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Training News
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The new Introduction to Emergency Communications course
includes updated content from the previous Basic Emergency Communications Level
1 course, as well as some content previously included in the former Level 2
course. The EmComm training program has been restructured to offer two courses:
This enhanced basic course for EmComm volunteers who want to serve as part of an
ARES® response team and the management course -- Public Service and Emergency
Communication Management for Radio Amateurs (EC-016, also available
on the ARRL website) -- for those who are serving in ARES® leadership and
management roles.
Click
Here for Complete Details...
To learn more, visit the CCE
Course Listing page or contact the Continuing
Education Program Coordinator.
Check out our Training Page for Additional Information on
Training Opportunities !
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Skywarn
News
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(Jun 21, 2011) -- The National Weather Service (NWS)
has updated its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the ARRL (scroll
below to access a link to the document). The updated MoU serves “as
a framework within which volunteers of the ARRL may coordinate their services,
facilities and equipment with the NWS in support of nationwide, state and local
early weather warning and emergency communications function.” In May, ARRL
President Kay Craigie, N3KN, signed on behalf of the ARRL, and in June, NWS
Office of Climate, Water and Weather Services’ Director Dave Caldwell signed
on behalf of the NWS. The ARRL and the NWS have had a formal working arrangement
since 1986.
The NWS, in the MoU, acknowledges that Amateur Radio operators can be
of valuable assistance in early severe weather warning and tornado spotting.
Through its SKYWARN program, the NWS recognizes that Amateur Radio operators
have assisted as communicators and weather spotters since the program began in
the late 1960s. “In areas where tornadoes and other severe weather have been
known to threaten, the NWS recruits volunteers and trains them in proper weather
spotting procedures,” the MoU states. “These dedicated citizens help
keep their local community safe by conveying severe weather reports to their
local NWS forecast office. SKYWARN spotters are integral to the success of our
nation’s severe weather warning system.”
**************
Storm Spotting and Amateur Radio is a resource for the Amateur Radio
operator who volunteers as a trained storm spotter. This book includes
information on resources, training, equipment, safety, storm spotter activation
procedures, reportable weather criteria, developing a local storm spotter
manual, and the experiences of storm spotters from around the country. It also
provides some meteorological information about severe weather such as
hurricanes, tornadoes, hail, floods, damaging wind, and winter weather.
A comprehensive index is included with weather-related web sites and a
state-by-state listing of SKYWARN® web sites.
This
new publication is available from the ARRL Bookstore for $22.95.
************
Gary Garnet with the Cleveland
NWS handed out a Spotter Reference Sheet during the Spotter Training meeting.
Supplies were limited and were gone before everyone got a copy. He recently
provided us a copy in Pdf form that has been added to our website.
Click Here to download a
copy!
***********
Severe
Storms Rock Stark County during Summer 2007.
Click
Here for a review of the 2006 severe weather season from Cleveland NWS.
Stark
County Skywarn Spotter Statistics.
Damage
Assessments Report over 268 Million in damage to 60 Ohio Counties during
February Flooding. Stark ARES Assists Ohio EMA.
**************
Emergency
Preparedness Guideline
Basic
Spotter Information
An excellent
full color booklet titled "Basic Spotters' Field Guide" is also
currently available from the National Weather Service On-line library of
Publications. CLICK HERE
for a listing of their currently available information guides.
****************
Other News
NOAA
Weather Alert Comes to Ham Radio.
Severe
Weather Paging Notification Comes To An End.
***************
Weekly Weather Fact
The National
Weather Service is second only to the Postal Service among government agencies
in day-to-day contact with U.S. citizens. And the public seems pleased with what
it gets. The NWS's approval rating has jumped to 70%, up from 51% in 1948. Those
saying that it was doing a poor job fell from 15% to a mere 7%. These numbers
would please many a politician.
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Amateur Radio
Supporting Homeland Security
"Amateur Radio - The only fail-safe method of
communication."
Riley Hollingsworth
FCC Special Council
Retired
------------------
"Amateur Radio - The Last Line of Defense"
Craig Fugate, FEMA Administrator
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Return Home
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Here for National News
Annual Massillon Holiday Parade
Terry Russ, N8ATZ -
Emergency Coordinator
(Nov 2, 2018) -
- Our last scheduled public service event of the year is of course the
annual Massillon Holiday Parade. This year’s parade is on Saturday, November
17th and we normally need about 20 volunteers to assist with parade staging,
Cable TV, logistical support and general communications for the 80 plus units
that generally make up this annual Massillon holiday tradition. The club has
been a part of this parade for over 44 years making it one of the longest public
service events handled by the club. Volunteers are asked to gather downtown
about 3:00 PM with the parade to begin at 4:00.
As in previous years we expect to have the club’s EComm Trailer as one of the
parade units to remind area residents of our continued support of our community.
Club member Perry Ballinger, W8AU is communications coordinator for the parade
again this year and is looking for volunteers to joins us on parade day. A sign
up sheet will be passed out at the November meeting. Please consider
volunteering to help with this event. It’s a great way to get in the holiday
spirit by welcoming Santa Claus to town. Don’t forget we normally get together
after the parade at one of our local restaurant’s for a late breakfast or early
lunch.
If you don’t make the club meeting contact Perry directly at (330) 832–8612
or by email to w8au@sssnet.com. We will gather downtown around in the afternoon
to decorate the trailer and begin assembling parade units. Communications will
take place on 2 meters either simplex or the club’s 147.18 or our 442.85 UHF
Repeater. Don’t forget your handheld set to the proper PL Tone and come on
downtown to enjoy a great holiday parade !
Oregon ARES Drill Scenario to
Simulate Double Virus and Hypothetical Terrorist
Attack
Courtesy of the ARRL
(Nov 11, 2018) - - On November 8 in
Oregon, the Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES)
emergency preparedness drill known as the Simulated
Emergency Test (SET) will use an exercise scenario
focusing on viruses — biological and computer — that
wreak havoc on the state’s communication systems.
