net. They charge $6 per month, and $10 per hour for international connections, but have 1300 access numbers worldwide in over 50 countries. Alternately if you are willing to access your normal internet account via the web only via internet cafes, setup a free email account with www.yahoo.com, or www.popmail.com. Use your regular internet account whenever you have to give an email address to a business. Many businesses sell email addresses onto the spam lists, and if this happens to your SailMail address, you will have to change your address, as described above, to stop the spam.
Under NO circumstances should you set up your regular email account to automatically forward messages to your SailMail account. If you start to receive lots of unwanted messages, your SailMail account will become saturated and you will not be able to use SailMail to send and receive the messages that you really care about.
Inform your correspondents that the Internet, HF communications, and computers on sailboats, are not particularly reliable, and so if they stop hearing from you during a passage they should not panic and they should not call the Coast Guard or other authorities. If the Coast Guard calls them, however, inquiring about your whereabouts and why your (registered 406) EPIRB is going off, THEN they should panic.
When you are in a major marina use internet access via your boat computer, or use "Webmail" via a public computer to retrieve your SailMail messages at an Internet Cafe or other location where you can get access to the Internet. When your vessel is in a marina your SSB will work poorly due to the presence of nearby masts and rigging, and due to the electrical noise of the adjacent city and vessels. If you are able to connect to the SailMail station at all, your traffic will be transferred slowly due to the rotten signals, and your SailMail transmissions will interfere with other vessels in the marina as they monitor voice SSB weather and nets.
If you are in a marina or harbor with nearby vessels, and MUST use SailMail, be certain to avoid the times of the marine and ham cruisers' nets to avoid causing interference with them. You can also dramatically reduce the interfering "splatter" caused by your SSB if you make sure that your batteries are FULLY charged when using SailMail, and if you reduce the transmit power of your SSB somewhat. (I.e. for a PTC-II, under Tools/Options/Connections, reduce the PSK amplitude to about 80.) You will find that reducing your transmit power will have little effect on your transfer times; indeed many hams routinely run at 25 or 50 watts transmit power when using Pactor-II. A reduction in transmit power, in conjunction with using fully charged batteries, will dramatically reduce the interference that you cause to nearby vessels.
Do not sign up (via your SailMail address) to services that routinely send you email messages (stock quotes, Yotreps, weather). If you sign up to one of these services, and then travel ashore for a while or are otherwise unable to download your messages, your SailMail account will become useless because there will be so many messages queued on the station for you that you will not be able to get to the messages that you are really interested in. Similarly, do not sign up (via your SailMail address) to subscription news services or other "broadcast" internet email services. There are other communications technologies that are better suited to receiving general news; for example get your news by listening to the BBC. SailMail station time is best used for personal email communications for which there are few inexpensive alternatives for non-hams.
Promote the SailMail Association to potential new members. If the membership in the Association grows sufficiently, the Association will be able to afford to set up additional stations and further improve the AirMail software.
Once again, LISTEN FIRST. Before you transmit, be sure to listen carefully to be sure that there is no traffic in progress. If there is already traffic on frequency, you will not be able to connect, your attempts may delay the traffic that is already underway, and your fellow members and cruisers will discover that you are a thoughtless heel.
How can I save this SailMail Primer on my PC so that I can refer to it without accessing the SailMail website, which is obviously difficult when I am onboard my boat.
There is a link to a .pdf file at the top of this Primer. The pdf file contains the entire SailMail website, including this Primer and the application notes. Save the pdf file on your PC for reference.
How do I renew my membership in (or join) the SailMail Association?
There are lots of options. You can fill out and "submit" the Application Form on this website, print and fax it, print and mail it, or email the information. Follow the instructions on the application form. Basically we need your membership assessment (US$250 check, cash, or credit card information), your vessel name, your marine callsign, your normal (non-SailMail) internet email address, and your agreement to the SailMail terms and conditions.
When your account is renewed, you will receive a confirming email to your internet email address, and to your SailMail address. This often takes up to a week: sometimes shorter when things work out conveniently, and sometimes longer when the sysops are out of town on their day jobs, or sailing themselves (it is only fair). Do not leave renewal until the last minute. Even if you send your renewal early, your membership will be extended for one year from the time that it would have otherwise expired.
