The Alpine Fault Network uses Winlink Express for email over radio, and VarAC for keyboard to keyboard real time messaging.
AFN members interested in data modes are encouraged to deploy these applications so they can participate in our monthly exercise.
If you are not already a member of AFN, please JOIN now!
The monthly exercise is conducted in two parts;
Send a STATION OPEN email message via VARA HF Winlink or VARA FM Winlink
Send a STATION CLOSED email message via VARA HF Winlink or VARA FM Winlink
All equipment must be operating off grid, including the computer running Winlink.
Prior to the exercise, download the AFN Winlink contacts CSV file and import into Winlink Express. Create a Group named AFN MEMBERS and add the contacts to it.
CLICK on the button below to download.
Send the email message below via your preferred Winlink (VARA HF or VARA FM) RMS gateway. Do NOT send using Telnet Winlink!
Replace [LABELS] with appropriate values for your station. For example;
VOICE WATCH
HF 7.115 MHz LSB
VHF 146.475 MHz FM SIMPLEX
PRS CH11
DATA WATCH
WINLINK hourly check for messages
VARAC 7.105MHz 30 minutes past the hour
If you are not maintaining a watch using one or several of above, insert NOT AVAILABLE or AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.
I.e. HF NOT AVAILABLE, VHF NOT AVAILABLE, PRS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.
TO: ZL6EQ
CC: AFN MEMBERS
SUBJECT: AFN EXERCISE | STATION OPEN
MESSAGE:
STATION OPEN
[CALLSIGN]
[REGION]
[TOWN]
VOICE WATCH
[HF]
[VHF/UHF]
[PRS]
[OTHER]
DATA WATCH
[WINLINK]
[VARAC]
[OTHER]
REGARDS
[OPERATOR]
NNNN
Send the email message below via your preferred Winlink (VARA HF or VARA FM) RMS gateway, OR via Winlink Telnet.
TO: ZL6EQ
CC: AFN MEMBERS
SUBJECT: AFN EXERCISE | STATION CLOSED
MESSAGE:
STATION CLOSED
[CALLSIGN]
[REGION]
[TOWN]
REGARDS
[OPERATOR]
NNNN
If you require assistance configuring or operating Winlink Express, please ask for assistance in the AFN Discussion Group;