Emergency Winlink Gateway

In the aftermath of Storm Ulla in 2025, with 15 m/s (33.5 mph) winds hammering the caravan and lightning tearing through the sky, I fired up my Emergency Winlink Gateway (EWG). This lightweight, portable system stood ready to serve—offering a resilient HF email bridge via 40m NVIS for regional traffic and 30m skywave for long-range communication—built to support the ham community when other networks had failed. Today, we’re diving into what the EWG is, how it works, its components, and why it’s a game-changer for disaster comms.

If you haven’t read the precursors to this post, I would suggest starting here: https://oh8stn.org/blog/2025/07/04/storm-prep-portable-ham-radio-caravan/

What is the Emergency Winlink Gateway?

From this point forward, let’s call it the Echo Whiskey Golf—or EWG for short. It’s a portable, self-sufficient HF email gateway designed to keep amateur radio operators connected when the grid goes dark. Think of it as a community-focused RMS Gateway that bridges local radio traffic to the Winlink system, ensuring critical messages get through.

Operators in range can connect to the EWG using their own radios to send and receive email traffic. Naturally, I can use it myself, but its primary purpose is to offer a resilient, shared service during communication outages. It’s lightweight, quick to deploy, and built for the worst-case scenarios.

Why Winlink Matters in a Disaster

When disaster strikes, traditional communication networks often fail. Power outages, damaged cell towers, and flooded internet infrastructure can sever entire communities from the outside world. That’s where Winlink comes in.

Winlink is a global radio-based messaging system that allows licensed amateur radio operators to send and receive email—with or without internet access. Messages can include plain text, GPS locations, status reports, attached documents or images, and even forms used by emergency responders.

In a grid-down disaster zone, Winlink lets operators:

• Communicate with family, emergency services, and aid organizations
• Relay requests for medical assistance, supplies, or evacuation
• Receive weather updates and coordination messages
• Transmit structured forms like ICS-213 (a standard incident message form) for official reporting

Whether you’re inside the affected area or trying to reach someone who is, Winlink bridges that gap using HF radio waves that can travel hundreds or thousands of kilometers—even without infrastructure on the ground.

How the EWG Works

The EWG is a Winlink RMS (Radio Mail Server) Gateway, a licensed amateur radio station that acts as a bridge between radio-connected users and the internet-based Winlink Common Message Servers (CMS). It allows operators to send and receive email over radio, with or without internet access.

Here’s the flow:

• Outbound: You connect via radio → the EWG receives your message → it forwards it to the CMS via Starlink or local internet → the CMS delivers it to civilian email or Winlink addresses.
• Inbound: The CMS queues your incoming messages → when you connect, the EWG retrieves them via Starlink and sends them to your radio.

The EWG supports multiple protocols:

• HF: Robust Packet (RPR), ARDOP, and VARA HF
• VHF/UHF: AX.25 and VARA FM

It operates in radio-to-internet or radio-only mode, storing messages locally during internet outages and forwarding them automatically once connectivity is restored via RMS Relay.

• Note: WINMOR was deprecated by Winlink in July 2020 in favor of RPR, ARDOP, and VARA HF.

Component Breakdown

The EWG is a mobile, self-sufficient communications hub, built from components designed for rapid deployment in harsh conditions. Here’s what’s inside:

Radio and Modem

• Xiegu G106: A compact HF transceiver covering 80m–10m, perfect for Winlink’s digital modes with low power draw.
• LiNK500 Modem (DL4KA): A Robust Packet Modem with USB-C and Bluetooth, handling RPR (Robust Packet Radio) for reliable HF comms.

Power and Connectivity

• Starlink Mini: A man-portable satellite terminal providing a backup internet path for RMS Relay to the CMS.
• Power System: Runs off a 12v LiFePO4 battery e.g., the 3.58kWh LiFePO4 battery in the Ham Radio Camper. However, it is also compatible with smaller pocket portable LiFePo4 batteries and DC power supplies.