(send membership assessment and membership information to:)
SailMail Association
39270 Paseo Padre Pkwy, #850
Fremont, CA 94538
USAfax number 650 472 8026
Download and print new copies of the SailMail FCC Licenses to keep aboard. While you are at it, download and print a new copy of this SailMail Primer to keep for reference. It can't hurt to quickly review the SailMail Primer, particularly the Recommended Operating Practices and this FAQ section.
How do I contact the SailMail Association?
How do I get technical support by telephone?
Technical support is available by telephone at: (619) 980-6215. The hours are 8AM-6PM Pacific Time Mon-Fri and 10AM-5PM Pacific Time Sat-Sun. Shea Weston, one of SailMail's most experienced and expert dealers is providing the technical support. If you need more than a few difficult questions answered, be sure to make an arrangement with Shea (or some other SailMail dealer) to pay them for more extensive help. For administrative or membership questions, see below.
You can contact the SailMail Association by email to: sysop@sailmail.com If you question is administrative (e.g. related to registration or membership etc.) send an email to admin@sailmail.com
Beyond the US Technical Support phone number (above), there is terrific technical support for SailMail available worldwide. Review the list (in the opening page of the www.sailmail.com website) of marine electronics dealers who sell and install modems that work with SailMail. Any of them can help you sort out your installation (but again, be sure to pay them for their help).
RTFM (Read The "Fine" Manual). Please carefully read this documentation completely before emailing questions to the sysop. Pay particular attention to this "Frequently Asked Questions, Tips, and Trivia section." Get help from the dealer from whom you bought your Pactor-modem, or any other marine electronics technician, and pay them for their time. Finally, ask around among nearby cruisers for help. You may find an experienced SailMail member or ham who can help.
Wait until you have diligently read this SailMail Primer and until you are in good humor before calling technical support or emailing messages asking for help or advice to the sysops; remember, we do this to support fellow cruisers, and not for a living. Be sure to include your radio callsign and vessel name in any email to the sysops. Don't hesitate, however, to send us compliments or thanks if appropriate.
Can I run the AirMail software on Vista?
Yes, but in the short term there are some things that you have to do. For details see the application note Vista, or send a blank email to vista@saildocs.com
Every time I start my AirMail software, I get a new set of emails with the AirMail Release Notes?
You are probably running AirMail under Vista and did not read the application note for Vista. See the application note Vista, or send a blank email to vista@saildocs.com
Can I retrieve my SailMail messages via the Internet?
Can I retrieve my SailMail messages via Iridium (or Inmarsat, or Globalstar, or WiFi, or a Cellular Data Network)?
Yes. In fact the efficient SailMail's protocol is highly optimized for low-bandwidth, high latency communications systems such as satellite (and SSB-Pactor radio) communications so you will find that using SailMail over your satellite system saves you tons of satellite time and money. It's easy.
First, make sure that your computer has access to the internet via Iridium, Inmarsat, Globalstar, cellular data networks, WiFi, or any other method. One quick way of testing that your internet access is working is to open www.google.com in your browser. Once you have access to the internet, in the Message Index Window, click the "Internet" button, which looks like a lightning bolt. Then click the "connect" button, which looks like a green ball. You system will send and receive any messages just as if you were connected via radio. This assumes that you are using a version of AirMail that is 3.3.069 or later. If you need more detail or if you have to use an older version of AirMail you can get instructions by sending a blank email to internet@saildocs.com
If you use Iridium for accessing the internet, consider using the Iridium PPP Data Service instead of the Iridium "Direct Internet Service." This is a direct-to-internet connection through the Iridium internet gateway in Phoenix that is simple and provides very fast setup, which minimizes your Iridium connection time. You can even set up AirMail to make the connection via your Iridium phone, transfer your messages, and then disconnect. You will be amazed how quickly and efficiently this works and how little Iridium time is required given the compression and efficient protocol of the Sailmail system.
For details on how to set up your computer and AirMail installation to use the Iridium PPP Data Service, see the notes at: www.saildocs.com/sailmail/iridiumPPP.txt You can also request an email containing this document to be sent to you by sending a blank email to iridiumPPP@saildocs.com
We will be sailing from X to Y. Will SailMail provide adequate coverage?
