Check out this interesting video from Jason (KM4ACK). He demonstrates a creative mashup of two different services to deliver driving directions in a text-based format—perfect for Winlink use.

After running some tests of my own, I discovered that combining the website Jason references (gdir.telae.net) with Saildocs in Winlink achieves the same results without the need for additional programs. I’m still experimenting with the process, but I think I’ve gotten to a point where I can run this locally and submit a Saildocs query completely offline.

This approach could be a game-changer in emergency situations. Many of us remember how first responders from outside the area struggled to navigate Western North Carolina (WNC) after Hurricane Helene. Road closures and the lack of communications for some mapping applications made things difficult, and hardcopy maps weren’t always helpful.

This tool might have been a big help for those unfamiliar with the area who were tasked with critical duties like welfare checks. From my initial tests, it’s clear that this solution can account for road closures and suggest alternate routes, making it incredibly useful!

There’s still more testing to do, but so far, I’m excited about the potential here. Stay tuned for updates as I refine the process!

UPDATE: I made a small modification to the query page, allowing it to be used either online or locally (without internet) to generate a link for text-based directions. I use Saildocs to request the URL, which provides the text information. Let me know what you think! Check it out here: https://n2nvy.com/txt/wl2kdrive.html

The use case for this would be if you had the file locally and no internet access. You could generate the URL and send it via RF to an RMS over HF or through other means to retrieve the information.