On Saturday April 5th 2025, the District 3 ARES Team conducted the first in a series of hands-on training sessions focused on the effective use of Winlink, a vital tool for emergency communications.
Attendees participated in a practical workshop covering the use of standard Winlink forms and proper check-in procedures. The training emphasized clarity, accuracy, and consistency—critical elements when communicating in high-pressure emergency scenarios.
“This was an important step in building operator confidence with digital modes,” said [Insert EC or Training Officer Name if desired], who facilitated the session. “Our goal is to make sure every operator can reliably send and receive key information when voice isn’t an option.”
Participants had the opportunity to walk through real-world examples using Winlink templates commonly employed during activations, such as ICS-213 general messages and weather reports. The session also included guided practice on sending test messages to the National Winlink Check-In System.
This marks the beginning of an ongoing training initiative. Future sessions will expand into advanced topics, including peer-to-peer messaging, gateway usage during infrastructure outages, and integration with field operations.
The ARES Team encourages all licensed amateur operators in the area to take part in upcoming trainings—whether you’re new to digital or looking to sharpen your skills.
📧 For more information or to be added to the training roster, contact us at ag5dl@rgvarc.org.
