You can always look up the available RMS nodes using data from the Winlink System. Once you open up a Packet or HF session, click on “Channel Selection”.
For VHF/UHF this will bring up a list of stations within 100 miles of the grid square you entered when you set up your Winlink account.
For HF this will list stations sorted based on probability of connecting from your location based on current RF propagation conditions.
You can update the list via Internet or Radio. Due to the amount of time required to download the data over the air, it’s best to update via the internet prior to heading to the field, or to periodically download a list to ensure it is available during an internet outage.
You can also see a live map of active RMS stations on the Winlink website: https://winlink.org/RMSChannels
Public and EMCOMM RMS stations:
From the main Winlink Express screen, click on Settings; Winlink Express Setup. In the lower left part of the screen, there is a box titled Service Codes. Default is “PUBLIC”. Setting it to “PUBLIC EMCOMM” adds stations set up for Emergency Communications. W6CDR-10 is an EMCOMM station for instance.
VHF/UHF Packet
VHF: Locally 145.010 simplex is the primary frequency used. Three of the local VHF RMS stations using this frequency are KD3WCO-10 in Dayton, and KX8U-10 in Monroe.
UHF: W8GCA-10 in Beavercreek operates on 445.010 simplex.
VHF VARA FM: KD3WCO-10 in Dayton and N8JE-10 in Springfield operate on 145.030 MHz simplex.
Several of the VHF and UHF stations are displayed on APRS when using an internet (APRS-IS) connection such as APRS.FI. In the Dayton area some are also transmitted over APRS RF as objects that can be displayed on APRS clients such as APRSISCE/32, or on the displays of APRS enabled radios such as the Kenwood TM-D710AG or the Yaesu FTM-400XD.
HF: There are many HF RMS stations throughout the world. Those that I have had the best luck reaching with my station (40W on a 10-40 Sloper or 6-20M Hexbeam at 35 feet) at various times of day are:
KØSI, 3586.500 7103.500, Columbia MO (VARA, ARDOP)
NSØA, 3587.500, 7103.500, 14102.200 Geneseo IL (VARA, ARDOP)
KF1D, 7101.300, 10148.000, Blackstone MA (VARA, ARDOP)
KD7UHR, 3591.000, 10146.400. 14110.600, 18108.500, Collinsville IL (VARA, ARDOP)
K9BBS, 3587.500, 7102.500, 18108.500 28145.000, Mitchell IN (VARA, ARDOP, PACTOR)
What works for you will vary depending on your station/antenna configuration.
You can save your favorite stations for each type of HF session. On the tool bar of the session, click on “Add to favorites” when you have the station displayed. There is a drop down box with your saved favorites you can use to quickly bring up your most used stations.
Feel free to send a message to KA0AZS and in the message specify what RMS you used.