RMS Express and ICOM M802

[model 10]

We have not succeeded in setting up RMS Express to communicate with our ICOM 802 and select channels.
Our SailMail software is still on the computer, and it can still communicate with the radio. I tried to match the RMS Express settings to the SailMail settings, but I haven't been successful.
Any suggestions?

[TLSparks]

Originally Posted by Guy

We have not succeeded in setting up RMS Express to communicate with our ICOM 802 and select channels.
Our SailMail software is still on the computer, and it can still communicate with the radio. I tried to match the RMS Express settings to the SailMail settings, but I haven't been successful.
Any suggestions?

I have looked at RMS Express and we use it at Navy MARS. Just my opinion, but I think you are much better off with Airmail for Sailmail or even Winlink. There are some features in RMS Express that are written for shore based stations and while we could use the software on our boats, it was never developed for a moving platform.

It is nice software, but Airmial makes Marine email simple.
Kind Regards
Terry

[d4raffy]

Guy .. did you ever figure this out ?
I have an 801 with the same lack of Remote Control issue..

[Auspicious]

RMS Express requires a separate connection between your computer and the radio for frequency control. It doesn't support control through a Pactor modem the way that Airmail does.

[GWB]

I use rms express to control my radio through my pactor modem. It works great. There are two cables between the modem and radio and a single USB cable from the pactor modem to the laptop.

[d4raffy]

Nice post GWB - care to tell all how you do it ? -

Assume you have an ICOM ?

What are the radio config options you use ?
I have an ICOM 801 - which i assume is the ICOM Marine HF option - although i can't get it to control the radio from the Pactor - like airmail does.

[BocaIII]

RMS Express works fine with Icom 801/802. If you need help connecting with Pactor modem, suggest you call Farallon Electronics (415) 331-1924. They will help you get it working.

Note that RMS Express is fully supported as a current product whereas Airmail is not having any further development for the past year and no plans for future development.

Jack
W4GRJ / AFA4DG

[Auspicious]

Originally Posted by BocaIII

whereas Airmail is not having any further development for the past year and no plans for future development.

I think that will be a surprise to the author Jim Corenman.

[BocaIII]

To be more precise AIRMAIL 'infrequent update support'
See http://www.winlink.org/ClientSoftware

Airmail is a excellent client program for Winlink. Personally,
I find RMS Express easier to set up for newbies and much more flexible
With more features.

To each his own.

Jack
W4GRJ/AFA4DG

[TLSparks]

Originally Posted by BocaIII

RMS Express works fine with Icom 801/802. If you need help connecting with Pactor modem, suggest you call Farallon Electronics (415) 331-1924[IMG]resource://skype_ff_extension-at-jetpack/skype_ff_extension/data/call_skype_logo.png[/IMG](415) 331-1924. They will help you get it working.

Note that RMS Express is fully supported as a current product whereas Airmail is not having any further development for the past year and no plans for future development.

Jack
W4GRJ / AFA4DG

Actually if your boat is welded to the dock, RMS Epress should would be a good software as it was not developed for cruisers as was Airmail. The reason you do not see a lot of changes with Airmail is Jim already made what we need. It easily does position reports, weather faxes, propagation and when you send a position report it updates your position thorough out the other modules. Jim has also done a great job keeping up with Microsoft. Windows is 8.1 now and Airmail works there and all the way back to XP. It is not as pretty as RMS Express. I use both. Cruising Airmail, MARS RM Express. There are Airmail versions for Sailmail and Winlink on the latest Microsoft version. That does not happen by accident.

By the way Jim also teaches classes to help cruisers understand the power of Airmail and Sailmail.

As a Cruiser I can only think Jim for all the great work. That is not taking anything away from the shore based RMS Express product.

TL Sparks
AD7XL
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[S/V Pearl]

TLSparks,

I'm interested on why you think RMS Express (RMSE) is only good if you are "welded to the dock"?

I experimented with RMS Express/Winmor a few years ago and agreed with you then, but last year I spent some time with the newer version and found that my concerns had been fixed - namely separation of PUBLIC and EMCOMM stations and the use of RMS Trimode by a large number of the Winlink stations giving Winmor operators access to the Winlink/Airmail network.

RMS Express offers position reporting, access to the Saildocs catalogs, and grib access.

It is regularly updated and allows a user to operate in P2, P3, or Winmor modes with a drop down menu. I did some evaluation of these modes and easily had all hardware hooked up and switching between Winmor and P3 was all within the RMSE drop down box.

I have recommended RMSE, and wanted to know whether I was missing something.

Airmail is a great program, but if you want to use Winmor you can only use RMSE and it appears to me that the shortcomings for a cruising sailor have been remedied.

Thanks,

Keith, N4KDJ

[TLSparks]

Hi Kieth,

Sounds like they have made some progress in the past 6 months. One thing you did not indicate and the reason for my comment was your position is loaded as a set up function. As a result when you pull up the station list it is based on that location. The other thing that comes with Airmail is a simple weather fax module that most cruisers can easily use.
We use it at MARS, but I only do MARS in the summer months so if there is a lot of work going on I will be able to try out the latest version. Thanks for the heads up on the changes. Terry

[S/V Pearl]

Thanks Terry.

When I get things setup on the boat and hooked into the GPS I will change my grid sector in setup and enable position reporting and then look at the propagation predictor and see what happens - whether it moves you according to your dynamic position or your static grid square.

Just got my new KX3 hooked up to RMSE with Winmor yesterday and need to build a cable for my PTCIIex. It will be interesting to do another "shootout" between P2, P3, and Winmor at low power.

73,

Keith, N4KDJ

[TLSparks]

Originally Posted by S/V Pearl

Thanks Terry.

When I get things setup on the boat and hooked into the GPS I will change my grid sector in setup and enable position reporting and then look at the propagation predictor and see what happens - whether it moves you according to your dynamic position or your static grid square.

Just got my new KX3 hooked up to RMSE with Winmor yesterday and need to build a cable for my PTCIIex. It will be interesting to do another "shootout" between P2, P3, and Winmor at low power.

73,

Keith, N4KDJ

I will look forward to your results. It looks like it is time for me to re-assess the software. It sounds like some good work has gone into the product since I last looked at it.
73,
Terry, AD7XL