📡 Net Preamble & Overview
What is this Winlink Net?
- This specialized training net allows our ARES / AuxComm volunteers to become highly familiar with the Winlink global radio messaging system through regular, practical exercises.
- It systematically trains our volunteers on how Winlink can be utilized to send messages, such as ICS forms, radiograms, weather observations and logistics requests to assist regional agencies during an actual emergency, whether natural or man-made.
How Does the Net Operate?
- Frequency & Cadence: Every two weeks, 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 GroupMe messaging app.
- Evaluation: The appointed Net Control Station (NCS) evaluates each volunteer’s submitted Winlink message and routes back personalized performance feedback via a standard Winlink reply.
- Mapping Tracker: The NCS records, for each volunteer, who completed the compliance metrics for each exercise in the Winlink net spreadsheet and generates a visual Google map at the end of the exercise completion date to track volunteer participation.
Who Can Participate in This Net?
Originally, this Winlink training net was exclusively tailored for local Brunswick County ARES/AuxComm volunteers. However, because we host our historic exercise logs on the public BSARC portal, 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.
📋 Winlink Training Exercise Repository
The table below automatically catalogs our historical training files. When a new exercise markdown file is added to the system directory, it will instantly generate a new indexed entry below.
| Exercise Date | Training Scenario & Objective | Available Resource Formats |
|---|---|---|
| 09/08/2025 | Winlink Exercise #001: Introduction to the EmComm Net Foundational training session for completing standardized Winlink check-in forms and managing emergency scenario telemetry data. | 🌐 Web Page View → 📄 Download PDF ↓ |
| 09/22/2025 | Winlink Exercise #002: Create a Winlink message using ICS 213 This exercise will provide a scenario for you with information you will need to fill-out an ICS 213 form. | 🌐 Web Page View → 📄 Download PDF ↓ |
| 10/06/2025 | Winlink Exercise #003: Create a Winlink message using ICS 213RR This exercise will provide a scenario to you with information that you will need to fill-out an ICS 213RR form. | 🌐 Web Page View → 📄 Download PDF ↓ |
| 10/20/2025 | Winlink Exercise #004: Using ICS-213 form to send vital informtion to the EOC Find the GPS coordinates to the three nearest hospitals to Brunswick County with helicopter landing zones.. | 🌐 Web Page View → 📄 Download PDF ↓ |
| 11/03/2025 | Winlink Exercise #005: Create a Winlink message using a Winlink Checkout form This exercise will have you create and send a Winlink Checkout message and create and send an ICS 309 attached to a Winlink message. | 🌐 Web Page View → 📄 Download PDF ↓ |
| 11/17/2025 | Winlink Exercise #006: Using Winlink Quick Message form to send information to the EOC Using the Winlink Quick message to send an I am safe at home message to the EOC after a deployment.. | 🌐 Web Page View → 📄 Download PDF ↓ |
| 12/01/2025 | Winlink Exercise #007: Examine and use the Winlink Catalog and attach a photo to a Winlink message Examine the Winlink catalog, attach a photo to a Winlink message and determine the attachment size requirement for Winlink.. | 🌐 Web Page View → 📄 Download PDF ↓ |
| 01/12/2026 | Winlink Exercise #008: Focus on Accuracy & File Attachment Resizing Operational field execution emphasizing message compliance, precision geolocation tracking, client-side photo resizing rules, and log management. | 🌐 Web Page View → 📄 Download PDF ↓ |
| 01/27/2026 | Winlink Exercise #009: Use a Winlink Quick Message to send your monthly ICS 214a and ICS 309 forms Send a Winlink Quick Message with an ICS 214a and an ICS 309 attached to the message.. | 🌐 Web Page View → 📄 Download PDF ↓ |
| 02/04/2026 | Winlink Exercise #010: This exercise simulation will have you sending a Winlink message from the EOC to a hospital This exercise will provide a scenario where you will create an ICS 213 form message to request information from a hospital needed by the EOC. | 🌐 Web Page View → 📄 Download PDF ↓ |
| 02/23/2026 | Winlink Exercise #011: This exercise simulation is a continuation of exercise #010 This exercise will provide a scenario where you will create an ICS 213 form message to send a reply to the EOC with the requested information it needs from the hospital. | 🌐 Web Page View → 📄 Download PDF ↓ |
| 03/10/2026 | Winlink Exercise #012: This exercise will have you sending a Severe Weather Report via Winlink This exercise will provide a scenario where you are participating in an ARES net that is operating during a severe rain storm. | 🌐 Web Page View → 📄 Download PDF ↓ |
| 03/31/2026 | Winlink Exercise #013: This exercise will have you sending a welfare message to the Welfare Bulletin Board on the wesite www.laxnortheast.org/welfare This exercise will introduce you to the Welfare Bulletin Board used by Amateur Radio Operators to send welfare message to family and friends outside the disaster area. | 🌐 Web Page View → 📄 Download PDF ↓ |
| 04/14/2026 | Winlink Exercise #014: This exercise will have you sending a Winlink Field Situation report This exercise will simulate an earthquake event where you will be asked by a voice net control station (NCS) to send a Winlink Field Situation Report from your local area to the NCS. | 🌐 Web Page View → 📄 Download PDF ↓ |
| 04/30/2026 | Winlink Exercise #015: This exercise will introduce the ICS 205 Incident Radio Communications Plan The ICS 205 is usually written by an Emergency Coordinator (EC) for an event but you as a Volunteer should be able to read and comprehend what this form is all about. | 🌐 Web Page View → 📄 Download PDF ↓ |
| 05/11/2026 | Winlink Exercise #016: This exercise will introduce the Hurricane Report Winlink message This form will be handy if we are in a hurricane situation and we need to send information to the EOC or to our Skywarn representative | 🌐 Web Page View → 📄 Download PDF ↓ |
| 05/25/2026 | Winlink Exercise #017: This exercise will deal with the (I am safe msg) Winlink message In this exercise we will learn how to help survivors of a disaster send welfare messages to family and friends | 🌐 Web Page View → 📄 Download PDF ↓ |
| 06/08/2026 | Winlink Exercise #018: In this exercise we will use the Radio Relay International (RRI) Welfare Radiogram. In this exercise we will learn how to help survivors of a disaster send welfare messages to family and friends using the National Traffic System | 🌐 Web Page View → 📄 Download PDF ↓ |
| 06/22/2026 | Winlink Exercise #019: In this exercise we will practice creating the type of message needed for the 2026 ARRL Field Day Event. In this exercise we will create an ICS 213 message with the information needed for the 2026 ARRL Field Day event | 🌐 Web Page View → 📄 Download PDF ↓ |
| 07/06/2026 | Winlink Exercise #020: In this exercise we will use the Winlink.org mapping of RMS to determine the location of all the RMS in Brunswick County NC. In this exercise we will use the Winlink mapping of RMS to find information on all the RMS within Brunswick County NC | 🌐 Web Page View → 📄 Download PDF ↓ |
This page last revised: 5/27/2026