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Greetings and Salutations etc.
Sunday, March 27th, is the fourth Sunday of the month and time once again for the FEMA Region 5 AUXCOMM Winlink Net.

Winlink is a very powerful system for sending and receiving email and messages via radio and the internet.? Recently, Winlink has added a mapping utility which creates a map showing the location of stations that have sent messages.? A list of the message formats that support the mapping utility can be found by starting a new message, then clicking 'Select Template' from the top line menu on the new message form.? On the Template Manager pop-up window, click the + sign next to 'Standard Templates.? Then, click the + sign next to 'Mapping-GIS Forms'.? This will open a list of forms supporting Winlink maps.

I want to experiment with this utility in Sunday's net.? Please send me a Winlink Check In form.? Here's how:
1. Open a new message.
? 1a. Enter W9REL in the 'To' field.
? 1b. Double-Click the Winlink Check In form from the 'Mapping-GIS Forms' section of the Standard Templates menu.? A blank Check In form will appear.
2. On the Check In form:
? 2a. Enter the Date/Time field.
? 2b. Click 'Exercise' in the Select Status field.
? 2c. Select the appropriate band in the Band field.
? 2d. Select the appropriate mode in the Mode field.
? 2e. Enter 'W9REL' in the Send To field.
? 2f. Enter the callsign or callsigns of on-site operators in the Call Sign(s) of initial on-site operator(s) field.
? 2g. Enter the name of the operator in the Station Contact Name field.
3. In the 'Location' field, enter the operating location.? For security reasons, I strongly recommend you not use your home address.? Rather, enter prominent nearby location such as an intersection.
? 3a. In the LAT field, enter the decimal latitude of the location you entered.
? 3b. In the LON field, enter the decimal longitude of the location you entered (This should be a negative number).
? 3c. The MGRS and Grid fields will be automatically entered.
4. In the Comments section enter your name, callsign, City, County, State abreviation (The commas between each entry are required).
5. If you wish, you can click the 'Save Check-In Data' to save your entry to your computer.? I save all my messages just for the record.
6. Click the 'Submit' button.? This will transsfer all the information from your Check-In form to the new message you created in Step 1.
7. Return to Winlink and the new message you created in Step 1.? All the data you entered in the Check-In Form should be there.
8. Click 'Post To Outbox' on the top line menu.
9. Sunday (27 March), go to Winlink Express and, from the top line menu, select the mode you'll use to send your message, then click Open Session and start your Winlink session.

If you don't have a Winlink account, send me an email:
1. Open your email client and start a new email.
2. In the To field, enter 'W9REL@...'.
3. If you wish, enter your email address in the CC field to have Winlink send you a confirmation copy of your email.
4. In the Subject line, enter '//WL2K Exercise 2022-6'.? Remember, the //WL2K is required otherwise Winlink will reject your email.
5. In the text area of your email:
?5a. Enter your operating location.? For security reasons, I strongly recommend you not use your home address.? Rather, enter prominent nearby location such as an intersection.
?5b. Enter the latitude and longitude of the location you entered above.? Remember that your longitude should be a negative number.
?5c. Enter your name, callsign, City, County, State abreviation (The commas between each entry are required).
6. Sunday (27 March) send your email.

Next week, I'll have a go at creating a map from the check-in message I receive and share it with you all.

Have a good weekend.? I hope you'll all send check-ins for the net.

Keep warm and safe
Skip W9REL