Winlink Training Net
Winlink Training Net
The Placer County ARES® Winlink training net will be used to familiarize ARES® participants with Winlink skills and to practice digital network operations. Each net will be narrowly focused on a small set of Winlink skills and will be designed to require one hour or less to complete. Network activities will include both directed radio nets and unmanaged radio nets. Directed radio nets will have an active net control station and make use of local RMS gateways, and simplex frequencies. Unmanaged nets will not have an active net control station and will have an operating window of one to five days. Unmanaged nets are designed to provide participants with the additional time needed to research, practice, or request assistance before performing the planned network activity.
The net control station will send a Winlink bulletin to all registered PCARES Winlink Training Net participants on the Monday prior to a scheduled Winlink net. The Bulletin will contain the following information.
Training Net Objectives
Network type, date, time, and duration
Description of net activities
Location of additional material needed to support the net
The training net will be conducted in accordance with the information provided in the weekly Winlink training bulletin.
Winlink Training Nets will take place Once per month.
As a rule, Winlink users will participate in training nets from their home QTH.
How Does the Net Operate?
Frequency & Cadence: Every month on the 4th Sunday, a brand-new training scenario or specialized exercise is assigned to our emergency communications volunteers.
Distribution: We distribute a technical PDF instruction layout detailing the parameters needed to successfully complete the Winlink exercise. This packet goes out via email networks and our operational Facebook Page
Evaluation: The EC will evaluates each volunteer’s submitted Winlink message and routes back personalized performance feedback via a standard Winlink reply.
Who Can Participate in This Net?
Any licensed Amateur Radio Operator who is registered with Winlink is welcome to participate! Review the active instructions within the PDF sheets listed below, complete the exercise requirements, and send your Winlink exercise message to the designated Winlink NCS callsign specified inside that specific assignment packet.
Net Session Start: Sunday
Net Session End: Saturday
Designated Net Control Station (NCS): Send your completed Winlink package parameters directly to PCARES-EC.
Launch and execute browser-driven internal Winlink templates (Winlink Check-in.txt).
Manage emergency dispatch scenario telemetry records, tracking shelter statistics, municipal power reliability, and internet connectivity.
Use geographic mapping tools (Google Maps or dedicated online coordinate finders) to determine precise Decimal Degrees (DD) station coordinates.
Successfully transmit structured data packages through fast client network gateways.
To successfully fulfill the operational checklist for this net session, you must execute your deployment using the detailed briefing parameters provided.
Download and Review Instructions: Open the official exercise guide document using the link provided directly below.
Execute the Form Scenario: Follow the step-by-step logic inside the briefing file to complete the header fields, coordinate lookups, and situational comments block.
Transmit Message: Route your final outbound transmission over your chosen communication pathway to PCARES-EC
Net Session Start: Sunday
Net Session End: Saturday
Designated Net Control Station (NCS): Send your completed Winlink package parameters directly to PCARES-EC.
Launch and execute browser-driven internal Winlink templates (ICS 213.txt)..
Follow the instructions in Exercise 002 to create the message you will send in the ICS 213 message.
Check your work.
Successfully send the Winlink message to the Winlink NCS.
To successfully fulfill the operational checklist for this net session, you must execute your deployment using the detailed briefing parameters provided.
Download and Review Instructions: Open the official exercise PDF document using the link provided directly below.
Execute the Form Scenario: Follow the step-by-step instructions inside the PDF document to complete the exercise.
Transmit Message: Send your Winlink message over your chosen Winlink session to PCARES-EC.
Net Session Start: Sunday
Net Session End: Saturday
Designated Net Control Station (NCS): Send your completed Winlink package parameters directly to PCARES-EC.
Launch and execute browser-driven internal Winlink templates (ICS 213RR.txt)..
Follow the instructions in Exercise 003 to create the message you will send in the ICS 213RR message.
Check your work.
Successfully send the Winlink message to the Winlink NCS.
