<-- 1/17/2026 WLT: Results for Monthly 1/15/2026 WLT. --> :: Winlink Thursdays :: EmComm-Training.org™ ::

Winlink Thursdays: Now Every Week, Still Always Optional


[Click on above ▶ or this link, to expand its contents]

EmComm-Training.org Announces new Weekly Practice exercises for 2026!


ETO is introducing a new set of weekly practice Winlink training exercises, starting January 1, 2026. The exercises are short “message passing” exercises, where we expect you to provide a “letter-perfect copy” of the instructions. These are not “content creation” exercises. Here’s the cadence for the Winlink Thursdays exercises:
  • 1st Thursday: (NEW) a ICS-213 message
  • 2nd Thursday: (NEW) ICS-213 RR message
  • 3rd Thursday: a custom Winlink exercise, continuing the ETO model of exploring Winlink features.
  • 4th Thursday: (NEW) ICS-205 message
  • 5th Thursday: (NEW) a Field Situation Report message
The Exercise Window (for all exercises) is now Saturday 00:00 UTC through Friday 08:00 UTC.

The new 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th Weekly practice messages must be addressed to ETO-PRACTICE, while the 3rd Thursday, monthly training exercises should continue to be addressed to your normal clearinghouse and to ETO-BK.

ETO is continuing our monthly training exercises on the 3rd Thursday of each month, but with the new exercise window of Saturday 00:00 UTC through Friday 08:00 UTC.

ETO is responding to feedback from both our participants and our volunteer team of exercise writers and reviewers stating that some of our monthly training exercises have become too complicated. We’re responding by creating this new stream of weekly practice exercises. These new exercises focus on what we consider to be among the most important of the various Winlink forms. Rather than asking our participants to submit the same message week after week, each week’s instructions will be computer generated and unique.

What isn’t changing is our commitment to provide meaningful feedback to our participants on how well their message response met our expectations. This need for feedback arose from participant frustration in being told that “you didn’t do it right” but not being told what we did wrong! ETO believes that this combination of challenging exercises and feedback makes our monthly training exercises valuable to the Winlink community, and we’re now bringing the opportunity to participate to the community on a weekly basis.

Winlink Thursdays: How Do They Work?


===Information===>>

Step One:  Find your Clearinghouse Tactical Winlink Address here...

Step Two: This Week's Winlink Thursday assignment:

What happens next? [click here to expand]

  • After the Exercise has concluded, all submissions will be gathered from our Clearinghouse Receiving Stations, and compiled for processing;

  • In a few days, you'll receive an announcement from our Group.io mailing list, that the Results are available on the ETO "Winlink Thursdays" page.

  • Visit the Winlink Thursdays page, click on the "Results" link, and find your submission listed under your Callsign.


[to find pre-2026 Winlink Thursdays, and their results, click here]


Exercise Schedule: January 2026 and Beyond: (Topics to follow...)

Date Form Note
December 18th, 2025 Santa's Wish List Exercise Instructions  /  Results
December 25th, 2025 Weekly Practice Instructions  /  Results
January 1st, 2026 Weekly Practice Instructions  /  Results
January 8th, 2026 Weekly Practice Instructions  /  Results
January 15th, 2026 Winter Field Day Prep exercise Instructions  /  Results
January 22nd, 2026 Weekly Practice Instructions  /  Results
January 29th, 2026 Weekly Practice Instructions  /  Results
February 5th, 2026 Weekly Practice Instructions  /  Results
February 12th, 2026 Weekly Practice Instructions

[Click on a ▶ link, to expand its contents]

General Notes on Frequently-Seen Mistakes... Please Read!

General Notes:

We see many of the same mistakes being repeated week after week, across different exercise types, so we think it’s worthwhile to call these out.

Sending incorrect longitude and latitude data

We use the latitude and longitude data to plot you onto maps. Sometimes that map data is obviously incorrect. This occurs when folks in the Western Hemisphere omit the minus sign in front of longitude or when folks in the Southern Hemisphere omit the minus sign in front of latitude.
The use of a GPS dongle helps to mitigate against this. If you’re not using a GPS dongle, do take extra care in copying/pasting or entering those numbers

Incorrect format when answering a multiple choice question

When we ask a multiple choice question on a Winlink Check In message, we require the answer to be in a specific format: a single character, uppercase letter on the first line of the Comments field. We don’t want any punctuation before or after that single letter. We don’t want an explanation. We just want a single letter.
Here’s a partial list of answers that we consider “not valid”:
  • B is the answer
  • The answer is B
  • “B”
  • B.
Providing real-time tactical digital communications in conjunction with a map showing the locations of stations

