IridiumGO connection on RMS Express for Winlink

[Hamsailor]

Hi All,

The latest test release of RMS Express for Winlink (version 1.3.7.3) now features an easy to setup connection session for the popular IridiumGO satellite wifi hotspot.

Sailing hams can now access the Winlink 2000 system via any of the 66 Iridium LEO satellite phone satellites.
This can be done from anywhere in the world, especially in areas where there are few Winlink HF RMS's.

Data thruput speeds are reported to be around 5.6 kbm.
About the same as an average Pactor 3 session via HF radio.

Normal Iridium data rates apply, though.

Instructions can be found in the latest RMS Express Help File.

Making a Winlink Connection with Iridium GO!
The Iridium GO!(tm) is a satellite phone that is designed specifically for providing access to computers, cell phones and tablet devices. RMS Express supports Winlink (WL2K) connections through the Iridium GO!
Establishing a connection from your computer to the Iridium GO!
Before you can start a Winlink connection with RMS Express, you must make a Wi-Fi connection from your computer to the Iridium GO! When powered on, the Iridium GO! provides a Wi-Fi hotspot named Iridium-xxxx where xxxx is unique to the device. Using the normal Windows Wi-Fi connection tools, establish a connection to the Iridium GO! Up to five devices can be connected to the Iridium GO! simultaneously, but only one satellite connection can be active at a time.
Opening an RMS Express session to the Iridium GO!
Select "Iridium GO WL2K" from the drop down session type list on the main menu bar. Click Open Session on the main menu bar. This will open the Iridium GO WL2K Session screen.

Setup options for Iridium GO!
Normally, the default settings RMS Express uses for the Iridium GO! should work without change. However, if you need to change some options, click "Setup" on the Iridium Session screen menu bar.

User name -- This is the user name the Iridium GO! is configured to accept. The default value of "guest" will be in effect unless it is changed in the device.
Password -- This is the password the Iridium GO! is configured to accept. The default value of "guest" will be in effect unless it is changed in the device.
Connection timeout -- Specify the maximum number of seconds that are allowed while attempting to establish an Internet connection. If this limit is exceeded, the connection attempt is aborted. Normally it takes between 20 to 30 seconds to make a connection.
Phone # -- If you subscribe to an Iridium data plan that provides a phone number, specify it here.
Starting a connection
When RMS Express is able to access the Iridium GO!, and there is no active connection, and the satellite signal strength is greater than 0, then the "Start" button is enabled. Click it to begin making a connection to the Winlink system.

Can IridiumGO enabled sailors please post their Winlink data thruput speeds here ?
A 10 Kb to 30 Kb text or .jpg picture as attachment will work nicely.

Hamsailor.

[JohnT]

I have been trying to find the RMS Express version 1.3.7.3 but only 1.3.7.0 is available at the moment ( November 21). Where is the .3 version available?

John

[gordwedman]

I just opened up the program and it wants to update to 1.3.5
Does is it update in steps rather than going straight to 1.3.7?

[Hamsailor]

Originally Posted by gordwedman

I just opened up the program and it wants to update to 1.3.5
Does is it update in steps rather than going straight to 1.3.7?

Yes.
Keep on updating.

[Hamsailor]

Originally Posted by JohnT

I have been trying to find the RMS Express version 1.3.7.3 but only 1.3.7.0 is available at the moment ( November 21). Where is the .3 version available?

John

In RMS Express click on
Files
RMS Express Setup
Automatically install field-test (beta) versions of RMS Express
Update

RMS Express will be restarted with the latest Beta release, I.e. 1.3.7.3

Connect your computer to the IridiumGO WiFi as if connecting to a home WiFi.
Click on
Drop down session - select IridiumGO WL2K
Open Session

Send and receive GRIB files, WXsat pictures from the catalog.
Be amazed at the speed with an external Iridium antenna.
This can be done from anywhere in the world, poles included.

Hamsailor.