To successfully fulfill the operational checklist for this net session, you must execute your deployment using the detailed briefing parameters provided.
Download and Review Instructions: Open the official exercise PDF document using the link provided directly below.
Execute the Form Scenario: Follow the step-by-step instructions inside the PDF document to complete the exercise.
Transmit Message: Send your Winlink message over your chosen Winlink session to PCARES-EC
Net Session Start: Sunday
Net Session End: Saturday
Designated Net Control Station (NCS): Send your completed Winlink package parameters directly to PCARES-EC.
📡 Emcomm Winlink Net:
This is our fourth Winlink exercise. This exercise will have us use the ICS 213 form.
Launch the website https://www.lzcontrol.com .
Gather the information you need from the website
Launch and execute browser-driven internal Winlink templates (ICS213 General Message.txt).
Input the information you gathered from the website in the comment section of the ICS213 form.
Check your work.
Successfully transmit your work to the Winlink NCS.
To successfully fulfill the operational checklist for this net session, you must execute your deployment using the detailed briefing parameters provided.
Download and Review Instructions: Open the official exercise PDF document using the link provided directly below.
Execute the Form Scenario: Follow the step-by-step instructions inside the PDF document to complete the exercise.
Transmit Message: Send your Winlink message over your chosen Winlink session to PCARES-EC
Net Session Start: Sunday
Net Session End: Saturday
Designated Net Control Station (NCS): Send your completed Winlink package parameters directly to PCARES-EC
Launch and execute browser-driven internal Winlink templates (Winlink Checkout.txt)..
Follow the instructions in Exercise 005 to create the message you will send in the Winlink Checkout message.
Follow the instructions in Exercise 005 to create an ICS 309 and send it out in a Winlink message.
Check your work.
Successfully send the Winlink message to the Winlink NCS.
To successfully fulfill the operational checklist for this net session, you must execute your deployment using the detailed briefing parameters provided by the Net Control Station.
Download and Review Instructions: Open the official exercise PDF document using the link provided directly below.
Execute the Form Scenario: Follow the step-by-step instructions inside the PDF document to complete the exercise.
Download and Review Instructions: Open the supporting documents within the Zip folder from the provided link below to assist you in completing the exercise.
Transmit Message: Send your Winlink message over your chosen Winlink session to PCARES-EC.
Net Session Start: Sunday
Net Session End: Saturday
Designated Net Control Station (NCS): Send your completed Winlink package parameters directly to PCARES-EC.
📡 Emcomm Winlink Net:
This is our sixth Winlink exercise. This exercise will have us use the Winlink Quick message form.
Launch and execute browser-driven internal Winlink templates (Quick Message.txt).
Input the information that the exercise PDF asks you to input in the comment section of the of the Quick Message form.
Check your work.
Successfully transmit your work to the Winlink NCS.
To successfully fulfill the operational checklist for this net session, you must execute your deployment using the detailed briefing parameters provided by the Net Control Station.
Download and Review Instructions: Open the official exercise PDF document using the link provided directly below.
Execute the Form Scenario: Follow the step-by-step instructions inside the PDF document to complete the exercise.
Transmit Message: Send your Winlink message over your chosen Winlink session to PCARES-EC.
Net Session Start: Sunday
Net Session End: Saturday
Designated Net Control Station (NCS): Send your completed Winlink package parameters directly to PCARES-EC.
Launch the Winlink catalog.
Follow the instructions in Exercise 007 to find the satellite pictures found in the catalog.
Send a Winlink request via the catalog for a particular satellite photo.
Retrieve the satellite photo from Winlink.
Attach the satellite photo to a new Winlink message and adjust the photo size to meet the Winlink size requirement.
Successfully send the Winlink message with the satellite photo to the Winlink NCS.
To successfully fulfill the operational checklist for this net session, you must execute your deployment using the detailed briefing parameters provided by the Net Control Station.
