What Is a Gateway?

A Winlink RMS Gateway connects radio messaging to the global Winlink email system.

Winlink supports multiple radio modes, including VHF/UHF packet and HF.

Operators connect over packet radio, and the gateway forwards that traffic to Winlink via the internet. If connectivity is interrupted, messages are stored locally and either forwarded automatically when service is restored or retrieved locally over RF.

It bridges radio and network — reliably.

The RMS Field Gateway v1.0 is engineered specifically for that role.

Why This Exists

Building a stable RMS Gateway from scratch takes time.

Linux configuration. Direwolf alignment. LinBPQ setup. Audio levels. Service startup behavior. Log growth. Power recovery. Internet reconnection.

Each piece matters — and each one can fail in its own way.

We built this because we were tired of rebuilding gateways.

This is the configuration we run — refined, tested, and repeatable.

Engineered For Real Deployment

Stability First

• Automatic service startup with correct sequencing

• Proper port binding and dependency handling

• Watchdog monitoring with controlled restart behavior

• Clean recovery after power failure

• Automatic restart without intervention

If power drops, it recovers. Automatically.

Designed for Internet Interruptions

• Automatic CMS reconnection logic

• Predictable relay mode behavior

• Local message spooling during outages

• Local RF retrieval of stored messages

• Automatic forwarding once connectivity returns

It behaves the way a gateway should behave.

Built for Continuous Operation

• Fanless aluminum enclosure with integrated heat dissipation

• 64GBHigh Endurance microSD card - specified for continuous write-cycle operation.

• Automatic log rotation and disk control

No silent disk fill.
Selected to mitigate common SD-card failure modes

Packet & Audio Alignment

• AX.25 configured for robust 1200 baud AFSK

• Audio levels defined within LinBPQ configuration

• Stable USB sound interface support

• Reliable PTT logic

Packet should be boring.

Boring is good.

Radio Scope

Designed for:

• VHF / UHF FM packet gateway operation

• Fixed-frequency deployment

• 1200 baud AFSK RMS Gateway service

While the underlying software supports additional bands and modes, this platform is engineered and validated specifically for VHF/UHF gateway operation.

Deployment Experience

This is as close to plug-and-play as an RMS Gateway can realistically be.

You will still enter:

• Sysop credentials

• Callsign information

• RMS Gateway registration details

Guided by a detailed setup and operations manual.

Most deployments are completed in approximately 30 minutes.

The difficult parts — service configuration, sequencing, stability, and recovery behavior — are already handled.

Deployment Flexibility

• Operates from regulated 5V supply or power bank

• Connects via Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or LTE hotspot

• Headless operation (no monitor required)

• Remote access capable

Designed for a shelf, rack, go-kit, or remote site.

Why Not Just Use a Windows PC?

Gateways are infrastructure. They should not behave like desktops.

This platform:

• Runs on a stable Linux server-grade operating system

• No forced updates

• No surprise reboots

• No OS obsolescence warnings

• No background UI overhead

• No firewall conflicts

• Low power consumption

• Small aluminum enclosure

• Headless by design

The system is built for one purpose: reliable RMS Gateway operation.

Why Not Just Build It Yourself?

But building a stable RMS Gateway from scratch means solving problems that aren’t obvious until they show up at the wrong moment: service startup sequencing, Direwolf binding to the correct audio device before LinBPQ initializes, store-and-forward behavior during real internet outages, log growth, SD card endurance, and clean power recovery without manual intervention.

Each piece works. Getting them to work together — reliably, repeatedly, and headlessly — is where the time goes.

This platform is the result of that process — already done, tested, and ready to deploy.

Included

• Pre-imaged RMS Field Gateway v1.0 System (Raspberry Pi Zero 2W, Aluminum Enclosure, & SD Card)

• Power Supply

• Mini HDMI (Male) to HDMI (Female)Adapter

• Micro USB OTG Hub (x 3 USB Ports)

• Comprehensive Setup & Operations Manual

• Troubleshooting Guidance

You Provide

• Winlink Sysop Credentials

• VHF(2m)/UHF (70cm) Amateur Radio

• Compatible Audio/PTT Cable

• USB Audio Device (e.g., Digirig Mobile, Digirig Lite)

• Interconnecting Cables

• Wi-Fi

• Ethernet Adapter for wired connections.

Supported Role

Designed as:

A fixed-frequency VHF/UHF RMS Gateway deployment appliance.

Not intended as:

• A development workstation

• A CAT-controlled experimentation platform

• A general-purpose Linux computer

It is built for one job — and built to keep doing it.