ARO JS8 / Winlink Weekly Net
A weekly net for outdoor amateur-radio operators, run on Winlink (RF email) with JS8CALL on 40m as a parallel mode. We promote portable operations, publish a weekly AAR, and run a daily news wire (the GDNW). NCS: Luis Santiago, HB9HJU.
How to check in
Send one Winlink message per check-in (multiple check-ins from distinct outdoor locations are encouraged) to the address below. Acknowledgments are guaranteed within 48 hours. JS8CALL is supported as a parallel mode for operators who prefer it.
Via Winlink (primary)
- To:
[email protected] - Template: Winlink Check-In (the standard built-in template)
- From: your licensed callsign
- Where: outdoor locations encouraged; distinct grid for each check-in
- Timing: any time within the cycle window above
Via JS8CALL (parallel)
- Frequency: 40m primary (please monitor band plans for region)
- Time: daily at 21:00 UTC
- Target:
AROWNLKNET - Format: standard JS8 message; include grid + brief note
First-time check-ins are explicitly welcomed. If a station's setup is portable, mobile, or mixed (HT + Mobilinkd, vehicle install, etc.), tell us in the message; recognitions are published in each After-Action Report.
Subscribe to the net
Enter your callsign to receive weekly net invitations and After-Action Reports via Winlink.
Winlink only. Your callsign will be added to the AROWNLKNET distribution list. To unsubscribe, reply to any net message with "unsubscribe" in the subject.
Net Control Station
Luis Santiago, HB9HJU, Kloten, Zurich, Switzerland.
QRZ: HB9HJU / HI8ILO. NCS contact via Winlink at [email protected] or email at [email protected].
Cycle cadence
- Monday 00:00 UTC: cycle opens
- Weekly news wire (GDNW) broadcast via JS8CALL on 40m at 21:00 UTC Sunday; full edition via Winlink
- Saturday 23:59 UTC: cycle closes
- After-Action Report (AAR) sent to all participants the following week, summarising check-ins, recognitions, and the next cycle's invitation
The News Wire (GDNW)
Weekly bulletins with HF conditions are published on the News Wire page.
Role in ARO
The ARO Net is muscle memory for outdoor portable operations. Weekly cadence, structured check-ins, AAR discipline. It is also the closest thing the broader EMCOMM community has to a friendly recurring training net for Winlink + JS8 workflows. Operators who can run these protocols reliably outdoors are the same operators who can run them when infrastructure is down.
The net has been operating without interruption since 2021-07-25. Surfacing it on aro.travel in 2026 is a long-overdue web presence for an existing radio service, not a new program.
Running weekly since 2021. 897 check-ins. 75 operators. 10 countries.
Join the netNet stats
Activity heatmap (257 weeks)
Top operators
AD0TU 123 check-ins Century Club lapsed
W2ILT 104 check-ins Century Club inactive
AE5MI 85 check-ins 50+ check-ins active
TI2BSH 51 check-ins 50+ check-ins active
N4RJB 48 check-ins 10+ check-ins active
WA4KWK 43 check-ins 10+ check-ins active
OH3KUN 31 check-ins 10+ check-ins lapsed
KJ4MZ 31 check-ins 10+ check-ins active
AJ4KY 24 check-ins 10+ check-ins active
KD4IMA 22 check-ins 10+ check-ins active
AC7DS 22 check-ins 10+ check-ins active
W7WXV 19 check-ins 10+ check-ins active
K0WET 19 check-ins 10+ check-ins lapsed
AI3KS 18 check-ins 10+ check-ins active
K6RKY 16 check-ins 10+ check-ins active
N4TFN 13 check-ins 10+ check-ins active
DG1KW 12 check-ins 10+ check-ins lapsed
ON2SEB 12 check-ins 10+ check-ins active
DG3NAB 10 check-ins 10+ check-ins lapsed
OE1LHP 10 check-ins 10+ check-ins lapsed
Participant map
Only check-ins with GPS coordinates are shown. Winlink check-ins without position data will not appear on the map.
