Airmail Version 3 for SailMail
Updated Nov 10, 2010, beta ver 3.4.062
This is the download page for the Airmail 3 client program for SailMail. Airmail is a radio-email program, this page is devoted to the SailMail client applications. Airmail 3 is compatible with all Windows versions. It also works fine on Mac's using Parallels etc, and on Linux under WINE. Supported modems include the SCS PTC-II-family modems plus most Pactor-1 modems. Development is continuing, please report any problems and stop back often for updates.
Installation instructions (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY):
Airmail version 3.4 is a single installation file that includes everything needed: Airmail and its weather companions, the "Icepac" propagation software, and drivers for the SCS PTC-IIusb modem. Two versions are available: Airmail beta ver 3.4.034 has been available for about a year and is well-tested, and works fine with 32-bit versions of Vista and Win-7 (although you may see some security warnings which can be safely ignored). This version is NOT recommended for x64 (64-bit) versions of Windows-- see ver 3.4.062 below.
The latest Airmail version is the ver 3.4.062 beta below. This version should avoid Win-7 security warnings, includes some updates and is also updated to fully support x64 (64-bit) versions of Win-Vista and Win-7.
If you are still using Windows 95, 98 or Me then try the beta ver 3.4.062 below (problems with earlier ver 3.4 versions should be fixed), or install Airmail ver 3.3, below.
Updating: Your current Airmail installation can be updated in the same way as a new installation-- download and install the latest version. Your settings and messages will not be disturbed. To update a Winlink version to also support Sailmail, download and install the same Airmail version from this page and install into the same folder. Click Here for additional notes on using Airmail with both Sailmail and Winlink.
Airmail ver 3.4.034: Click Here to download Airmail ver 3.4.034 (about 8MB).
This is an "all in one" install with Airmail (including wefax), propagation, and a new Viewfax grib/fax viewer with "get it now" (File menu) and support for Gulf-stream current grib's ("RTOFS"). This version (and the installer) is Vista/Win7c compatible and installs data-files into the "ProgramData" application-data folder by default to avoid Vista/Win7 security warnings. It will also transfer messages and settings that were stored elsewhere by earlier Airmail versions (see note below). For Windows x64 versions 3.4.055 (or later) is recommended, see below.
Installation: Download and save this install-file to a "downloads" folder on your computer, or to a CD or memory-stick, then open it (i.e. run it) to start the Airmail installer. For Vista you may see a confirmation for "amsm34034, Sirius Cybernetics LLC", click "Continue". For the Airmail installer the default settings should work fine in every application. When you are finished you may see a "This program may not have installed correctly" message, click "Ignore" or just close that box-- Windows is confused, Airmail did install correctly.
Important Note when updating a Vista/Win7 installation to Airmail 3.4 from ver 3.3: Under Vista/Win7, messages and data files must be stored under the "Program Data" folder in order to avoid security issues. The Airmail ver 3.4 installer will transfer messages and settings that were stored elsewhere by earlier Airmail versions, including files which have been hidden (i.e. "virtualized") by Vista's security. If you have a lot of stored messages this can take a long time, DO NOT terminate the installation or things will left in a scrambled state with only part of the messages transferred.
x64 (64-bit) versions of Windows: Airmail 3.4.034 itself runs fine, but does not include the latest Icepac software and PTC-IIusb drivers which are needed, see below.
Latest Airmail Version (beta): Airmail ver 3.4.062 is available here (about 10MB). This is also an "all in one" install with Airmail (including wefax), propagation, the new Viewfax grib/fax viewer, updated Icepac propagation software, x64-compatible PTC-IIusb drivers, and includes new "manifest" files to avoid Vista and Win-7 security messages. New radio drivers are also included for the Barrett-2050 SSB.
Installation: Download and save this install-file to a "downloads" folder on your computer, then open it (i.e. run it) to start the Airmail installer. For Vista/Win7 you may see a confirmation for "amsm34062, published by Sirius Cybernetics LLC", click "Continue". For the Airmail installer the default settings should work fine in every application.
Important Note: When updating a Vista/Win7 install from ver 3.3, and you have a lot of stored messages, the installer may take a long time moving files- DO NOT terminate the installation.
This is a beta release, please let us know of any problems (send a note to the "support" address below) and check back here for updates.
Previous version: Airmail 3.3 for Win-95, Win-98, Win-Me):
Airmail 3.3 SailMail client (ver 3.3.081, about 4.4 MB). This file does not include propagation and weatherfax, see below. It also does not support Windows Vista or Windows-7 security features, please read the "Got Vista?" note for more details.
Other Downloads:
Propagation: Airmail also includes a propagation window. which uses the “ICEPAC” propagation program as a prediction engine. Airmail 3.4 includes the Icepac software, but it must be installed separately for Airmail 3.3, or for Airmail 3.4.034 with Win7 or Vista/x64, or if the complete Icepac user-interface is desired. ICEPAC can be downloaded here (March 26 2009 version, compatible with Vista x64) or from Greg Hand's ITS support website. This download is around 3MB.
Weather fax and Grib info: An update to Airmail’s weather-fax companion is available, including a viewer which decodes and displays Grib weather-data files as well as most image types for viewing wefax images and now includes downloading directly from Saildocs (handy for trip-planning with large grib files). It is available from Airmail’s “weather fax” page (click here) . (Not needed for Airmail ver 3.4)
Spelling Dictionaries: Additional language dictionaries for the spell-checker are available here. These are “zip” files, after downloading then open them (by double-clicking) and drag the “.adm” file into Airmail’s Dictionaries folder. Restart Airmail, then use Airmail’s Tools/Options/Spelling window to enable the new dictionary. (If you can’t open a “zip” file then go to www.winzip.com and download the demo version of Winzip, free and fully functional).
Firmware: Current firmware is included with the Airmail download, use Airmail's Update-Firmware window (Tools menu) to install. The latest firmware is also available from the SCS website.
PTC-IIusb USB Drivers: Drivers for the PTC-IIusb are included on a CD included with the modem, available for download from the SCS website, and included with the Airmail ver 3.4 downloads. If you install Airmail before plugging in the modem, and leave the "Install PTC-IIusb drivers" option selected in the Arimail installer, then the drivers will be pre-installed and the modem will install automatically. Alternately, put the SCS CD in the computer and plug in the modem, when the "New Hardware" wizard appears skip internet searching and select "install automatically"-- or select a location and point windows to your downloaded drivers.
Note: Airmail ver 3.4.055 (and later) includes the latest drivers which are compatible with all versions of Windows (including Win7, both x64 and x86 versions). For earlier versions of Airmail, for Vista/x64 and Win-7/x64 only, download the drivers separately from the SCS website.
Floppy Disks: If you think you need to copy Airmail onto floppies, then please find another solution- like running to the store for a USB memory-drive. The reason is that floppies are notoriously unreliable, especially after being stored in the bilges for a few years. If there is absolutely no other option then do a Google search for "FileSplitter".
Contact information:
Questions/comments about using Sailmail or the SailMail version of Airmail should be sent to: support@sailmail.com