The Stark County ARES Home Page

Cleveland NWS Relocation Notice
Terry Russ, N8ATZ - Emergency Coordinator

(Aug 4, 2020) - - The National Weather Service Cleveland Weather Forecast Office (WFO) will be moving to a new building on or about September 14, 2020. The new office is located in Brooklyn Heights Ohio. The radar and the official climate observing equipment (ASOS) will remain at the existing location at the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

Most NWS forecast products and services will be uninterrupted by utilizing a combinationof remote computing capabilities as well as backup support from the Weather Forecast Offices in Buffalo, NY and Wilmington, OH.

Ten NOAA Weather Radio transmitters will be temporarily off the air for up to a couple of days during the move to the new facility. These include:

Akron, OH KDO-94 162.400 MHZ

Youngstown, OH WWG-56 162.500 MHZ

Cleveland, OH KHB-59 162.550 MHZ

Mansfield, OH WWG-57 162.450 MHZ

Bellevue, OH KHB-97 162.400 MHZ

Carey, OH KZZ-47 162.525 MHZ

Toledo, OH WXL-51 162.500 MHZ

Grafton, OH WNG-698 162.500 MHZ

Meadville, PA KZZ-32 162.475 MHZ

Erie, PA KEC-58 162.400 MHZ

Because we are moving to a different city, all WFO phone numbers, except for the spotter 800 number, will be changing. The new public phone number will be 216-416-2900.

Other coordination phone numbers will be directly communicated with partners.

We will provide additional informational statements as we get closer to the move date.

Questions should be directed to Gary Garnet Meteorologist In Charge at gary.garnet@noaa.gov

Gary Garnet

Meteorologist In Charge

National Weather Service

5301 West Hangar Rd.

Cleveland, OH 44135

Voice: 216-265-2382 EXT 222

Stark County Winlink Update
Terry Russ, N8ATZ - Emergency Coordinator

(Aug 5, 2020) - - After some equipment issues we are glad to announce that our Winlink TelPac Nodes are back in service from our two Stark County Sites.

Our Western Node, WA8GXM-10 is back in service with a new Windows 10 computer and is back located at the MARC Tower site.

Our Central Stark County Node, N8ATZ-10 has been repaired and reprogrammed and is back on-site at Mercy Medical Center.

Both nodes are undergoing testing and are functioning normal for now. There is still some equipment replacement necessary and we hope to have this completed by the end of the month.

QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo Announces Full Lineup of Speakers
Terry Russ, N8ATZ - Emergency Coordinator

(Jul 15, 2020) - - The first QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo Saturday and Sunday, August 8 – 9, has confirmed what it’s calling “a packed lineup of over 70 great speakers” for the ARRL sanctioned event. Attendance is free and registration is open. Presentations will cover a range of topics, with two tracks focused on providing hands on, practical advice for those just getting started in amateur radio. Steve Johnston, WD8DAS, will demonstrate basic soldering techniques for repairing equipment and building projects. Marcel Stieber, AI6MS, will offer an overview of common battery types, discussing the pros and cons of each — including battery chemistry, common uses and misuses, and everyday application tips. For experienced operators, topics will cover new techniques, equipment upgrading, 3D printing, and more. Glenn Johnson, WØGJ, will attempt to answer the question, “Is 3 dB Worth a Divorce?” and cover a wide range of antenna topics. Jim Veatch, WA2EUJ, will explain how to build a QRP radio. In his presentation, “The Slot Antenna — Undiscovered Country for Most Hams,” John Portune, W6NBC, will demonstrate how a satellite TV dish can be “slotted” to make an effective outdoor 2-meter or UHF antenna for use in antenna-restricted neighborhoods. Prominent youth educator Carole Perry, WB2MGP, will moderate a lineup featuring amateur radio’s future leaders. Audrey McElroy, KM4BUN, will speak on, “Getting Girls Involved in STEM, Specifically Amateur Radio!” while hot-air ballooning will be the focus of a talk by Jack McElroy, KM4ZIA, “Highly Flying Kids with HAB.” QSO Today’s Eric Guth, 4Z1UG, says that one challenge to any ham radio convention, whether in person or virtual, is keeping the content of presentations from becoming overly complicated and overwhelming. “For our inaugural virtual Expo, we’ve made sure that there are great speakers for both beginners and experienced hams,” Guth said. “We’ve asked all of our speakers to be laser focused on their topics while providing handson, practical advice.” Each presentation will wrap up with a live question-and-answer session. For more information or to register, visit the QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo website. Attendance is free, and there are early bird prize incentives for registering by July 24. ####

ARRL ARES Connect System Update
Terry Russ, N8ATZ - Emergency Coordinator

(Jul 1, 2020) The Stark Co ARES Connect system has been updated to include all nets and special events that are eligible for credit and volunteer time recording. This includes any local area nets you participate in, and any public service events you assist with.