The drill begins with a simulated highly contagious
bird flu virus that spreads to the state’s borders,
overwhelming hospitals and leading to mass panic. A
day later, the drill moves to a simulated widespread
internet shutdown owing to what’s called the
“stepper virus.” If that weren’t enough, it goes on
to include a hypothetical virus that would cause the
shutdown of digital processors in wireline and cell
towers.
The scenario also involves power companies and
government telecommunications being affected.
Participants will be told that ham radio repeaters
are on back-up power or have failed and will have to
stretch their skills accordingly. Ultimately, the
exercise will simulate the introduction of
biological and computer viruses by a state-sponsored
terrorist organization that is trying to find
vulnerabilities in the state’s infrastructure. Then,
exercise participants will train local officials on
using VHF and HF radios.
As the exercise continues, ARES volunteers will
need to set up high-powered stations in remote areas
to communicate with urban centers. After
participants prove that ARES would be able to
maintain telecommunication links for several days,
the exercise simulated storm damage to antennas on
county emergency operations centers (EOCs).
This multi-step exercise scenario is designed to
encourage ARES volunteers to use their ingenuity and
training to restore communications when faced with a
multifaceted disaster event. “The MacGyver among you
will have the opportunity to solve this problem,
gain extra points, and help your county shine while
teaching us all something new,” said Grant County
ARES Emergency Coordinator Steve Fletcher, K7AA, who
outlined the description of the scenario.
Oregon ARES teams will join with the Oregon
Office of Emergency Management in conducting the
drill.
More information is on the
Oregon ARES website. — Thanks to John S. Sanders,
KE7JSS, Oregon Section Public Information Officer
Fall Skywarn Severe Weather Training
Terry Russ, N8ATZ -
Emergency Coordinator
(UPDATED - -
(Nov 3, 2018) - -
The
Cleveland National Weather Service provided annual fall severe
weather training that also covered the types of severe weather that can occur
during the winter months.
Here in
Stark County our local training took place
on Wednesday, October 24th, located in the main amphitheater
at Mercy Medical Center in Canton. Registration was at 6:30 PM with
training to follow. Over 50 participated in this years training.
This fall
training is sponsored once again in conjunction with the Stark County Emergency
Management Agency and the Stark County Amateur Radio Emergency Service. Parking
will be free in the main hospital parking lot and the public is invited to take
this free training. Along with the normal training agenda, this years will also
cover the types of severe weather that can occur during winter time.
AARC Assists With Alliance Carnation Festival
Terry Russ, N8ATZ -
Emergency Coordinator
(Sep 12, 2018) - - The Alliance Amateur Radio Club provided
Communications for the 2018 Greater Carnation Festival Grand Parade on Saturday
August 11, 2018 in Alliance, Ohio. The club’s project received two (2)
blessings, the club’s Two (2) Meter Repeater W8LKY worked flawlessly and the
weather was magnificent
The logistics for the event include a parade route of
2.1 miles long, which included using a part of State Route 183 and US Route 62.
AARC positioned Ten (10) radio operators in such a manner in which the entire
parade route was visible at all times. Incidents along the parade route could
be relayed to W8LKY net control and passed on to a representative of the Grand
Parade Committee. A Tactical Call Sign System was created for the duration of
the event, “Carnation Control” acted as net control for the event which was
located at the beginning of the parade. The radio operators used various
Tactical Call Signs such as “Carnation Six (6)” which designated the location of
the radio operator and occasionally the operators would add their own call
letters to their parade status reports. The parade itself, took approximately
One and a Half Hours to reach the end of the parade route at Broadway and South
Union Ave. where it dispersed on West Broadway. The project was completed by
1:30PM with the sign off of the radio operator at Union and Broadway Streets,
which signified the last unit, had entered the dispersement area. The Alliance
(Ohio) Police Department also monitored the activity ofW8LKY’s 2018 Grand Parade
Communication Project.
The Operations: We started with a 9AM PR Parade
briefing at Rockhill Elementary School. Each radio operator was given a packet
containing a parade lineup and other project information. Each operator proceeds
to their assigned locations and checked in at 9:30AM with “Carnation Control”
the Tactical Control for the project. Each location operator reported the first
unit’s arrival and the last unit passing their assigned location and any
incident that may have occurred during their time in the viewing area of their
assigned location. After the last unit passed their location, they were
dismissed. The Ten(10) radio operators of the Alliance Amateur Radio Club who
participated in this project included: Frank Sanor WA8WHP, Loren Kleinhans
KD8WVE, Paul Richardson K2ASA, Howard Miller JR. K8DXR, Ron Rittenhouse KE8HCY,
Shawn Gentle KD8ZEZ, Dwight Turner KD8YFV, Dave Kleinhans KE8IYN, Dave Moreno
KE8JLP and Mike Urban KE8CKL. Frank Sanor WA8WHP served as “Carnation Control”
or Net Control for W8LKY for the Greater Carnation Festival 2018 Grand Parade
Communication Project. Ron Rittenhouse KE8HCY served as coordinator for the
event.
Submitted by Ron Rittenhouse - KE8HCY
Communications Coordinator - Carnation Festival Grand Parade
National Preparedness Month
Terry Russ, N8ATZ -
Emergency Coordinator
(Sep 2, 2018) - -National Preparedness Month
(NPM), recognized each September, provides an
opportunity to remind us that we all must prepare
ourselves and our families now and throughout the
year. This NPM will focus on planning, with an
overarching theme: Disasters Happen. Prepare
Now. Learn How.
Take time to learn
lifesaving skills − such as CPR and first aid, check
your insurance policies and coverage for the hazards
you may face, such as flood, earthquakes, and
tornados. Make sure to consider the costs associated
with disasters and save for an emergency. Also, know
how to take practical safety steps like shutting off
water and gas.
The devastating
hurricanes and wildfires of 2017 reminded the nation
of the importance of preparing for disasters.
Often, we will be the first ones in our communities
to take action after a disaster strikes and before
first responders arrive, so it is important to
prepare in advance to help yourself and your
community. Learn more about being prepared at
Ready.gov.
