SET 2008

Preliminary score sheets and after action reports are rolling in now from our Simulated Emergency Test which was conducted in most of the state during the first weekend in October. I must say that I'm quite pleased with the results so far. As most of you know, we placed an increased emphasis on digital modes and training during this year's event. Happy to say that many of you embraced these challenges.

During SET we used PSK-31 as our primary digital mode, operating on 3570khz.
Thanks to Mike Watkins, WX4AL for acting as Net Control. Mike is one of our dedicated District Emergency Coordinators and very active in advancing the use of digital modes for EMCOMM purposes.

Also pleased to see that many of you have taken the required basic ICS/NIMS training. To be clear, all ARES members should have completed the following FEMA courses, which are available on-line and are free of charge:

IC-100
IC-200
NIMS 700
NIMS 800/802

In order for your served agency to qualify for grants and funding, it is vital that all their volunteers stay current with NIMS training regulations.
Plus it helps when you can "speak the language" of emergency management.

We were also pleased to see our new category of "EMCOMM Group" embraced during the event. As you know, amateur radio emergency communications takes many forms, including the ARRL ARES Program, Local government RACES programs, Skywarn groups, Salvation Army (SATERN) group, Military Affiliate Radio Service (MARS), Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, and many others.
While all these groups didn't participate in this first ever event, I hope that we'll see this category grow in the coming years.

When it comes to emergency communications, we don't care what hat you wear...only that you're available to serve. It is important our exercises test our ability to interoperate with other amateur EMCOMM groups, which is why we've added the new category. Hope that you enjoyed it's inclusion as much as I did.

We'll continue to push the use of our digital modes during the coming year.
Your goal should be to have your own station available to use digital modes, and also to equip your served agency EOC to do the same. In Alabama, we hold a weekly training net on 3570khz USB in both PSK-31 and RTTY modes. We take check ins just prior to the voice net, starting at 3:45PM Central Time.

If you need help getting going on these two "soundcard" modes, please let us know.

Other digital modes to consider include the D-Star Network, and it's slow speed data abilities using the free software called "D-Rats". If you're active on D-Star or if your EOC has a D-Star radio, be sure to install the data cable and software. Without it, you're only using 1/2 of it's capabilities.

We also hope to see increased usage of APRS and APRS messaging, along with Winlink 2K. Winlink offers the ability to send and receive e-mails via HF radio, most recently used to good effect in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike in Texas.

Many of you may have noticed that we activated the Alabama EMA station, KF4LQK from Clanton during the SET. Our plan is to activate this station on a regular basis for the Sunday afternoon nets, and also during actual incidents. Be sure to use the nets as a good opportunity to test propagation between your station and Clanton.

Again, a job well done to all who participated in this year's event. I hope that it will be the first step towards a renewed interest in EMCOMM in Alabama, and a greater ability to serve our fellow citizens if needed.

73,

Les Rayburn, N1LF
ARES AL Section Emergency Coordinator
NCS-SHARES NCS-047
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121 Mayfair Park
Maylene, AL 35114
(205) 253-4867

SET report form (PDF)	SET report form (Doc)
Blank ARRL message form	Alabama ARES
AEN Preamble	SET Presentation