The July 2023 issue of QST Magazine they wrote an article on the ARRL Simulated Emergency Test (SET), an annual exercise that tests the readiness and skills of amateur radio operators in emergency situations. The 2022 ARRL Simulated Emergency Test (SET) demonstrated the long-time tradition and importance of amateur radio operators training and practicing to be effective on-the-air communicators when emergency situations arise. The annual exercise was conducted at local and Section levels nationwide last fall. Leaders and participants of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®), the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES), the National Traffic System (NTS), and the Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) worked closely together. They trained with partners like the American Red Cross, the National Weather Service, SKYWARN®, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and their state and local counterpart agencies, such as the Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS) and many other allied groups. The following written reports and exercise results represent the efforts to be better prepared to provide needed communications.
Jack Himes, NC3O, Emergency Coordinator During the 2022 ARRL SET, members of the South Mountain Radio Amateurs (SMRA), N3TWT, club operated from four locations in Cumberland County along with other counties in the ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania Section. The SMRA members included Bob Single, N3ACP; Patti Single, KC3CDL; Robin Cartwright, W3KAT; Ed Otto, W3ETO; Paul Harig, KC3QIU; Ed Irwin, AB3X; Doug Motter, N3UTN; Deb Robinson, KC3RTP; Pat Robinson, KC3UBZ; Jeff Kisner, W3JWK, and Jack Himes, NC3O. In addition, John Jaminet, W3HMS, checked into the emergency net at the EOC from his home station, and the EOC station made radio contact with teams in Columbia/Montour counties. Our team sent and received four ICS213 and four radiogram messages each that Robin had prepared ahead of time. Each member was then asked to prepare, send, and receive their own ICS213 and radiogram message to and from other locations. Operators at each location kept an ICS-214 activity log of their traffic and other notable events. The four Cumberland County sites were the EOC RACES Radio Room in Carlisle, the Emergency Services Training Academy (EOC2) in Carlisle, the Lower Allen Fire Department and Township building in Camp Hill, and the New Cumberland Township/Police building in New Cumberland. The whole team of radio amateurs felt that this drill was beneficial, and they learned a lot about sending and receiving messages via amateur radio.
