Oh. I did a quick write up on how I use pat for Winlink nets and such. Might be helpful for new users or not. It just makes notes on what I do for later.

https://www.kc8jc.com/2026/03/18/my-time-with-patso-far/

#AmateurRadio #Winlink #Blog

I wasn't aware there was an ongoing solar storm. This weird #antenna made out of cheap pointing stick worked under this condition even more exciting.

#qrp levels I managed to reach EU stations that I usually reach. Able to send a #winlink email. I simply stick a 1.6 meter extendable pole to an manual tuner. This will allow me to work many non convenient places in the future.

Need to make the antenna stable against wind and reduce the strain on BNC next.
#AmateurRadio #hamRadio #AmateurFunk

We had 32 check-ins from 5 countries for this week's #FediFridayWinlinkNet. Confirmations are being sent via #Winlink and the net webpage has been updated at https://w0rmt.net/ffwn/

🚨 REMINDER: NO NET ON 3/20/26! 🚨

This week's questions was What other hobbies or pastimes do you engage in together with ham radio? Here are the reponses. We are a fun group! Lots of hikers and cyclists!

- Electronics, RC helicopters, 3D printing
- POTA with camping.
- I'm involved in the Philadelphia open source community
- weather spotting
- Heavy metal drumming
- volunteer for the City of Bellevue, WA BCS (Bellevue Communications Support), I love my dogs - black lab and daschshund, going to the dog parks with my XYL, I love my fern collection, DIY home maintenance and mountain topping (with my microwave gear of course).
- Mountain Biking and Photography
- Hiking, dancing, gaming, socializing, farmers markets, art
- bicycling, especially operating bicycle portable
- I enjoy outdoor recreation so POTA/SOTA are a natural fit
- Cycling, Hiking, Backpacking, Camping, Travel
- Geocaching
- Hiking with SOTA
- Cycling, Camping, Hiking, and Computer Nerdery
- hiking -- pota
- Camping!
- Emcom, antenna building, POTA, learning CW
- CW
- walking or riding my bike
- County CERT team and EMA, working on the town climate resilience committee
linux and python programming
- gaming and lego building
- hiking
- Camping, Hunting, and "Exploring"
- Hiking, and computer programming
- Radio Controlled cars, maintaining my house
- cycling, cross country skiing, and riding motorcycles.
- AUXCOMM, Red Cross
- Storm Chasing
- Director of Operations for 505 Joint Task Force a non-profit humanitarian organization and i volunteer my time as well in the support and growth of Colorado ARES. My passion is education and community building.

#hamradio
#amateurradio
#FFWN

Fedi Friday Winlink Net – W0RMT radio blog

@bud_t @KC8JC

Bud,
I responded to the #FFWN question of the day via #VARA-FM. West side of Denver really needs another RMS.

I think your upcoming questions could help #Winlink users learn to use forms. Some good ones are GPS position report, quick message or Winlink Check-in under general templates.

Knowing how to use forms can help train casual users of Winlink to be of valuable assistance during an emergency. Often there are not enough people available.

#FFWN
https://w0rmt.net/ffwn/

Fedi Friday Winlink Net – W0RMT radio blog

It is almost time to check in to the #FediFridayWinlinkNet!

Send your #Winlink message between 0000-2359 UTC Friday March 13.

Try to use a different band or mode to check in each week.

To: FFWN
Subject: check-in

Message body line1: [callsign], [firstname], [city], [state/province/locale], [country], [mastodon username], [VHF/HF/APRS/Telnet, etc]

Message body line2: What other hobbies or pastimes do you engage in together with ham radio? [open response]

Message body line3: Do you agree to have your callsign shared in the check-in list? [Y or N/opt-out]

Follow #FFWN on mastodon for details and conversation, and be sure to check the net webpage at https://w0rmt.net/ffwn/ for a list of weekly check-ins and responses to the question of the week.

** Reminder: no net next week on 3/20/26! **

#hamradio
#amateurradio

Fedi Friday Winlink Net – W0RMT radio blog

#FFWN
I'm in Lakewood, CO visiting my Mother for a few weeks.

I look forward to checking in on the #FediFridayWinlinkNet
I have three #Winlink capable stations
1) An Explorer QRZ-1 handie talkie with a mobilinkd tnc4 that I connect with my android phone or tablet using WOAD or APRSdroid.
2) An Alinco DR-135 radio with a Repeater Builders dongle and a USB connection to my laptop.
3) A Go Box containing an Icom IC-2820, a Digirig and a mini PC.

I'm working on Winlink for LoRaAPRS.
aprs.fi

For last week's #FediFridayWinlinkNet we had 30 check-ins from 5 countries! The net webpage has been updated with responses and confirmations have been sent via #Winlink

https://w0rmt.net/ffwn/

Welcome to all the new folks! This week's #FFWN announcement will be sent via Winlink today and posted here on Mastodon tomorrow.

🚨 IMPORTANT: there will be no FFWN on 3/20/26. I'll post a reminder about that next week as well.

#hamradio
#amateurradio

Fedi Friday Winlink Net – W0RMT radio blog

I just checked in to the #FediFridayWinlinkNet and you should too if you have a digital station.

If you're new to all of this and are looking to set up a Winlink connected station, ask around! There are a lot of hams here with a lot of experience.

Follow #FFWN for details!

#AmateurRadio #HamRadio #Winlink

It is time to check in to the #FediFridayWinlinkNet!

Send your #Winlink message between 0000-2359 UTC Friday March 6.

Try to use a different band or mode to check in each week.

To: FFWN
Subject: check-in

Message body line1: [callsign], [firstname], [city], [state/province/locale], [country], [mastodon username], [VHF/HF/APRS/Telnet, etc]

Message body line2: If you operate HF digital modes, which is your favorite and why? If you don't use those modes, what mode are you curious to learn more about? [open response]

Message body line3: Do you agree to have your callsign shared in the check-in list? [Y or N/opt-out]

Follow #FFWN for details and conversation, and be sure to check the net webpage at https://w0rmt.net/ffwn/ for a list of weekly check-ins and responses to the question of the week.

#hamradio
#amateurradio

Fedi Friday Winlink Net – W0RMT radio blog

#FFWN folks- check your #Winlink. I just sent out this week's announcement. I'll share it here tomorrow.

#hamradio
#amateurradio