NBEMS/FLDIGI on a USB stick

AD5XJ recently posted a helpful hint in a discussion group regarding a "USB Stick" version of the NBEMS software.

I have been following some of the discussion on the FLDIGI NBEMS Yahoo Group. They have been discussing the merits and drawbacks of the program structure of the NBEMS software suite - One all-in-one program vs separate applications as it exists now. One of the things mentioned, I found to be of great merit for all SATERN volunteers who may find themselves in a situation where the equipment to be used may not be a permanent solution or may be available for a short period of time. Perhaps your SATERN group is working with a "minimalist" equipment strategy.


Because we do not always have a dedicated laptop or portable for use with FLDIGI we need a way to "grab and go" with any machine or use what is already in place in an EOC or field location.


One group suggestion was to install FLDIGI / NBEMS on a thumb drive instead of on the C:\Program Files\ folder. This is an excellent suggestion for Windows computers because:


The only registry entry the FLMSG install makes is to point to the uninstall file. THAT'S IT!


The FLMSG and FLDIGI program are 'stand-alone' applications. You can specify in the configuration setup where to put the user settings rather than default to the C:/Documents and Settings/<user> or Users/<user> folder. Store the configuration and settings on the thumb drive in a folder of your choice.

To make and use a thumb-drive portable version:

install FLDIGI / NBEMS to a 'non-protected directory', such as; '\FLDIGI', '\FLMSG' and '\FLAMP' create a user folder for the settings and configuration - like '\FLMSG\config\me' or a folder of your choice.
setup FLDIGI to use the new folder created rather than the default user folder on the 'C' drive. If you installation is on your hard drive - COPY the FLDIGI / NBEMS folders with the user settings to a thumb drive. Your drive designation for the USB drive will differ depending on your computer installation, but it will be something like 'E:\FLMSG', etc. test your configuration for proper operation from the thumb drive. unplug the thumb-drive
plug it into the computer that needs it. Connect your computer-radio interface if needed. run it!
That's it.


When the temporary system is done with use of FLDIGI / NBEMS, just remove the drive and the program is off their system. It doesn't make any registry entries on their system nor is any digital footprint left because nothing required by FLDIGI / NBEMS is residual on the system used.

That way, any machine may use FLDIGI / NBEMS -- even EOC machines or Salvation Army computers, or replacement equipment, when needed, (where a failure in the field has occurred or the machine is in place temporarily). When they are done... just shutdown the software, unplug and go leaving the machine as it was before.
By doing so, the temporary machine has value added with the FLMSG capibility to create the FLMSG or FLWRAP formatted messages that may then be sent by FLDIGI or WinLink or any other radio media - either directly (as with FLDIGI) or as an attachment (as with WinLINK). The destination would then receive the message as created with the assurance of compete content by the FLMSG error checking with all the formatting as sent.


This is a quick, inexpensive, and easy solution to an unpredictable problem that may occur in an emergency situation not under your direct control.


Your experience in this area is of value to SATERN So. Terr. Send me your stories to my ARRL mailbox ad5xj@arrl.net


de AD5XJ SATERN So. Terr. Net Mgr.