Not sending to an ETO clearinghouse

We use a group of volunteers to act as the “Clearinghouses” for most exercises. The purpose of the Clearinghouses is to divide the work that we do to process your messages. Each Clearinghouse has a specific Winlink tactical address: ETO-01 through ETO-10 (corresponding to USA FEMA regions), plus ETO-DX for non-US participants and ETO-CAN for Canada.
If you don’t address your message to one of these tactical addresses, we won’t receive your message.
Even though some Winlink Templates, such as the Winlink Check In, allow you to address your message directly from the message itself, we strongly discourage this. Instead, we would strongly encourage you to create a Winlink “contact” for your clearinghouse.
Then, after you hit the [Submit] button on the template, click on the [To:] button and select your clearinghouse contact.
Yes, it’s a bit more work to set up, but once you have it correctly set up, you will not make an accidental mistake by entering “ETO-1”, or “ETO-O1” ( with a letter "O" next to the "1" ) when you meant to enter “ETO-01” ("eee-tee-ohh-dash-zero-one").

[Click on above ▶ or this link, to expand its contents]

Weekly Practice for February 12th, 2026


[PDF] Instructions for 2/12/2026 Weekly Practice



Complete Instructions

	
ETO Exercise Instructions for Thursday, 2026-02-12

Task: Complete an ICS-213 Resource Request Message

Exercise window: Sat 2026-02-07 00:00 UTC - Fri 2026-02-13 08:00 UTC

Use the following values when completing the form:
    Setup: agency or group name: EmComm Training Organization
    Incident name: ETO Weekly Practice
    Date/Time: (click in box and accept date/time)
    Resource Request Number: Exercise Id: 692-943-3780
    Order Items (leave Estimated and Cost empty)
        line 1
            Qty: 3333
            Kind: pounds
            Type: n/a
            Description: Shredded Cheese
            Requested Time: 11:00
        line 2
            Qty: 2000
            Kind: can
            Type: n/a
            Description: Evaporated Milk (12 oz cans)
            Requested Time: 11:00
        line 3
            Qty: 1667
            Kind: pounds
            Type: n/a
            Description: Elbow Macaroni
            Requested Time: 11:00
    Delivery/Reporting Location: Reception Desk
    Substitutes: substitute as appropriate
    Requested by Name/Position: Ulysses Underwood / Records Clerk
    Priority: Routine
    Section Chief Name for Approval: Henry Hughes

Send the message via the Session type of your choice to ETO-PRACTICE.

Refer to https://emcomm-training.org/Winlink_Thursdays.html for further instructions 
about the weekly practice exercises and/or monthly training exercises.



Feb 5th, 2026: Results of "Weekly Practice" Exercise



Results Map by Feedback Count [with New Search Feature!]



NEW!! Results Pie Charts



NEW!! Standard Responses CSV File for Download


We are trying a different approach to providing feedback. [click here to expand]


Instead of a numeric score, we provide information about why a particular field entry was considered wrong, and give you the correct response.

We hope you will find this to be More Useful and Informative.

When you click on your "push-pin" on the Results Map, you'll find Useful Feedback, as well as a record of all the information you submitted.

(be sure to scroll down on the left side Information Panel, to view all of the information there.)

Here is an example of Feedback to one of our own Programmers:


"How do I find my Check-In on the Map?"

  1. In your Web Browser, with our Results Map displayed...
  2. On the left side, you'll see a list of the 12 ETO Clearinghouses.
  3. Click the    (down-pointing caret), and the list will expand vertically;
  4. Type a Ctrl-F, to use the Browser's "Find On This Page" function;
  5. Type your Callsign;
  6. Your Browser will highlight your callsign, in the vertical list on the left.
  7. Click on your Callsign, and the Map will show you your "pushpin".
  8. Click on your Pushpin, and, on the left side of the screen, all of the information you sent in, will be listed.