Log into the ARES Connect System and make sure you are registered in the system. Direct and questions to Stark Co EC Terry Russ, N8ATZ at (330) 83703091 or by email to truss@sssnet.com.

Update Regarding the HOF Festival
Terry Russ, N8ATZ - Emergency Coordinator

Dear Volunteers:

Today we are making a difficult announcement: All events related to the 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival will be rescheduled for 2021.

This is the right decision for several reasons, first and foremost the health and welfare of our Gold Jackets, incoming Centennial Class of 2020 members, Hall and Chamber personnel and you, our great and much-appreciated event volunteers.

We also must consider the most appropriate way to fulfill the first tenet of our Mission: “To Honor the Heroes of the Game.” This decision meets that duty.

While postponement of the 2020 Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls disheartens each of us, we are reinvigorated by the news that the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed that the teams will play in the 2021 Hall of Fame Game, tentatively scheduled for Aug. 5, 2021. This year’s game sold out in 22 minutes, and the enthusiasm for the game in 2021 will be equally high.

The game will kick off a spectacular week of events, including a historic first for the Hall: two Enshrinements over one colossal weekend. We will need each of you to help us make 2021 the best year ever at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Let’s join together for “Twice the fun in ’21” – for what promises to be the greatest gathering in the 100-year history of the National Football League.

Please note: You are receiving this news before some of our Centennial Class of 2020 and Gold Jackets. We ask that it not be shared with anyone outside our team in any fashion until noon today.

Thank you for your understanding and continued commitment. Next year starts now! The VERY best is STILL ahead.

With GREAT Respect & Sincere Appreciation,

David Baker Denny Saunier

Stark County Recent Storm Photo's
Terry Russ, N8ATZ - Emergency Coordinator

(Jun 11, 2020) - -A late spring storm passed through Stark County within the last week causing some damage along Route 44 in Louisville. The storm downed numerous trees and telephone poles.

Assistant EC Dave Beltz, WD8AYE captured the below photos of the damage. The storm also caused several power outages in the areas.

DMR Update
Terry Russ, N8ATZ - Emergency Coordinator

(03/22/2020) (March/April Update) - A significant improvement was completed within the last two weeks on our DMR System. The Massillon Site, now known as DMR West is using our Motorola XPR-8400 Repeater and has been reprogrammed to include a callsign change to W8NP West, transmit power was increased to 50 watts and Talk Group 31395 was added for ARES use.

Within the last week, we received and installed a new Hytera DMR Repeater and is in Beta testing in Louisville. This system will be known as our DMR East Repeater. Both repeaters are currently linked together but will require an update to your codeplug to be fully operational.

Additional improvements are currently in the planning stages. Testing has already shown a strong improvement in coverage area using handhelds.

Happy 150th Anniversary NWS !
Terry Russ, N8ATZ - Emergency Coordinator

(Feb 9, 2020) - - - Today's National Weather Service is built upon a long history of dedicated employees committed to their mission of providing data, observations, forecasts, and warnings of weather, water and climate events to save lives, protect property, and enhance the national economy.

As we celebrate our 150th Anniversary, and NOAA its 50th, we have much to document, collect, preserve, and share, along with our partners in the Weather Enterprise and the academic, research, and technology communities who have helped us along the way.

This site is designed to bring the history - the story - of our organization to life, and helps provide an in-depth view into the events, scientific and technological achievements, and professional and personal lives of the individuals who contributed and advanced our great agency that we are proud to be a part of today.

Dr. Louis W. Uccellini

Director, National Weather Service

Birthday Cake - Celebrating the National Weather Service's 150th Birthday on Feb. 9, 2020

On February 2, 1870, the United States Congress passed a resolution requiring the Secretary of War “to provide for taking meteorological observations at the military stations in the interior of the continent and at other points in the States and Territories...and for giving notice on the northern (Great) lakes and on the seacoast by magnetic telegraph and marine signals, of the approach and force of storms.” The Resolution was signed into law on February 9, 1870 by President Ulysses S. Grant, and the precursor to the Weather Bureau and National Weather Service was born.

