[Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] Winlink Wednesdays

[Kenneth R. van Wyk]

Quick update. Here’s this week’s Winlink Wednesday check-in map: https://www.qsl.net/kw4shp/WinlinkWed/WWmap.html

Are you on that map? Why not?

We hover just shy of 1000 amateur operators who check-in weekly (more or less). Not bad for a grass roots effort.

Why bother with weekly? Here are a few thoughts:

- Software updates happen, from OS level to software modems and email clients. If communicating during crises matters to you, it’s a good idea to maintain your kit. Install the updates, and then make sure things are working as you expect. Sometimes, as AT&T seems to have most recently discovered, software updates can have horribly unpredicted consequences. Test them!

- Likewise, perhaps some water seeped into that SO-239 connector during the last rain storm. Make sure your gear is in working order by giving it a good weekly test.

- Challenge yourself to do more. Checking in through an RMS gateway is quick and easy. Even for those with “only” Technician licenses, you can check in on a VHF RMS gateway just fine. Try reaching the peer to peer (P2P) stations too! Try for a “clean sweep” of hitting ALL of the P2P stations. It’s not that easy. You’ll operate on several bands. You’ll use ARDOP and VARA HF. Think of it as an “amateur radio decathlon (sort of)”. While in OBX last week, operating on my EmComm III PORTABLE antenna, I was able to hit all but 1 of the alternate NCS P2P stations. It was fun!

- That last bit — “it was fun”. It’s a hobby, but it has practical applications. Have fun with it.

All IMHO, of course.

Cheers,

Ken van Wyk
Armata Scientia





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