[Click on the ▶ or the line of text above, to expand its contents]

[Click on above ▶ or this link, to expand its contents]

Weekly Practice for February 5th, 2026


[PDF] Instructions for 2/5/2026 Weekly Practice



Complete Instructions

	
ETO Exercise Instructions for Thursday, 2026-02-05

Task: Complete an ICS-213 General Message

Exercise window: Sat 2026-01-31 00:00 UTC - Fri 2026-02-06 08:00 UTC

Use the following values when completing the form:
    Setup: agency or group name: EmComm Training Organization
    THIS IS AN EXERCISE: (checked)
    Incident Name: ETO Weekly Practice
    To (Name/Position): Ella Edwards / Admin Officer
    From (Name/Position): Harper Hines / Triage Officer
    Subject: ETO Practice Exercise for 2026-02-05
    Date: (click in box and accept date)
    Time: (click in box and accept time)
    Message: Exercise Id: 546-338-7195
    Approved by: Uriel Upton
    Position / Title: Grant Writer

Ensure that you have a valid and appropriate Latitude and Longitude.

Send the message via the Session type of your choice to ETO-PRACTICE.

Refer to https://emcomm-training.org/Winlink_Thursdays.html for further instructions 
 about the weekly practice exercises and/or monthly training exercises.



Jan 29th, 2026: Results of "Weekly Practice" Exercise



Results Map by Feedback Count [with New Search Feature!]



NEW!! Results Pie Charts



NEW!! Standard Responses CSV File for Download


We are trying a different approach to providing feedback. [click here to expand]


Instead of a numeric score, we provide information about why a particular field entry was considered wrong, and give you the correct response.

We hope you will find this to be More Useful and Informative.

When you click on your "push-pin" on the Results Map, you'll find Useful Feedback, as well as a record of all the information you submitted.

(be sure to scroll down on the left side Information Panel, to view all of the information there.)

Here is an example of Feedback to one of our own Programmers:


"How do I find my Check-In on the Map?"

  1. In your Web Browser, with our Results Map displayed...
  2. On the left side, you'll see a list of the 12 ETO Clearinghouses.
  3. Click the    (down-pointing caret), and the list will expand vertically;
  4. Type a Ctrl-F, to use the Browser's "Find On This Page" function;
  5. Type your Callsign;
  6. Your Browser will highlight your callsign, in the vertical list on the left.
  7. Click on your Callsign, and the Map will show you your "pushpin".
  8. Click on your Pushpin, and, on the left side of the screen, all of the information you sent in, will be listed.

[Click on the ▶ or the line of text above, to expand its contents]

[Click on above ▶ or this link, to expand its contents]

Weekly Practice for Jan. 29th, 2026


[PDF] Instructions for 1/29/2026 Weekly Practice



Complete Instructions

	
ETO Exercise Instructions for Thursday, 2026-01-29

Task: Complete a Field Situation Report Message

Exercise window: Sat 2026-01-24 00:00 UTC - Fri 2026-01-30 08:00 UTC

Use the following values when completing the form:
    Setup: agency or group name: EmComm Training Organization
    Precedence: R/ Routine
    Date/Time: (click in box and accept date/time)
    Task #: ETO Weekly Practice
    From: 
    To: ETO-PRACTICE
    EMERGENT/LIFE SAFETY Need: NO
    City: Fort Collins
    County: Larimer
    State: CO
    Latitude: 40.2503
    Longitude: -103.7990
    POTS landlines functioning: NO
    POTS landlines provider if NO: CenturyLink
    VOIP landlines functioning: Unknown - N/A
    VOIP landlines provider if NO: 
    Cell phone voice calls functioning: YES
    Cell phone voice provider if NO: 
    Cell phone texts functioning: YES
    Cell phone texts provider if NO: 
    AM/FM Broadcast Stations functioning: NO
    Broadcast station callsign if NO: KFRC FM
    OTA TV functioning: Unknown - N/A
    TV station if NO: 
    Satellite TV functioning: Unknown - N/A
    Satellite TV provider if NO: 
    Cable TV functioning: YES
    Cable TV provider if NO: 
    Public Water Works functioning: Unknown - N/A
    Public Water Works provider if NO: 
    Commercial Power functioning: Unknown - N/A
    Commercial Power provider if NO: 
    Commercial Power Stable: Unknown - N/A
    Commercial Power provider if NO: 
    Natural Gas supply functioning: NO
    Natural Gas supply provider if NO: Xcel Energy
    Internet functioning: YES
    Internet provider if NO: 
    NOAA weather radio functioning: YES
    NOAA transmitter/frequency if NO: 
    NOAA weather radio audio degraded: NO
    NOAA transmitter/frequency if NO: 
    Additional Comments: Exercise Id: 889-174-0993
    POC: Brayden Ford

Ensure that you have a valid and appropriate Latitude and Longitude.