The new agency, called the Division of Telegrams and Reports for the Benefit of Commerce, was formed under the U.S. Army Signal Service. The new weather agency was placed under the War Department because “military discipline would probably secure the greatest promptness, regularity, and accuracy in the required observations.” Because of the long name, the agency frequently referred to it as the national weather service or general weather service of the United States.

Signal Service

The new weather agency operated under the Signal Service from 1870 to 1891. During that time, the main office was located in Washington, D.C., with field offices concentrated mainly east of the Rockies. Most forecasts originated in the main office in Washington with observations provided by field offices.

During the Signal Service years, little meteorological science was used to make weather forecasts. Instead, weather which occurred at one location was assumed to move into the next area downstream. The weather forecasts were simple and general in content -- usually containing basic weather parameters such as cloud and precipitation.

The Division of Telegrams and Reports for the Benefit of Commerce remained under the Signal Service until 1891. On October 1, 1890, Congress voted to transfer it to the Department of Agriculture and renamed the Weather Bureau. The actual transfer occurred July 1, 1891, and at that time, organized civilian weather services within the Federal Government began in the United States.

Click Here for additional information on this anniversary celebration.

Winlink Development Team Recognized For Service
Terry Russ, N8ATZ - Emergency Coordinator

(Jan 27, 2020) - - In a recent ceremony, two Winlink development team members were awarded the Military Department of Tennessee Adjutant General’s Distinguished Patriot Medal.

Steve Waterman, K4CJX, was awarded “for his distinguished patriotic service as the Winlink Network Administrator,” citing his “vision, hard work, and dedication to emergency communication [that] contributed significantly to the disaster readiness and communications interoperability of the emergency responders across the United States and the world.”

Phil Sherrod, W4PHS, was awarded the medal “for his distinguished patriotic service as the lead developer for Winlink,” with “technical skill, hard work, and dedication to emergency communication [that] contributed significantly to the disaster readiness and communications interoperability of the emergency responders across the United States and the world.”

Updated 2020 Calendar of Events Posted
Terry Russ, N8ATZ - Emergency Coordinator

(Dec 30, 2019) - - The 2020 ARES Calendar of Events has been updated which includes a listing of our weekly ARES Nets including the dates of our normally scheduled public service events including the Hall of Fame Festival events. This year is also expected to include a multi-county Akron-Canton Airport Drill.

Additional events & activities will be added as needed for the year.

ARRL Self-Guided Emergency Communications Course EC-001-S is Now Available On-Demand
Terry Russ, N8ATZ - Emergency Coordinator

(Nov 21, 2019) ARRL’s EC-001-S online “Introduction to Emergency Communication” course is now available to students in an on-demand format, allowing students to register for the course and begin work at any time. This course is designed to provide basic knowledge and tools for any emergency communications volunteer.

In response to the great course demand and to expand access to EC-001, ARRL developed a self-guided version of the course, EC-001-S, which launched in June. This version of the course is designed for those who prefer to work independently and who do not need guidance from an online mentor. EC-001-S was previously offered only during specific sessions along with the traditional mentored version. The course opened for general enrollment on November 6.

Visit the ARRL Online Course Registration page for more information and to register.

Massillon Holiday Parade
Terry Russ, N8ATZ - Emergency Coordinator

(Nov 5, 2019) - - (Dec 16, 2019) - - On Saturday Afternoon, November 23rd the club completed our last public service event for the year by assisting with the annual Massillon Holiday Parade, an event we have participated in for the last 44 years making it one of the longest public service events handled by the club.

Our volunteers assisted with parade staging, cable TV interface, logistical support, parade safety and general communications for the 70 plus units that generally make up this annual Massillon Holiday tradition.

Terry Roan, Massillon Holiday Parade Parade Chairman provided a special thank you to the club in a letter to the editor noting “Massillon’s Amateur Radio Club, with Perry Ballinger (W8AU) as it’s leader provided 22 parade marshals who organized the line-up. To have a successful Holiday Parade we needed the complete support of the citizens of Massillon and surrounding areas—which we definitely had !

Thank you to everyone who made our Holiday Parade 2019 a huge success .”

