Operation Noah Message Information

This exercise is designed to improve skills with message handling in a simulated emergency settings.  Traffic will be created for each person, group or agency participating.  This means that you would receive a number of messages prior to the exercise that will be outgoing from your area.  A number of messages are designed to flow into your area.  For these messages that you receive, you will generate a response based on the simulated conditions at your location.  If you have an agency representative present please have that person to give you the reply to the traffic.

The following are some examples.   You may receive a message, "When you need relief for ham operators, contact the EOC and advise.  Advise if relief will need handheld radios to support their efforts?"  You may reply, "Send relief by 1400 hours.  I have one TK280 Handheld that I can leave but the relief operator, should bring two fresh batteries or a rig with charged batteries and a spare battery pack."  This kind of traffic can and should be handled by voice.  Long list such as a shelter list or a number of items required should be sent by Winlink if possible.  Traffic to out of the region or out of state location could also be sent via Winlink to a conventional email address.

For Skywarn reports, you will be sent a description of simulated weather events that would occur in your area and the time sequence.  If the Skywarn net needs weather information from your area, base your report on what is in the scenario. 

Try to use all modes available to you.  For long haul voice use HF SSB, CW, and  broad-coverage repeaters.  For longer digital messages that require precision, use Winlink.  For local and regional traffic use VHF/UHF FM through repeaters and simplex were possible.    If you have messages that require a long haul and you do not have Winlink or HF privileges, take your traffic to a local net and someone will pick it up and move it to the distant location.

Remember to place at the head and ending of messages, "THIS IS A DRILL, THIS IS A TEST"

If you have questions contact me at W4GHS(AT)ARRL.NET or call 276-398-3548 (cell 276-266-4456)