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With some 150 ham radio operators from across the state participating in the Illinois Section Simulated Emergency Test (SET),on October 2, 2021, coordinators Robert Littler (W9DSR), Illinois Section Emergency Coordinator and John Zelz (W9ZE) the Assistant SEC who ran the Saturday morning exercise, termed it “a resounding success.”
The SET, from 8 a.m. to Noon. Central Time. began with a general “Wellness Net” from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.. to encourage participation from all areas of amateur radio, extending beyond those with an interest in the SET that was geared to those who participate in Amateur Radio Emergency Service activities throughout the year. Approximately 150 HF/VHF/UHF/Echolink stations checked in during the “Wellness Net” from 8 to 9 a,m, CDT. The SET HF Net ran from 9 a.m. to Noon CDT with more than 50 stations checking in. There were also 45 VHF/UHF stations with formal traffic. The individual ARES Districts reported a similar number of VHF/UHF stations with traffic.
“We were extremely pleased with the response in this modified exercise that followed one we did in the spring, part of an ongoing effort to hone the system used to train amateur radio operators in the event of a catastrophic emergency in Illinois and their interaction with counterparts in nearby states,” said Zelz.
Plans are already in motion for a spring 2022 version of the SET to further expand and enhance the exercise’s operating efficiency.