Download and Review Instructions: Open the official exercise PDF document using the link provided directly below.
Execute the Form Scenario: Follow the step-by-step instructions inside the PDF document to complete the exercise.
Transmit Message: Send your Winlink message over your chosen Winlink session to PCARES-EC.
Net Session Start: Sunday
Net Session End: Saturday
Designated Net Control Station (NCS): Send your completed Winlink package parameters directly to PCARES-EC.
🎯 Operational Directives:
In our exploration of Winlink, our core focus shifts strictly toward absolute accuracy. Served agencies expect error-free message routing.
Master the navigation and extraction of standardized regional check-in data fields via Winlink Check-in.txt.
Manage high-accuracy geolocation coordinate pairs to guarantee precise terminal map plotting verification.
Utilize embedded image editing modules inside the Winlink Express client interface to perform compression optimizations.
Understand the absolute data throughput constraints governing FM, and HF RF payload links.
To successfully fulfill the operational checklist for this net session, you must combine standard template processing with binary file resizing.
Review Reference Files: Before starting your message composition, verify that you have downloaded and reviewed the accompanying resource documentation:
📄 Master Text Guide: Download Complete Exercise #008 Briefing Guide (PDF) →
🗜️ Supporting Exercise Materials: Download Exercise #008 Supporting Pack (ZIP Archive) →
Note: The supporting zip file contains Bob’s full attachment overview screenshots, the image reduction guide text, and the raw layout file Volunteers preparing to deploy on an assignment.png needed to complete step 12 of the assignment checklist.
Execute the Template Script: Open the Winlink Check-in standard form inside your Express client, utilizing Session 008 as your Operation ID. Configure the Station, Session, and accurate Location parameters exactly as outlined in the master session manual.
Optimize the Photo Attachment: Extract the deployment image from your downloaded support pack and attach it to your message. Use the built-in Edit/Resize Image utility in your client’s attachment panel to scale down the image file size until the status indicator background shifts securely back to White.
Final Comments Block: Add explicit details declaring your exact station callsign, operator name, city, county, state, and transmission path parameters (including explicit band definitions if operating via an RF link).
Net Session Start: Sunday
Net Session End: Saturday
Designated Net Control Station (NCS): Send your completed Winlink message directly to PCARES-EC
Find and launch Winlink Quick message (“Quick Message.txt”).
Follow the instructions in Exercise 009 to send the Winlink message.
Successfully send the Winlink Quick message to the Winlink NCS.
To successfully fulfill the operational checklist for this net session, you must execute your deployment using the detailed briefing parameters provided by the Net Control Station.
Download and Review Instructions: Open the official exercise PDF document using the link provided directly below.
Execute the Form Scenario: Follow the step-by-step instructions inside the PDF document to complete the exercise.
Transmit Message: Send your Winlink message over your chosen Winlink session to PCARES-EC
Net Session Start: Sunday
Net Session End: Saturday
Designated Net Control Station (NCS): Send your completed Winlink package parameters directly to PCARES-EC.
Acquire an understanding as to the importance of listening to directions on how to compose a message for a served agency.
Launch and execute browser-driven internal Winlink templates (ICS 213.txt)..
Follow the instructions in Exercise 010 to create the message you will send in the ICS 213 message.
Check your work.
Successfully send the Winlink message to the Winlink NCS.
To successfully fulfill the operational checklist for this net session, you must execute your deployment using the detailed briefing parameters provided by the Net Control Station.
Download and Review Instructions: Open the official exercise PDF document using the link provided directly below.
Execute the Form Scenario: Follow the step-by-step instructions inside the PDF document to complete the exercise.
Transmit Message: Send your Winlink message over your chosen Winlink session to PCARES-EC.
Net Session Start: Sunday
Net Session End: Saturday
Designated Net Control Station (NCS): Send your completed Winlink package parameters directly to PCARES-EC.
Acquire an understanding as to the importance of listening to directions on how to compose a message for a served agency.