The short answer is yes. SailMail has stations scattered around the world. Members with good radio installations and who are reasonably clever at picking times, stations, and frequencies have used SailMail from everywhere in the world that you can take a boat. The longer answer follows:
Each SailMail station is easily used at ranges out to 4000 miles, and is useful at ranges out to 8000 or more if you have a good radio, tuner, and ground installation, if you use a PTC-II modem, and if there are no nearby sources of interference. It also helps if you are reasonably skilled at choosing the best station, time, and frequency.
You may find it helpful to download, install, and use the propagation program for Airmail from the download page on the SailMail website. But remember that it is only a computer projection, so use it as a guide but not as the "bible". As you sail around the world and your location relative to SailMail stations slowly changes, you will get pretty knowledgeable about picking times, stations, and frequencies. Comparing notes to other SailMail users that you run across will also help you pick times, stations, and frequencies.
What is Pactor-III? Can I upgrade my modem to it? Does SailMail support it? Is it worth it?
Pactor-III is a new Pactor protocol that uses 2400Hz bandwidth, as opposed to the 350 Hz of Pactor-II, and can transfer data 3-4x faster than Pactor-II in good conditions, and slightly faster than Pactor-II in weak signal conditions. Any PTC-II (any suffix) modem can be upgraded, except a few very early PTC-II's (1996-vintage). If your modem has an "electronic serial number" (ESN) you will just need a Pactor-III license code which you can get from a dealer or from SCS (not from SailMail). If your modem does not have an ESN then the modem must be returned to the factory or to a dealer (not to SailMail) for upgrade to add an ESN (approx US $100). PTC-II's and pre-2002 PTC-IIe's generally do not have an ESN. To check, look for a bar-code tag on the bottom; modems with a barcode already have an ESN.
The SailMail Association supports Pactor-III on all stations.
I have recently heard some unusual periodic "rasping" sounds on SailMail frequencies. What is it?
Pactor-II sounds like periodic chirping. Pactor-III sounds like periodic "rasping." As always, listen and make sure that a SailMail frequency is not in use before you connect. If you hear either chirping or rasping, do not attempt to connect.
How can I receive weatherfax images with my SCS PTC-II modem?
The SCS PTC-II modems make terrific DSP-based weatherfax demodulators, using software that is available off of the internet. See the downloads page on the SailMail website.
How can I receive SITOR and NAVTEX text weather forecasts using my SSB and my Pactor-modem?
The USCG transmits weather forecasts in text using SITOR FEC transmission format, which can be received by any Pactor-modem that can be used for SailMail. Their broadcast schedules are available on the internet . The USCG/NOAA schedule is at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/hfsitor.htm Some other countries also transmit weather forecasts via SITOR, and many countries transmit weather forecasts via NAVTEX.
The easiest way to receive these SITOR text weather forecasts is to use the wxfax software that is available for free from the download page on this SailMail website. It includes a handy way to receive SITOR, NAVTEX, and even CW broadcasts.
The advantage of receiving weather forecasts via SITOR or NAVTEX is that you will not use any of your SailMail connect time.
What is NAVTEX and how do I receive it?
Navtex comprises a network of stations transmitting weather data throughout the world, using the SITOR FEC protocol, on 518 kHz. Because of the network of VHF voice weather stations in the USA, Navtex receivers are not nearly as common on recreational vessels in the USA as they are in other regions of the world.
If you want to use Navtex, the best option is to buy a dedicated Navtex receiver. They are not cheap, a few hundred bucks, but do a much better job than your SSB radio can. You can also copy Navtex with your SSB radio and pactor-modem, the problem is that marine (and ham) SSB radios are optimized for the 2-30MHz range and are not very sensitive at the 518 KHz frequency used by Navtex-- which means a pretty short range with Navtex.
It doesn't cost anything to try however. Use Airmail's Getfax companion, select "Fax/Navtex" mode, in the station-box select NAVTEX and 518 for the frequency. (If you set the radio manually then set the radio to USB mode, 516.5 KHz). Leave it running, and it will copy whatever Navtex transmissions come along. Most stations transmit every 30-60 min's.
Can I get text weather forecasts sent to me via SailMail?
