Only 10 hours access at home. Or I would help. As for testing random events.
HERE IS HOW I BECAME ABLE TO TRIGGER RANDOM EVENTS:
Renamed the original *.EVENT files .DIS EVENT . Then placed my event in the data directory.
I used an advanced game save game where all five races had just been met. But you could just buy another survey ship right at the start and send them off to the far reaches until other species are found. The reason I would prefer all species found is because I would rather all AI are in play while testing your mod. Then disbanded all but one ship and left it at sol. Configure the save game setting in options to maximum turns per save. then go into the game and start hitting the enter key. Within about 30 turns the one present, your testing .EVENT, will trigger.
Hope this helps.