2025-09-20 Annual Countywide Exercise

Overview

Dust off your go kits, brush up on procedures, and practice an end-to-end field deployment! This is as close to the real thing as you can get.

Participation and DSW

Everyone MUST sign up in advance, no drop ins.

Open to all amateur radio operators interested in emergency communications who have a current County Disaster Service Worker (DSW) registration.

Individuals who DO NOT have a current DSW registration with Santa Clara County can sign-up to register for DSW at the exercise. You will need to arrive no later than 0800 to start the DSW Registration process. After the DSW registration, you will proceed directly to Staging to take part in the exercise. Make sure you sign up for the exercise event(s) you want to do before Friday, September 12th.

Purpose

A county-wide communications exercise designed to practice mobilization, deployment and demobilization of amateur radio operations.  The activities are varied and have been designed to provide fun and education while, at the same time, developing experience with operating according to the standard procedures required for emergency operations.

We will operate much like we would during a real activation. You will need to be prepared to operate based on the assignment you have signed up for, be able to program your radio when given a new frequency, have all the necessary go-kit forms available, and operate per the Performance Standards and Best Practice and your training.

Exercise Location / Frequencies

As would happen during a real activation, you will be given the assignment location by the Resource Net after checking into that net. However, to help you plan your travel time, the exercise will be located in Sunnyvale. The exact location and any other travel information will be provided on the Resource Net.

You will be provided the ICS-205 Communications plan when you arrive at Staging. The Resource Net Repeaters will be used for all travel. We do not know if AA6BT will be operational before the drill so plan on using only W6ASH 145.270 (-) 100.0 PL and K6SNY 443.275 (+) 107.2 PL.

Activities

Attendees have the option to sign up for various types of assignments. Click on the links below for more information about the type of assignment/activities and the equipment required:

• Field Operations
• Net Control
• Packet Operations
• Shadowing

There will be two shifts with varied activities that you can take part in. Each shift will be two hours.

All sign-ups should be done on-line, as far in advance of the event as possible, so the event staff can better plan for the number of attendees.

Some activities require minimum qualifications, read the sign up pages.  For example, Net Control assignments require the participant to at least have an N3 Credential or working to earn one. If you are signed up for a Credential Evaluation you must have the other requirements for that Credential completed or receive a waiver from the Credential Program Manager.

Sign Up

To participate in this drill, you MUST sign-up in advance. You can select from up to two skill areas, one during each shift (see Shift Assignments below).

• Field Operations
• Net Control
• Packet
• Shadow
• Event Staff Requires approval from IC

Read the requirements for each position before signing up.

Shift Assignments

You can sign up for up to two different roles. Event organizers will assign you to the shift(s) based on the activities you sign up for and balancing staffing needs. If you have a time conflict and plan to only do one shift, send an email to the IC and Evaluation Coordinator; we will do our best to accommodate your needs. But to best accomodate all participants, we need some flexibility in the shift assignments.

Schedule

Exercise timeline

• 0600 - Staff and Communications Trailer arrives on site
• 0700 - Resource Net Opens for Travel to drill (Required for DSW registered participants)
• 0730 - Staging Opens - Do not arrive before this
• 0800 - DSW Registration begins - for those without a DSW ID card (go directly to the DSW Registration area)
• 0830 - Resource Net Closes
• 0830 - All participants with DSW have arrived at Staging and checked
• 0845 - Shift 1 Briefing at Assignment area
• 0900 - Shift 1 Begins
• 1100 - Shift 1 Ends
• 1100 - 1135 - Break - Staging makes assignments for Shift 2>
• 1145 - Shift 2 Briefing at Assignment area
• 1200 - Shift 2 Begins
• 1400 - Shift 2 Ends
• 1415 - Check out of Staging, turn in paperwork, and complete exercise evaluation
• 1415 - Depart drill - use of the Resource Net is required for all Evaluation candidates
• 1415 - Staff starts pack-up, clean-up
• 1515 - Communications Trailer departs (sooner if all packed up)
• 1515 - Staff Departs

Forms

Be sure to start an ICS-214 Unit Activity Log prior to leaving your home. A list of the ICS forms required for your go-kit can be found on the Operations page of this web site: Go-Kit Forms. These are the ICS Forms you should already have in your Go-Kit. Many Go-Kit forms where updated on August 13th, make sure you have the lastest copies.

Travel To Drill

If you are a registered DSW, you are expected to use the Resource Net and follow standard Resource Net procedures. If you do not have a valid county DSW, there will be an opportunity to complete the DSW Registration the morning of the exercise. You will need to sign up for the DSW Registration activity in advance.

Equipment

ALL participants must bring the following minimum equipment with them, on their person.

• Driver’s license or other State-issued identification card
• Amateur Radio License
• HT 2m/440 dual-band with sufficient batteries to operate for the time you are there
• Headset or ear bud (optional but recommended)
• Clipboard, note pad, pens/pencils
• All ICS forms required for your Go Kit ICS Forms used in Communications)
• Lunch or snack if desired
• Water, you can refill containers in the park.
• Sturdy, closed-toed shoes (wear)
• Long pants (wear). Shorts are optional for this event.
• Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, etc.)
• Be sure you have a backpack, fanny pack, shoulder bag or some other hands free way to carry your equipment. That goes double for your radio - you need a radio harness, belt clip, or something to hold it.
• Safety vest, ANSI Class 2, safety yellow/lime green - REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE

See the individual assignments for additional equipment requirements and suggestions.

Participants desiring to take part in a Credential evaluation will have other equipment requirements, depending on the type and level of the evaluation. Consult the Credential Program Handbook for a list of the required equipment for each Credential level.

We will not be able to accomplish Equipment Checks or Knowledge Checks at the exercise. Time will be scheduled to do a group check several weeks after the event and information will be posted on the website and announced via email.