Canton Repository Grand Parade
Terry Russ, N8ATZ -
Emergency Coordinator
(Aug
12, 2018) ...
The Canton Repository Grand Parade starts long before the seats along
Cleveland Avenue
are filled. Long before the first float begins its journey, when the sky has
yet to change from starlight black to morning blue. High School Bands are still
finding their positions and tuning up their instruments, parade balloon are
slowly being filled with helium while their handling teams get last minute
marching instructions and the dozens of classic cars that carry football legends and
celebrities alike are lined up like the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Among the thousands of parade volunteers, Amateur Radio operators help
to organize this vast ensemble of parade participants. These volunteers are
members of the Stark County Amateur Radio Emergency Services and multiple other
area radio clubs. For over 40 years,
amateurs have provided communications services for this event that will total
over 200 volunteer hours of service on this day alone. The parade has grown
steadily in size over the years and now is the single largest public service
event handled by amateur radio operators here in
Stark
County
.
Again this year over 500,000 spectators watched the parade and behind the
scenes lies a core of amateur volunteers many of which have nearly 25 years of
experience assisting with the parade. This dedication is one reason that parade
organizers have long realized the importance of effective communications that
are necessary in organizing a parade of this magnitude. Also over the years,
they have come to understand and appreciate the fact that it takes more than a
radio to make an effective communicator. Parade General Chairman Drew Felberg realized the limited range of their commercial radio's and he was grateful to learn
that our communications was solid throughout the parade route thanks to our wide
area coverage ARES Repeater on 147.12 Mhz. The Canton ARC's club repeater
on 146.79 Mhz was also ready to use as our backup if needed. With the
introduction of Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) Technology, we also increased both
our communications range and ability to cover the entire parade route this year.
The last several years, parade officials have used loaned commercial radio's
to maintain communications with their committee members.. While this has worked
for routine short range communications, parade organizers have relied on the discipline and
experience of amateur operators to handle urgent communications needs and
especially medical traffic that occurs throughout the nearly two and a half mile parade
route.
Continuing this year, in a reorganization of parade communications, our
responsibilities covered four separate areas, each with it's own control point.
These were Staging, Route Communications, Dispersal and Medical Support.
Staging is where it all begins. Event organizers and radio operators setup and
arrange the over 130
units that make up this years parade. Beginning at about 2:00 A.M., this job is
like taking a 5,000 piece puzzle and assembling all the pieces to create the
final picture in a little over five hours. This doesn't include the setting up
of the Television Broadcast area,
Parade
Communications
Center
and the Balloon Inflations area, all included in our early morning duties. At
exactly 8:00 A.M., the gun sounds and the parade starts down the route. Terry
Russ, N8ATZ is stationed at the television area to act as communications
liaison to Parade Chairman Drew Felberg. As part of our new
responsibilities, Dave Beltz, WD8AYE was assigned to the parade Communications
Center to act as liaison with parade communications and public safety forces.
Route Communications then kicks in to help maintain the pace of the
parade units. The pace of the parade is set by Canton Police Department
motorcycle units. Each successive unit is to follow maintaining a certain
spacing set by football helmets painted along the entire 2.5 mile parade route.
Expected slowdowns occur during the parade in the TV area, where all units slow
to perform for the crowd then speed back up to maintain proper spacing.
Parade spacing and movement is a top priority for event coordinators, a role
headed up another committee member who was in charge of all parade marshals
positioned throughout the parade route. Shadowed by a ham liaison Mike
Daughenbauch, KE8EHG, he monitors
the condition of the entire route thanks to our network of radio operators. As
spacing became an issue, Mike relayed instructions to all marshals to get
everything back in sync. A task that would not be possible without the support
of ham radio. This continued to be a daunting
task and thanks to amateurs disciplined communications experience, we were
effective in minimizing unit gaps throughout the parade.
In addition, amateurs watched for trouble spots, assisted with broken down
floats, crowd control, seating assistance, media relations, and medical support,
these being only a few of the responsibilities handled by amateur radio
operators. Net Control, under the direction of Ron Hendershot, KA8FTP, helps
to ensure orderly parade radio traffic and maintains overall communications with
all parade operations. Ron also monitored weather radar, another benefit
provided by radio operators. Nearly 30 radio operators were positioned along the entire
parade route to handle this facet of parade operations.
Medical Support has continued to remain one of our most important parade
responsibilities as thousands of participants and spectators crowd the route
each year and brave a myriad of changeable weather to watch the grand parade. In
recent years, county medical squads have updated their communications equipment
to provide for better interoperability between the many emergency medical
service units called in to assist with the parade. Due to these advances,
amateurs' role in this area was decreased although operators along the route were
prepared to assist should emergencies arise. Again this year several
emergencies did occur and radio operators again were called upon to
support the
EMS
in providing communications assistance with this ever present problem area.
As in previous years Emergency Coordinator Terry Russ - N8ATZ maintained communications
with the Parade Chairman in the
Parade
Communications
Center. This provided a link to both Emergency Medical Service and Police personnel.
Parade Dispersal continues to be an increasingly complex segment of the Grand
Parade in recent years. This years responsibility for as Dispersal Communications
Coordinator was Wade Huthmacher - WD8MIU.
An important part of the parade, dispersal has had to handle numerous
situations and problems including reuniting participants and parents and general
disassembly of the entire parade. For the twelfth year in a row, additional
volunteers were assigned to this area. With local amateurs running in
short supply, volunteers were obtained from the
Akron
area including members from the Summit County Amateur Radio Emergency Service
and several other area radio clubs including both the Canton and Alliance ARC
and the Portage County ARC.
A special thanks for these additional volunteers, provided through our Mutual
Aid pact with neighboring
county
ARES.
The 2018 Enshrinement Grand Parade was another great success thanks to the many
volunteers including the amateur radio operators who assisted us again this
year. Parade General Chairman Drew Felberg and
Communications Coordinators Wade Huthmacher – WD8MIU and Terry Russ -
N8ATZ want to thank all the volunteers for their help and
assistance during this years parade. Their tireless efforts, although largely
unnoticed by the general public, have proven their worth time and time again
over the years.