Yes, you can receive text weather forecasts either by SITOR and NAVTEX as described above, or you can arrange to have weather forecasts emailed to you via SailMail via the automated email services SailDocs.com (free) or BuoyWeather.com. For information send an email to info@saildocs.com or go to the SailDocs.com or BuoyWeather.com websites when you have access to the internet. It is also possible to request text forecasts directly from the NWS, but the NWS server is somewhat more cryptic to use. For information send an email to ftpmail@ftpmail.nws.noaa.gov and in the first and only line of the message put "help".
Can I get news bulletins sent to me via SailMail?
The best option, in our view, is to fire up the SSB radio and find BBC world Service on the shortwave bands. You can also retrieve brief news via Saildocs. Request this by sending an email to: query@saildocs.com with one of the following lines in the message:
send bbc-world
send USA-Today-Headlines
I keep hearing about "grib" files. What the heck are they?
Can I receive grib files of digital weather data over SailMail?
Are grib files free or do I have to pay for them?
Grib files are data files containing weather information, usually surface wind and surface pressure, on a (typically) 1 or 2 degree grid. The name comes from "GRided Binary." The SailMail system can pass grib files, but only if they are less than 30kBytes in length if sent via Pactor-III (15kBytes via Pactor-II). Grib files need to have the ".grb" file extension. Out of sloth and laziness, some providers of grib files send files that are far too large (50kBytes or more). We have found that if you wisely pick your area coverage, time coverage, and spatial resolution, a 10 kByte grib file contains plenty of data to plan a trip, even crossing an ocean, and a 10kByte file is easily transferred over SailMail.
NOAA's Global Forecast System (GFS) is widely regarded as the best worldwide computer weather forecast. US taxpayers pay to run the GFS and NOAA graciously makes the results free to everyone. The SailMail Association supports a system called SailDocs that formats Grib files containing NOAA GFS data for efficient transfer to mariners. The SailDocs system is available to everyone via any email system at no charge. This is sensible, given that the US taxpayers have already paid to run the GFS, so why should they be asked to pay yet again? For information on how to use SailDocs send an email to info@saildocs.com For specific information on how to get grib files sent to you via SailDocs, send an email to gribinfo@saildocs.com The AirMail software contains a handy tool to subscribe to grib files under that can be found on the main AirMail Message Index window under Window/Catalogs/Saildocs/Grib Files.
There are various software packages that are used by computer-savvy cruisers and racers that display grib files of weather data. Some also display digital charts, and some can even calculate routes. The easiest grib viewer to use, and cheapest (free) is Jim Corenman's AirMail Weather Fax Companion that is available from the download page on this website and is included in recent downloads of the AirMail program. Other programs that can view grib files include Deckman for Windows, Expedition, MaxSea, Nobeltec, Ocens, and RayTech.
I've joined SailMail, but won't actually be departing on our cruise/race for some time. Is it possible to practice with text and grib requests for weather data from our home computer?
Yes. The simplest way to do this is to do is to install Airmail software on your home computer. Do the setup the same way (the modem and radio settings don't matter of course), and then make one additional change: open Tools/Options window, settings tab, and change the "current message number" for the home computer to 10000 (from 1000), that will avoid any possible duplicate message-numbers. (Sailmail tracks messages with this number). Then, instead of using the radio and Airmail's terminal window, open the "internet" window (lightning-bolt button on right side of the toolbar). This connects to Sailmail the same way that the radio does, except via internet and much faster of course. You can send/receive messages via your Sailmail address, request weather, everything.
Can I receive ".BZ2" files from MaxSea?
Can I receive ".gfcst" or ".fcst" files from MovingWeather?
Several companies sell for-fee subscription services that can email grib files or other weather files (e.g. MaxSea, MovingWeather, and Ocens). Note, however, that grib files have to be attached to an email, they have to have the ".grb" or ".grib" file extension, and they have to be less than 30kBytes in length in order to be sent via SailMail via Pactor-III (or 15kBytes in length if sent via Pactor-II).
The MaxSea grib server sends pre-compressed grib files with a ".BZ2" file extension. ".BZ2" files can be handled by SailMail only if they are less than 5kBytes in length if sent by Pactor-II or if less than 15kBytes in length if sent by Pactor-III. The reduced file length relative to ".grb" formatted files is because ".bz2" files are pre-compressed and therefore take twice as long to send via SailMail because SailMail's own compression system cannot further compress them.
