The annual Simulated Emergency Test (SET) is a training exercise involving the
Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and the
National Traffic System (NTS), a message-handling service of
amateur radio
Amateur radio, also known as ham radio, is the use of the radio frequency spectrum for purposes of non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, private recreation, radiosport, contesting, and emergency communi ...
. The
American Radio Relay League is a prime mover in this event, which is organized somewhat like a contest. Its primary purposes are to evaluate strengths and weaknesses in emergency preparedness and communications, and to demonstrate amateur radio to the public.
During the first full weekend of October of every year in the United States, a nationwide radio communications network is set up that links every major city and most of the geography of the country. This technological infrastructure is set up from scratch within a few hours at locations that vary from state and local government
Emergency Operations Centers to isolated areas without utilities of any kind. Every mode of radio communications is utilized including analog,
digital, voice, data,
simplex
In geometry, a simplex (plural: simplexes or simplices) is a generalization of the notion of a triangle or tetrahedron to arbitrary dimensions. The simplex is so-named because it represents the simplest possible polytope in any given dimension ...
,
duplex
Duplex (Latin, 'double') may refer to:
Arts and entertainment
* ''Duplex'' (film), or ''Our House'', a 2003 American black comedy film
* Duplex (band), a Dutch electronic music duo
* Duplex (Norwegian duo)
* Duplex!, a Canadian children's music ...
,
satellites
A satellite or artificial satellite is an object intentionally placed into orbit in outer space. Except for passive satellites, most satellites have an electricity generation system for equipment on board, such as solar panels or radioisotop ...
and even automated relay stations launched on aircraft and with weather balloons. For no more than 48 continuous hours, this nationwide radio communications network is exercised with the primary objective of proving the system's readiness and capabilities. Then as quickly as it was set up, the system is dismantled and stored in preparation for when it is needed. The system has demonstrated its value time after time during earthquakes, hurricanes, forest fires, terrorist attacks and other disasters. All of this capability is provided by volunteers who continuously hone their technical skills and acquire, build, and maintain their own equipment. These radio engineers and operators, along with their equipment, combine into an important resource for emergency communications.
In India, Vigyan Prasar (an apex body for science popularization under the
Department of Science and Technology Department of Science and Technology may refer to:
*Department of Science and Technology (Australia), an Australian Government department between November 1980 and December 1984
* Department of Science and Technology (India)
* Department of Science ...
coordinates simulated disaster communication exercises and also organizes trainings to help people getting ham radio licenses in areas which are vulnerable to natural calamities.
External links
Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) - ARRL
Amateur radio emergency communications
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