Send the message via the Session type of your choice to ETO-PRACTICE.

Refer to https://emcomm-training.org/Winlink_Thursdays.html for further instructions 
 about the weekly practice exercises and/or monthly training exercises.


Jan 22nd, 2026: Results of "Weekly Practice" Exercise



Results Map by Feedback Count



NEW!! Results Pie Charts



NEW!! Standard Responses CSV File for Download


We are trying a different approach to providing feedback. [click here to expand]


Instead of a numeric score, we provide information about why a particular field entry was considered wrong, and give you the correct response.

We hope you will find this to be More Useful and Informative.

When you click on your "push-pin" on the Results Map, you'll find Useful Feedback, as well as a record of all the information you submitted.

(be sure to scroll down on the left side Information Panel, to view all of the information there.)

Here is an example of Feedback to one of our own Programmers:


"How do I find my Check-In on the Map?"

  1. In your Web Browser, with our Results Map displayed...
  2. On the left side, you'll see a list of the 12 ETO Clearinghouses.
  3. Click the    (down-pointing caret), and the list will expand vertically;
  4. Type a Ctrl-F, to use the Browser's "Find On This Page" function;
  5. Type your Callsign;
  6. Your Browser will highlight your callsign, in the vertical list on the left.
  7. Click on your Callsign, and the Map will show you your "pushpin".
  8. Click on your Pushpin, and, on the left side of the screen, all of the information you sent in, will be listed.

[Click on the ▶ or the line of text above, to expand its contents]

[Click on above ▶ or this link, to expand its contents]

Weekly Practice for Jan. 22nd, 2026


[PDF] Instructions for 1/22/2026 Weekly Practice



Complete Instructions

	
ETO Exercise Instructions for Thursday, 2026-01-22

Task: Complete an ICS-205 Incident Radio Communications Plan Message

Exercise window: Sat 2026-01-17 00:00 UTC - Fri 2026-01-23 08:00 UTC

Use the following values when completing the form:
    Setup: agency or group name: EmComm Training Organization
    Incident name: ETO Weekly Practice
    Date/Time: (click in box and accept date/time)
    Operational Period Date From: 2026-01-17
    Operational Period Date To: 2026-01-23
    Operational Period Time From: 00:00 UTC
    Operational Period Time To: 08:00 UTC
    Basic Radio Channel Use:
        line 1
            Ch #: 1
            Function: Coordination
            Channel Name: Repeater
            Assignment: amateur
            RX Freq: 146.700
            RX N or W: W
            RX Tone: 91.5
            Tx Freq: 146.100
            TX N or W: W
            TX Tone: 91.5
            Mode: A
            Remarks: Primary repeater
        line 2
            Ch #: 2
            Function: Tactical
            Channel Name: Simplex
            Assignment: amateur
            RX Freq: 446.125
            RX N or W: N
            RX Tone: 
            Tx Freq: 446.125
            TX N or W: N
            TX Tone: 
            Mode: A
            Remarks: Primary simplex
        line 3
            Ch #: 3
            Function: InterOp
            Channel Name: UCALL40
            Assignment: public safety
            RX Freq: 453.2125
            RX N or W: N
            RX Tone: 156.7
            Tx Freq: 
            TX N or W: 
            TX Tone: 
            Mode: A
            Remarks: Receive only. Do not Transmit!
    Special Instructions: Exercise Id: 864-099-8591
    Approved by: Anna Park
    Approved Date/Time: (click in box and accept date/time)
    IAP Page: 6
    Attach CSV: (No)

Send the message via the Session type of your choice to ETO-PRACTICE.

Refer to https://emcomm-training.org/Winlink_Thursdays.html for further instructions 
about the weekly practice exercises and/or monthly training exercises.


Jan 15th, 2026: Results of "Winter Field Day Prep" Exercise



Results Map by Clearinghouse


Results Map by Feedback Count



NEW!! Results Pie Charts



NEW!! Standard Responses CSV File for Download


We are trying a different approach to providing feedback. [click here to expand]


Instead of a numeric score, we provide information about why a particular field entry was considered wrong, and give you the correct response.

We hope you will find this to be More Useful and Informative.

When you click on your "push-pin" on the Results Map, you'll find Useful Feedback, as well as a record of all the information you submitted.

(be sure to scroll down on the left side Information Panel, to view all of the information there.)