MovingWeather provides weather data in either ".fcst" or in a compressed ".gfcst" format. The SailMail system will pass ".fcst" files that are less than 10kBytes in length via Pactor-II or 30kBytes in length via Pactor-III. Because the ".gfcst" files are pre-compressed they SailMail system can only pass ".gfcst" files that are 5kBytes in length via Pactor-II or 15kBytes in length via Pactor-III.
How can I arrange to receive custom weather forecasts via SailMail?
There are a number of meteorologists that are in the business of providing custom weather forecasts for cruisers (and especially wealthy racers). These services are particularly helpful for determining when to leave on a passage. These meteorologists are also willing to send you periodic emails during your passage with custom routing advice and forecasts. Generally these services cost from $75 to $300 per passage, depending on whether you want continuing help during your passage and how often. All of the services below are familiar with sending advice via SailMail. We highly recommend the use of a consulting meteorologist, particularly for new cruisers who have not yet become confident in their ability to interpret weather data. If other consultants would like to be listed please send your contact information to sysop@sailmail.com
Commanders' Weather MA USA, 603-882-6789, commandersweather@compuserve.com, www.commandersweather.com
Rick Shema, WeatherGuy.com HI USA, 808-291-9949, hawaii@weatherguy.com, www.weatherguy.com
Chris Bedford, Sailing Weather Services MA USA, 617-926-7457, sailwx@mediaone.net, www.sailwx.com
Bob McDavitt, Weather Ambassador for METSERVICE New Zealand, 649 377 4831, mcdavitt@metservice.com
Chris Tibbs, Sailing-Weather UK, info@sailing-weather.com, www.sailing-weather.com
Weather Consultancy Services Ltd UK, 01902 895252, office@weatherweb.net, www.wcsmarine.com
Weather Routing, Inc (WRI) - New York, USA (518) 798-1110 www.wriwx.com
Ken McKinley, Locus Weather, 207-236-3935, locuswx@midcoast.com, www.locusweather.com
How can I learn more about weather?
Take courses, read books, and watch the weather maps and sky every day even when ashore. Practice.
Lee Chesneau, whose name experienced cruisers will recognize from thousands of OPC weathermaps, has retired from OPC and now does a terrific job of teaching meteorology to sailors. Lee's courses are listed on his website at www.ChesneauMarineWeather.com Various community colleges also have courses on meteorology.
Meteorology Today by C. Donald Aherns is a good overall textbook on meteorology. Weather at Sea by David Houghton is a good book on marine forecasting. All of Alan Watts' books are worth reading. For racers, don't miss Bernot on Breezes by Jean-Yves Bernot. Eric Brenstrum of the New Zealand Met Office has written a very good book titled, The New Zealand Weather Book, that is useful nearly anywhere, but is particularly good for the South Pacific. Steve Dashew has written a book that provides a good overview on weather titled, Mariner's Weather Handbook.
Could you please tell me how to read wind velocity from the feathers of the wind arrows in a Grib file chart?
How can I find the fronts on a grib chart on which I can only see wind directions and pressure?
The wind arrows on a weathermap fly with the wind. There is 10 knots for each large "feather" plus 5 knots for each small feather. So 3 full feathers is 30 knots, rounded. The wind-speed in knots is also shown in the status-bar as you move the cursor over the chart if you use viewfax.exe to look at your grib files. You can work out where the fronts are by looking at the wind directions and the kinks in the isobars. To learn more about weathermap interpretation and grib file interpretation see the question above about learning about weather.
I can connect to the SailMail stations and get the "Welcome..." message and then the callsigns, but then the system just sits there chirping. What's wrong?
Be sure to always leave AirMail in handshake mode. Specifically, in AirMail's Terminal Window, be sure that the "handshake" button is ALWAYS pushed in.
I can connect to the SailMail stations and get the "Welcome..." message and then the callsigns, but then it disconnects right away. What's wrong?
Nothing. You don't have any messages queued for you.
Are there limits on SailMail usage?
I received a warning that I am using SailMail too much, what is happening?
The station refused my connection and said that I have been using SailMail too much. What should I do?
