[PBARC] 2005 SET

[WOLF, EARNEST G]

>From JM Rowe (SEC):


Hello to everyone:

At the last DEC meeting it was noted that while the ARRL has scheduled the 2005 SET for October 1-2, September is National Preparedness Month.  I have been preaching training as a means of preparedness, so it seems natural for us to participate in some fashion.  The hams in Arkansas have made great strides as far as personnel training is concerned, and that is a huge leap in preparedness.  

Now as it happens, both September and October are very busy months for hams in Arkansas.  There is a hamfest every weekend, or the kids are getting back to school, or it is the opening day of squirrel season.  Further, there was a lot of discussion how hams are involved in most exercises in their communities on a year-round basis, and maybe we did not need to have a SET this year.  
Countering this premise was the idea some hams in the state have not yet had an opportunity to participate in any sort of exercise.  So, a compromise is in order.

Since our personnel are trained, let's check our equipment on the 24th of September.  Since most disasters are natural, and most natural disasters cause power outages, a power outage will be the premise.  Starting at 10:00 AM local, and ending at 2:00 PM local, let's have some fun.

The Rules of Engagement will be simple:

1)	Emergency power only during the first hour. (Or longer, if 
you want)  Use storage batteries, windmills, solar panels, hamsters, baking soda and vinegar, a backyard nuclear reactor, water wheels, steam, or any other sort of energy source that you dream up.  This does not necessarily mean QRP.  If you have the capability to make power, use it if you need it.
2)	Use the frequencies and modes in the Arkansas ARES/RACES 
Emergency Plan, or as near as possible.
3)	The exchange will be your location and your power source.  
You may pass served agency traffic at your convenience.  If you do pass any of that kind of traffic, make sure you identify that message as an exercise message.
4)	Packet messages should be sent using SP SET05 at the W5AUU-1 
Packet BBS and use the ADEM Subject guidelines in the ARES/RACES SOP.
5)	WinLink traffic should be sent to w5auu at winlink.org and use 
the ADEM Subject guidelines in the ARES/RACES SOP.
6)	Send a summary to n5xfw at arrl.net so I can put it all 
together for the ARRL.  Making sure that we get all the credit for the work we do is vitally important to ensure the folks in Congress know that we are worth our salt.  Also, include a note if you passed some served agency traffic, or if you have been a ham for less than
3 years.
7)	MOST IMPORTANT:  Have a good time!  There is no pressure to 
perform except your own desire to do the best job possible.

This might be a good time to try out those emergency antennas that are rolled up in your junk box.  Use your regular antenna awhile and then swap.  See if the signal reports are what you expect.

We anticipate that W5AUU will be on the air at ADEM, so that gives everyone a good excuse to pass some of that served agency traffic.  
Thanks go to Mike and all those guys at Conway.

We will try to have some sort of certificate made up for
participation--- more on this later.

Please pass this information to others.  Any ham in Arkansas that is interested in emergency communications should be encouraged to participate.  

Lastly, let me say that I know there are conflicts with this date, and I am sorry.  Maybe you can somehow incorporate your event into the SET or the SET into your event.

Thanks for your participation and 73.


J.M. Rowe N5XFW
SEC AR Section ARRL