The easiest way to discover how useful the catalog is to users is to jump in and start downloading some of the catalog items. 
But before you start requesting catalog items you need to update the catalog.  Once you have the catalog updated for the first
time you should update the catalog about once a month to make certain that you have a current list of catalog items.
	1.	To update the catalog in Winlink Express open the catalog
		interface.  There are two ways to open the catalog interface:
		a.	Click on the “Settings” menu item then scroll down and click
			on “Winlink Catalog Request” or
		b.	Click on the Winlink Catalog icon in the Icon tray.  The
			Winlink Catalog icon is below and slightly to the right of the Settings Menu Option in the Icon tray.
			It looks somewhat like a ladder.
	2.	Next tell Winlink Express to update the catalog by:
		a.	clicking on the “Update via Internet” button if the internet
			is available.  The software will automatically connect to the catalog server and update the catalog
			after you click on the update button. Or
		b.	If the internet is not available 
			i.	click on the button labeled Request Update Via Radio.
				This will create a message to request the catalog update via a radio message and put the message
				in the outbox.  
			ii.	Next select the RF mode that you will use to connect to	a gateway station to send you message that
				is in the outbox.  Use the same procedures that you would use to send an email type message to send
				the catalog update message.  Wait a few minutes and check to see if the catalog update message is 
				there for you to retrieve.
			iii.	When the message with the current catalog is received the software will automatically recognize the email 
				and update the catalog for you with no further intervention on your part.
	3.	Now you are ready to start using the Catalog to obtain weather
		products, satellite images, bulletins, help files, & etc.
		a.	With the Catalog interface open scroll down through the list
			to look at the various topics available through the catalog.
		b.	For your first adventure with the catalog try getting the
			weather forecast for your state or region within a state.
			i.	Scroll down to the Category “WX_US”
			ii.	Next scroll down through the list of items in the right “Inquiry ID” and “Description” listings to find 
				the weather forecast for your state.  Note that some states have multiple regions and you may have to 
				select a sub-region within your state.  After you find the state's report you want double click on the 
				inquiry ID of that report.
			iii.	This will put the inquiry that you want to retrieve in the box labeled “Selections” and you may request 
				additional catalog items with one message.  For now let’s just get this one report.
			iv.	Click the button labeled “Post Request.”  This will create a message in the outbox directory.
			v.	Using normal procedures to send a message send the message with your catalog request that you created 
				in step iii above.
		c.	Wait a few minutes and your catalog request will be waiting for you to pick it up.
	4.	Now continue to browse through the catalog and look at the offerings.  The catalog is very useful for emergency 
		managers to get information during events, for offshore mariners who are transiting oceans or offshore passages, 
		for campers and RVers who are looking for weather windows to enjoy the outdoors.

Here is a challenge for you.  Look for the category with satellite images (SAT PIX) and request an image that covers your area.

Seven three de Kevin/NB7O