Airmail Version 3.3

Updated Mar 6, 2007 (version 3.3.081)

This is the download page for the ham version of the Airmail radio-email client program. This page is devoted to the ham-radio client applications. Airmail is compatible with Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP. Development is continuing, please report any problems and stop back often for updates. See the included "release notes" in the Airmail inbox for details.

Installation instructions (please read carefully):

New Airmail users: You will want to download two or three programs: The Airmail "complete install" below, the Propagation program, and sailors may want Airmail's "Getfax" weather-fax companion.

(Got Vista? See this page for info)

If you can download directly to your computer (or to a memory-stick or CD), then do this:

Download Airmail 3.3 Ham Client complete install (ver 3.3.081, around 4.4 MB) and save it in a "downloads" folder. Make a note of the filename and the folder that it was stored into. When finished, open that folder and open (i.e. double-click) the downloaded file, this will start the Airmail install program. This file includes everything you need except the propagation and maybe weatherfax programs (see below). The most-recent PTC-II firmware updates are included.

(Note: Ver 3.3.081 is basically the same as the previous beta 3.3.080 release)

If you need to download to floppy disks, see "floppies" below.

Sailmail members:  See the Airmail for SailMail page for info on using Airmail with both ham and SailMail systems.

Propagation: Airmail also includes a propagation window. This uses the “ICEPAC” propagation program as a prediction engine. In order to use Airmail’s propagation window, ICEPAC must be downloaded and installed into its own default directory. ICEPAC can be downloaded from the NTIA/ITS website or from here (this is the version I have tested with). This download is around 4.4MB. If you need to download this to floppies then see "floppies" below, the technique described for Airmail will also work for the propagation program. 

Gribs, Weather fax: Airmail’s weather fax companion has been updated, including an updated viewer which can display grib weather-data files as well as most image formats for wefax. Available from the “weather fax” page (click here).

Spelling Dictionaries: Additional language dictionaries for the spell-checker are available here. These are “zip” files, after downloading then open the file with Winzip and extract the “.adm” file to Airmail’s Dictionaries folder. Restart Airmail, then use Airmail’s Tools/Options/Spelling window to enable the new dictionary. (If you don’t have an unzip program then go to www.winzip.com and download the free demo version of Winzip).

Firmware: Current firmware is included with the Airmail download, use Airmail's Update-Firmware window (Tools menu) to install. If you only need updated firmware then download the current SCS firmware (ver 3.7i, about 1 MB). Download the same way as above and then double-click the download file to run the install program. This file includes SCS ver 3.6i firmware for all PTC-II models and will be installed into the Airmail folder for easy access by Airmail’s Firmware-update window. (Version 3.6i fixes a problem with auto-baud at 115200 baud).

USB Drivers: These drivers are Digitally Signed (i.e. blessed by Microsoft) and will not generate warning messages for Win-XP. There are two choices: To pre-install drivers before connecting the PTC-IIusb modem (for Win-2000 and XP), then select this Driver-installer for the SCS PTC-IIusb modem. Click the link and select "Run", or save the file and run it later, before connecting the PTC-IIusb modem. Then when the modem is connected it will be installed automatically.

Alternately, you can download this USB drivers for the SCS PTC-IIusb modem (zip file) (all WIndows version from Win-98se onward). Click the link and save the file in a "downloads" folder, then open it and extract the contents to a "PTC-IIusb drivers" folder on your computer. Then connect the PTC-IIusb, when the "new hardware" wizard appears select "Specify a location" and point it to the folder where you stored the drivers.

Airmail Beta version: None at this time, check back soon.

 Floppy Disks: If you think you need to copy Airmail onto floppies, then first try to find another solution- like running to the store for a USB memory-stick. The reason is that floppies are notoriously unreliable, especially after being stored in the bilges for a few years. If there is no other option then here is one way to do it: First, download the complete Airmail install-file (above) into a new, empty temporary folder on the computer you are using. Then run this "FileSplitter" program, no need to save it. Click the "Browse" button next to the "File To Split" box and select the Airmail file that you just downloaded. Then click the "Split" button, and the program will create three or four file "pieces" in the same temporary folder. Copy each of these file-pieces to a floppy disk plus the "Create" file which was also created (and which might fit onto the last floppy). Then take your floppies home and copy them to another new temporary folder and run the "Create" file. That will re-assemble the Airmail download file into one piece. Then double-click that Airmail download and start the install program.    

Contact information:

Questions/comments can be sent to: ke6rk@airmail2000.com

73, Jim ke6rk