Parade Officials were very appreciative of the ham operators assistance in the parade each
year, "I really don't think we could pull this thing off every year
without ham radio assistance." County EC Terry Russ agreed: For over
thirty years, ham radio operators have been the backbone of the parade,
providing the bond that keeps it all running smoothly for the Hall of Fame
Enshrinement Festival Committee."
Volunteers for this year’s parade include the following operators:
STAGING/COMMUNICATIONS Center: Terry Russ - N8ATZ and
Dave Beltz -
WD8AYE, and Mike Daughenbauch, KE8EHG. General Net Control - Ron Hendershot - KA8FTP.
DEMARSHALLING COORDINATOR: Wade
Huthmacher - WD8MIU.
ROUTE COMMUNICATIONS: Steve Simon - KD8SPF, John Wagner - W8JJW, Don Wade - W8DEA, Vern Sproat - KE8VS.
North Route: Perry Ballinger - W8AU, Pat Quinlan - KA8DAL, Jeff Gortney - K8JAG, Ted Faix - KB8PRK,
Igor Nikishin - K8INN,
Tom Gill
- KC8QOD, Al Perry - KE8EHE, Lori Perry - KE8EHF, Roger Grey - W8VE, Dale Lamb -
NX8J, Dirk - KE8JGX, Tom - KD8JRK, Perry - N8VXQ, Mike - N8COM, Don - N8IVJ,
Justin - N8JKC, Brian - K3CAK, Ted - K8TWA, Dennis - AI8P, and Deb - KD8DEB.
DISPERSAL Team Leader: Wade Huthmacher - WD8MIU,
Tom Gill - KC8QOD, Denise Gill, Leonard Johnson - N8XPI, Frank Koby - N8SGS,
Keith - KE8DTS, Sandy - KB8PHO, Adam - KE8IEM and Jay - W8DAP.
Congratulations to everyone on another great Pro Football Hall of Fame
Enshrinement Festival !
HOF Community Parade
Recap
Terry Russ, N8ATZ -
Emergency Coordinator
(Jul 29, 2018) - - With a picture perfect day for an opening day parade, members of the Stark Co ARES, Canton &
Massillon ARC's once again assisted in the opening events of the Pro Football
Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival by providing communications support for the
Community Parade held this year on Sunday, July 22nd.
Again this year amateurs provided both logistical support communications for
parade staging as well as medical support covering the EMS
units assigned to the parade route and TV Production assistance.
Digital packet communications were utilized to synchronize the nearly 90 parade
units making up this years parade. A voice relay is normally used to relay the exact line up
and was provided by Evan Rankl - KD8IDH to Tom
Gill, KC8QOD and Ted Armstrong, K8TWA who then sends this
down to Jason, KC8LIN inside the Television Production truck. This system
allowed parade officials to make any last minute lineup changes and accurately
convey this to the TV producer.
Packet is used for this function and has proven to be the perfect choice as it
allows van personnel to continuously monitor the status of all units in the
parade. This marks the 19th year this has been used and is an important aspect
of our parade assistance.
This year the weather cooperated and the parade
was completed with only a few minor unit breakdowns and no injuries to any of
the participants.
Our other parade responsibility and perhaps our most important, is medical
support. Amateurs were stationed along the route to provided a
common communications link to the medical command center in demarshaling area.
A special thank you to the following volunteers who assisted with this years
event. The TV Production and logistical support crew included packet operators Tom Gill – KC8QOD
and Ted Armstrong, K8TWA, and Jason
Stroll - KC8LIN in the TV Production Van. Net Control was handled by Terry Russ
- N8ATZ. Medical Unit support included Mike Palmer – KD8ENV in staging with
Perry Ballinger, W8AU in demarshaling. Igor Nikishin -
K8INN, Very Sproat, KE8VS, Steve Simon - KD8SPF, and Don Wade - W8DEA positioned
along the Market Avenue Route.
A terrific job from a great crew, thanks again for your support of the Pro
Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival !
KC8QOD in the Comm Trailer Packet Station
2018 Akron-Canton Airport Drill
Terry Russ, N8ATZ -
Emergency Coordinator
(May 28, 2018) - - On Tuesday, May 15th, members of the Stark County ARES
provided support communications for the Akron-Canton Airport Drill. This
Exercise was a full scale Disaster Drill to help test and improve emergency
procedures and preparedness.
The FAA requires all commercial airports to prepare and conduct
full scale drills every three years. This years drill was coordinated by the
Akron-Canton Airport and Stark County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) with the
help of over twenty-one participating agencies including both the Stark and
Summit County ARES.
Our role in this drill was to provide communications support at
multiple hospitals including Altman and Alliance General. Operators also staffed
multiple transport busses used for volunteer/victim transport to the crash site
and area hospitals, Finally we provided tactical communications between the
Airport Command Post and hospitals & crash site. Finally we provided tactical
communications between the Airport Command Post and EMA.
A portable communications Go-Box was used at the Command Center
while portable handhelds were used on the busses. As expected, communications
with the busses proved difficult even using external antennas to provide better
range.
Constant communications was maintained between the busses,
hospitals and the command center throughout the exercise providing vital
information on the status of all volunteers/victims. This would provide critical
information should this had been an actual disaster site.
Multiple local repeaters were utilized as well as simplex
frequencies for this drill. Summit County ARES also assisted with this event
providing communications for several Summit County Hospitals.
Stark County EMA Director Tim Warstler expressed his total
appreciation for the assistance of both Summit and Stark County ARES as we again
proved that our ability to provide reliable support communications would be a
vital part should an actual incident happen at our local Airport.
The following operators participated in this drill that totaled
over 50 hours of community service. David Beltz - WD8AYE, Terry Russ -
N8ATZ, Jim Farriss - WA8GXM, Don Finley - W8DEF, Linda Finley - K8MOO, Tom Gill
- KC8QOD, Don Wade - W8DEA, Frank Sanor - WA8WHP, and Mike Palmer - KD8ENV.