Archive (coming)
December 2022
#74 2022-12-25 to 2022-12-30 2 check-ins 2 ops DEUS
- Check-ins
- 2
- Operators
- 2
- Countries
- 2
- Grids
- 2
"Luis, Good morning, I am glad to hear you are recovering well. It is difficult to run a net when you are the only NCS, that is for sure. As for the contingency power question, yes a solar system"
-- W7WXV
Luis, Good morning, I am glad to hear you are recovering well. It is difficult to run a net when you are the only NCS, that is for sure. As for the contingency power question, yes a solar system
Hello Luis, no problem at all. I wish you and your family all the best for 2023 and especially a healthy new year. vy 73, Michael (DG3NAB)
#71 2022-12-04 to 2022-12-09 2 check-ins 2 ops US
- Check-ins
- 2
- Operators
- 2
- Countries
- 1
- Grids
- 1
"- Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: AJ4KY Station Contact Name: Gary Call/Tactical Sender: AJ4KY Location: Panama City, FL QTH GPS Coor"
-- AJ4KY
- Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: AJ4KY Station Contact Name: Gary Call/Tactical Sender: AJ4KY Location: Panama City, FL QTH GPS Coor
- Check-in Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: KD4IMA Station Contact Name: Mark Call/Tactical Sender: KD4IMA Location: Panama City, FL,
November 2022
#70 2022-11-27 to 2022-12-02 2 check-ins 2 ops CHUS
- Check-ins
- 2
- Operators
- 2
- Countries
- 2
- Grids
- 2
"- Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: HB9HDM Station Contact Name: Call/Tactical Sender: HB9HDM Location: Zurich GPS Coordinates: LAT [redacted]"
-- HB9HDM
- Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: AJ4KY Station Contact Name: Gary Call/Tactical Sender: AJ4KY Location: Panama City, FL QTH GPS Coor
- Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: HB9HDM Station Contact Name: Call/Tactical Sender: HB9HDM Location: Zurich GPS Coordinates: LAT [redacted]
#68 2022-11-13 to 2022-11-18 1 check-in 1 op US
- Check-ins
- 1
- Operators
- 1
- Countries
- 1
- Grids
- 1
"- Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: AJ4KY Station Contact Name: Gary Call/Tactical Sender: AJ4KY Location: Panama City, FL QTH GPS Coor"
-- AJ4KY
- Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: AJ4KY Station Contact Name: Gary Call/Tactical Sender: AJ4KY Location: Panama City, FL QTH GPS Coor
#67 2022-11-06 to 2022-11-11 1 check-in 1 op US
- Check-ins
- 1
- Operators
- 1
- Countries
- 1
- Grids
- 1
"- Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: AJ4KY Station Contact Name: Gary Call/Tactical Sender: AJ4KY Location: Panama City, FL QTH GPS Coor"
-- AJ4KY
- Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: AJ4KY Station Contact Name: Gary Call/Tactical Sender: AJ4KY Location: Panama City, FL QTH GPS Coor
October 2022
#66 2022-10-30 to 2022-11-04 3 check-ins 3 ops FIUS
- Check-ins
- 3
- Operators
- 3
- Countries
- 2
- Grids
- 2
"- ARO JS8/WNLK Weekly Net Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: KD4IMA Station Contact Name: Mark Call/Tactical Sender: KD4IMA Location: Panama City, FL, US"
-- KD4IMA
- Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: OH3KUN/P Station Contact Name: Call/Tactical Sender: OH3KUN Location: Vesilahti, KP11TG, Finland GPS Coordinates:
- Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: AJ4KY Station Contact Name: Gary Call/Tactical Sender: AJ4KY Location: Panama City, FL GPS Coordina
- ARO JS8/WNLK Weekly Net Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: KD4IMA Station Contact Name: Mark Call/Tactical Sender: KD4IMA Location: Panama City, FL, US
