October 5th & 6th, 2002 -- The Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) groups held a nationwide Simulated Emergency Test (SET). The main objective is utilizing emergency power at repeater sites and control centers. This includes backup power sources, deep cycle and long life batteries for portable and mobile operations, and alternative power such as solar or wind power.
The test includes voice nets and digital nets, passing tactical traffic and National Traffic System (NTS) formal messages to and from any of the served agencies. Served agencies include Red Cross, Emergency Management, and local government officials.
On October 5th, the Butler County Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Team participated by forwarding messages utilized in our previous September, 2002 drill, and by being a contact point outside of the other ARES groups counties.
One of the goals was to test our simplex capability from the Communications Center to mobile units throughout the county. 98% of the county can be covered by a 5 watt radio using a 5/8 wave antenna.
We also participated by messaging the other ARES groups on the Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) system. APRS is a digital mode that uses a 2 meter radio, a Terminal Node Controller (TNC), and a computer. Some radio's now come with a TNC built in and can be used without a computer to communicate digital messages.
The computer is loaded with APRS client software which also displays a map of the area you are in. Field units equiped with a 2 meter portable or mobile, a TNC and a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver can automatically send their GPS location at set intervals, usually every 3 minutes.
The call sign of those units appears on the computer screen showing their current location on the map. As they move, their call sign icon moves on the map. Their location is updated every 3 minutes, or every time their radio sends a short data burst.
This system is also very useful in sending messages between operators. The computer software includes a format for sending an NTS message via the APRS digital system.
One major advantage of utilizing digital messaging is that it keeps voice channels open for critical voice information. A second advantage is it that while it may take upto 4-5 minutes to send a NTS message on a voice channel, it only takes 4-5 Seconds to send it digitally. In addition the accuracy of the message is increased digitally because the APRS packet system has error checking and the message can be printed out on a printer to resemble the original message!
Digital nets can also be utilized to send lengthy messages such as shelter supply list, lists of shelter occupants, damage assessment reports, and operator assignments or statuses.
This drill was not a written drill. Rather it was an exercise of team simplex capabilities from a newly constructed amateur radio emergency communications center provided by the Butler County VHF Associaion W8CCI Amateur Radio Club. ( https://sites.google.com/site/bcvhfaw8cci/ )