Give me some advice on getting ready for a powerlifting meet.  I did some searching online and would like to try a "raw" meet.  It looks like I found some opportunities in Iowa that are in the USPA.  I have no idea about the differences between different organizations.  It looks like their rules fit what I'm looking for.  They require a singlet, jock strap, belt without padding, and knee sleeves as well as over the calf socks for deadlift.

Can someone provide me with a link to a place to buy the equipment because I have none of that?  I want decent gear, but don't want to spend a bunch of money on stuff I'm not planning to use much.  A little more for a good belt would be ok, but I want a cheap singlet.  

Any other advice to get ready?  When do I have to pick the weights I'm going to attempt?  What are you doing for a warm up at the meet?

Thanks in advance guys...I lift at home with a couple friends so this whole meet thing will be a big change from what I'm use to lifting at home.

I have one of the single hole belts. It's really nice.

https://www.inzernet.com/search_results_belts.asp?txtsearchParamTxt=&txtsearchParamCat=8&txtsearchParamType=ALL&txtsearchParamMan=ALL&txtsearchParamVen=ALL&txtFromSearch=fromSearch&iLevel=1

Does the organization require specific equipment brands? I know the IPF does. They have a list of what's "approved"

And I agree with kaik about belts. A single prong is enough. Double prongs just makes the belt a bigger pain in the ass to put on and take off

Also using a belt and knee sleeves should be completely optional. I've never heard of being forced to use them. You will be able to lift more with them (at least with a belt); but they shouldn't be required. Some crazy people even pull huge deadlifts without belts

Yeah the sleeves are nice to keep your knees nice and warm.

Liftinglarge.com   elitefts, inzer , titan.  Liftinglarge should cover everything but these are options. I have done a lot of meets in the last 20 years. Mid 40s and mostly done competing but I help others. On your first lift of each event, pick a weight that you know you can do 3-5 reps on a good day in your gym. Judges can be strict. Know the rules. Practice good depth in the sq and super long pause on bench.

Spud is a great belt that is comfortable and very afordable. What are your goals for the meet

First meet I'd like to make lifts that I know I can do, but be close to my personal bests.  If I do that I can total around 1000 at 148 pounds.  I usually pyramid up to my personal bests though so I always feel comfortable completely warmed up.  I think I may be able to hit a little higher numbers if I didn't do as much work on the way up, but at the same time my confidence might not be the same in a situation different than I'm use to.  I've also not "maxed" out on all 3 lifts in the same 2 hour period or what ever a meet may be.  I know pushing limits in the squat can actually take away from the other lifts a bit.

I kind of do a cross between a powerlifter program and body builder program for now.  I'd like to do a meet and hit numbers I know I can make just get comfortable with the process then do a peaking program and go for personal bests on all lifts in second meet.  I'd like to total 1100 by the end of the year. (end of 2017 just to be clear)

At our gym we have a fake meet or pre meet 2wks before the real deal.  I would recommend one also around 3months before to get a feel for it and find weakness and still have time to do something about it.  The different surroundings will mess with your head. The last week before the meet is a time to fully heal. Nothing heavy. My last meet I was 40 yo. It was a two lift. Push/pull raw meet. I finished with 1125. State masters record in the SPL.

Practice with the commands that are used by the organization. If you absolutely can't make that work, at least imagine that you are receiving the commands. Pause your benches, a half second or less can seem like forever if you aren't used to it. Read the rule book and make sure you understand it. Timing warm-ups can really suck, expect each lifter to take a minute, maybe 45 seconds on the deadlift. Open light enough that you can screw up your warm-ups and still easily make it. Don't be afraid to ask for help and advice, powerlifters are second only to down on their luck strippers when it comes to being friendly. A belt and knee sleeves may be allowed but are not mandatory.

Are you allowed to warm up for each lift prior to the lift or do you have to warm up prior to squatting and go from there?  In other words can I warm up for the squat then squat and after that start warming up for bench before I bench?

Yup, warm up for squats then hit the platform, warm up for bench then bench, etc.

Everyone takes their first attempt, then the bar is deloaded and everyone takes their second, correct?

So, depending on the size of group, you could be waiting some time in-between attempts.

Each group of lifters is called a flight, and it is one flight of lifters at a time. 8 to 15 lifters per flight is likely so expect 8 to 15 minutes between each attempt.