[PPRAANet] World Amateur Radio Day/Spring SET

[John Bloodgood]

QST,

Pikes Peak ARES will be conducting a Spring Simulated Emergency Test (SET) as part of World Amateur Radio Day. All hams in our area (El Paso and Teller counties) are invited to participate, regardless of ARES membership.

April 18th World Amateur Radio Day celebrating the founding of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) and 2020 is the IARU's 95th birthday.

To celebrate World Amateur Radio Day, we will be doing a little exercise.  This is not difficult, requires no extra equipment, and can be done by any class of license.

What we will be doing is a simple digital exercise using Winlink. If you have never used Winlink or other data mode, don't run away! You can do this, no extra equipment needed.

Winlink is free and fairly easy to use. Once you have it installed and set up, it is a lot like using email.  The San Diego ARES group has a series of short videos to help you out at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-7mirT-kjfs84FQzLr-qv066Kl94rtYM .

To get Winlink, go to the winlink.org website and download "Winlink Express install". This link should take you directly to the downloads area: https://downloads.winlink.org/User%20Programs/ .

Unzip and install the file(s).  Once the program is installed, you will need to make sure it is set-up correctly.  Note that it may install as RMS Express -- that is the old name for the program.  When you open the program, it is going to nag you to register. Don't worry about this, it is completely optional. Wait for a few seconds and you will be able to proceed without registering.  Then go to Settings -- Winlink Express Setup and fill it out.

If you do not have a Winlink account, you will have to create one. The system should walk you through this, but you can also refer to "How To Get an Account" at https://winlink.org/user .

You should now be able to use the program.

So, now to the exercise:

Create a message in Winlink Express by clicking Message -- New Message. If you feel comfortable using the templates, you can select a ICS-213 template, otherwise a plain message is fine. Address it to both Jon Blome and me: KF0JB at winlink.org; KD0SFY at winlink.org .

Make the subject "WARD/SET".

In the subject of the message put your information about the following:

 - Name
 - Callsign​
 - ARES Region and District (ex; R2D2)​
 - County​
 - WinLink RMS Station and frequency used for transmission​ (you want to know this ahead of time)
 - Digital Mode used (ex: packet, Winmor, ARDOP, Telnet, …)​ (again, you want to know this ahead of time)
 - Band Capabilities (ex: HF? VHF? UHF?)​
 - Are you capable of portable operation or base only? (Consider availability of radio(s), laptop, TNC, antenna, mast, feedline, power, …)

Once you have the message composed, in the box marked "Send as", make sure it says "Winlink Message" and then click Post to Outbox.

Now we just have to send the message.

For those with no data or radio equipment, you will want to use a telnet session and an internet connected computer.  In the main screen, go over to where it says "Open Session" and click in the box to the right to access the menu. Scroll to the top and select "Telnet Winlink".  Once that is done, click directly on "Open Session" to open the session window.  Click "Start" and it should automatically connect to the CMS and send your message.

That is it. You are done.  You might want to check back in a few days to see if you get a response.

For those of you who have data over radio capability, you can choose your preferred method of transmission, be it Telnet, packet over VHF or UHF, or Winmor, ARDOP, VARA, or PACTOR over HF.

You can accomplish this any time between now and midnight local on the 18th.

If you have problems or need help, feel free to contact me.

(Personal note: I would LOVE it if we flooded KF0JB's inbox with messages from R2D2 -- El Paso and Teller counties)




John Bloodgood, KD0SFY
Emergency Coordinator & Public Information Officer
Pikes Peak ARES (Region 2 District 2, Colorado ARES)

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