There is a ton of good information here regarding both Winlink and VARA. This is a highly recommended video for those who are unfamiliar with Winlink or possibly those who haven't used it in a while. The value of Winlink for a variety of different reasons, can't be over stated. I encourage everyone to have it on your computer and learn and practice using it - even if you think you never will use it.

The future of HAM radio EmComm is digital. Winlink is only one digital mode and there are many others. Voice is useful to a point but digital modes are essential when there is a need to maintain 24/7 communications. This is especially true when bridging time zones. Aside from use in a formal EmComm setting, just knowing how to use Winlink is valuable when you have a need to communicate with family or friends at a distance when other modes of communications are unavailable.

Great week at Oastler Lake PP near Parry Sound; camping, fishing and some ham radio activity, mainly POTA. XYL wasn't happy since no TV reception but ham radio always works!  After getting all settled in, I got the 40m and 20m Ham Sticks with 36ft radials adjusted for best SWR using NanoVNA but couldn't make any contacts. 

Since that campsite was big enough to put up my home brew T2FD antenna. With some fiddling around to get it strung up between the branches, managed to get it up abt 30ft. Did a SWR sweep with the NanoVNA and Wallah, we're on the air . I was quite pleased with the performance of the T2FD again. 





Most of the contacts made were on 40 and 20m. CW. I tried few times on 80 and 15 but didn't make any on those.
It was a fun week even during the rainy days. Look forward to the next trip.

On going protests in Cuba have stimulated on air discussion between members of the Cuban / American HAM radio community. Apparently these discussions often take place on 40 meters. There is direct evidence that the Cuban government or some party in Cuba has taken exception to such on air discussions and so has set about to create on air interference (AKA Jamming) the band or portions of it.

The following video is interesting because it not only shows the jamming in progress but also it shows how to local the source of such interfering signals using triangulation methods. Such methods might be useful in a variety of situations.

NCS VA3TS Tom

VHF
KO4DXQ Bob
K8BBL    STEVE
VE3BQM Bernie
VE3RQY Greg
VA3EAC Janet
VE3OZW Richard
VE3VCG Marvin
VE3MIO Maureen

HF
VE3BQM Bernie
VE3MIO Maureen
VE3OZW Richard
VE3VCG Marvin
VE3FJN Colin

Radio Amateurs of Canada, Auxiliary Communication Service on groups.io

https://rac-acs-winlink-net.groups.io/g/main

The focus of this group is to facilitate training Auxiliary Communications Service members in the use of Winlink Express to support local and regional mutual aid communications. It will focus on setting up your Winlink station; use of telnet; multiple modes; Peer to Peer (P2P) communications; and  training exercises.  This will include the use of local Winlink gateways; direct communications with RF; operation from your home station; and portable operations. This group supports and encourages Canadian Winlink Wednesday training nets.

Members of the group must be licensed amateur radio operators and sign all posts with their First name and call sign(s).  Members of the group are encouraged to organize/schedule Peer to Peer (P2P) on the air training sessions.  Winlink is not designed for traditional Net Control Station (NCS) traffic on most amateur radio frequencies. 
On VHF/UHF, the practice has developed to operate on local packet radio frequencies AND also operate on FM voice to provide NCS opportunity to interact with all stations in range of the training session.  The NCS can call for Winlink traffic between the NCS and one station.  That traffic will be passed using Winlink digital modes.  Once the traffic is passed, the two stations return to FM mode.   The NCS can also instruct two net stations to pass traffic direct using Winlink digital modes.  Once the traffic is passed, the two stations return to FM mode on the net frequency.  

Home/portable stations can make contact with a HF Winlink gateway station using various digital modes.  Two HF stations can arrange to practice Peer to Peer (P2P) on the air training sessions.  P2P contacts can be coordinated through this group page.  
This group exists to provide specific training related to the use of the Winlink messaging system on Amateur Radio.  Many regions do not have a critical number of Auxiliary Communications Service trained radio operators who have opportunity to regularly train in the use of Winlink.  A decision has been made to offer this training to all licensed amateur radio operators in Canada.  This will enable the group to experience Winlink traffic using telnet; VHF/UHF and HF. 