#65 2022-10-23 to 2022-10-28 2 check-ins 2 ops FIUS
- Check-ins
- 2
- Operators
- 2
- Countries
- 2
- Grids
- 2
"- Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: OH3KUN/P Station Contact Name: Call/Tactical Sender: OH3KUN Location: Valkeakoski, Ilola, KP11WF, Finland GPS Coor"
-- OH3KUN
- Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: AJ4KY Station Contact Name: Gary Call/Tactical Sender: AJ4KY Location: Panama City, FL GPS Coordina
- Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: OH3KUN/P Station Contact Name: Call/Tactical Sender: OH3KUN Location: Valkeakoski, Ilola, KP11WF, Finland GPS Coor
#64 2022-10-16 to 2022-10-21 3 check-ins 3 ops DEUS
- Check-ins
- 3
- Operators
- 3
- Countries
- 2
- Grids
- 3
"- Check-in Status: [Exercise] Initial Assigned Operators: DG3NAB Station Contact Name: Michael Call/Tactical Sender: DG3NAB Location: Mainstr. 16, 63477 Maintal, GERMAN"
-- DG3NAB
- Check-in Status: [Exercise] Initial Assigned Operators: DG3NAB Station Contact Name: Michael Call/Tactical Sender: DG3NAB Location: Mainstr. 16, 63477 Maintal, GERMAN
- Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: W7WXV Station Contact Name: Carroll Call/Tactical Sender: W7WXV Location: Home Station GPS Coordinates: LAT [redacted]
- Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: AJ4KY Station Contact Name: Gary Call/Tactical Sender: AJ4KY Location: Panama City, FL GPS Coordina
#63 2022-10-09 to 2022-10-14 2 check-ins 2 ops CRUS
- Check-ins
- 2
- Operators
- 2
- Countries
- 2
- Grids
- 2
"- Check-in Status: [Exercise] Initial Assigned Operators: TI2BSH Station Contact Name: CARLOS Call/Tactical Sender: TI2BSH Location: EJ79WV, SAN JOSE COSTA RICA RMS:TI0"
-- TI2BSH
- Check-in Status: [Exercise] Initial Assigned Operators: TI2BSH Station Contact Name: CARLOS Call/Tactical Sender: TI2BSH Location: EJ79WV, SAN JOSE COSTA RICA RMS:TI0
- Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: AJ4KY Station Contact Name: Gary Call/Tactical Sender: AJ4KY Location: Panama City, FL GPS Coordina
#62 2022-10-02 to 2022-10-07 14 check-ins 9 ops CADEFIUS
- Check-ins
- 14
- Operators
- 9
- Countries
- 4
- Grids
- 9
"Hello Luis, thanks for your mail. Yes, we personally are preparing already since th ebeginning of this year by storing some more food and water but also preparing for a power outage with storage bat"
-- DG3NAB
- Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: OH3KUN/P Station Contact Name: Call/Tactical Sender: OH3KUN Location: Pirkkala, Old Church, Finland, KP11sl GPS Co
- ARO JS8CALL/WINLINK WEEKLY NET Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: AJ4KY Station Contact Name: Gary Call/Tactical Sender: AJ4KY Location: Panama City, F
- weekly Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: VA6RQ Station Contact Name: Bill Call/Tactical Sender: VA6RQ Location: Ribstone, AB MD of Wainwright GPS Coo
<No message body>
- Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: W7WXV Station Contact Name: Carroll Call/Tactical Sender: W7WXV Location: Prineville Airport GPS Coordinates: LAT 4
- Check-in Status: [Exercise] Initial Assigned Operators: DG3NAB Station Contact Name: Michael Call/Tactical Sender: DG3NAB Location: Mainstr. 16, 63477 Maintal, GERMAN
<No message body>
Lois, Good afternoon. Those are good questions. Yes there are restrictions in operating from an airport within the US. I am a member of our county AUXCOMM group. At the airport is the ECC and S
