Winlink Global Radio Email, a simplified overview
Email : emails to and from a regular email address like address@emailservice.com
Common Message Server (CMS) : Coordinating engines at the heart of the Winlink network. They collect, coordinate and distribute messages between RMS Gateways as well and Client Stations. Multiple servers that mirrors each other and are hosted at Amazon Web Services.
Radio Message Server (RMS) Gateway : RMS station that relay messages from Client Stations via RF to the Common Message Server via Internet and vice versa.
Client Station : Winlink radio station that send and receive Winlink messages.
Client Station, a simplified overview
Winlink Telnet Station : If you want to send Winlink messages via Telnet, all you need is a Windows PC with Winlink Express software installed and Internet.
Winlink Packet Station : A Winlink packet station will consist of 1 of the following:
1. Windows PC with Winlink Express software installed, hardware TNC and a radio or
2. Windows PC with Winlink Express and Software TNC installed, soundcard interface and a radio
Winlink VARA Station : A Winlink VARA station will consist of a Windows PC with Winlink Express and VARA software installed, soundcard interface and a radio. If a you add a Software TNC in the PC, you can do packet as well.
An example of hardware TNC is the Kantronics KPC-3 Packet Communicator. See image below:
Software TNC can be SoundModem by UZ7HO or Direwolf.
Some examples of Soundcard Interface are DRA Radio Adapter by Masters Communications, RIGblaster by West Mountain Radio or Signalink by TigerTronics. See images below:
As long as the radio can provide PTT, RX Audio, TX Audio and Ground to the Soundcard Interface or Hardware TNC, it can be used as the station radio.
You can choose a plug & play sound card interface complete with cables (left of the radio) or roll up your sleeves and assemble one (right of the radio) which is very budget friendly.