Also a special Thank You to all of our club members who helped our with this years parade, we couldn’t have done it without you !

Stark ARES Display
Terry Russ, N8ATZ - Emergency Coordinator

(Nov 7, 2019) -- Stark ARES hosted an information table at the November 3rd 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

Stark County Safety Expo
Courtesy of the Stark Co ARES

(Oct 6, 2019) - - The MARC participated in the 2019 Stark County Association of Realtors Safety and Preparedness Expo on Saturday, September 28th from 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM.

The MARC EComm Trailer was on display as we provide information to the public on how we provide community service in the event of a local or wide based emergency that could impact our community.

The following MARC members assisted with this event to provide information to the public. Terry, N8ATZ, Jim - WA8GXM, Vern - KE8VS, Bud - WA8KWD, and Don - W8DEA. Dave Beltz - WD8AYE representing the Stark County EMA Office also participated in this event.

National Preparedness Month Program
Courtesy of the Stark Co ARES

(Sept 11, 2019) - - Continuing with our participation in National Preparedness Month, Stark County ARES participated in a two hour radio program hosted by the County EMA office and broadcast over local AM station WHBC that focused on plans our local our local government and public service organizations have put into place to serve citizens during a disaster, and on things the local populace can do in the event of a major emergency. The program was live streamed over the station facebook page,

Guests included both Canton Hospitals, EMA Staff, police and fire officials and city health departments. Our county ARES was represented by EC Terry Russ, N8ATZ, and Assistant EC David Beltz, WD8AYE our liaison to the EMA office. We briefly discussed how we interact with local civil authorities and how we provide support communications during emergencies and our local Skywarn program.

The program is available for replay on the Stark County EMA facebook page in the video's section. Click Here for the replay....

September is National Preparedness Month
Courtesy of the ARRL

(Sep 3, 2019) - - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) sponsors National Preparedness Month each September to promote family and community disaster and emergency planning throughout the year. The 2019 theme is “Prepared, Not Scared.” FEMA is a long-time ARRL partner agency. This year, FEMA wants participants — which include Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) volunteers — to share their activities and success stories, as well as brief descriptions of their National Preparedness Month plans (include “NPM” in the email subject line).

An appropriate submission would be your ARES team’s planned or conducted ARRL Simulated Emergency Test (SET) activity. The SET is designed to assess the skills and preparedness of ARES and other organizations involved with emergency/disaster response, and the 2019 SET is scheduled for the October 5 – 6 weekend. Guidelines and specific SET reporting forms for Field Organization leaders are on the ARRL website. Download and send completed forms to Steve Ewald, WV1X, at ARRL Headquarters. See page 71 in the September 2019 issue of QST for more information on the 2019 SET.

Alliance Carnation Festival Report
Terry Russ, N8ATZ - Emergency Coordinator courtesy of the Alliance Amateur Radio Club

(Sept 3, 2019) - - The Alliance Amateur Radio Club (W8LKY) provided Emergency Communications for the Greater Alliance (Ohio) Carnation Festival Grand Parade on August 10, 2019.

The Ten-Day annual festival concludes with the Grand Parade. The Parade stepped off at 11AM at Fernwood Blvd and West State Street and concluded 2.1 miles later at the intersection of Broadway Street and South Union Ave. This was the Sixtieth (60TH) anniversary of the Carnation Festival Celebration in Alliance. The Festival honor’s The Official State Flower of Ohio, the Scarlet Carnation.

Thirteen (13) Ham Operators were stationed along the entire 2.1 mile parade route. Twelve (12) operators were W8LKY members and One (1) operator from PCARS. The Alliance Club was represented by the following and includes hours of service on the project: Frank Sanor (WA8WHP)Four (4) hours, Tomas St.George (KC8ZEH) Four (4) hours, Lorin Kleinhans (KD8WVE) Four (4) hours, Paul Richardson (K2ASA) Four (4) hours, Howard Miller, Jr. (K8DXR) Four (4) hours, Ron Rittenhouse (KE8HCY) Twelve (12) hours (Project Chairperson), Shawn Gentile (KD8ZEZ) Four (4) hours, Dwight Turner (KD8YFV) Four (4) hours, David Kleinhans (KE8IYN) Four (4) hours, David Moreno, Jr. (KE8JLP) Five (5) hours, club secretary assisted project chairperson, Doug Matthews (KD8DNQ) Four (4) hours, Mike Urban (KE8CKL) Four (4) hours . The PCARS operator was Karen Andrews (N8HUC) Four (4) hours. The total service hours for this project was Sixty-One (61) hours of community service, Frank (WA8WHP was net control.

