For SET 2016, we will rely on VHF and UHF relays. We might still use repeaters, providing those repeaters have backup power, but no Internet or telephone linking. RF linking is OK.
SET 2016 will use a very large Coronal Mass Ejection as the scenario. A fairly large CME was blamed for a 1989 outage across much of Quebec. Much larger CMEs occur about once every 100 years, and we are overdue. A CME similar to one recorded in 1859 would be devastating with today's dependence on technology.
Since a CME produces an HF blackout, Districts that relay on HF for in-District communications will need to come up with another plan.
The SEOC cannot reach Districts 7 and 8 by VHF, so District 3 will have to relay that traffic to District 7; 7 will then relay to 8.
The DECs will act as exercise controllers, providing injects according to a schedule with they already have. When a DEC has to play, then he will need to select an alternate to act as controller since the exercise controller may not also be an exercise player.
Even though we are simulating a total loss of traditional infrastructure, stations are still encouraged to maintain their station status in the MI-CIMS Station Status Board.An incident has been set up for this exercise:
TRN-2016-10-08-ARRL Simulated Emergency Test
The SEOC will send and receive traffic from the Districts on a preassigned schedule. The frequencies are outlined in the 205 on MI-CIMS. DECs already have this information.
As usual, we have left plenty of time for individual counties to prepare activities allowing them to test those capabilities important to their local jurisdiction.
The 2016 Participant Guide is available here. Links will be sent to all the ECs around the first of October. Note that the Controller Guide and Master Scenario Event List are password protected. Only the Participant Guide is freely available until after the exercise.
