Are you ready to level up your Winlink communication skills? This week, George (KZ4BN) has volunteered to host another Winlink Peer-to-Peer (P2P) messaging session for our local area using the VARA FM P2P protocol. George is an active participant in the local Winlink Wednesday Advanced Operators Net as well as the Winlink Wednesday National Net. He’s is also the SysOp for KZ4BN-10 station in West Hendersonville.

This direct station-to-station messaging mode is key for emergency communications, enabling operators to exchange messages without relying on internet-based RMS gateways.

📅 Exercise Overview

🔹 Date: Tuesday, April 1, 2025
🔹 Time: 0000 – 2359 (local time)
🔹 Frequency: 145.530 MHz (Simplex)
🔹 Target Station: KZ4BN
🔹 Optional Digipeaters: N2NVY-5, KG4YVS-5, KF4JVI-5

🔎 Why It Matters

✅ Operate independently of internet infrastructure
✅ Send messages during emergency conditions
✅ Practice using digipeaters for extended range
✅ Build confidence with real-world Winlink tools

📋 How to Participate (view interactive demo)

1️⃣ Compose Your Message

• Open Winlink Express → “New Message”
• Select: Send as: Peer-to-Peer Message

2️⃣ Use the ICS 213 Form

• Templates → ICS USA Forms → ICS 213 General Message
• Fill out: Call Sign, Name, City/Town, County, State, and your message

💡 New to ICS forms? This is a perfect time to learn how they support formal traffic handling.

3️⃣ Prepare & Transmit

• Post to Outbox
• Open a new VARA FM P2P session
• Target Callsign: KZ4BN
• Tune to 145.530 MHz
• Use digipeaters if needed
• Click Start and wait for confirmation

🔗 Need help? An interactive demo is available online, along with tutorials for ICS forms, digipeaters, and VARA FM P2P. (view interactive demo)

📢 Once you’ve sent your message, you’re done! All check-ins will appear on a map following the event.

🕛 FINEX: 2359 Local Time – April 1, 2025

🎙️ Let’s get on the air and practice critical skills. See you on the frequency!