The Command Post at the Akron Canton Airport
2017 Year End ARES Report
Stan Broadway, N8BHL -
Section Emergency Coordinator
(Feb 23, 2018) - -
Hi all! The ARRL has published its year end report for 2017. We’ve told
you repeatedly that Ohio is a leading program…and that’s all because of YOU!
Here are the official stats.
Nationally, there were 31.322 members (a 12% increase from last year) The
caveat is that more sections have been reporting than ever before, so you’d
expect that number to be up.
There were 34,125 Ares nets
Drills training and tests: 42,838
Public service: 5,730
Emergencies: 1,913
Skywarn: 1,198
Total monetary value ( at $24.14) $17,354,958
So that is ARES contribution to our nation in 2017- something we can be proud
of!
How about Ohio?
Ohio reported 1858 members, with 9,457 events and a contribution of $2,051,972
You invested 85,003 hours in service to your communities!! This, with our
reporting record of 100%, puts Ohio in the top five ARRL sections.
We are actually third by state (California 2265, Texas 1930 are ahead) in
membership. Ohio is FIRST in number of ARES events! And we are second in the
amount you have contributed to your communities: $2,051,972. We are second
behind MI (90,244) in hours contributed.
Dividing this by FEMA region (we are in 5) we are in the strongest position with
the most members, by far the most events and volunteer hours. Our contribution
as Region 5 is $5,459,213. Region 5 is OH, MN, WI, IN, IL, MI
These are great numbers to show your EMA Directors! The takeaway is that even
with major events such as hurricanes, our Ohio Section ARES is the most
consistently active organization- showing that we DO have the training and track
record to be a valid partner!
I cannot thank each of your enough for your time and energy!! These results
show that it’s working, and very worthwhile!
Stan Broadway, N8BHL
What about here in Stark County ?
The Stark County ARES was involved in 3 Community Service events last year that
involved 55 radio amateurs who provided 268 total Community Service hours. 2018
looks to be just as busy with our normally scheduled events plus an anticipated
Airport Drill in April.
Congratulations to every ARES member for your dedication and hard work !
Ohio ARES Conference
Terry Russ, N8ATZ -
Emergency Coordinator
(Apr 14, 2018) - -
The 2018 Ohio ARES conference was held Saturday, April 7 at the Marion
Tech / OSU Marion campus. We had use of a great 150 plus seating lecture
facility with excellent visuals, and a wide selection of lunch places nearby!
This year’s keynote speaker was Great Lakes Division Director Dale Williams, WA8EFK,
who covered the extensive changes currently taking place within the ARRL ARES
program both within in Ohio and the nation.
Other topics covered were expanded use of DMR communications in Ohio ARES,
additional training opportunities and future state wide drills here in Ohio.
Attending from Stark County were EC Terry Russ, N8ATZ and Assistant EC's Don
Wade, W8DEA and David Beltz, WD8AYE.
Great attendance for this years ARES Conference
2018 Skywarn Spotter Training
Terry Russ, N8ATZ -
Emergency Coordinator
(Apr 1, 2018) - - Stark County Skywarn and the County EMA office hosted
our annual Severe Storm Spotter Training this year at Jackson High School on
Wednesday, March 21st from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.
Conducting the training was Zach Sefcovic, Meteorologist from the Cleveland
NWS Office. Nearly 100 people attended this years training consisting of
Amateur Radio Operators, area public safety forces, hospital, school employees
and the general public.
This training included a new powerpoint presentation that included content
from last years severe weather here in northeast Ohio.
County EMA Director Tim Warstler and ARES EC Terry Russ would like to thank
Zach Sefcovic for the great training presentation, Keith Obermeier, IT Director
representing Jackson High School for arranging for the use of the great
facility. The training was very well received by those in attendance.
I would also like to thank my Assistant EC's for their help with registration
for this years community service. They were David Beltz - WD8AYE, Mike Palmer -
KD8ENV, and Mike Lackney - KB8MIB.
Registration was busy right up to the start of the training
Another full house again this year
Changes Coming to the
ARRL ARES Program
Courtesy of the ARRL
(Dec 23, 2017) - - - The Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES) has been
the public service communications program of the ARRL since 1935. Over the
program’s eight decades it has occasionally undergone updates to make sure it
meets the needs of partners at all levels, adjusts to changes in the Amateur
Radio Service, and incorporate lessons learned from emergency and disaster
activations. However, the last major update to ARES occurred more than 40 years
ago, and it is quite clear that a lot has changed since then.
So, two years ago, the ARRL board of directors created the
Public Service Enhancement Working Group to study the ARRL’s public service
offerings and recommend changes and improvements. The working group focused on
many areas including training, volunteer management, field organization
positions, and mission – all areas of concern brought to the board and staff’s
attention from those in the field. The recommendations were vetted through a
peer review group of field organization volunteers and readied for
implementation.
In the months ahead, you will receive information on
enhancements coming to the ARES program, including:
- A new national mission statement for ARES
- New national training requirements and local
training resources for ARES
- Updated field organization job descriptions
- Improved ARES operating guidelines
- New ARES group benefits
- A new volunteer management system – ARES
Connect
The first step in the next evolution of ARES is group
identification. Currently there is no way to identify ARES groups or their
associated volunteers with a searchable unique designator, which makes reporting
and accountability difficult. Beginning January 1, 2018 ARES groups will need to
sign up for their unique ARES identification number. This number will be
utilized by the ARES Connect system and provide ARES groups with unique
benefits (think club affiliation, but for ARES!).
Once ARES groups receive their identification numbers they
will be eligible for benefits including:
- ARES book sets (great for the EOC or Red
Cross radio room)
- New ham referral
- Early access to the annual ARES Report
- Email forwarding, which will provide ARES
groups that have a club callsign with a uniform "call
sign@arrl.net"
- More to come!
