As of SEPT. 2019, this idea became CT ARES "WINLINK WEDNESDAY" and is held on the 1st Wednesday of Each Month
For monthly Announcements, see:
ct-ares.groups.io/g/Announce/messages

WinLink 2000/RMS Express Net Proposal
A Plan for exercising digital communication in CT ARES - Region 2
Start Date: November 1, 2015
by
Mike Goldweber - KB3IXO
Assistant DEC, CT ARES - Region 2 (Central Area)

Purpose:
CT ARES, Region 2 has been encouraging and training its ARES Team members to utilize a variety of radio communications to allow flexibility during a deployment. One communication method is sending messages through WinLink 2000 using the RMS Express email client.

Proposal:
As a means of insuring proficiency with this form of communication, I am proposing that we conduct a monthly “RMS Express Net” with all CT Region 2 ARES members beginning Nov. 1, 2015.

This Net will encourage those with the appropriate equipment (transceiver and a TNC) to become more proficient with it. And, for those without a TNC, they will be able to use the “Telnet” function to access the internet directly through a local modem/ WIFI connection… until they upgrade their capabilities.

Plan:
The plan is to encourage members to “Check-in” once per month with the designated net control station by sending a message using their RMS client software. During the month, the net control station will periodically log in to Winlink to download message, and respond to each station’s “check in” by sending an acknowledgement message.

At the month’s end, the total number of Check-in’s will be counted and that number will be sent to our Region 2 District Emergency Coordinator (DEC) – Douglas WA1SFH, as part of the monthly activity report he submits to the CT Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC) – Wayne N1CLV. By limiting the Check-in to once a month at a time of their choosing, participation should not pose an undue burden upon Team members

Initially, the message sent to the Net Control Station is not critical.
- A simple, “Hello net” or “Hi, I’m checking in” will do.
Later on, we can make the Net more interesting (or more challenging?) by sending practice traffic messages that represent messages that we would send during a deployment. For example, we can send electronic ICS forms or NTS forms with practice data.

What is critical is using the software and the equipment on a regular basis. That is, becoming proficient and skilled in this area. Making an RF connection to a near-by Winlink 2000 station (“Gateway”) to Send & Receive messages via RF is a key capability for CT ARES Team members to attain. And, doing this activity on a regular basis will help insure each participant’s proficiency.
As with any net, all stations (ARES and non-ARES) will be welcome.

What we gain by doing this:
There are a number of benefits to conducting this net. This exercise will help the team learn where our strengths and weakness with this form of communication.
- It will show us which stations can reach a WinLink node.
- We’ll see which stations have a TNC, and know how can use it properly.
- It will give ARES leadership an opportunity to help stations correct problems before a deployment occurs.

Download RMS EXPRESS today!
RMS Express is available for downloading at:
www.winlink.org/RMSExpress
Half way down the page, CLICK ON: ”rms_express_1-3-6-0_setup.zip”

Join the Fun!
We look forward to seeing your RMS Express messages

Start Date:
November 1, 2015

Who is NCS this month, and what is email address to use?

Where do we check in to?

The Net Control Station is Mike - KB3IXO

Just address your RMS Express messages to KB3IXO.

Thank you for participating.

We got 7 check-ins during the month of November. Including one person from Region 4. I hope we can get more check ins during December.

Mike
KB3IXO
ADEC Central Area, CT Region 2