Launch and execute browser-driven internal Winlink templates (ICS 213.txt)..
Follow the instructions in Exercise 011 to create the message you will send in the ICS 213 message.
Check your work.
Successfully send the Winlink message to the Winlink NCS.
To successfully complete the exercise for this net session, you should follow the instructions provided by the Net Control Station.
Download and Review Instructions: Open the official exercise PDF document using the link provided directly below.
Execute the Form Scenario: Follow the step-by-step instructions inside the PDF document to complete the exercise.
Transmit Message: Send your Winlink message over your chosen Winlink session to PCARES-EC.
Net Session Start: Sunday
Net Session End: Saturday
Designated Net Control Station (NCS): Send your completed Winlink package parameters directly to PCARES-EC
Acquire the practice on how to fill out and send a Severe Weather report.
Launch and execute browser-driven internal Winlink templates (Severe WX report.txt)..
Follow the instructions in Exercise 012 to create the message you will send in the Severe WX report.
Check your work.
Successfully send the Winlink message to the Winlink NCS.
To successfully complete the exercise for this net session, you should follow the instructions provided by the Net Control Station.
Download and Review Instructions: Open the official exercise PDF document using the link provided directly below.
Execute the Form Scenario: Follow the step-by-step instructions inside the PDF document to complete the exercise.
Transmit Message: Send your Winlink message over your chosen Winlink session to PCARES-EC.
Net Session Start: Tuesday, March 31 at 12:01 A.M.
Net Session End: Saturday, April 11th at 11:59 P.M.
Designated Net Control Station (NCS): Send your completed Winlink package parameters directly to PCARES-EC.
Introduction to the Placer County ARES welfare bulletin board.
Launch and execute browser-driven internal Winlink templates (Welfare Bulletin Board Message.txt)..
Follow the instructions in Exercise 013 to create the message you will send in the welfare message.
Check your work.
Successfully send the Winlink message to the Winlink NCS.
To successfully complete the exercise for this net session, you should follow the instructions provided by the Net Control Station.
Download and Review Instructions: Open the official exercise PDF document using the link provided directly below.
Execute the Form Scenario: Follow the step-by-step instructions inside the PDF document to complete the exercise.
Transmit Message: Send your Winlink message over your chosen Winlink session to PCARES-EC.
Net Session Start: Sunday
Net Session End: Saturday
Designated Net Control Station (NCS): Send your completed Winlink package parameters directly to PCARES-EC
Learn how to fill information into a Winlink Field Situation Report.
Launch and execute browser-driven internal Winlink templates (Field Situation Report.txt)..
Follow the instructions in Exercise 014 to create the message you will send in the welfare message.
Check your work.
Successfully send the Winlink message to the Winlink NCS.
To successfully complete the exercise for this net session, you should follow the instructions provided by the Net Control Station.
Download and Review Instructions: Open the official exercise PDF document using the link provided directly below.
Execute the Form Scenario: Follow the step-by-step instructions inside the PDF document to complete the exercise.
Transmit Message: Send your Winlink message over your chosen Winlink session to PCARES-EC.
Net Session Start: Sunday
Net Session End: Saturday
Designated Net Control Station (NCS): Send your completed Winlink package parameters directly to PCARES-EC.
Learn how to fill information into an ICS 205 Incident Radio Communication Plan.
Launch and execute browser-driven internal Winlink templates (ICS 205 Radio Plan.txt)..
Follow the instructions in Exercise 015 to create the message you will send in the welfare message.
Check your work.
Successfully send the Winlink message to the Winlink NCS.
To successfully complete the exercise for this net session, you should follow the instructions provided by the Net Control Station.
Download and Review Instructions: Open the official exercise PDF document using the link provided directly below.
Execute the Form Scenario: Follow the step-by-step instructions inside the PDF document to complete the exercise.
Transmit Message: Send your Winlink message over your chosen Winlink session to PCARES-EC.