Unfortunately there have been a few members who have abused SailMail and have used far more than the recommended guideline of 90 minutes per week, forcing us to put in usage limits. If your average usage over the last seven days is too high, you will notice a warning message when you connect with SailMail. If your usage stays too high, SailMail will periodically refuse to connect with you to limit your usage.
Obviously, it is inconvenient to have the station refuse your connection, particularly if you are trying to send or receive an important email. If you receive a warning message, you should reduce your usage to avoid having a connection refused. If you are using a KAM+ or other Pactor-I HF modem, upgrading to a SCS PTC-II will give you about 5 times more email capability in the same station time. If you are using an SCS Pactor-II modem, upgrade to the Pactor-III protocol which will give you about 3-4 times more email capability in the same station time as your non-upgraded Pactor-II modem. If you are already using Pactor-III, then be more careful about when you connect to the station. Only connect to the station when radio propagation is good, and don't stay connected if your traffic is moving very slowly (press the stop sign in the Terminal Window to disconnect, and leave any partial messages in your Message Index alone). Try again later when propagation is better for you. Finally, you may have to send and receive fewer emails.
As members cruise farther away from the SailMail stations, they will experience slower transfer rates, and will have to reduce the number of messages that they transfer in order to stay under 90 minutes per week of station usage.
I've been away from my boat for a while and probably have lots of messages backed up. What should I do?
I've been away from my boat for a while, should I download the latest version of AirMail?
I haven't used SailMail for a while, how do I find out about new stations?
If your PC can be connected to the internet via WiFi or any other means then use AirMail and download all of your SailMail messages via the internet. To get details on how to do this send an email to internet@saildocs.com or look at an application note at www.saildocs.com/internet
If you cannot connect your own computer to the internet then stop by an internet cafe, and download AND DELETE all of your messages there using Webmail. That way you will not have to use your connect time to retrieve them by radio.
It makes sense to download and install the latest version of AirMail. The new installation will preserve your old messages and settings, and will include the latest information about SailMail's stations. While you are at it, download a new copy of the pdf file for this Primer and keep it handy as well. The link to download the pdf is near the top of this Primer.
Does the number of addresses to which a message is addressed appreciably change the transmit time?
How can I send copies of my newsletter email to multiple email addresses without every addressee seeing everybody else's email address?
A long cc list does not appreciably increase the transmit time. Note however that some internet service providers reject messages with long cc lists as likely spam. There is an alternative way to send out multiple emails: Sailmail's "relay" feature. Using SailMail's "relay" feature avoids the potential problem of your message being rejected as spam and also lets your addressee's live under the (incorrect) impression that you are writing only to them.
SailMail's relay feature allows you to send one email to a special address, along with a list of email addresses, and the server then sends an individual note to each recipient. You can even personalize each note with "Dear Mom" or whatever, if you want. In this case the list of recipients does NOT go in the cc-box, instead it is included at the beginning of the message. This is all explained in a special "how-to" note, send a (blank) email to: relayinfo@saildocs.com
I paid 250 bucks to join this outfit and now I find out that I am limited to 90 minutes per week, why is that?
The SailMail Association struggles with a problem widely known to economists as "The Tragedy of the Commons." If there is a shared resource (like a common pasture) each farmer has the incentive to add to his/her herd and use more of the shared resource. Ultimately the common pasture is ruined by overgrazing. SailMail is a cooperative Association of cruisers that has set up a shared resource, the network of SailMail stations. We have ended up implementing connect-time limits to fairly allocate our shared resource, and to avoid "The Tragedy of the Commons."
The terms of our FCC licenses as a non-profit cooperative prevent us from implementing a pay-by-the-minute fee, which would be a reasonable economic solution for allocating the shared resource. If you need unlimited message capability, you should consider Iridium or Inmarsat, which are for-profit email services that charge by the minute or byte and therefore are happy to have no limits on usage. The KVH TracPhone F33 is a good choice and the service costs $30 per MegaByte of data used, again with no limits (beyond those imposed by your checkbook). The soon to be released KVH FBB250 will be smaller, lighter, and will only cost $15 per MegaByte of data transferred.