Groups that will need an ARES identification number include
local level (city/county/district) and section level. Information about the ARES
identification application process will be sent out the week before the
application system opens.
If you have any questions, please contact ARRL Emergency
Preparedness Manager Mike Corey, KI1U,
ki1u@arrl.org
In the coming months Stark County ARES will be providing
additional information on how this new ARES program will be implemented here as
we are also reviewing the current ARES registrations into those members eligible
for Tier 1 Status. Contact Stark County EC Terry Russ, N8ATZ with any questions
on this new program.
The Next Go-Box Designs
Terry Russ, N8ATZ -
Emergency Coordinator
(Dec 23, 2017) - - I recently completed two new Go-Box Equipment Stations
using parts obtained during my trip to Dayton Hamvention this year. The first is
a VHF/UHF design using the classic Ammo Box design while the other is an updated
design of an HF station box.
If you are interested in looking for ideas or are ready to
building a portable Go-Station have a look at our
Projects webpage where you will find several of my own designs as well
as stations assembled throughout Ohio ARES complete with photographs and
assembly ideas. You may already have some spare equipment that would work out
perfectly for a Go-Box. Time to start thinking about assembling one of your own
!
Stark ARES Display
Terry Russ, N8ATZ -
Emergency Coordinator
(Oct
30, 2016) -- Stark ARES hosted an information table at the October 23rd
Massillon Hamfest. The table was staffed by ARES Net Manager Mike Lackney -
KB8MIB and Assistant Net Manager Mike Palmer - KD8ENV.
Our display included a PowerPoint presentation covering basic ARES & Skywarn
operations, a display of several versions of Emergency Response or (Go-Boxes)
and informational literature. New this year was literature provided by the Stark
County EMA Office.
Many visitors stopped by with questions and comments covering our ARES & Skywarn
programs here in Stark County. My thanks to both Mike's for staffing the booth
during the hamfest !
Mike Lackney, KB8MIB at the ARES Display
ARES Assists With RNC
Terry Russ, N8ATZ -
Emergency Coordinator
(Jul 30, 2016) - -
Stark County ARES was active on standby status during the Cleveland
Republican National Convention. EC Terry Russ, N8ATZ was a backup operator for
the Summit Co Red Cross Operations Center during the event which was staffed
around the clock during the convention. Summit Co EMA was the primary agency
during the event. Stark County EMA was also prepared to provide support in case
it was needed. Summit Co EC Ken Dorsey, KA8OAD expressed his appreciation for
our offer of support for the event. Below are some pictures taken on the Summit
Co Command Post.
The main Command Post with volunteers
Hourly communications were maintained between the Summit Co Command Post and
Cuyahoga County Main Operations Center
One of the operating stations at the command center
Stark County EMA
Activation
Terry Russ, N8ATZ -
Emergency Coordinator
(Feb 6, 2016) - -
The Stark County EMA was briefly activated last Monday evening when a train
derailment occurred at the Brewster Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway station. Four
railroad tanker cars derailed and one carrying butane caught fire at about 5:30
PM. By about 6:15 PM the Stark County EMA was activated uncertain as to the
extent of the emergency.
ARES was requested to activate the communications center to monitor the county
emergency station and establish and an emergency net in case additional support
was needed at area hospitals and the Red Cross Center.
About 100 local residents in close proximity to the scene were evacuated and
assisted by the Red Cross.
County Emergency Coordinator Terry Russ, N8ATZ was contacted and also responded
to the EOC with Assistant EC David Beltz, WD8AYE who staffed the Comm
Center for several hours assisting with communications. Once the on scene fire
and Haz-Mat crews had the situation under control at about 8:00 PM, the EMA was
deactivated and our Emergency Net was closed. EMA Director Tim Warstler
appreciated the quick response from the Stark County ARES who monitored
communications during the emergency.
A Tanker Car Fire
Gary Garnet Selected
as Meteorologist-in-Charge of NWS Cleveland
Terry Russ, N8ATZ -
Emergency Coordinator
(Jan 17, 2016) - -Gary Garnet has served the
National Weather Service for over twenty six years.
Since starting his career in 1989, Gary has held
many positions including: Intern in Charleston
South Carolina, General Forecaster in Charleston,
West Virginia, Science Operations Officer in Grand
Rapids Michigan and most recently sixteen years as
the Warning Coordination Meteorologist in Cleveland,
Ohio. Gary has served periods as the Acting
Meteorologist in Charge at NWS Cleveland and briefly
at NWS Pittsburgh. Gary has earned several awards
throughout his career including the U.S. Department
of Commerce Silver Medal for actions during
Hurricane Hugo and the NOAA Administrators Award for
work with the Great Lakes Marine Program. Gary has
provided support to multiple other NWS offices
during significant events such as Deep Water
Horizon, Super Storm Sandy and the Super Tornado
Outbreak of April 2011.
Gary holds a Bachelor of Science degree in
Atmospheric Sciences from The Ohio State University
and a Masters of Computer Science from Grand Valley
State University in Michigan.
Mr. Garnet assumed his new position on January
10, 2016.
ARES Activation
Terry Russ, N8ATZ - Stark Co EC
(Jan 19, 2015) - - Stark County ARES was activated the evening of January
13th when a telephone outage caused by an equipment failure in a Summit County
AT&T switching station caused multiple equipment failures throughout the area.
Here in Stark County local emergency service phone line failure resulted in an
emergency declaration and the Stark County EMA office was activated.
EMA Director Tim Warstler requested ARES activation to provide
communications and logistics support to his office. ARES member David Beltz was
first to respond to the office at 9:00 PM only to find that our equipment had
been temporarily removed as building renovation was in process. Dave
contacted EC Terry Russ to respond as well. Our portable equipment kit was
brought to the EOC to establish communications. Antennas had also been removed
and thanks to support from local radio station WHBC and their remote truck,
station engineer Dale Lamm, NX8J, we were able to setup a temporary antenna.
This completed we established a net on our ARES Repeater.