The weather was ideal, in the upper 70’s and no chance of rain. This year, we created a Parade Flow report; we charted the flow of the parade. Each operator along the parade route reported the arrival of the first and last parade units to Net Control. The Parade Flow report was shared with the Festival’s Grand Parade Chairpersons after the conclusion of the event.

No Emergencies occurred and the ebb and flow of the parade was reasonable with a few gaps, but not as many as in the past. W8LKY did have communications via our frequencies with the Alliance Police department. The Alliance Police Auxiliary handled traffic control, W8LKY served as communicators only; we were not involved with parade units.

A pre parade meeting was conducted at 9AM on the day of the event, and prior to each operator assuming their assigned location on the parade route. A packet was distributed at the pre parade meeting, the packet included the latest Parade line up, a parade map, a list of all the operators on the project (locations, tactical call sign to be used) and project’s SOP’s (standard Operating Procedures and overview of the project). One third (33%) of the club participated in the project and we had no problem filling the assignments for this project. The project is part of W8LKY’s Community Service agenda for 2019. W8lky will be providing Emergency Communications for the Alliance Rotary Clubs Annual Labor Day Castle Run event on September 2nd, 2019. Alliance Amateur Radio Club (W8LKY) is an ARRL Special Services Club. “Pride in the Carnation City” and 73’ from Alliance Amateur Radio Club W8lky.

Hurricane Watch Net Continue's to Monitor Dorian
Courtesy of the ARRL

(Sept 1, 2019) - - The Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) has been closely watching the progress of Hurricane Dorian and will activate on Saturday at 2100 UTC and remain in continuous operation on 14.325 MHz and 7.268 MHz.

Over the past 24 hours, the hurricane’s forecast track has shifted slightly, which will take the storm over the northern Bahamas before it strikes southeastern Florida.

As of 1500 UTC, Dorian was some 480 miles east of the northwestern Bahamas and about 660 miles east of West Palm Beach, Florida. Maximum sustained winds were 110 MPH (making it a Category 2 hurricane) and moving to the northwest at 10 MPH.

“The new forecast track does not look good,” HWN Manager Bobby Graves, KB5HAV, observed. “The Bahamas are forecast for a direct hit late Sunday afternoon when Dorian is a Category 4 hurricane. Next stop is currently forecast to be near West Palm Beach as a strong Category 3 hurricane.” Graves said that after it makes landfall, Dorian is expected to turn to the northwest and move up Florida’s east coast.

“No matter the location of landfall, suffice it to say that unless something major changes, a huge area of Florida will be impacted by this storm,” Graves said.

According to the National Hurricane Center:

Life-threatening storm surge and devastating hurricane-force winds are likely in portions of the northwestern Bahamas, where a hurricane watch is in effect. Residents should execute their hurricane plans and heed advice from local emergency officials.
Life-threatening storm surge and devastating hurricane-force winds are likely along portions of the Florida east coast by early next week, but it is too soon to determine where the highest storm surge and winds will occur. Residents should have hurricane plans in place, know if they are in a hurricane evacuation zone, and listen to advice given by local emergency officials.
A prolonged period of storm surge, high winds, and rain is likely in portions of Florida into next week, including the possibility of hurricane-force winds over inland portions of the Florida peninsula.
Heavy rains are expected over portions of the Bahamas, Florida, and elsewhere in the southeastern United States this weekend and into the middle of next week.

The ARRL Emergency Preparedness Department is sending two additional Ham Aid kits — one HF and one UHF-VHF — in response to a request from the West Central Florida Section ARES.

ARRL Headquarters remains in monitoring mode and has been in regular contact with ARRL’s partner agencies.

Hurricane Watch Net Set to Activate on Saturday
Courtesy of the ARRL

(Sept 1, 2019) - - The Florida’s three ARES® Section Emergency Coordinators are collecting information from ARES volunteers in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Dorian. The SECs have set up a volunteer form for Florida ARES members to express their desire to help in the areas of Florida affected by the impending hurricane. The volunteer’s information will be used to fulfill mission requests and allow SECs to match operators with the most appropriate assignments.

