Is there and iOS App that connects iPad to SSB?

[EdenRose]

I am hoping to move from PC on board to a nice iPad Pro for everything I need a computer for. I currently connect a PC Laptop to Pactor Dragon via Bluetooth and then on to control an ICOM M802. I use Airmail and Winmail. Is there an iOS App for the iPad that will connect through the Bluetooth Pactor and control the radio for email GRIBS etc?
If the answer is ‘no” that is fine but I am not looking for any Windows via Mac or Raspberry Pi options please. After decades of being completely absorbed with computers of all kinds…..loving the simplicity and reliability of the iPad.

EdenRose

[wholybee]

Neither Airmail or Winmail work on an iPad. But that doesn't mean the ipad won't work. For Winlink (HAM radio service) it Sortof can. For Sailmail (Maritime radio service), no dice.

For Winlink, you can't use the Pactor modem, and need to get a "KISS Packet" modem with bluetooth. It will be slower than the pactor, but it will work with the winlink system.

The Sailmail system only works with the Pactor, so because the ipad won't work with pactor it won't work with the Sailmail system.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/radiomail/id1613839993

Edit: If the developers of the above software added support for pactor modems, they would gain many more potential customers in the sailing community. Maybe if you ask them they will work on adding it.

[EdenRose]

Thank you for the direction. Where do I get a KISS Bluetooth modem and will it be a complicated setup?


QUOTE=wholybee;3745007]Neither Airmail or Winmail work on an iPad. But that doesn't mean the ipad won't work. For Winlink (HAM radio service) it Sortof can. For Sailmail (Maritime radio service), no dice.

For Winlink, you can't use the Pactor modem, and need to get a "KISS Packet" modem with bluetooth. It will be slower than the pactor, but it will work with the winlink system.

The Sailmail system only works with the Pactor, so because the ipad won't work with pactor it won't work with the Sailmail system.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/radiomail/id1613839993

Edit: If the developers of the above software added support for pactor modems, they would gain many more potential customers in the sailing community. Maybe if you ask them they will work on adding it.[/QUOTE]

[wholybee]

Originally Posted by EdenRose

Thank you for the direction. Where do I get a KISS Bluetooth modem and will it be a complicated setup?


QUOTE=wholybee;3745007]Neither Airmail or Winmail work on an iPad. But that doesn't mean the ipad won't work. For Winlink (HAM radio service) it Sortof can. For Sailmail (Maritime radio service), no dice.

For Winlink, you can't use the Pactor modem, and need to get a "KISS Packet" modem with bluetooth. It will be slower than the pactor, but it will work with the winlink system.

The Sailmail system only works with the Pactor, so because the ipad won't work with pactor it won't work with the Sailmail system.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/radiomail/id1613839993

Edit: If the developers of the above software added support for pactor modems, they would gain many more potential customers in the sailing community. Maybe if you ask them they will work on adding it.

[/QUOTE]

You will have to research it, maybe the radiomail people have some advice. I've never done it.

[Brian.D]

In my limited vision mind's eye, I see a connection path from the iPad to an audio interface (aka external sound card). The connectivity from the iPad to said audio interface will have to be researched. It may or may not work.

Then, the audio interface will be connected to the SSB by means of whatever connections are required.

But, instead of using an iPad, you might want to think about a used Windows Based tablet. Will that tablet run Winlink? I don't know. An addition to Winlink is a software called Vara HF, which has a faster data transfer than Winlink, but uses Winlink as it's medium vehicle. Probably not as fast as Pactor() though.

Just some thoughts and as always, JMHO.

[AA3JY]

From the Winlink News..


Announcing RadioMail for iOS


We are excited to announce the release of RadioMail, a new client app for the iPhone by Island Magic Co. of Kaua'i, Hawaii. With RadioMail, you can easily send and receive Winlink emails via telnet or pair with modems to exchange emails over the air.
To use RadioMail with your radio, you will need to connect an external TNC interface. You can do this through WiFi or Bluetooth, using a VARA modem or KISS packet modem. Radio control can be setup through rigctld if necessary. Note that RadioMail requires a running version of the VARA modem on a separate computer. For packet mode, the Mobilinkd and Dire Wolf packet modems are supported.
The built-in station directory automatically retrieves available station details and organizes them by proximity based on your current location. You can also add custom stations for peer-to-peer connections (outbound only). The favorites list is where you manage the preferred stations you want to connect to. Favorites stations can quickly be selected by modes and bands when you’re ready to initiate a connection.
The app makes it easy to share images and files. You can access your phone's camera directly, or attach photos from your photo library. RadioMail automatically optimizes images to reduce the transmission time. When you receive an attachment, you can preview it and add annotations if you like. You can also save attachments to local folders or iCloud, or share them via other apps.
RadioMail can also check for new emails in the background at regular intervals, and notify you when a new message comes in. This way, you won't miss important emails even when you're not actively using the app. Additionally, you can use the phone's internal GPS to automatically provide an accurate location for position reports, which are posted to the Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) network.
To learn more visit RadioMail or download the app from the App Store. You can also refer to the web site https://radiomail.app/ for a description of features. See a comparison of all Winlink client programs.

[Pizzazz]

It is difficult to match the usability of the Windows/Pactor/SSB combination with a phone or tablet interface. Most of the options are not designed very well and slow.

The first thing you can do is to install a terminal program on your iPad, connect via bluetooth to the Dragon and then onwards to the Icom using a serial over bluetooth connection. This may not work with the iOS/Dragon, in this case you need to get a wifi to serial adapter that you hardwire to the dragon (it is an Apple thing, nothing you can do about it other than switching to Android).

Next, you can use the terminal program to control the Dragon. This will allow you to start Pactor, connect to Winlink servers, send and download mail. Depending on the terminal program you use, you can use macro's to automate many of these tasks. You can open the terminal monitor on the Airmail program on windows to get an idea of the commands you will need to enter. It is basically like learning a new command language and once you master a few commands, it becomes easier but it is not touch and click.

Next, you can use macros to send commands to the icom, to change frequencies and enable transmit.

Once you master all of this, you can write a short app in python that automates all of this. Is it worth it? I do not think so, especially since once you download your email, you will need to respond to this email and you need a keyboard for that.

-Pizzazz