[MDC-EC] Simulated Emergency Test

[n3sb at qis.net]

Folks;

The Simulated Emergency Test is right around the corner. Most ARES groups will
probably choose to conduct their SET on Saturday October 4, however you may
pick any date that works well for your team. I know that several ARES groups
have already made alternate plans for their SET, which is fine.

I had been making plans for an SET that would emphasize voice and digital
communications between counties. After hearing about what's been happening in
Houston as a result of Hurricane Ike,  a more appropriate goal for this years'
SET has become clear.

The SET for this year needs to focus on establishing communications in your
respective counties without using any existing infrastructure – no voice
repeaters, packet BBS's, APRS Nodes, or local Winlink servers. 

Here's the scenario. Hurricane Murphy has just passed through the Maryland-DC
area. Winds in excess of 90 MPH have knocked out power, and any antennas more
than 20 feet above ground. Local repeaters are not operational. Your ARES team
needs to establish communications with each other, and relay reports of local
(exercise) damage using NTS format messages. 

Most of your ARES team members can participate in the SET right from their home,
if they wish to do so. Depending on your local terrain and the distance between
individual ARES members, they may have to set up temporary antennas in order to
communicate. They may need to use HF to bridge some of the distance. Of course
emergency power sources will be required. Does your team know what to do when
your local repeater goes off the air? 

Some ARES teams may have already practiced simplex communications extensively,
and have good backup plans in place when the repeaters go down. So if this
exercise is too easy for your group, consider making it more complex by asking
your team members to establish simplex digital communications as well (Packet,
PSK-31, etc) or have them send some photos of the (exercise) damage where they
are. No matter what you do, please conclude your exercise by sending me an NTS
message indicating how many how many of your ARES members participated.

73; Steve, N3SB