Antenna and Deployment

• Portable Antenna: Supports NVIS on 40 meters for regional coverage, and skywave on 30 meters for long-range comms.
• Caravan Setup: Deployed as a regional gateway, serving operators within HF range during outages.

Antenna Efficiency and NVIS Strategy

The EWG is powered by a QRP-class radio—the Xiegu G106—which delivers just 5 watts of transmit power. That makes antenna efficiency absolutely critical. Unlike higher-power systems that can brute-force a connection through mediocre antennas, QRP rigs demand precision: every decibel counts.

Thankfully, the G106 is efficient in its own right, drawing just ~300 mA on receive and remaining frugal even during transmissions. That means the entire station can run on a compact 5Ah LiFePO4 battery for most of the day. Pair that with a lightweight solar panel, and the system gains near-continuous runtime without bulky power banks or fuel-powered generators.

But with limited RF output, the antenna becomes the make-or-break component.

The EWG is built for regional disaster coverage—where NVIS propagation on 80m, 60m or 40m is ideal. For that, we’ve selected an 80-meter off-center-fed dipole. A mono-band dipole might offer slightly better efficiency, but the OCF dipole strikes a better balance:

Multi-band operation without needing an antenna tuner Near-vertical radiation on 80 & 40m for NVIS Enough efficiency to support Winlink connections at QRP levels Rapid deployment in field conditions

It’s not just about making a contact—it’s about delivering email traffic reliably in the worst-case scenario. And this antenna setup ensures that even with just 5 watts, your signal is heard where it needs to be.

The rugged 80 m off‑center‑fed dipole I rely on in this kit is made by N9SAB, and it’s a dependable performer for NVIS and regional HF coverage—even at QRP levels. It also packs down small enough to fit in a backpack. If you’re interested in using the same antenna and want to support my work, you can find it here: https://oh8stn.net/n9sab-80ocf

Starlink’s Role in the EWG

When traditional internet and cellular networks go down, Starlink can keep your Winlink RMS connected. The Starlink Mini is a compact satellite terminal that connects directly to SpaceX’s low Earth orbit constellation, bypassing ground-based infrastructure like fiber or cell towers. For the EWG, it’s the key to bridging local HF/VHF traffic to the global Winlink CMS.

During Storm Ulla, with wind averaging 15 m/s (33.5 mph), gusts of 21m/s (47 mph), constant heavy rain, lightning and a thick cloud layer, the Starlink Mini held strong. Obstruction data showed a partially blocked sky, typical of storm conditions in wooded or semi-rural terrain, causing a brief signal drop—just a few minutes—during the worst cloud cover and lightning. But for 98–99% of the storm, it kept the EWG online, ready to move Winlink traffic without a hitch.

• Man-Portable Uplink: Lightweight, quick to deploy, with built-in Wi-Fi for easy setup.
• Global Connectivity: Ensures the EWG reaches the CMS, even in wide-area outages.
• Flexible Power: Accepts 12–48V DC, integrating with batteries or solar systems.
• Cost-Effective: Affordable compared to legacy satellite systems, accessible for volunteer groups.

Starlink’s Real-World Impact

Starlink has proven itself in real disasters, offering resilient connectivity when conventional networks go down. Here are a few examples:

• North Carolina, 2024 – Hurricane Helene: FEMA deployed over 40 Starlink terminals after 74% of cell towers failed. Emergency responders and residents relied on Starlink for email, alerts, and coordination while traditional infrastructure was still down.
• Florida, 2024 – Hurricane Milton: In partnership with T-Mobile, Starlink delivered satellite-based SMS capability to survivors, allowing communication where no cellular signal existed.
• Australia – Wildfires: Firefighting command posts and remote communities used Starlink to maintain logistics and real-time updates when terrestrial networks were unavailable.
• Texas, July 2025 – Central Floods: SpaceX provided free Starlink Mini kits and one month of service to impacted residents. Search and rescue teams deployed units in vehicles and boats to maintain communications despite widespread cell and fiber outages.