Thanks Luis. RE-check with complete coordinates: thanks and 73, Mark
- Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: AJ4KY Station Contact Name: Gary Call/Tactical Sender: AJ4KY Location: Panama City, FL GPS Coordina
Hello Luis, thanks for your mail. Yes, we personally are preparing already since th ebeginning of this year by storing some more food and water but also preparing for a power outage with storage bat
On Batteries Via K9BBS on 10 Meters, 3079 km
- Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: OH3KUN/P Station Contact Name: Call/Tactical Sender: OH3KUN Location: Pomarkku, Honkakoski, KP11BS, Finland GPS Co
September 2022
#61 2022-09-25 to 2022-09-30 7 check-ins 5 ops DEFIUS
- Check-ins
- 7
- Operators
- 5
- Countries
- 3
- Grids
- 5
"Hi Luis, I have to say I really liked the idea of the last JS8/Winlink Weekly Net challenge to check-in from multiple locations. Unfortunately I couldn't participate because for many reasons or sho"
-- OH3KUN
Hi Luis, I have to say I really liked the idea of the last JS8/Winlink Weekly Net challenge to check-in from multiple locations. Unfortunately I couldn't participate because for many reasons or sho
- Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: W7WXV Station Contact Name: Carroll Call/Tactical Sender: W7WXV Location: Prineville, Oregon GPS Coordinates: LAT 4
K8EAF, Ed, EM79tf, Cincinnati, USA, VHF Packet,
- ARO JS8 Winlink Net Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: W7OWO Station Contact Name: Brian Call/Tactical Sender: W7OWO Location: One mile West of Newberg
- Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: OH3KUN/P Station Contact Name: Call/Tactical Sender: OH3KUN Location: Tampere, Peltolammi, KP11uk97hx, Finland GPS
Luis, Thanks for replying to my question. I don't have an issue with how you found my callsign, I was just surprised. Interesting that the WL2K Nearby Request showed my station, ha ha. Best Re
#60 2022-09-18 to 2022-09-23 4 check-ins 4 ops CADOUS
- Check-ins
- 4
- Operators
- 4
- Countries
- 3
"Hi Luis Just a short check in from Alberta, Canada. Our Winlink Wednesday here in Canada is doing well, an average of 40 stations checking in each week. This past week saw 41 stations check in from"
-- VA6RQ
Hi Luis Just a short check in from Alberta, Canada. Our Winlink Wednesday here in Canada is doing well, an average of 40 stations checking in each week. This past week saw 41 stations check in from
Wasn't too sure to send to HB9HJU or AROWNLKNET, so did a VARA HF check-in to the tactical address and a VHF VARA FM via two digeater hops Check-In to your call sign.
Date Time [redacted]:03:35Z Coordinates: LAT: [redacted] LON: -[redacted] MGRS 16SGJ[redacted]. Report Status: First Report 02. Is Sending Station the Observing Party? YES 03. Radio Station Send
Thanks for the challenge instructions I have too much work I will try next Saturday 73s
#59 2022-09-11 to 2022-09-16 2 check-ins 2 ops DOUS
- Check-ins
- 2
- Operators
- 2
- Countries
- 2
- Grids
- 2
"- Hamilton Co, OH ARES Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: K8EAF Station Contact Name: Ed Call/Tactical Sender: K8EAF Location: QTH (Cincinnati, OH) GPS C"
-- K8EAF
- Hamilton Co, OH ARES Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: K8EAF Station Contact Name: Ed Call/Tactical Sender: K8EAF Location: QTH (Cincinnati, OH) GPS C
Hi I was triying https://aro.travel/articles and is not possible to load the site. Is there something special or something missing in the adress?
