Greetings!

One of our important goals for the upcoming SET is to
pass as much “formal” traffic (i.e., messages in NTS Radiogram format) as possible.

For this goal to be met, we need “cross-talk” between the various ARES nets (resource and tactical) and the NTS traffic nets. This will help to keep everyone informed about what is happening.

To the maximum extent possible, ARES DECs need to designate Liaison stations to attend the NTS traffic nets to relay SET Bulletins and to send/receive any traffic destined for the ARES nets. (Historical note: In the past we used to formally appoint Bulletin stations to perform the relay part of this function.)

We expect the following NTS nets to be operational in accordance with the previously published SET Net Schedule; responsibility for sending an ARES Liaison station is listed:

Western CT VHF Traffic Net - Region 5 supply an ARES Liaison Station
Nutmeg VHF Traffic Net - Region 3 supply an ARES Liaison Station
Eastern CT VHF Traffic Net - Region 4 supply an ARES Liaison Station
Connecticut HF Phone Net - Region 1 or Region 2 (DECs coordinate) to supply an ARES Liaison Station

Note: these Liaison stations do NOT need to be the same person each time — the more operators who can get the experience, the better!

ALL stations participating in the SET are encouraged to originate messages consistent with the scenario and scope of play. For example, everyone participating can report their readiness to their DEC by sending him a message. DECs can originate Situation Reports to the SEC and SM with updates during the event. Note: Emergency Coordinators at all levels and Net Managers need to keep track of this traffic for SET reporting purposes.

Reminder: My STRONG PREFERENCE is to receive traffic sent to my station ONLY via WL2K. Having a station that is WL2K capable AND available to take traffic on the voice nets and forward it via WL2K would be an IDEAL arrangement from my perspective!!

Thanx & 73, Wayne Gronlund N1CLV
Connecticut Section Emergency Coordinator
Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)

Providence (RI) EMA/RACES will be playing along with us (Region 4 North) in this years SET.

I think it would be really cool if we could send a bunch of NTS messages their way via Winlink.

Maybe just a quick message asking for their aid or, considering the scenario, offering aid to them.

They will be using [email protected]
(operators N1YKH, K1YKH, KB1FUP are all set up to receive winlink messages as well)

Now let's send them some traffic!

Vinny Mazzarella, KB1JDX
ADEC - CT ARES Region 4 North

Betsey- K1EIC (ARRL CT Section Manager) writes

Don’t forget folks—you can also send “through” traffic.

1RN and Eastern Area nets are operational in both cycles.

FYI--In a real emergency, there could be as many as four cycles of NTS running.

- Betsey K1EIC

What is THROUGH TRAFFIC"?
Through Traffic consists of messages that are destined to go outside of the LOCAL Net's coverage area.

There are 4 Levels of Traffic Nets where a message might routed based upon Destination.

Typical Message Routing for a message going across the country.
Local Net - Area Net - Regional Net - Transcontinental Net - Regional Net - Area Net - Local Net

Of course, not all messages pass through the Transcontinental Net. Those messages will be handled at the highest level that is appropriate.
Example:
A message from Milford to Danbury would never leave the Local Net level (WESTCONN).

But a message from Derby to Boston, MA would get passed from the Local Net to the Area Net and then over to a Local Net in/near Boston.

SO... WHAT DO WE WANT YOU TO DO?
Start composing RADIOGRAMS to ALL YOUR FRIENDS anywhere across the country, and be ready to send them on Saturday and/or Sunday.

Betsey - K1EIC adds:
It’s time for our annual SET so sure hope you are all set.

Now this year, our SEC’s focus is on message traffic. I want to see us get back to the traditions we used to have in SET—participants sent messages to the SEC and to the SM detailing something about their participation in SET. Some messages might say, “This station participating in SET with 15 other operators” or some such. Others of you might write something about your activity.

You can send messages relating to the scenario which we will all learn about on Friday.
Maybe you need supplies; maybe you need assistance of operators; be creative, work with the scenario and send traffic.

Wayne will be available through the W1SP Winlink system; I will be available on HF mainly, on VHF by way of relay through NTS nets, on Winlink an I can pick up messages on the W1HAD packet BBS.

I really want to receive a message from every single person who participates!

Don’t worry about making mistakes—do the research, do look up and review your format.

If you are on the traffic nets, send messages among you relating to the scenario—it’s fun and good practice. You learn to manage a bigger volume of traffic by doing this.

Here is a sample message.

NR 1 TEST P W1ABC 13 MIDDLETOWN CT 1200Z NOV 11
K1EIC
BT
THIS IS A DRILL X
NEED 12 OPERATORS ASAP MIDDLETOWN
EOC PLEASE ADVISE
BT
JO SMITH W1ABC MIDDLETOWN EOC

A note about the BT.
That combination stands for “break” because in CW, the “break” character is a combination of the letters B and T send as one group.

Douglas WA1SFH writes:
Please begin all SET 2015 related messages with THIS IS A DRILL X
The Preamble needs "TEST P" or "TEST R" after the message number.

Thursday: 11/12/2015 8:38 PM

Hi Everybody!
The BIG PUSH for this SET is to STRESS TEST our "Formal" Messaging capabilities across the various Nets (ARES – SKYWARN – NTS) using Voice, Classic Packet Radio and RMS Express.

We will be using the ARRL NTS “Radiogram”, and most of these can be PREPARED BEFORE the weekend (just date them appropriately).

Right Now is a good time to prepare your Radiograms.
This way you will not be working against the clock on Saturday or Sunday.
Let inspiration be your guide.

There are two Groups of recipients (Addressees) for these Radiograms.

GROUP A
SET 2015 Exercise Related Radiogram Messages:
Precedence: Test R (Test Routine) or Test P (Test Priority)

The text of each message begins with:
“ THIS IS A DRILL X ”
(That is a word count of 5)
Note: No X (X-Ray/Period) after the last text sentence.

Message Types:
From: Local Field Locations
To: Local Town/City EOC
- Situation/Reports from “the field”

From: Town/City EOC
To: Region 2 EOC
- Requests for supplies, equipment, personnel
- Reports of Damage, Flooding, etc.

From: Region 2 EOC
To: Town/City EOC
- Requests for specific information
- Responses to Town/City EOC Radiogram messages.

From: ALL PARTICPANTS
To: Betsey – K1EIC
Mohegan Drive, Shelton, CT
- A simple greeting to let her know where you are and what you are doing.


GROUP B: Social Messages
Precedence: R (Routine)

From: ALL PARTICIAPANTS
To: Family, Friends, and Acquaintances anywhere in the USA

YOU WILL NEED:
Their Name, Street Address, City, Zip Code and Telephone Number.

GO CRAZY!
- Send 10 (OR MORE) GROUP B messages

NOTES:
Be sure to use the ARL Numbers to keep the word count down to 25 words or less.

Radiogram Forms and ARL Number sheets are available on the ctaresregion2.org website under DOWNLOADS > FORMS
www.ctaresregion2.org/category/5-ares-forms

Instructions on how to write the Radiogram is available at:
DOWNLOADS > TRAINING
www.ctaresregion2.org/category/2-training?download=29

STAY INFORMED
with the LATEST SET Developments
www.ctaresregion2.org/forum/set


SEE YOU "ON THE AIR"!