During net operations, we made contact with the multiple EMA
offices affected by the phone outage. We were also in contact with the Ohio EMA
office in Columbus. During the next four hours we helped maintain communications
links with multiple offices and public safety forces as well as staff the MARCS
Statewide Radio System. The Massillon ARC offered the use of their
Communications Trailer in case support equipment was needed.
Stark County Sheriff George Maier and EMA Director Tim Warstler
were thankful for area amateurs quick response to this short communications
emergency. Full phone service was restored and by approximately 1:30 AM we
closed down the emergency net and operations from the EOC.
Click Here to read the ARRL recap of the comm emergency.
County EC Terry, N8ATZ operates using our Go-Box from the
radio room.
(Photo courtesy of Dale Lamm, NX8J)
"Go-Box" Version 2.0
Terry Russ, N8ATZ - Stark Co EC
(UPDATED
Feb 16, 2016) (Dec 27, 2014) - - While I was very satisfied with my latest Equipment or
Go-Box based on the Gator 8U Rack Mount Case, it did have several limitations.
On my latest design, I tried to correct these limitations and come up with a
more useful Field Box. The full report including several pictures is
posted on the Projects Page. Have a look
at it and let me know what you think. Finally I have been able to collect a lot
of Go Box pictures from my travels to several ARES Conferences over the last
several years. These pictures are now posted on the photo page. Have a look if
you are looking to build your version of a equipment Go-Box.
ARRL ARES E-Letter Posted
Terry Russ, N8ATZ - Emergency
Coordinator
(Dec 15, 2017) -- The November, 2017 edition of The ARES
E-Letter is currently posted and includes the following highlights;
Click
Here for a direct link.
Dave Popkin, W2CC/AAR2BU Receives
Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award
Courtesy of the ARRL
(Aug 15, 2018) - -
A New Jersey radio
amateur and Military
Auxiliary Radio System
(MARS) member has
received a Lifetime
Achievement Award from
President Donald Trump.
ARRL Charter Life Member
Dave Popkin,
W2CC/AAR2BU, was
recognized for his
extraordinary
contributions as a MARS
volunteer. “On behalf
of a grateful nation, I
thank you for your
lifetime of service to
your fellow Americans
and those most in need,”
President Trump said.
“Through at least 4,000
hours of service, you
have ensured the
continuation of
America’s unparalleled
commitment to improving
the lives of others. You
have served as a model
of the American spirit.
Your many hours of
service have
strengthened the bonds
of cooperation and trust
that bring people
together, while helping
to address some of the
greatest challenges of
our time.”
MARS Region 2
Director Carver
Washburn, W2TFM/AAA2RD,
said Popkin’s “long and
distinguished” history
as a volunteer extends
over 56 years with US
Army MARS, averaging
some 2,000 hours a year.
“Dave is particularly
noted for his MARS
leadership roles,
mentoring, and training
initiatives,” Washburn
noted. “It all started
with his inspiration and
his motivation to take
positive action that, to
this day, has
fundamentally enhanced
the ability of [the
Department of Defense]
to achieve its goals
under the most dire of
circumstances, such as
occurred in Puerto Rico
during Hurricane Maria
in September 2017.”
Washburn said Popkin
served as net control
for MARS radio nets in
Region 2, and has served
as MARS New Jersey State
Director.
“Also evident were
his unique talents to
train and mentor these
team members,
substantially expanding
the strength of the
organization,” Washburn
said. “Dave made a
difference in innovative
ways through this role.
He worked on the HQ
senior staff for many
years as well. Chief
Army MARS Paul English
and I are most grateful
for his long and valued
MARS service.”
A former FCC field
inspector who also
served as an ARRL
Official Observer,
Popkin has made similar
contributions to Amateur
Radio, Washburn said,
citing Popkin’s years of
leadership with the New
Jersey Phone Net and
with the Englewood
Cliffs (New Jersey)
Amateur Radio Club’s
ARRL Field Day
operation. He also has
held ARRL Field
Organization
appointments as Official
Relay Station, Net
Manager, Official
Bulletin Station,
Official Emergency
Station, Emergency
Coordinator, and Local
Government Liaison.
The President's
Volunteer Service Award is a
civilian honor bestowed by the President of the
United States. Established by executive order by
George W. Bush, the award was established to honor
volunteers who give hundreds of hours per year
helping others through the President's Council on
Service and Civic Participation. The award can be
granted to individuals, families and organizations
in the US to recognize more than 4,000 hours of
extraordinary service as a volunteer. — Thanks to
Carver Washburn, W2TFM/AAA2RD
ARES Volunteers Assist in California
Fire Response
Courtesy of the ARRL
![ARES Volunteer Samuel Brignoni, KM6QDQ, of the Shasta-Tehama ARES team. The Glenn County EC Michael Maddalena, KJ6KIZ, also worked the Weaverville shelter for several days. [Courtesy of Greg Kruckewitt, KG6SJT]](http://www.arrl.org/img/130x97/exact/News/Samuel%20Brignoni%20KM6QDQ-1.jpg) [UPDATED 2018-08-08 @ 1210 UTC] Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®) volunteers have pitched in to assist where needed to provide or support communication as catastrophic wildfires have struck California. Volunteers from multiple ARRL Sections in the state have stepped up to help, as some fires remain out of control. The fires have claimed several lives, destroyed more than 1,000 homes, and forced countless residents to evacuate, including radio amateurs. ARRL Sacramento Valley Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC) Greg Kruckewitt, KG6SJT, said this week that things have calmed somewhat compared to the past couple of weeks, with American Red Cross shelter communicators stepping down after 10 days of support. Initially, there were four shelters in Redding. On August 5, the Shasta-Tehama ARES team was able to take its communications trailer to Trinity County to support a shelter in Weaverville opened for Carr Fire evacuees, he said. “This relieved the Sacramento County ARES volunteers who had been up there for several days,” Kruckewitt said. “For mutual assistance to Weaverville, it is a 4.5- to 5.5-hour drive for the Sacramento Valley Section people who helped out. Communications at the shelter have been important, as power and cell phone coverage is often spotty, with power going off for hours at a time.” All ARES activations for the Carr Fire ended the evening of August 7.