Here is an example of Feedback to one of our own Programmers:


"How do I find my Check-In on the Map?"

  1. In your Web Browser, with our Results Map displayed...
  2. On the left side, you'll see a list of the 12 ETO Clearinghouses.
  3. Click the    (down-pointing caret), and the list will expand vertically;
  4. Type a Ctrl-F, to use the Browser's "Find On This Page" function;
  5. Type your Callsign;
  6. Your Browser will highlight your callsign, in the vertical list on the left.
  7. Click on your Callsign, and the Map will show you your "pushpin".
  8. Click on your Pushpin, and, on the left side of the screen, all of the information you sent in, will be listed.

[Click on the ▶ or the line of text above, to expand its contents]

January 15th: "Winter Field Day Prep Exercise"


Exercise Message Submission Window

  • January 10th 00:00 UTC — January 16th 08:00 UTC

Summary:

Difficulty Level:   Intermediate  


Purpose:

Winter Field Day (WFD) will take place in two weeks. This year, one point will be given for each Winlink P2P email sent and received. ETO exercise participants will observe other stations who are WFD participants on Winlink’s Position report page. This will give the participants time to prepare their email list for WFD.

Objectives:

  • Use Winlink Express to post a Position Report which includes your station’s Winter Field Day (WFD) 2026 information.
  • Generate and send a WL2K_NEARBY Winlink Catalog Request.
  • Create a text file and a map of the nearest 30 position reports you obtained from WL2K_NEARBY Winlink Catalog Request and attach to your winlink message.

Further details will be in the instructions.


Instructions: Winter Field Day Prep Exercise [PDF]

Jan 8th, 2026: Results of "Weekly Practice" Exercise



Results Map for ETO First-Timers (Welcome!)


Results Map by Feedback Count



NEW!! Results Pie Charts



NEW!! Standard Responses CSV File for Download


We are trying a different approach to providing feedback. [click here to expand]


Instead of a numeric score, we provide information about why a particular field entry was considered wrong, and give you the correct response.

We hope you will find this to be More Useful and Informative.

When you click on your "push-pin" on the Results Map, you'll find Useful Feedback, as well as a record of all the information you submitted.

(be sure to scroll down on the left side Information Panel, to view all of the information there.)

Here is an example of Feedback to one of our own Programmers:


"How do I find my Check-In on the Map?"

  1. In your Web Browser, with our Results Map displayed...
  2. On the left side, you'll see a list of the 12 ETO Clearinghouses.
  3. Click the    (down-pointing caret), and the list will expand vertically;
  4. Type a Ctrl-F, to use the Browser's "Find On This Page" function;
  5. Type your Callsign;
  6. Your Browser will highlight your callsign, in the vertical list on the left.
  7. Click on your Callsign, and the Map will show you your "pushpin".
  8. Click on your Pushpin, and, on the left side of the screen, all of the information you sent in, will be listed.

[Click on the ▶ or the line of text above, to expand its contents]

[Click on above ▶ or this link, to expand its contents]

Weekly Practice ("soft launch") for Jan. 8th, 2026


[PDF] Instructions for 1/8/2026 Weekly Practice



Complete Instructions

	
ETO Exercise Instructions for Thursday, 2026-01-08

Task: Complete an ICS-213 Resource Request Message

Exercise window: Sat 2026-01-03 00:00 UTC - Fri 2026-01-09 08:00 UTC

Use the following values when completing the form:
    Setup: agency or group name: EmComm Training Organization
    Incident name: ETO Weekly Practice
    Date/Time: (click in box and accept date/time)
    Resource Request Number: Exercise Id: 520-603-0837
    Order Items (leave Estimated and Cost empty)
        line 1
            Qty: 67
            Kind: Bottle
            Type: n/a
            Description: Amlodipin (10mg) Bottle of 30 tablets
            Requested Time: 12:00
        line 2
            Qty: 60
            Kind: Bottle
            Type: n/a
            Description: Atorvastatin (40mg) Bottle of 30 tablets
            Requested Time: 12:00
        line 3
            Qty: 19
            Kind: Bottle
            Type: n/a
            Description: Metformin (1000mg) Bottle of 60 tablets extended-release
            Requested Time: 12:00
    Delivery/Reporting Location: Maintenance Room
    Substitutes: substitute as appropriate
    Requested by Name/Position: Uriel Upton / Biohazard Tech
    Priority: URGENT
    Section Chief Name for Approval: Henry Hughes

Send the message via the Session type of your choice to ETO-PRACTICE.