Topic: QSL cards
VA3KOT John Owen Sound VHF NCS
KO4DXQ Bob Tennessee (congrats on passing your Extra exam Bob)
VE3GIO Larry Woodstock
VA3TS Tom Shallow Lake
VE3RQY Greg Owen Sound
VE3DGY Doug Annan
VE3BQM Bernie Owen Sound
VE3OZW Richard Mildmay
VA3KOT John Owen Sound HF NCS 3783 KHz
VA3TS Tom Shallow Lake
VE3GIO Larry Woodstock
VE3RQY Greg Owen Sound
VE3BQM Bernie Owen Sound
VE3OZW Richard Mildmay
VA3GUF Frank Owen Sound (Maritime Mobile)

To all members of the GBARC group of hams and others that are interested, the Bruce Peninsula Multi-sport Race (BPMR) has set plans in motion to run the long race/course this summer on Sunday August 8th. GBARC ham radio operators have participated in the past with this race providing radio coverage over the long course where cell coverage is not possible in some cases. This is also an opportunity to test out our radio operations skills similar to an emergency reporting in with race status details. We deploy a mobile repeater to help with the long course race coverage with radio operators deployed across the length of the course. If you are interested in participating again or for the first time, get in touch with me (va3-guf@outlook.com) and register with BPMR also at

https://pasacanada.wordpress.com/volunteer/

as a HAM RADIO operator so that you are on their ham radio operator volunteer list. It is important that you also register with them so that they are aware as who is out on the course helping out. Do mention that you are a HAM RADIO operator or they will assign you to other volunteer duties.  There is also the opportunity to participate with radio coverage for the short courses on Saturday August 7th if you are interested with our main focus on the Sunday long course.

Once you have let me know you are interested and registered with BPMR, I will be in touch with you prior to the race letting you know what your assignment will be that day after you have checked in at the registration desk.

Cheers

Frank Gufler
ARES EC
VA3-GUF / VE0-GUF / VE0-VET

To all members of the GBARC group of hams and others that are interested, the Bruce Peninsula Multi-sport Race (BPMR) has set plans in motion to run the long race/course this summer on Sunday August 8th. GBARC ham radio operators have participated in the past with this race providing radio coverage over the long course where cell coverage is not possible in some cases. This is also an opportunity to test out our radio operations skills similar to an emergency reporting in with race status details. We deploy a mobile repeater to help with the long course race coverage with radio operators deployed across the length of the course. If you are interested in participating again or for the first time, get in touch with me (va3-guf@outlook.com) and register with BPMR also at

https://pasacanada.wordpress.com/volunteer/

as a HAM RADIO operator so that you are on their ham radio operator volunteer list. It is important that you also register with them so that they are aware as who is out on the course helping out. Do mention that you are a HAM RADIO operator or they will assign you to other volunteer duties.  There is also the opportunity to participate with radio coverage for the short courses on Saturday August 7th if you are interested with our main focus on the Sunday long course.

Once you have let me know you are interested and registered with BPMR, I will be in touch with you prior to the race letting you know what your assignment will be that day after you have checked in at the registration desk.

Cheers

Frank Gufler
ARES EC
VA3-GUF / VE0-GUF / VE0-VET

If you ever wondered how your stations setup compares with some of the "Big Guns" of amateur radio. I came across some links that might give an idea of their setups.

N5AU

K3WW - includes a photo of tower collapse during a storm.

AA3B

K2UA Rover - would that come under distracted driving violation?

K5TR - other links also included on this site.

I guess my wire antennas wouldn't even show up in a photo but still make few contacts with guys with big ears, hi hi.

Winlink, MT63 and NBEMS are three go to digital modes used in emergency communications. This short video demonstrates NBEMS in use during a practice drill.