ke7add.us

Weekly WinLink With KE7ADD

Weekly Winlink With KE7ADD, or WWW-KE7ADD, is a weekly amateur-radio challenge and discussion designed to encourage regular digital-communications practice, experimentation with different methods, and practical emergency-communications training.

Net-control and check-in destination: KE7ADD

Official Check-In Template

Download the RadioMail and Winlink Express Form

Template produces the 14-field check-in line required by the automated scoring system.

Installing the Template in RadioMail

  1. Save the form ZIP in Files or iCloud Drive.
  2. Open RadioMail and locate Forms or Specialized Forms under Settings.
  3. Select Import and choose the ZIP.
  4. Start a new message using Compose with Form.
  5. Select WWW_KE7ADD_V2_CheckIn, complete the form, and submit it.

Installing the Template in Winlink Express

  1. Close Winlink Express.
  2. Create C:\RMS Express\Global Folders\Templates\ if needed.
  3. Extract the three files from the form ZIP into that folder.
  4. Reopen Winlink Express and select the template from Global Templates → WWW_KE7ADD_V2_CheckIn.txt.
  5. Complete the form, submit it, and post the generated message to the Outbox.

Weekly Check-In Period

The weekly scoring period begins Monday at 0000 Pacific Time and ends Saturday at 1700 Pacific Time. Sunday check-ins and Saturday check-ins received after 1700 Pacific do not score for that week.

Community Discussion & Comments

The Comments field on the WWW-KE7ADD check-in form is also our community discussion area.

Operators are encouraged to use the Comments field to answer the weekly discussion question, share observations about Winlink or amateur radio, report interesting results, ask questions, or respond to topics raised by other participants.

Comments may be shared on the WWW-KE7ADD website, leaderboard, weekly recap, or future WWW-KE7ADD messages so that participants can see and respond to what other stations are discussing.

Participation in the discussion is completely optional and does not affect check-in points.

If you would like to include a comment for Net Control that you do not want published, begin your comment with:

PRIVATE:

Please keep discussion appropriate for amateur radio and consistent with FCC Part 97.

Communication Modes

  • Telnet
  • Winlink VHF VARA
  • Winlink VHF Packet
  • HF Winlink
  • APRSLink
  • VarAC

Valid Mode and Route Combinations

  • Telnet: Internet/CMS
  • Winlink VHF VARA: Direct RMS, Digipeater, or Peer-to-Peer
  • Winlink VHF Packet: Direct RMS, Digipeater, or Peer-to-Peer
  • HF Winlink: Direct RMS or Peer-to-Peer
  • APRSLink: APRSLink
  • VarAC: Peer-to-Peer

Base Check-In Points

  • Telnet: 1 point
  • Winlink VHF VARA direct to an RMS: 2 points
  • Winlink VHF VARA through a digipeater: 3 points
  • Winlink VHF Packet direct or through a digipeater: 3 points
  • APRSLink message: 4 points
  • HF Winlink through an RMS: 5 points
  • Peer-to-Peer connections: 0 base points
  • VarAC: 0 base points by default

Weekly Bonus Points

  • First seasonal use of a communication mode: 3 points
  • Portable or mobile operation: 2 points
  • Battery, solar, generator, or other emergency power: 2 points

The combined weekly bonus is capped at 5 points per operator per week.

KE7ADD RMS Seasonal Bonus

The first accepted check-in marked KE7ADD RMS Connected: Yes earns a one-time 5-point seasonal bonus. It is separate from the weekly bonus cap.

Monthly Mode Bingo

Winlink VHF VARAHFDigipeater
ICS FormWinlink VHF PacketBattery Power
PortableAPRSVarAC

One accepted check-in may complete several bingo squares.

Any three completed squares in a straight line earn 5 points. A line may be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal.

The eight possible scoring lines are:

  1. Top row
  2. Middle row
  3. Bottom row
  4. Left column
  5. Center column
  6. Right column
  7. Diagonal from upper left to lower right
  8. Diagonal from upper right to lower left

Each distinct line scores once per operator per month. Squares may contribute to more than one line. Completing all eight lines earns 40 bingo points for the month.

Bingo Square Definitions

  • Winlink VHF VARA: Communication mode is Winlink VHF VARA.
  • HF: Communication mode is HF Winlink.
  • Digipeater: Connection route is Digipeater.
  • ICS Form: ICS-213, ICS-214, ICS-309, or another ICS form is used.
  • Winlink VHF Packet: Communication mode is Winlink VHF Packet.
  • Battery Power: Power source is Battery.
  • Portable: Operating position is Portable.
  • APRS: An actual APRSLink message is delivered.
  • VarAC: Communication mode is VarAC.

Check-In Limits

Only one check-in using the same scoring method may earn credit per operator per calendar day. Different methods may be submitted on the same day. The same scoring method may earn credit no more than six times during the Monday-through-Saturday scoring week.

Season Total

Season Total = Weekly Check-In Scores + Monthly Bingo Points + One-Time KE7ADD RMS Bonus

Purpose and Sportsmanship

The challenge rewards real communications practice. Participants are expected to accurately report the mode, route, station, operating position, power source, form use, and KE7ADD RMS connection used for each check-in.

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