0.1. 1. Overview

As from Version 0.2.7 D-RATS has the capability to send and receive email to and from the Internet.

An email message can be created, using the D-RATS Form Manager, by a remote user in the field and transferred across D-STAR to a properly configured internet connected D-RATS station at which time the email message will automatically be sent to the internet.

Email messages sent to an email server, which supports POP3 (Post Office Protocol) transfer, can be interrogated by an Internet connected D-RATS station which will retrieve any messages at a periodic interval. Any email messages retrieved from the POP3 Server, by D-RATS, can then be manually forwarded across D-STAR to the desired field station.

Note: Due care must be taken to ensure that any email traffic passed across the amateur radio service is appropriate and meets the respective amateur's licencing conditions. It is strongly recommended that a special email account is created specifically for this purpose and is used accordingly.

0.2. 2. Setup

In this sample setup it is assumed that a user has an email account (waffle1) on gmail.com that they wish to access via D-RATS.

In D-RATS, select File > Main Settings > Network

0.2.1. 2.1. Configuration for sending emails to the Internet:

The following settings control outbound internet email (In the configuration: Network -> Outgoing Email)

• SMTP Server: Set this to your normal ISP server smtp address, eg: mail.*.com (replace * with your ISP details).

• Force SMTP Reply-To: Set this to the email address, that you want all internet based email replies to be sent to, eg: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• Use TLS for SMTP: Check this box if your ISP requires this from you to send SMTP email.

• SMTP Username: Set this to your username if your ISP requires authentication to send SMTP email.

• SMTP Password: Set this if your ISP requires authentication to send SMTP email.

• SMTP Port: The default port for this is 25, however your ISP may not allow port 25. Alternative ports commonly used are 465 and 587.

0.2.2. 2.2. Configuration for receiving emails from the Internet:

The following settings control inbound internet email (In the configuration: Network -> Incoming Email)

• POP3 Server: Set this to the POP3 server you intend using, eg: pop.gmail.com

• POP3 Username: Set this to your POP3 username, eg: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• POP3 Password: Set this to your POP3 account password.

• POP3 Poll interval: It is suggested that this is set to 2 minutes for initial testing, then increased it to 10 minutes for day to day usage.

• Use SSL for POP3: Check this box if the ISP requires SSL to access the POP3 Server.

• POP3 Port: Some POP3 systems requre usage of SSL (Secure Socket Layers). For gmail.com set this to 995. If you are unsure what port to use, leave this blank.

• Socket flush interval: There is probably no need to change this from the default settings.

0.2.3. 2.3. Email Access Control

The access control (who can send or receive email) is controlled by a list in the configuration under Network -> Email Access. Click the Add button to add a new rule. The fields are:

• Callsign: The callsign of the RF user this rule will apply to. An asterisk (*) makes the rule apply to anyone not otherwise matched by a rule.

• Access: This controls whether the user is able to send, receive, or send and receive email.

• Email Filter: This controls what email addresses match this filter. You can use this to effectively say "Callsign XYZ can only send email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it "

0.3. 3. Sending Emails to the Internet

In the remote D-RATS client select Form Manager.

Select New > Email.

Enter the To and From email addresses and a suitable Subject.

Compose the email to be sent, then select the Save button.

A drop down list will appear with a list of callsigns that D-RATS is aware of.

Select a callsign that allows the transfer of Internet emails.

D-RATS will initiate a file transfer and advise if it has been successful or failed.

0.4. 4. Receiving Emails from the Internet

A D-RATS station connected to the Internet will automatically interogate a defined POP3 Server every X minutes, based on the POP3 Poll Interval (defined above).

Any emails that have been retrieved will be stored in the Form Manager and currently can be manually forwarded to the desired D-RATS station, where it can be accessed through their D-RATS Form Manager.

0.5. 5. Hints and Tips

If you want to send an email to the Internet from the D-RATS application, that is configured to operate as an Internet Email Gateway, compose and save an email message as per normal, then right click on the message (in the Form Manager) and select the Email option.