[Wma-ares] Simulated Emergency Test Announcement

[Michael Scantlen]

Hello all,
We have an AREDN (Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network)  mesh in Western MA
coming up on two years old in September.   I would welcome any
ARES member that has interest for this SET, but not yet the motivation to
expand their toolset with AREDN.
We have had two presentations, one with NOBARC and one with HCRA on this
topic melding Amateur Radio and Data networks into useful tools
for Emergency Services use.

AREDN Mesh has its place in providing radio infrastructure via RF to RF and
through Internet Tunnels offering alternative infrastructure in place of
any existing commercial failed infrastructure.

I currently host the Western MA 413 area code PBX (Private Branch Exchange)
on AREDN so if desired, any AREDN nodes
set up at Shelter points in Western MA can be provided a phone number over
AREDN since CELL service is supposed to be down during the SET.

Any future Western MA AREDN Nodes (Greenfield, Deerfield?) wishing to
establish a secure Internet Tunnel may do so through my AREDN hosting node.
This links you to services available over AREDN including WINLINK,
Meshphone and more.   The ICS213 messages flow easily thru AREDN.

Shelter or Mobile sites if using a Starlink - Mini/Mobile can have Internet
on the go for tunneling.
We link thru the N2MH SuperNode in NJ for world wide Meshphone and I tunnel
to Dayton, OH for trunking.

More information is available at https://www.arednmesh.org/
or I may be reached at michael.scantlen at gmail.com

Regards, Michael (KC1IZC - Tuesday Night ARES NCS)

On Sat, Aug 16, 2025 at 5:37 PM Chuck Chandler via WMA-ARES <
wma-ares at mailman.qth.net> wrote:

> Good afternoon to all!
>
> I am pleased to announce that the Western Massachusetts Simulated
> Emergency Test will take place on Saturday October 4, 2025 from 10AM to
> 2PM.  In the event of severe weather we will hold the test on Sunday, 05
> October.
>
> If you are able to help out, we would love to have you!
>
> I want to publicly thank the ARES members who volunteered to help plan
> this test.  They offered suggestions, better ideas, alternatives or just
> reviewed the process to help us produce a better final result:
> KB1VNH
> KB1GQZ
> KO4ZSD
> KB1NEK
> N1XWS
> KB1AKU
> N1CPE
> KC3PME
> WK1H
> KC1VMZ
> I appreciate your willingness to help!
>
> Here is our Scenario - this defines WHAT has happened:
>
> A wide-spread cyber attack has occurred.  The origin is unknown.  Time to
> resolve is unknown.  With limited ability to load-balance, load-shed or
> coordinate electrical utilities are forced to manually manage power
> generation and transmission.  Most areas are without power for most of the
> day although some power is provided for a few hours daily.  With limited
> power available cellular and data networks are infrequently available.
> When working, connectivity is often limited to the immediate area.  Shelters
> have been opened across the WMA section.  Most are housing at-risk
> populations such as those dependent on electrically powered medical
> devices.  Amateur radio impacts include the loss of analog repeaters
> EXCEPT for those with backup generators or solar power.  Digital repeaters
> (data and/or voice) WITH backup generators or solar power are effective
> within their footprint but only those with AREDN mesh networking may pass
> traffic beyond their immediate coverage.
>
>
> Here is our Mission -  this defines WHAT we have been asked to do:
>
> WMA ARES will establish radio communications between selected shelter
> locations and MEMA.  WMA ARES will send and receive ICS213 messages between
> shelter locations and MEMA.
>
>
> We have been in contact with MEMA HQ in Framingham, MEMA Region III/IV in
> Attleboro, and FEMA Region I RCC in Maynard.  All of them are interested in
> the results of our test, and some of them may be able to activate that
> day.  More details on that as I hear back.
>
>
> We have been asked to demonstrate the ability to pass traffic from
> shelters in each of our Districts to MEMA.  Here is what we have so far:
>
> Berkshire District Shelter
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> c
>
> St. Elizabeth’s Church, St. Anthony Drive, North Adams, MA
>
> Franklin/Hampshire Shelter
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> c
>
> Greenfield Community College East Building, College Dr., Greenfield, MA
>
> Franklin/Hampshire Shelter
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> c
>
> Plainfield Public Safety Complex, 38 North Central St., Plainfield, MA
>
> Hampden Shelter
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> c
>
>
>
> Worcester North Shelter
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> c
>
>
>
> Worcester South Shelter
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> c
>
>
>
>
> As you can see, we are still trying to find a shelter location for Hampden
> and Worcester North and South.  We do not need to set up at an actual
> shelter, a parking lot or public park nearby (say, under a mile away) would
> be sufficient to demonstrate our abilities.
>
>
> We are looking for volunteers to come out on a Saturday and set up
> stations that can pass traffic to MEMA in Agawam or Framingham, WITHOUT
> using repeaters that do not have backup generators.
>
>
> Simplex relays, NTS, Winlink, NVIS, any other methods are all fine.
> Remember, MEMA doesn't care HOW the message got there.
>
>
> There is a willingness to see what we have to offer to MEMA and FEMA -
> will we take this opportunity or will we let it pass us by?
>
>
> The choice is yours... please post to this email list if you would like to
> be part of this!
>
> 73 de Chuck, WS1L
> Amateur Radio Emergency Service ®
> Section Emergency Coordinator
> Western Massachusetts
> chandlerusm at gmail.com
> ______________________________________________________________
> WMA-ARES mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/wma-ares
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:WMA-ARES at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/wma-ares/attachments/20250817/32b28ce0/attachment-0001.html>