Winlink Thursdays: Now Every Week, Still Always Optional
[Click on above ▶ or this link,
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EmComm-Training.org Announces new Weekly Practice exercises for 2026!
[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:
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?
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Step One: Find your Clearinghouse Tactical Winlink Address here... |
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Step Two: This Week's Winlink Thursday assignment: |
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[to find pre-2026 Winlink Thursdays, and their results, click here] |
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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 dataWe 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 questionWhen 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”:
Not sending to an ETO clearinghouseWe 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").
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[Click on above ▶ or this link,
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Weekly Practice for February 12th, 2026
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[PDF] Instructions for 2/12/2026 Weekly Practice |
Complete Instructions
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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.
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Feb 5th, 2026: Results of "Weekly Practice" Exercise |
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Results Map by Feedback Count [with New Search Feature!] |
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NEW!! Results Pie Charts |
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NEW!! Standard Responses CSV File for Download |
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"How do I find my Check-In on the Map?"
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[Click on the ▶ or the line of text above, to expand its contents]
[Click on above ▶ or this link,
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Weekly Practice for February 5th, 2026
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[PDF] Instructions for 2/5/2026 Weekly Practice |
Complete Instructions
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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.
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Jan 29th, 2026: Results of "Weekly Practice" Exercise |
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Results Map by Feedback Count [with New Search Feature!] |
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NEW!! Results Pie Charts |
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NEW!! Standard Responses CSV File for Download |
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"How do I find my Check-In on the Map?"
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[Click on the ▶ or the line of text above, to expand its contents]
[Click on above ▶ or this link,
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Weekly Practice for Jan. 29th, 2026
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[PDF] Instructions for 1/29/2026 Weekly Practice |
Complete Instructions
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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:
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Jan 22nd, 2026: Results of "Weekly Practice" Exercise |
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Results Map by Feedback Count |
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NEW!! Results Pie Charts |
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NEW!! Standard Responses CSV File for Download |
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"How do I find my Check-In on the Map?"
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[Click on the ▶ or the line of text above, to expand its contents]
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Weekly Practice for Jan. 22nd, 2026
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[PDF] Instructions for 1/22/2026 Weekly Practice |
Complete Instructions
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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.
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Jan 15th, 2026: Results of "Winter Field Day Prep" Exercise |
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Results Map by Clearinghouse |
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Results Map by Feedback Count |
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NEW!! Results Pie Charts |
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NEW!! Standard Responses CSV File for Download |
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"How do I find my Check-In on the Map?"
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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.
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Instructions: Winter Field Day Prep Exercise [PDF] |
Jan 8th, 2026: Results of "Weekly Practice" Exercise |
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Results Map for ETO First-Timers (Welcome!) |
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Results Map by Feedback Count |
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NEW!! Results Pie Charts |
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NEW!! Standard Responses CSV File for Download |
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"How do I find my Check-In on the Map?"
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[Click on the ▶ or the line of text above, to expand its contents]
[Click on above ▶ or this link,
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Weekly Practice ("soft launch") for Jan. 8th, 2026
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[PDF] Instructions for 1/8/2026 Weekly Practice |
Complete Instructions
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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.
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Jan 1st, 2026: Results of "Weekly Practice" Exercise |
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Results Map for ETO First-Timers (Welcome!) |
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Results Map by Feedback Count |
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NEW!! Results Pie Charts |
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NEW!! Standard Responses CSV File for Download |
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"How do I find my Check-In on the Map?"
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[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
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[PDF] Instructions for 1/1/2026 Weekly Practice |
Complete Instructions
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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.
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Dec 25th, 2025: Results of 1st "Weekly Practice" Exercise |
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Results Map by Feedback Count |
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NEW!! Results Pie Charts |
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NEW!! Standard Responses CSV File for Download |
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"How do I find my Check-In on the Map?"
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[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
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Instructions in PDF format |
Complete Instructions
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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.
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Dec 18th, 2025: Results of "Santa Wish List" Exercise |
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[Revised and Improved!] Results Map by Clearinghouse |
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[Revised and Improved!] Results Map by Feedback Count |
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NEW!! Results Pie Charts |
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NEW!! Standard Responses CSV File for Download |
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"How do I find my Check-In on the Map?"
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[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.
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Instructions: Santa Wish List Message [PDF] |
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