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Monthly Packet Message Passing Exercise Trial

Date: 12/15/21 Start: 9:00 AM End: 11:00 AM Location: SCC BBS Packet Network
Credential Credit (What's this?): No

The intent of this exercise is to provide an environment to pass packet messages that simulate participation in a real event as an experienced [** see below] county packet operator who has been assigned for mutual aid support for Xanadu City.  During the course of each monthly exercise, participants will be asked to pass at least two 3rd party messages in each direction (PacketItForm) and at least two operator-to-operator messages in each direction.

Each monthly practice session will rotate though a simulated scenario: e.g., Shelter, Bicycle race check point, Fire/Flood watch, city parade checkpoint, vaccination clinic, etc. Likewise, which PacketItForms are used and a P3-level knowledge stimulation question will also rotate each month.

Each practice session will last for one week.  The session starts at 09:00 on the Wednesday scheduled for the event.  The session ends at 17:00 on the following Wednesday afternoon.  An "office hours" Zoom meeting will be held that Wednesday evening following the end of session.

This is an "arm chair" exercise - no need to leave home.  This is a self-paced activity.  It begins with a properly formatted Check-In message sent to the simulated EOC. It then procedes by following directions in messages received.  At the end a "Thank you" message will be sent.  You can do it all in an hour+ sitting or pace it out over the week.

There is no "pass" or "fail" scoring feedback for this event [++ see below].  Questions about the session messages, Outpost or SCC BBS operation can be discussed during the Zoom office hours.  Otherwise, please do your own self-learning.  If you get really stuck email the instructor or ask for help in the groups.io packet discussion group.

An email will be sent on the Tuesday evening prior to the Wednesday start including scenario details and tactical assignments. If you do not receive this email by Wednesday at 09:00, please contact the event Instructor for this session and the SCC ARES/RACES Training Coorinator.  NOTE: please use this information only for the duration of this practice session.

Zoom office hours information will be sent a few days after the events starts.

To increase preparedness, it is suggested that every 3 to 4 months, you tear down the packet station equipment you would use for a mutual aid assignment and set it up in alternate location (e.g., garage, back yard, local park, etc.).  Create a checklist of all the items you need for the alt location.  This is only a suggestion and if you are inclined to give this a go, let us know with your participation sign-up.

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This month's scenario will be based on a repeat of the Packet Operations drill from the SCCo RACES Communication Exercise and SET held on Saturday, 10/09/2021. You will be assigned to provide packet communications for a simulated Xanadu City Shelter.

  • Begins: Wednesday, 12/15/2021 at 09:00
  • Ends: Wednesday, 12/22/2021 at 17:00
  • Zoom: Wednesday 12/22/2021 from 19:00 until 21:00

NOTE: if you participated as a packet operator at the 10/9/2021 exercise and you signed up for this month's practice: you will receive a new tactical call and ICS location.

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** Experience is required.  Participants should be familiar with:

  1. Exchanging packet messages with the SCC County BBS packet system including plain text and PacketItForms messages.
  2. Standard Packet Message Subject Line
  3. Standard Packet Check-In/Out Message
  4. RACES Recommended Form Routing Cheat Sheet
  5. Most recent Packet Operator Type III Part A and Part B training courses.
  6. Retrieving new bulletins from all XSC Notice Areas and City areas, such as XND@XSC.

NOTE: anyone of any experience can give it a try but following SCC standards and training yields the best experience. 

++ EOC feedback:  it is known that the simulated EOC is picky about following county standards and also about directions you receive in email and packet messages.  You may get a corrective suggestion if its picky filter detects something.  Also, a DELIVERED: receipt is returned for every message received at the simulated EOC.

REMINDER: Yes, there are SCC County Standards for packet messages.  See here.

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The following positions are available for this event. You can state your preference when you sign up for the event. The event coordinator will attempt to accommodate your request. Based on the event and its requirements, the event coordinator may move hams to positions other than those requested.

Click on a position title for a description of the specific requirements for that position

PositionAvailable
Primary Packet Station20
Alternate Packet Station46
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