====== Sending a New Winlink Message ======
[[winlink|Winlink Home]]

  - Launch Winlink Express.
  - Click on Message, and then New Message
    - This window functions almost exactly like a regular email message.
  - In the To: field, enter the call sign of the Winlink operator to whom you are sending the message. You can also enter a regular email address, like somebody@gmail.com.
    - If you would like to CC another individual, you may enter their call sign or email address in the CC field.
  - Enter a brief subject for the message.
  - If you want to attach a file you can click on Attach: and select a file to attach. It needs to be VERY small. Even relatively small files can take a long time to deliver over the radio.
  - The blank space below the Attach field is for the body of the message. Type your message there.
  - Double check the To and CC fields. Verify your spelling. Click on Post To Outbox when you are done.

This is where Winlink differs from traditional email system. Normally, you would just click Send and your mail system would transmit your email message to the recipients. Winlink stores your message in an Outbox until you explicitly tell it to send the messages.

To transmit your messages via telnet (over the Internet, without a radio), follow the next few steps.
  - At the top of the main Winlink Express window, there is a drop down box to the right of Open Session. This drop down box selects the method or “mode” you want to use to send the messages in your outbox.
  - Click in the drop down box and select the top option, Telnet Winlink.
  - Click Open Session.
  - A new Telnet Winlink Session window will open. Click Start.

Any messages in your Outbox will be sent. Then any messages waiting for you on the Winlink Central Message Servers will be downloaded to your Inbox.

After the send and receive operations is complete, you will see “*** Disconnected at “ the current date and time. 

When you see the disconnected message at the end of the session log, you can close the session window by clicking Exit in the upper left corner.