BUSHMAIL
Introduction | Overview | Downloads | Technical Issue’s | Contact us | Bank Details
News & General Information | Webmail -How to | The Bushmail Manual
Bushmail background: A word of appreciation | Legal Stuff
Introduction:

Bushmail is worldwide Email that works via HF Radio anywhere in Africa. It allows 100-KB Excel and Word attachments and is powered by just a 12-Volt battery, with an antenna that can be suspended from a tree. It requires an HF Radio, HF Modem and an antenna, which can all be installed on an easy Do-It-Yourself basis. Bushmail can also be used in a vehicle, with a Laptop PC being powered and charged from the cigarette lighter plug. It is extremely robust and even works during cyclones and with baboons swinging from the antenna. Bushmail does not allow browsing the Internet, as it is purely just a highly economical Email system. The HF Radio does allow Voice communication as well.

To see a Diagram of Bushmail please click here

Bushmail can also be downloaded via the Internet with Webmail or via POP3 download.

Diagram of Bushmail


Bushmail comes in three packages:

1. Bushmail Classic:

  • $1000 airtime per annum, regardless of usage.
  • Allows limited Excel and Word attachments up to a size 100 KB per message.
  • Ideal for Tourist Lodges and remote Businesses.
  • Allows 5 Email addresses EG. 4theLodge@bushmail.net
  • Allows for the use of a 2nd modem in a vehicle only. Not at another Lodge or base station.
  • Ideal for communications and logistics in order to fill those many bed nights at a lodge.
  • For More Info click here.

2. Bushmail for Farming:

  • For one-farm commercial farmers only.
  • $500 flat fee per annum.
  • 1 Email address EG Farm1@bushmail.net
  • Comes bundled and requires two separate one-farm operators to procure as a pair at $500 each.
  • Conditions apply: Bona fide one-farm operators only; single physical address; farm and personal use only. Ideal for logistics related to bi-annual harvests and marketing.
  • No Tourism operators, Missionaries, Professional hunting operations, NGO’s or any other commercial businesses.
  • For More Info click here.

3. Industrial Bushmail:

  • $2000 per annum
  • 5 Email addresses e.g. 2Debeers@bushmail.net - 7DeBeers@bushmail.net
  • Industrial Attachments - unlimited usage.
  • Ideal for mining and construction sites.
  • Allows for the optional use of a 2nd modem at another base within the concession.
  • Ideal for use during the pioneer stages of projects and as Satellite back-up.
  • For More Info click here.

Overview:

Capital Outlay:

  1. One good 100-Watt Radio Transceiver complete (Icom-IC78) - US$1100,00
  2. One broadband base antenna c/w 30 metres of co-axial cable (our latest "Radiant Broadgun") - US$200,00
  3. One Modem (SCS PTC-llex) c/w software (Airmail3), all cables and manuals - US$1300,00
  4. One Data Voice Changeover Unit (DVCU) - US$67,00
  5. One Power Supply. If 220 Volt AC power is available, which is then optional to running off a 12-Volt car battery only, a 220 Volt AC - 13, 8 Volt DC radio/modem power supply/charger is desirable, but you still retain your constantly-charging battery as a backup - US$250,00.
  6. First year's airtime - US$1000,00

Technical Setup Issues:

The easiest way to get Bushmail is to get a Quote and order a complete kit from Bushmail Direct. Once you have a programmed Radio and fully tested and operational kit on site a Do It yourself installation is very easy.

Installation Steps:

  1. Follow the Quick installation of Bushmail –The short version.
  2. For Detailed Instructions on Setting up the Airmail3 client Software, Click Here:
  3. To download the software see Downloads or click here.
  4. Be sure to Download and Print out the Bushmail Manual, Index and Cover Page. If you don’t come right with the Short version, you will need all the detail you can get!
  5. Once in the Bush you can also send an Email to Menu@bushmail.co.za with Menu Index in the subject line. This will allow you to access the Bushmail automated Self Help Service.
  6. You can contact Jim via Radio and have him talk you through the installation set by step {if all else fails}.
  7. Or you can have your local Radio Dealer do it. If you want to be listed as a Bushmail Dealer please contact info@bushmail.net

What happens once you connect with Bushmail?

