[KYHAM] SET 2004: A Chance for Testing Equipment and FUN!

[Ron Dodson]

For this year’s Simulated Emergency Test I am asking that we do 
something a little different. Many critical facilities (NWS offices, 
EOC’s, hospitals, courthouses, city halls, EMA offices, Mobile Command 
Posts, portable set ups with FT-897’s or what have you) have added HF 
and/or VHF/UHF radio equipment this past year to support communications 
in disasters and terrorist events. Much of this gear has received little 
if any testing beyond activation on local repeaters and nets. What I 
would like to do is have a massive state-wide effort to get these 
stations on the air -- all at the same time -- or near the same time to 
test their capabilities to the maximum.

All modes are open for use on all bands you’d care to try them on. 
Instead of the usual, 9 am until noon Saturday operations of the past, 
which knocked out a lot of operators with early Saturday family affairs, 
I suggest that we open this up to operations based upon contact 
schedules created by the facilities in the weeks and days prior to the 
SET to allow amateurs to plan their SET op’s around their family time 
and the times stations they need to contact will be active. Basically 
anytime operators can activate their served facilities though the 
weekend of October 2-3, 2004. Doing this SHOULD allow more participation 
as anyone can surely find some operating time over the two day period 
for their facility. If you’d like, perhaps op’s can take turns keeping a 
station on the air just to see WHO and WHERE it will communicate with. 
Test any emergency power sources, extra antennas and basically put the 
gear through its paces.

Facilities with VHF/UHF gear are encouraged to make contact with all 
other facilities that your served facility might need to establish 
contact with in a real emergency and create a list of frequencies, 
tactical callsigns and even FCC issued callsigns IF those facilities 
have designated calls registered to them. I also suggest that your team 
list in advance any frequencies, tactical calls or FCC Callsigns and 
times of expected operation so that all others may have a shot at 
connecting with you as operations will be off and on all day top allow 
the most time for total op’s

The facilities with HF capabilities should attempt to hook up on 40 
meters on or near 7.228 MHz during daylight hours and any 75 meter 
contacts would best be made in evening hours on either 3.993.5 or 3.960 MHz.

APRS, PSK 31 and packet or WINLINK use are encouraged when possible on 
appropriate bands.

The main point is to allow stations in your critical facilities an 
opportunity to contact the state EOC or any other facility that may be 
activated on amateur radio in a major emergency a chance to do so while 
still accommodating the needs of those operating the stations to fit 
operating into their schedule.

Stations operating at home can help out by monitoring their local 
machines, being alert for critical facilities (especially those at great 
distance) who may be testing for their maximum range. HF op’s can 
monitor 7.228 and 3.993.5 for those with HF abilities trying to make 
contacts there.

This year, I’d like operators to get on the air and not only test your 
equipment, but have fun doing it! Treat it like a 2nd field day!

POST YOUR SERVED AGENCY'S STATION'S OPERATIONS PLANS ON KYHAM LISTSERV! 
Let others know where to look for you.

An example might be:

Meade County EMA Office will operate the SET Saturday 9 AM EDT thru 6 PM 
and same on Sunday. Both HF bands and 6, 2 and 440.

Reporting format to follow in a few weeks.

73,

Ron, KA4MAP

SEC Ky