A simulated emergency test (also called a SET) for Mason County members of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service has been set for October 10, 2009.

More information will be provided to ARES members directly from the Mason County ARES Emergency Coordinator.

Why do amateur radio operators practice establishing radio communication nets and relaying emergency traffic? Musicians know that you tend to perform better if you practice. By simulating emergency conditions, amateur radio operators test their readiness to provide emergency service to our community.

According to the American Radio Relay League:

The ARRL Simulated Emergency Test is a nationwide exercise in emergency communications, administered by ARRL Field Organization Leaders including Emergency Coordinators, District Emergency Coordinators, Section Emergency Coordinators and Net Managers. Many other Section Leaders like the Section Manager and the Section Traffic Manager may have a hand in planning the exercises and/or reviewing the results. Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), National Traffic System (NTS), Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) and other public-service oriented groups can be involved. The SET weekend gives communicators the opportunity to focus on the emergency-communications capability within your community while interacting with NTS nets. Although the main SET weekend this year is October 3-4, local and section-wide exercises may be held throughout the fall season.

The ARRL web page on this ARES SET provides additional detail about the simulated emergency test program.