SE Metro Winlink passive net guide
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Passive net architecture
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Current net control: KF9CP-2
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Winlink Express supports tactical call signs. KF9CP (Paul) is currently using KF9CP-2 for Winlink P2P messaging regardless of mode (VHF/HF packet, VARA FM, VARA HF). Call sign KF9CP is used for gateway traffic and non-Winlink digital communications. You may see KF9CP-9 which is the mobile station.
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Net control location: Farmington, MN
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Net control (net host) monitors the specified frequency and collects Winlink messages.
Participants simply send a message to net control using Winlink Express using the following guidelines.
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Message structure
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Address the message to: KF9CP-2 or the acting net control for the week
In the subject line enter: SE Metro Winlink Net Check-In
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Three types of messages are recommended.
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Type 1: In the body of the message type a simple identifying message as follows using your own city, county, etc. and the mode you are using in the parentheses.
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KF9CP, Paul, Farmington, Dakota, MN (VARA FM VHF)
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Type 2: Same as type 1 but add a short description of the weather at your station on a new line.
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KF9CP, Paul, Farmington, Dakota, MN (VARA FM VHF)
Wind light from north, Sunny, Temp 35F
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Type 3: Message with IC-213 form attached and your identifying string as the IC-213 message
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Weather info messages will be collected on the 1st Wednesday of the month and IC-213 messages will be collected on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. Type 1 messages are always accepted for anyone not able to send type 2 or 3 that week. This protocol is copied from the "Winlink Wednesday" group. Excellent instructions and extra info are available at https://winlinkwednesday.net/ so it won't be repeated here. You may even consider checking into that net since it happens to be the same day of the week as this one.
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Schedule
Wednesday after the SEMARC Activity Net
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The net will begin shortly after the SEMARC activity net on Wednesday evenings. There may be no announcement that the net is taking place. Just assume that if there is no "active" Winlink net (usually run by N0UC) taking place, then the passive net will be running. The net will run until midnight, but it may run all night if the net control station does not shut it down.
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Modes and configurations
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Modes
The net will use VARA FM and AX.25 packet.
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There are lots of interesting aspects to using the different modes. Packet lends itself to more established relaying options, but hopefully we can progress to using relay stations for VARA FM in the future. The software is built for it and it could be a game changer for net operations using Winlink.
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Frequencies
VARA FM will use 145.07 MHz which is the preferred VARA frequency in this area.
Packet will use 145.67 MHz which is the primary packet frequency in the Twin Cities. This allows for the most options to relay signals. See below for HF option.
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Configurations
P2P (Peer to Peer) will be the message configuration for the net.
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Winlink Express has two possible configurations for messages and connections. "Peer to Peer" and "Winlink" (a different word here may have avoided potential confusion with vocabulary). Remember P2P vs Winlink is not the same as direct vs digipeated. A P2P message can be sent direct or via digipeat. A "Winlink" message can also be sent direct or via digipeat. The net allows P2P digipeating using any capable relay station. Remember a P2P message must be sent on a P2P connection, just as a Winlink message must be sent on a Winlink connection. You may also have your message forwarded by another net participant, as long as the message stays P2P.
The goal is for people to learn how to use the software and send a P2P message.
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Note: Net control will be monitoring both VARA FM and Packet. If you can't check in on VARA FM, try packet or vice versa. Just make a note in your identifying line as to the mode you are using.
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NEW! An HF option has been added. VARA HF will be running on dial freq. 3.589 MHz. Set your radio to upper side band for VARA HF. Still call KF9CP-2 and remember to set it up as P2P. (Outside of net times, KF9CP-2 can usually be found on 7.104 MHz LSB running Winlink Express HF packet P2P. HF packet is 300 baud. Give it a try some time!)
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KF9CP station info: Icom IC-25 50w 2 meter radio or Kenwood TM-271 2 meter radio with max power 60w. Antennas are a ground plane at 20' or 3 element beam at 25'. Normally the beam pointed north is used for packet and the ground plane is used for VARA FM. There is terrain blocking some paths, but reliable AX.25 contact has been made to roof top antennas as far as New Brighton. Overcoming direct line of sight limitations may be part of the challenge, but learning to use relay stations is a valuable skill and still allows you to learn the Winlink Express software.
Recommended relay stations: When a direct connection cannot be made, consider using the following - IGHS and WA0KRL-7 have reliable paths to KF9CP for packet. K0LAV-2 (alias MNWASH) is an AX.25 packet digipeater with wide area coverage.
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