We measure and limit station connect-time, and not messages transferred, because it is the station connect-time that is our scarce resource. By measuring and limiting station connect-time, members have the incentive to connect to stations at times and frequencies when propagation is good and their messages can transfer quickly, and to disconnect if they have a connection that is hammering away for minutes and transferring messages very slowly.
If I have a crisis like a family emergency or medical emergency and need more access to the SailMail system during that emergency, can I use SailMail more than normally permitted?
Of course. But for us to allocate you more station connect-time, you must send an email to the sysop telling us of the crisis BEFORE you run out of connect-time and have your connections refused by the stations. We are not clairvoyant.
We are about to sail across an ocean all by ourselves, and so need unlimited SailMail time.
Our waterpump failed and so we need unlimited SailMail time to order a new one.
We have a teenager onboard and so need unlimited SailMail time.
If you have a true emergency and need more SailMail time during that emergency, let us know and we will allocate you more SailMail time. Getting weather data during passages and ordering replacements for broken gear is normal usage; we have thousands of members using SailMail for similar purposes. If you need more message capacity, upgrade to Pactor-III, and use the propagation tool to pick the best times, stations, and frequencies. If you need still more time, consider a service that charges by the minute and therefore is happy to have no limits. Possibilities include Inmarsat and Iridium.
I was disconnected during the reception of a message. What should I do?
In general, if you are disconnected or see an error, then try to reconnect to the same station immediately. If you think you can do better by connecting to the same station at some other time or on some other frequency, then try that. If a different station would be better, then go ahead and connect to the different station, but if an error occurs then reconnect a second time to that same (new) station; it should work fine then.
The feature of resuming a partial transfer only works on re-connections to the same station, otherwise you will see the CRC error because the two halves of the file don't match. If you connect to a second station, you will get the message, but sometimes only on your second connection.
Can I access my SailMail messages from the Internet?
Yes. The easiest way is as follows...
If you can get internet access to your computer via WiFi or by taking it ashore then open AirMail and in the Message Index Window, click the "Internet" button, which looks like a lightning bolt. Then click the "connect" button, which looks like a green ball. You system will send and receive any messages just as if you were connected via radio via a very fast connection. This assumes that you are using a version of AirMail that is 3.3.069 or later.
The enormous advantage of this approach is that all of your messages end up in the AirMail folders just as if you had picked them up via radio.
If, instead, you have to read your messages via a public computer at an internet cafe then browse to the SailMail website at www.sailmail.com, select the Webmail page, pick a service, and then enter your username and SailMail Password and you can directly access your email. Your username and SailMail Password were sent to you in the "Welcome" message that you received when you first joined SailMail.
Note that if you delete an email via Webmail, it will no longer be retrievable by radio. Similarly, if you pick up a message via radio, it will not appear via Webmail.
Does SailMail have normal POP3 and SMTP servers so that I can retrieve my SailMail messages using Outlook or using my existing PopMail account?
Yes. SailMail's POP3 and SMTP servers allow you to retrieve your SailMail messages either via a normal internet email program (e.g. Outlook, Outlook Express, Eudora, Netscape Communicator) or via an existing webmail account that you might have that provides the ability to retrieve from other POP3 servers, e.g. www.yahoo.com or www.popmail.com To use SailMail's POP3 and SMTP servers you will need to use your username and SailMail Password that were included in your "Welcome Message" that was sent when you joined the SailMail Association. You can get instructions on POP3 by sending an email to POP3@saildocs.com. If you haven't set up POP3 email readers before, or if you found any part of this paragraph to be unclear, then you should find a teenager and ask for help. Better yet, just retrieve your SailMail messages using the AirMail program as described in the question above. If you set up an email program to retrieve your SailMail messages via SailMail's POP3 server, be sure to set up your email program to NOT leave the messages on the POP3 server. If you leave the messages on the server then they will all still be there when you get to your boat and you will have to waste SailMail station time to download them yet again.
I have retrieved my messages via the Internet, but when I return to my boat the SailMail system tries to send me the same messages. Why is it sending me messages that I already retrieved via the Internet?
Be sure to read the instructions on the WebMail introduction page. If you leave messages on the web mail servers, they will remain queued for sending via radio.
Be aware that when you retrieve and delete your messages via Webmail, it will take up to an hour for those messages to be removed from all of the SailMail stations.
If you are using your