These cases show why Starlink isn’t just a backup—it’s the primary uplink that turns the EWG from a local asset into a globally connected one. Even without internet, the EWG can still fall back to radio-only relay, storing and forwarding traffic when the link comes back online.

Storm Ulla Aftermath

During Storm Ulla, roughly 50,000 households lost power across Finland—peaking at around 20,000 simultaneously. In Uusimaa, municipalities like Kirkkonummi, Lohja, and Espoo bore the brunt, while Northern Ostrobothnia was hit with wind gusts up to 23 m/s (51.5 mph) and 46 mm (1.8 inches) of rain, triggering flash floods and forcing emergency crews to clear fallen trees and debris. Post-storm, electricity was restored to most areas within 24 hours, with fewer than 1,000 homes still offline by Saturday evening. Roads and railway lines blocked by storm damage were reopened within 48 hours, and rail service in Eastern Finland resumed by Friday night. This wasn’t just a storm—it was a real-world comms failure. Exactly the kind of situation the EWG was built to respond to.

The Case for Lightweight, Low Power Gateways

Here in Finland—and in many parts of the world—some emergency communications operators believe Winlink gateways should run at 100 watts. On the surface, that makes sense: higher output power helps punch through noise and reach distant stations more reliably. It works, and I respect the operators building those systems.

But there’s a tradeoff. High-power HF radios can draw 1 to 2 amps even while sitting idle. Once you start transmitting, the inefficient final stage of a 100W amplifier can pull 20 amps or more. That demands a heavy power supply, thick cabling, and high-capacity batteries—turning your gateway into a system that’s no longer man-portable.

The Emergency Winlink Gateway (EWG) was built on a different principle: portability, efficiency, and ease of deployment. It runs on a compact 5 to 10Ah LiFePO4 battery, draws minimal current on receive, and uses just enough power to get the job done—without the need for generators, large solar banks, or support vehicles. That makes it ideal for rapid deployment in the field, even in tough environments where logistics are limited.

There’s absolutely a place for high-power systems. But when disaster strikes unexpectedly, it’s often the low-power, backpackable stations that get online first. We need more of those—widely distributed, resilient, and ready to serve at a moment’s notice.

Who Should Build One?

If you’re serious about emergency communications and understand the value of Winlink, then the Emergency Winlink Gateway (EWG) is for you.

Yes, there are larger, more powerful stations with tall towers and high output power—but those setups aren’t always where you need them when disaster hits. The EWG is different. It’s small enough to carry in a backpack with the rest of your gear, yet powerful enough to move email traffic during real-world outages.

Anyone who operates portable, deploys in the field, or supports EmComm events should consider building one. That includes:

• Amateur radio operators in rural or remote regions
• Preparedness-minded individuals or groups
• ARES/RACES or disaster relief volunteers
• Off-grid or mobile operators (caravan, overland, marine)
• HF digital mode users looking for grid-down capability

The truth is, we never know when the next disaster will strike. It’s better to have it and not need it, than to need it and come up empty. The EWG gives you a lightweight, resilient Winlink gateway—ready to deploy, when it counts.

Conclusion

The Emergency Winlink Gateway (EWG) is a lifeline for amateur radio operators when the grid goes down. With its compact Xiegu G106, LiNK500 modem, Starlink Mini, and portable antenna, it’s a deploy-anywhere solution that keeps critical messages flowing. Starlink’s satellite uplink ensures global reach, while the EWG’s radio-only mode covers you when even that fails.

Whether you’re a first responder, a rural operator, or part of a preparedness group, the EWG is a tool worth building. Check out oh8stn.org for build guides, or visit winlink.org to dive deeper into Winlink. Got questions? Join a local radio club or drop a comment below. Let’s keep the airwaves open when it matters—and build what we need before we need it.

73
Julian oh8stn
Please support my work: https://www.amazon.com/author/julian-oh8stn