Refer to https://emcomm-training.org/Winlink_Thursdays.html for further instructions 
about the weekly practice exercises and/or monthly training exercises.

Jan 1st, 2026: Results of "Weekly Practice" Exercise



Results Map for ETO First-Timers (Welcome!)


Results Map by Feedback Count



NEW!! Results Pie Charts



NEW!! Standard Responses CSV File for Download


We are trying a different approach to providing feedback. [click here to expand]


Instead of a numeric score, we provide information about why a particular field entry was considered wrong, and give you the correct response.

We hope you will find this to be More Useful and Informative.

When you click on your "push-pin" on the Results Map, you'll find Useful Feedback, as well as a record of all the information you submitted.

(be sure to scroll down on the left side Information Panel, to view all of the information there.)

Here is an example of Feedback to one of our own Programmers:


"How do I find my Check-In on the Map?"

  1. In your Web Browser, with our Results Map displayed...
  2. On the left side, you'll see a list of the 12 ETO Clearinghouses.
  3. Click the    (down-pointing caret), and the list will expand vertically;
  4. Type a Ctrl-F, to use the Browser's "Find On This Page" function;
  5. Type your Callsign;
  6. Your Browser will highlight your callsign, in the vertical list on the left.
  7. Click on your Callsign, and the Map will show you your "pushpin".
  8. Click on your Pushpin, and, on the left side of the screen, all of the information you sent in, will be listed.

[Click on the ▶ or the line of text above, to expand its contents]

[Click on above ▶ or this link, to expand its contents]

Weekly Practice ("soft launch") for Jan. 1st, 2026


[PDF] Instructions for 1/1/2026 Weekly Practice



Complete Instructions

	
ETO Exercise Instructions for Thursday, 2026-01-01

Task: Complete an ICS-213 General Message

Exercise window: Sat 2025-12-27 00:00 UTC - Fri 2026-01-02 08:00 UTC

Use the following values when completing the form:
    Setup: agency or group name: EmComm Training Organization
    THIS IS AN EXERCISE: (checked)
    Incident Name: ETO Weekly Practice
    To (Name/Position): Ulysses Underwood / Payroll Officer
    From (Name/Position): Rebecca Ross / Procurement Lead
    Subject: ETO Practice Exercise for 2026-01-01
    Date: (click in box and accept date)
    Time: (click in box and accept time)
    Message: Exercise Id: 318-197-5605
    Approved by: Megan Murphy
    Position / Title: Rescue Leader

Ensure that you have a valid and appropriate Latitude and Longitude.

Send the message via the Session type of your choice to ETO-PRACTICE.

Refer to https://emcomm-training.org/Winlink_Thursdays.html for further instructions 
 about the weekly practice exercises and/or monthly training exercises.

Dec 25th, 2025: Results of 1st "Weekly Practice" Exercise



Results Map by Feedback Count



NEW!! Results Pie Charts



NEW!! Standard Responses CSV File for Download


We are trying a different approach to providing feedback. [click here to expand]


Instead of a numeric score, we provide information about why a particular field entry was considered wrong, and give you the correct response.

We hope you will find this to be More Useful and Informative.

When you click on your "push-pin" on the Results Map, you'll find Useful Feedback, as well as a record of all the information you submitted.

(be sure to scroll down on the left side Information Panel, to view all of the information there.)

Here is an example of Feedback to one of our own Programmers:


"How do I find my Check-In on the Map?"

  1. In your Web Browser, with our Results Map displayed...
  2. On the left side, you'll see a list of the 12 ETO Clearinghouses.
  3. Click the    (down-pointing caret), and the list will expand vertically;
  4. Type a Ctrl-F, to use the Browser's "Find On This Page" function;
  5. Type your Callsign;
  6. Your Browser will highlight your callsign, in the vertical list on the left.
  7. Click on your Callsign, and the Map will show you your "pushpin".
  8. Click on your Pushpin, and, on the left side of the screen, all of the information you sent in, will be listed.