  • You automatically upload all your outgoing mail and automatically download your incoming mail. Once done, the software disconnects.
  • Email is delivered in roughly 15- 30 minutes after you send it.
  • You can also send free Email to SMS messages
    EG 082number@voda.co.za and visa versa.

Bushmail Capabilities:

  • Bushmail is slow and cheap. Users trade speed for cash.
  • Speeds of 2000-6000 baud are in the order of the day.
  • It takes about 3-5 minutes to send a 100 Kb Excel attachment.
  • The main advantage of Bushmail is that you pay a flat annual rate regardless of usage.
  • You can also install it yourself.
  • Bushmail work off 12 Volts DC. If your Laptop has a cigarette lighter power plug you don’t even need a generator or 220 Volt AC!
  • There are no per minute charges or pay per use. You can send as much email as you wish.
  • This makes it ideal to budget for the total communication costs for a whole year. The issue is total cost of ownership with zero surprises.
  • It is not a blank cheque like a Satellite Phone or capped service.
  • Due to the robust nature of the system it can be relied upon to profitably run a remote business in all conditions, regardless of diesel supply, Internet skill levels and the availability of support staff.
  • The focus of Bushmail is to make shareholders and owners money and not to allow Management couples maximum browsing capability on generator time. It also doesn’t allow Porn abuse.
  • Bushmail does not allow Spam, Porn or viruses through its filters.
  • Bushmail users cannot be infected with a virus using Bushmail.
  • Bushmail is flat fee Excel and Word attachment communication for remote businesses.
  • It is ideal for Flying Schedules, Bed nights, Mining rapports, food orders and logistical operations. The daily situation rapport is normally a standard text email with time and mission critical information.
  • Personal Email communication incurs no extra costs and is encouraged.
  • Bushmail work in storms, with abused antenna’s, off 12Volt when there is no diesel for the generator, any location, with the minimum of skills and computing power.
  • So what is Bushmail good for? For more detailed information on countries and sectors click here.

How secure is Bushmail?

  • The Radio side is very secure and encrypted in a binary data form.
  • The Internet path of the Email is no more or less secure than standard TCP/IP traffic and Pop3/SMTP 3mail.
  • In 6 years we have had no known security breaches. However, the Internet path of the message is insecure like all Email.
  • All the tourism customers do confidential bookings, finances and related information through Bushmail on a daily basis.
  • HF Voice communication is not secure at all, but HF data is very secure.
  • We advise customers to send credit card info in separate Emails as a standard precaution whenever email is used –{Bushmail and dial up}.


Downloads:
16/9/2004

We recommended that you check this page every couple of months for the most recent Manual. If you are a new user we suggest you download the Bushmail software and Manual and keep a copy of it with you on site just in case.

The Bushmail client Software:

Installation Steps:

  3. To download the software see Downloads or click here.
  4. Be sure to also get Sysinstall1
  5. You can contact Jim via Radio and have him talk you through the installation set by step {if all else fails}.
  6. Or you can have your local Radio Dealer do it.
  7. You may also request help from an experienced user close to you.

Download the Latest Manual:

Please check it for Regular Updates. This is the most important information on the website.

Other Stuff:


For those with Broadband Internet Access and PLENTY OF DOWNLOAD TIME Only – Very detailed, step by step, show it all- video clips are available.

It is much better to get the Bushmail Multimedia CD with all this info so that you don’t need to download it. However, for those with the massive Internet Resources available to do download video-when all else fails;

The following massive movie clips are also available:


http://babelfish.altavista.com/ is a website that can translate anything. It isn't perfect for technical instructions, so for tricky technical parts it would be best to find somebody who can read English and convey the correct message.

So what is the Bottom Line?

  1. Pay for the hardware
  2. Receive it by courier or take it with you
  3. Install it yourself with the help of the manual
  4. Or get a Dealer and pay him to do it for you
  5. Pump Bushmail.

Bushmail is to Communication what the Windpump is to Cattle Farming.


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