[Hamsailor]

Data thruput speeds of 17 Kbytes per minute have been reported by hams using just a commercial passive external IridiumGO antenna.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by Hamsailor

In RMS Express click on
Files
RMS Express Setup
Automatically install field-test (beta) versions of RMS Express
Update

RMS Express will be restarted with the latest Beta release, I.e. 1.3.7.3

Connect your computer to the IridiumGO WiFi as if connecting to a home WiFi.
Click on
Drop down session - select IridiumGO WL2K
Open Session

Send and receive GRIB files, WXsat pictures from the catalog.
Be amazed at the speed with an external Iridium antenna.
This can be done from anywhere in the world, poles included.

Hamsailor.

Thanks Hamsailor, just arrived Fortaleza and received your reply - will give the option a go in the morning.
John de ZS1JNT

[Hamsailor]

You are welcome, John.

400000 Nm...

You inspire us all.

BTW, I am looking for a Miura or a L36 for The Great Lakes.
Any ideas ?

Hamsailor
KC9SGV / ZS4BDK
Chicago.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by Hamsailor

You are welcome, John.

400000 Nm...

You inspire us all.

BTW, I am looking for a Miura or a L36 for The Great Lakes.
Any ideas ?

Hamsailor
KC9SGV / ZS4BDK
Chicago.

Did the download but it upgraded to 1.3.8.0, which has the IridiumGO connection drop-box. It does not work!!! It says no IridiumGO connection found even though is shows the working connection when pinged. Oh well, will mess around with RMS when back in Cape Town. Departing for Grenada at first light. John.

[campr]

Did you ever get it to work in the end?

Thinking of using Iridium as a backup to pactor.

'73

[JohnT]

No, unfortunately I was unable to get it to work before I left the boat in Grenada. However, others have managed with very little problem. I think my problem was I was still using XP as my OS and RMS Express does not appear to like XP very much. I will be upgrading the laptop some time and will give it a go later this year when doing a delivery again. 73.

[campr]

Back in Grenada? Tested it?

Sent from my HUAWEI Y560-L01 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[JohnT]

Hey campr, I was doing a delivery and we seldome get to sail the same boat twice. No, not tested, but confident it will work with the upgrades made.

[Gaia]

I have tried it, I do like it but I am having problems with it.

I started using it earlier this year and was impressed with the speed. Unfortunately it stopped working around the middle of May and I have not been able to make it work again. It will connect to a CMS and even tell me there is a message and then disconnects without downloading the message. Battery is fully charged, sat status 5 out of 5.
I am in contact with the Yahoo Winlink users group, but no luck so far.
Following is an example of a connection where there was a message waiting but did not download.
I am using Winlink Express v1.4.0.0 on a laptop with Windows 10.
I am connected to our Iridium GO, and I have no problems downloading weather info from PredictWind or emails from the Iridium website.
It would be nice to find out if anyone else is using it successfully!

example:
** --- Starting Iridium GO connection ---
*** Initializing the Iridium GO...
*** Requesting Iridium GO establish Internet connection. Satellite signal = 5/5
*** Waiting for Iridium GO to establish Internet connection...
*** Connecting to a CMS...
*** Connected to Wien at 2016/07/19 18:33:58
[WL2K-3.2-B2FWIHJM$]
;PQ: 08003534
Wien CMS >
;FW: VE3HDD
[RMS Express-1.4.0.0-B2FHM$]
;PR: 24794755
; WL2K DE VE3HDD (MH10RH)
FF
FC EM WJC6M5JN8BCM 1254 827 0
F> 5D
FS Y
*** Disconnected at 2016/07/19 18:34:11
*** Disconnecting Iridium GO.

[richwest3]

I know this is a bit of an old thread but perhaps someone can help me. I just got an iridium Go and am using RMS Express 1.5.25.0 on a windows 10 Professional pc. I connect to the Go wifi and open a telnet session and get this message no matter what I try:



Error: Unable to access the Iridium GO. Please connect to the Iridium Wi-Fi network.



I'm trying to send and receive email via Winlink over the GO connection. Predict Wind Offshore program connects to the GO just fine.