Packet Practice

• Attendees will set up their own individual packet station outdoors and are free to walk around the parking lot as much as they want to observe other peoples set-ups.
• Pop-up Packet Practice is a quick, simple, fun way to practice setting up a packet station in the field. It doesn't have the formality of typical drills/exercises. You go, you do, and you leave. How long you stay is up to you. What differentiates it from practicing at home (which we should all do, right?!) is you have to set up in the field, plus you get to see the setups used by other operators and there is technical support available.
• Why do this? We have observed that operators can have difficulty getting their station set up and working in the field, even if they regularly send their weekly practice messages from home. And being able to set up in the field is what we're all about, right? So, this practice is designed to give everyone an opportunity to practice a field deployment with packet without the complexity and overhead usually associated with more complicated exercises.

IMPORTANT:

This practice session takes place at the same time and place as the Field Packet Mini-Drill. But the activities you will perform are different. The key differences are:

Practice (this activity):

• No pressure opportunity for learning and experimenting
• Come when you want, stay as long as you want, leave when you want
• Set up, send/receive a few messages, packet up and go; easy peazy
• Limited documentation requirements
• This is the preferred choice for first time packet users who are not yet comfortable operating in the field
• ***BUT*** practice is NOT an approved exercise for credit toward an SCCo ARES/RACES credential

Mini-Drill:

• Arrive on time and participate for at least 2 hours, including setup and tear down of equipment
• Operate on the air for at least one hour
• Execute the provided exercise scenario
• Complete all standard documentation and follow all standard operating procedures
• The mini-drill is the preferred choice if you've already been to one pop-up practice session
• A mini-drill ***IS*** an approved exercise for credit toward credentials
• For more information and to sign up for the Field Packet Mini-Drill instead, go here

SCCo ARES/RACES Training Courses:

• Packet Operations Type IIIA
• Packet Operations Type IIIB
• Packet Operations Type II

Parking lot across from the Sheriff's Office
55 W Younger Ave.
San Jose, CA 95110

• Staging Opens at 08:15
• Technical support available: 09:00 - 11:00
• Most people can come at any time and leave at any time. Of course, we encourage everyone to get there early and stay long enough to complete the entire set of practice tasks.
• We will set up under the solar panels so no pop-ups or shade structures are needed. You will need to provide your own battery power, table, chair, and your packet station. If you have one bring a dummy load.

• We will operate rain or shine.
• For a weather forecast, see: https://www.wunderground.com/forecast/us/ca/san-jose/95111

Bring your own equipment

• You will set up your individual packet station in the parking lot right next to your car.
• You can set up with something as simple as a card table and chair.
• You'll need a radio (HT recommended) to be in contact with the voice net (our normal procedure), plus your packet station.
• You'll need something to keep papers from being blown around. Clipboards work well.
• You'll need something to shield your screen from the bright light of the outdoors. In a pinch, a cardboard box painted black inside works.
• We will be located under the solar panels so a pop-up tent is not required.
• Antenna
  • If you bring a mast and tripod, be sure to bring 10-20 lbs of weight per leg to secure the tripod from tipping over.
  • For this exercise a Mag Mount will work just fine. You will be using the lowest power possible. If you have one, bring a dummy load.
• Be sure not to block any driveway, setup only in a parking stall
• Skip two parking stalls between yourself and the next packet user. This will help to reduce RF interference.

No AC Power

• There will be no AC power available and we don't want anyone to bring generators. Remember, this is supposed to be quick and easy. The operating time will be about an hour (less, depending on how fast you are!). Everyone's station should be able to operate for at least one hour on battery.

Any of the SCCo ARES/RACES BBSs on any available access frequency. See our frequency list here.

• We will be using the W5XSC BBS which will be located on-site.
• Use these frequencies: 144.310, 223.540, 433.450
• If you have a 220 radio, please use it. It will help reduce the load on the 2m channels.

Follow all standard personal and RF safety procedures, plus:

• Stay out of the traffic lanes in the parking lot. Stay within the parking spaces.
• While we will be operating under the solar panels, bring sun protection. At a minimum, a wide-brimmed hat will work for some.
• Bring sufficient weights to hold down and stabilize any masts you set up.

Suggestion for getting the most out of the practice session:

• Come at the beginning.
• Stay until you complete all of the exercises.
• Set up your field station just like you would do in a real situation.
• Avoid using your vehicle, except for transportation. In a real situation, it's highly unlikely that you will be operating next to your vehicle.
• Take the time to see what everyone else is doing and what they use for their setup. Share ideas for your own station.

• If you have questions or feedback about this or other training activities, you can join our Training discussion group and ask your question there.
• For questions about packet, use our Packet discussion group.
• For more information about all of our discussion groups, visit our Discussion Groups page.