#58 2022-09-04 to 2022-09-09 2 check-ins 1 op DO
- Check-ins
- 2
- Operators
- 1
- Countries
- 1
- Grids
- 1
August 2022
#57 2022-08-28 to 2022-09-02 10 check-ins 8 ops ATBEDEFIUS
- Check-ins
- 10
- Operators
- 8
- Countries
- 5
- Grids
- 3
"Hi Luis, Thanks for your support and all the information. Currently we are still in Europe so have internet access via cellphone and that makes it a good time to practice and get things up and runni"
-- ON2SEB
Hi Luis, Thanks for the support ! I'm using winlink express and my 'boat-computer' is also used for nagivation so it has it's own dedicated gps dongle. But I did refresh the RMS server list, jus
- ARO Winlink Net Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: KD4IMA Station Contact Name: Mark Call/Tactical Sender: KD4IMA Location: Panama City, FL, USA GPS Co
Roland Haas Achern Deutschland TELNE
Thanks for the invitation. Life is rather crazy at the moment. I'll try to join in next time. Julian oh8stn
Hi Luis, Thanks for your support and all the information. Currently we are still in Europe so have internet access via cellphone and that makes it a good time to practice and get things up and runni
- Hamilton Co, OH ARES Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: K8EAF Station Contact Name: Ed Call/Tactical Sender: K8EAF Location: QTH (Cincinnati, OH) GPS C
- Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: OH3KUN/P Station Contact Name: Call/Tactical Sender: OH3KUN Location: Tampere, Kauppi, KP11VM, Finland GPS Coordin
Hmm I thought I was smart and tried to email you directly iso the net address but not sure if that worked so I'll resend the below message Greg
DL4WF; DL5CV; DM6TS; F4EOA; F9IB; HI8AM; HI8ESF; K2JJK; K2WVC; K8EAF; KB4KY; KC7OSW; KF6OBI; KI4UWC; KK4SHF; KK6GXG; KM4UFN; LA5XTA; N0DZQ; N4EJM; OE1GKS; OE1LHP; OE3KLU; OE3KYS; OE3MZC; OE6TNO; OE7SJ
#56 2022-08-21 to 2022-08-26 9 check-ins 8 ops BECACRDEUS
- Check-ins
- 9
- Operators
- 8
- Countries
- 5
- Grids
- 4
"Hi Luis, Thanks for the invite and confirmation, I have to admit that I'm still very new to this and only just started as a ham operator. If I get it then the goal is to send a weekly check-in Winlink"
-- ON2SEB
- Check-in Status: [Exercise] Initial Assigned Operators: TI2BSH Station Contact Name: CARLOS Call/Tactical Sender: TI2BSH Location: EJ79WV, SAN JOSE COSTA RICA RMS:TI0
<No message body>
- CFARS Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: VA6RQ Station Contact Name: Bill Call/Tactical Sender: VA6RQ Location: Ribstone, AB MD of Wainwright GPS Coor
- KB4KY Check-in Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: N2GWK Station Contact Name: George Call/Tactical Sender: KB4KY Location: Bardstown Nelson County KY G
- N2GWK CHECK-IN Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: N2GWK Station Contact Name: George Call/Tactical Sender: N2GWK Location: Bardstown Nelson County KY G
- Hamilton Co, OH ARES Check-in Initial Assigned Operators: K8EAF Station Contact Name: Ed Call/Tactical Sender: K8EAF Location: QTH (Cincinnati, OH) GPS C
<No message body>
<No message body>
Hi Luis, Thanks for the invite and confirmation, I have to admit that I'm still very new to this and only just started as a ham operator. If I get it then the goal is to send a weekly check-in Winlink
#54 2022-08-07 to 2022-08-12 1 check-in 1 op CR
- Check-ins
- 1
- Operators
- 1
- Countries
- 1
- Grids
- 1
"- Check-Out Status: [Exercise] Station secured at: [redacted]:42:57 Calls Signs of On-Site Operator(s): TI2BSH Station Contact Name: Carlos Location: EJ79wv73, sAN JOSE COSTA RICA GPS Coordinates:"
-- TI2BSH
- Check-Out Status: [Exercise] Station secured at: [redacted]:42:57 Calls Signs of On-Site Operator(s): TI2BSH Station Contact Name: Carlos Location: EJ79wv73, sAN JOSE COSTA RICA GPS Coordinates:
Net participant data (callsigns, grids, check-in dates) will be published on this site under an opt-in default. If you have ever checked in and would prefer not to be listed publicly, send a removal request to [email protected]. Removals honored within 14 days.
All operations are conducted by licensed amateur-radio operators in accordance with national regulations.