Personal preparedness – having radios, batteries, and a ready kit
	Call out procedure – organizing a tree and how to use it
	Station set up – Supervisor, operator and logger duties
	Net operations – protocols, being a net controller
	Formal message handling – writing, transmitting, receiving and delivering
	National Traffic System (NTS) – how to use for extended messaging
	Digital messaging – packet, protocols and common software
	Fortunately, there are many ways to learn and practice the key items. These include:
	Simulated events at an ARES meeting
	Practice filling out message forms
	Monitor traffic nets to hear how it’s done
	Pass formal messages on the local repeater or net
	Participate in exercises held by agencies we would normally work with
	Be an observer, if not actually part of, at exercises
	Create a local exercise
	Take part in the annual Simulated Emergency Test (SET)
	Provide communications for local events using standard operating procedures

Almost all ARES groups do this several times a year. This has the added benefit of advertising ARES in the community and to other agencies as well as demonstrating our willingness and ability to assist. It also gives practice in a non-scripted scenario, which is what an actual emergency will be.