so i got my general back in the spring and a buddy of mine kept bugging me to come to the county ARES meetings, i finally went in september and signed up. been to two meetings so far and everyone seems really knowledgeable but i feel like kind of out of my depth honestly.

they mentioned something about a SET coming up - i think thats the simulated emergency test? - and i guess my question is just what do i actually need to bring and what does it look like on the day. like do they expect you to already know net control procedures or is there usually some hand holding for newer members. i have a baofeng which i know i know, but im working on getting a proper vhf mobile sorted out before winter.

also is there a standard way most groups handle ICS stuff, like do i need to take the fema courses before showing up or is that more of a do it when you can thing

welcome to ARES, youre going to enjoy it once you get a few activations under your belt. the SET is a good way to ease in because its low stakes and the whole point is basically to find out what doesnt work before a real event. most groups wont throw a new member on net control right away, they usually have you shadow someone or handle a traffic runner role first so you can get a feel for how things flow.

the ICS courses - IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800 - are worth doing sooner rather than later but dont let not having them stop you from showing up. most EC's i've worked with just want you physically present and willing to learn. the online fema courses are free and honestly a bit dry but they dont take that long. i'd do 100 and 700 first since those come up the most in actual ops. and dont sweat the baofeng too much for now, just make sure you know your local repeater freqs and have a way to keep it charged in the field.

yeah the SET can feel a little chaotic if its your first one but thats kind of the point honestly. i remember my first one i had no idea what a ICS 213 form was and someone just handed me a stack of them and said start logging. you figure it out pretty quick.

one thing i'd say is just talk to your EC before the day and ask where they want to put you. most of them are happy to find a spot that fits where you are skill wise. and bring snacks, real activations can run long and nobody tells you that part.