[Click on the ▶ or the line of text above, to expand its contents]

[Click on above ▶ or this link, to expand its contents]

First Weekly Practice ("soft launch") for Dec. 25th, 2025


Instructions in PDF format



Complete Instructions

	
ETO Exercise Instructions for Thursday, 2025-12-25

Task: Complete an ICS-205 Incident Radio Communications Plan Message

Exercise window: Sat 2025-12-20 00:00 UTC - Fri 2025-12-26 08:00 UTC

Use the following values when completing the form:
    Setup: agency or group name: EmComm Training Organization
    Incident name: ETO Weekly Practice
    Date/Time: (click in box and accept date/time)
    Operational Period Date From: 2025-12-20
    Operational Period Date To: 2025-12-26
    Operational Period Time From: 00:00 UTC
    Operational Period Time To: 08:00 UTC
    Basic Radio Channel Use:
        line 1
            Ch #: 1
            Function: Coordination
            Channel Name: Repeater
            Assignment: amateur
            RX Freq: 146.960
            RX N or W: N
            RX Tone: 206.5
            Tx Freq: 146.360
            TX N or W: N
            TX Tone: 206.5
            Mode: A
            Remarks: Primary repeater
        line 2
            Ch #: 2
            Function: Tactical
            Channel Name: Simplex
            Assignment: amateur
            RX Freq: 446.100
            RX N or W: W
            RX Tone: 
            Tx Freq: 446.100
            TX N or W: W
            TX Tone: 
            Mode: A
            Remarks: Primary simplex
        line 3
            Ch #: 3
            Function: Information
            Channel Name: WX2
            Assignment: weather
            RX Freq: 162.425
            RX N or W: W
            RX Tone: 
            Tx Freq: 
            TX N or W: 
            TX Tone: 
            Mode: A
            Remarks: Receive only. Do not Transmit!
    Special Instructions: Exercise Id: 793-121-0374
    Approved by: Jonathan Dean
    Approved Date/Time: (click in box and accept date/time)
    IAP Page: 5
    Attach CSV: (No)

Send the message via the Session type of 
your choice to ETO-PRACTICE.

Refer to https://emcomm-training.org/Weekly_Practice.html 
for further instructions about the weekly practice 
exercises and/or monthly training exercises.



Dec 18th, 2025: Results of "Santa Wish List" Exercise


[Revised and Improved!] Results Map by Clearinghouse


[Revised and Improved!] Results Map by Feedback Count



NEW!! Results Pie Charts



NEW!! Standard Responses CSV File for Download


We are trying a different approach to providing feedback. [click here to expand]


Instead of a numeric score, we provide information about why a particular field entry was considered wrong, and give you the correct response.

We hope you will find this to be More Useful and Informative.

When you click on your "push-pin" on the Results Map, you'll find Useful Feedback, as well as a record of all the information you submitted.

(be sure to scroll down on the left side Information Panel, to view all of the information there.)

Here is an example of Feedback to one of our own Programmers:


"How do I find my Check-In on the Map?"

  1. In your Web Browser, with our Results Map displayed...
  2. On the left side, you'll see a list of the 12 ETO Clearinghouses.
  3. Click the    (down-pointing caret), and the list will expand vertically;
  4. Type a Ctrl-F, to use the Browser's "Find On This Page" function;
  5. Type your Callsign;
  6. Your Browser will highlight your callsign, in the vertical list on the left.
  7. Click on your Callsign, and the Map will show you your "pushpin".
  8. Click on your Pushpin, and, on the left side of the screen, all of the information you sent in, will be listed.

[Click on the ▶ or the line of text above, to expand its contents]

December 18th: "Santa's Wish List Message"


Exercise Message Submission Window

  • December 13th 00:00 UTC — December 19th 08:00 UTC

Summary:

Difficulty Level:   Basic  


Purpose:

Santa keeps up with all the latest technology to keep things running smoothly at the North Pole. But as we saw recently in Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Tennessee, sometimes technology can be interrupted. To be sure your children can get their wish lists to Santa, ETO is recommending you use Winlink.

The purpose of this exercise is to illustrate to Santa that the Amateur Radio community can step up by using the ICS 213 RR Resource Request Message. In addition, you will complete an ICS 214 Activity Log. Santa will use the entries on the ICS 214 as support documentation if you select the “Nice” status for your child or yourself on the ICS 213.


Objectives:

  • Use Winlink Express to create and send an ICS 213 RR Resource Request Message and an ICS 214 Activity Log.
  • Properly use the Winlink built in templates for the content of the ICS 213 RR and ICS 214 messages.
  • Complete only the Setup and Fields; 1 through 9 of the ICS 213. Fields 10 through 19 should be left blank.

Further details will be in the instructions.


Instructions: Santa Wish List Message [PDF]


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