CalFire reports that the Carr Fire in Shasta and Trinity counties covers more than 167,000 acres and is 47% contained. Evacuations and road closures are in effect. At one point, more than a dozen ARES volunteers from Shasta, Sacramento, Butte, Placer, and El Dorado counties were working at shelters opened in the wake of the Carr Fire. READ MORE
Monitor the
147.12 Mhz Repeater for Severe Weather information here in Stark County !
ARES - SKYWARN Car Magnets and lots of other items available
at www.hamcrazy.com
Our thanks to Mercy Medical Center for their commitment to the
Stark County Amateur Radio Emergency Service and for their
support of Stark County Winlink.
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The Stark County Amateur Radio Emergency Service
Canton, Ohio 44701
ARES®,
Amateur Radio Emergency Service and the ARES logo are registered trademarks of
the American Radio Relay League, Incorporated and are used by permission.
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Our Purpose
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Welcome to the new Stark County ARES Website. The Amateur Radio Emergency
Service (ARES) consists of licensed Amateur Radio operators who have voluntarily
registered their qualifications and equipment for communications duty in the
public interest when disaster strikes.
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Our Mission
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The Stark County ARES has always been dedicated to the completion of three
goals. One, to provide the citizens of Stark County and local Public Service
officials with a team of highly skilled and dedicated radio operators ready to
assist when needed. Two, to provide Stark County amateurs with a full featured,
reliable wide area coverage ARES Repeater. And three, to provide an information
service for both amateurs and the community.
With the redesign of this website, we hope
we have accomplished this mission. We welcome your comments.
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ARES News
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November News
A District 5 ARES Meeting was held on Saturday, Sept
1st at the County EMA to review the new ARES Connect Volunteer Registration
System.
****************
2018 Stark Co ARES meeting schedule will be
posted when dates are set.
Meetings
will be on Thursday Evenings at the Stark County EOC Office beginning at 7:00
PM.
Stark Co ARES Repeater is on
147.12+, PL 110.9 County
Winlink RMS Packet Relay is on 145.07 Simplex. Callsigns are N8ATZ-10 (Eastern
Stark Node) and WA8GXM-10 (Western Stark Node).
**********
Ohio Section ARES News is available on the Ohio ARES
Website. Click Here to read the latest Section
News.
************
Click
Here to see some simple ARES portable antenna mounts you can use during local
public service drills and events.
Review
Current Activities in the Stark County Winlink Initiative.
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Powerpoleing
Your Power Connections 
The ARRL recently reviewed a new website that
does a great job of describing the Anderson Powerpole connectors. The site
describes the connectors in detail and provides tips on assembling and using
them on your equipment.
For
higher power rigs and DC power supplies, the Anderson Powerpole is the emerging
National ARES/RACES standard. The
site also contains links for additional Amateur Radio Emergency Communications
ideas, a portable EC station and a Quick Response Team Go Kit. This site has
lots of useful ARES information, well beyond the powerpole ideas. Click
Here to visit the site. *************
New Emergency Communications Handbook
The ARRL announces
a new emergency communications handbook for all hams that volunteer their skills
in public service applications. The handbook includes details on basic emergency
communications skills, message handling, and much more. This reference will help
you to understand the public service role amateurs will play and what to take
along.
The Handbook is 176 pages and costs $ 19.95 plus shipping from
the ARRL and other dealers.
 (Mar 26, 2006) -- The ARRL has
introduced a new Emergency Communications Catalog containing a host of items
using the "When All Else Fails" theme. The items are a great
reminder that Amateur Radio provides immediate, high-quality communications that
work every time, when all else fails.
The items include T-Shirts, Pins, Stickers, Patches, Magnetic
Signs, Banners, a Coffee Mug and Key Chain all carrying the "When All
Else Fails" theme. Click
Here to visit the catalog.
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Click Here to
download a current ARES Registration Form. Help us keep your record current !
Anderson Power Pole Connectors,
the defacto standard for ARES power connections.
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Other News
Amateur's
Support COOL Project...
2010
Tour de Cure Report...
2010
HOF Festival Timken Grand Parade....
2010
HOF Festival Community Parade Report..
Alliance
ARC Take Part in Drill.
Stark
ARES Attends District Meeting.
ARES
Repeater Anniversity...
Stark
ARES & MARC Assist With 2009 Annual MS Walk.
MARC
Assists With Massillon Holiday Parade.
Hurricane
Ike's Winds Hit Stark County.
Stark
ARES Assists With Akron Marathon.
March
2008 Winlink Updates
ARES
Teams Activated for Northwest Near Record Flooding.
MARC
Assists With Annual MS Walk.
ARRL
Board Accepts NERPC Report.
Airmail
Station Completed at Mercy Medical Center.
Stark
County ARES Part of OEHA Fall Conference.
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Click above for official ARES Logo merchandise from the
ARRL.
The Official Stark County ARES
Name Badge Supplier. Click on the logo for details.
The Stark County ARES is a proud supporter of the Annual
Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival providing communications
support for over 25 years ! ***********
Stark County EMA is now on Facebook. They will use the new social media site to provide
ongoing public information about disaster related issues in the county.
Please Like and share with your friends !
Look for them by going to "starkcountyema" on facebook.
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Looking for a ready made "Go-Kit" ?
Checkout Quicksilver Radio for several ready to go VHF
Go-Kits. Click on the pix below to see the current specials.
Have a look at our Projects
Page for a review of their latest product.
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![ARES Volunteer Samuel Brignoni, KM6QDQ, of the Shasta-Tehama ARES team. The Glenn County EC Michael Maddalena, KJ6KIZ, also worked the Weaverville shelter for several days. [Courtesy of Greg Kruckewitt, KG6SJT]](http://www.arrl.org/images/view/News/Samuel%20Brignoni%20KM6QDQ-1.jpg)
