Hams interested in experimenting with Winlink Global Radio Email® can once again take advantage of the weekly FediFridayWinlinkNet.

This net is coordinated through the Fediverse (e.g. Mastodon) but is open to all interested amateur radio operators.

The general procedure—subject to change going forward—is to send a Winlink message to the tactical callsign FFWN on Friday between 0000Z and 2359Z in this format:

To: FFWN
Subject: check-in
Message body line1: [callsign], [firstname], [city],
[state/province/locale], [country], [mastodon username], [VHF/HF/APRS/Telnet]
Message body line2: [an open question determined by each week's NCS]
Message body line3: Do you agree to have your callsign shared in the check-in list? [Y or N/opt-out]

Check-in messages may be sent via any method supported by the Winlink system: HF, VHF, APRS, Telnet, …

Details for each weekly net are posted on Mastodon shortly before 0000 UTC on Friday and may be found by searching for, or following, the #FediFridayWinlinkNet or #FFWN hashtags on any instance.

A Mastodon account is not required to search for net details, but will enable out of band interaction with the other net participants. Visit joinmastodon.org to learn more about joining Mastodon and for a list of apps.

Results for each weekly net are posted on the W0RMT #FediFridayWinlinkNet page

Hams who are looking for more Winlink activity may also wish to participate in the weekly WinlinkWednesday nets.

Improving any skill takes practice. Amateur radio operators who use Winlink Global Radio Email (AKA Winlink) have an opportunity to practice every Friday by checking in to the #FediFridayWinlinkNet.

Check-in messages may be sent via any method supported by the Winlink system: HF, VHF, APRS, Telnet, …

The general procedure is to send a Winlink message on Friday between 0000Z and 2359Z to the NCS with the following format:

To: [NCS callsign]
Subject: FFWN
Message body line1: [callsign], [firstname], [city],
[state/province/locale], [country], [mastodon username], [VHF/HF/APRS/Telnet]
Message body line2: [an open question determined by each week's NCS]

The details for each weekly net are posted on Mastodon shortly before 0000 UTC on Friday and may be found by searching for the #FediFridayWinlinkNet hashtag on any instance.

A Mastodon account is not required to search for net details, but is highly recommended to interact out of band with the other net participants. Visit joinmastodon.org to learn more about joining Mastodon and for a list of apps.

Results for each weekly net are posted on the Colorado Digital Multiproticol #FediFridayWinlinkNet page

Amateur radio operators can use the APRSlink gateway to manage their Winlink accounts using an APRS equipped radio.

The APRSlink gateway allows APRS users to:

• Read short email messages sent to their callsign@winlink.org account
• Send short email messages to any valid email address or Winlink 2000 user
• Perform email related maintenance
• Be notified of pending Winlink email via APRS message
• Query APRSLink for information of the closest Winlink RMS packet station

Complete gateway documentation, including a command reference, is available on the APRSlink page.

This collection of videos demonstrates some APRSlink features using a Yeasu FTM-400DR transceiver.

About Winlink

Winlink, also known as the Winlink 2000 Network, is a worldwide radio messaging system that uses amateur-band radio frequencies to provide radio interconnection services that include email with attachments, position reporting, weather bulletins, emergency relief communications, and message relay. The system is built and administered by volunteers and administered by the Amateur Radio Safety Foundation Inc., an American charitable entity and 501c(3) non-profit organization. [ 1 ]

Winlink website: http://www.winlink.org/

About APRS

Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) is an amateur radio-based system for real time digital communications of information of immediate value in the local area. Data can include object Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates, weather station telemetry, text messages, announcements, queries, and other telemetry. APRS data can be displayed on a map, which can show stations, objects, tracks of moving objects, weather stations, search and rescue data, and direction finding data. [ 2 ]

APRS website: http://www.aprs.org/

Footnotes

[ 1 ] “Winlink”, Wikipedia, retrieved July 18 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winlink.

[ 2 ] “Automatic Packet Reporting System”, Wikipedia, retrieved July 18 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_Packet_Reporting_System.