Hello All,
First of all, I'm sorry for being so terribly late getting this to you.? Happens, I've been sick all week and just couldn't?bring myself to write this. So, I'd like to keep this week's net assignment short and sweet.? Well, maybe neither short nor sweet because this is me after all, but I digress.
Tomorrow is the second Sunday in October and time for you-know-what.? This will be Exercise 2022-19.? The FEMA Region 5 AUXCOMM Winlink Net is to give participating stations a chance to practice their skills with Winlink and the various forms available within Winlink.? I've recently had a couple of emails from people who have moved out of Region 5 and have asked if they should continue to participate.? Answer: YES! by all means. The net is open to all amateur radio operators and SHARES stations anywhere.? We're very inclusive here in Region 5.
Two of the more useful Winlink forms are the "Check In" and "Check Out" form.? These are short messages for, as the names suggest, checking in and out of a net.? For this week's exercise, exercise please send me a completed Check In form.? Here's how:
If you have a Winlink Account:
1. Open Winlink Express.
2. Open a new message form:
? 2a. Click the new message icon or click 'Message' then 'New Message'.
3. Open a Check In form.
? 3a. On the top line ribbon menu, click 'Select Template'.
? 3b. Click the?+ sign next to 'Standard Templates'.
? 3c. Click the + sign next to 'Mapping-GIS Forms'.
? 3d. Double click 'Winlink Check In'.
3d1. This opens your default web browser and displays a blank form.
4. Complete the form:
4a. Enter the 'Date/Time' (Winlink will offer you the current date and time).
4b. Select the 'Select Status' (should be Net).
4c. Select the 'Band' you'll use to send your form.
4d. Select the 'Mode' you'll use to send your form.
4e. Enter W9REL in the 'Send To' field.
4f. Enter the 'Call Signs of Initial On Site Operators', 'Station Contact Name' (your first name), and 'Station Call Sign'.
4g. Enter the location of a public place close to your physical location in the 'Location' field.
4h. Enter the latitude of the place you entered in the 'LAT' field and the longitude in the 'LON MGRS' field (this?must be a negative number).
4i. In the 'Comments' box, enter 'Exercise 2022-19'.
5. If you wish, click the 'Save Check In Data' button.? This creates a record copy of your message in the Downloads folder of your computer.
6. Click the 'Submit' button to send the information on your form to Winlink Express.
6a. This clears the Check In form in your web browser and transfers the contents to the message you created step 2.
6b. Close your web browser
7. In the 'To' field of the message form, enter W9REL.
8. On the ribbon menu near the top of the New Message form, click 'Post To Outbox'.
9. Tomorrow, Sunday (9 October):
9a. Open Winlink Express. ?
9b. On the top line ribbon menu next to 'Open Session'.
9c. Select the mode you want to use to send your message(s).
9d. Click 'Open Session'. ?
9e. Click 'Start'.
If you don't currently have a Winlink account, please open one.? Winlink Express is open to all amateur radio operators and SHARES stations and it's free (operative word is FREE).? In the meantime, use the following procedure to send an email via the Winlink system.
1. Open your email client.
2. Open a new message form.
3. In the 'To' field enter 'W9REL@...'
4. On the 'Subject line' enter '//WL2K Exercise 2022-19 FEMA Region 5 AUXCOM Winlink Net'. ?
4a. The '//WL2K is required otherwise Winlink will reject your message.
5. In the text field enter 'Exercise 2022-19', the date and time, your first name, callsign, city, and state followed by anything else you think is pertinent.
6. On Sunday (October 9th) send your email.
In the meantime,73 and enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Keep cool, safe, and healthy
Always keep good situational awareness
Skip W9REL/Net Manager
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