Florida ARES members are requested to complete the form, which is not a commitment, if they are willing to deploy if called upon to serve in a communication role. This is only a volunteer list, and prospective volunteers will be notified if they are selected to respond to an assignment.

Interested volunteers must have completed IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800 courses and have undergone a background check. There are no exceptions to these requirements. Radio amateurs should not self-deploy.

Efforts Continue to Enhance ARES Program, add Resources
Terry Russ, N8ATZ - Emergency Coordinator

(Sep 22. 2019) - - The ARRL Board of Directors, committees, and Headquarters administrative staff are continuing efforts to enhance the venerable Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) program. A major ARES Plan has been adopted, providing new direction going forward. In addition, a standardized training plan has been adopted and a new ARES Emergency Communicator Individual Task Book approved and published.

At its July meeting, the ARRL Board considered the report of its Public Service Enhancement Working Group (PSEWG). A “change log” was proposed for the Task Book that will highlight changes made as the document is periodically revised and updated. ARES position guidelines were posted to the online ARES Workbook and a major revision and update of ARRL’s Introduction to Emergency Communications course — now designated as IS-001 — has been completed.

The course is now available at no cost to any ARES registrant, and a “tutor-less” format has been added as a parallel path for completing the course. Additional tutors were recruited to assist in handling the initial surge of interest. A “challenge” path directly to the final exam is also being implemented. An update and introduction of IS-016 — Public Service and Emergency Communications Management for Radio Amateurs — will follow in the next few months.

Veteran Ohio Section Manager Scott Yonally, N8SY, has been brought on board to assist in implementing ARES Connect and to field questions about the new software package from users. ARES Connect is a volunteer management system covering event signup, reporting, and roster management, to simplify managing volunteers and events.

Some modest revisions to procedures have been made to the Ham Aid program.

Most recently, the PSEWG has begun an extensive examination of the future role of the National Traffic System (NTS) in concert with ARES. It’s hoped that a brief survey of selected Section Managers, Section Traffic Managers, and Section Emergency Coordinators will provide a starting point for a more extensive analysis of the program.

At its July meeting, the ARRL Board authorized the EmComm Manager Selection Committee to specify the position requirements for a new Director of Emergency Management at Headquarters. This individual will lead the team responsible for supporting the ARES program and will work with ARRL staff to develop standards, protocols, and processes to support the Field Organization. — Thanks to The ARES E-Letter

Canton Repository Grand Parade
Terry Russ, N8ATZ - Emergency Coordinator

(Aug 11, 2019) ... 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 over 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 Justin Corner, N8JKC, helps to ensure orderly parade radio traffic and maintains overall communications with all parade operations. Justin 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 minor incidents 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 as Dispersal Communications Coordinator was Wade Huthmacher - WD8MIU a role he has held for nearly 25 years.

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 2019 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 - Justin Corner - N8JKC.

DEMARSHALLING COORDINATOR: Wade Huthmacher - WD8MIU.

ROUTE COMMUNICATIONS: Steve Simon - KD8SPF, John Wagner - W8JJW, Vern Sproat - KE8VS.

North Route: Perry Ballinger - W8AU, Pat Quinlan - KA8DAL, Jeff Gortney - K8JAG, Ted Faix - KB8PRK, Igor Nikishin - K8INN, Tom Gill - KC8QOD, Roger Grey - W8VE, Perry - N8VXQ, Mike - N8COM, Don - N8IVJ, Dan - N8DZM, Rick Arborgast - KE8LNJ, Tom - KA8MNT, Dennis - AI8P, and Deb - KD8DEB.

DISPERSAL Team Leader: Wade Huthmacher - WD8MIU, Tom Gill - KC8QOD, Denise Gill, Keith - KE8DTS, Adam - KE8IEM and Jon - N8ZXB.

Congratulations to everyone on another great Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival !

Community Parade Wrap-Up
Terry Russ, N8ATZ - Emergency Coordinator

(July 24, 2019) - - 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 21st.

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.

Voice relay 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 Dave Beltz, WD8AYE to Tom Gill, KC8QOD in the Comm Trailer. This is then relayed to Evan Rankle, KD8IDH 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.

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 Dave Beltz - WD8AYE, and Evan Rankl - KD8IDH in the TV Production Van. Net Control was handled by Terry Russ - N8ATZ. Igor Nikishin - K8INN, was 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 !

Ohio ARES Active in Wake of Tornadoes that Badly Damaged Hara Arena
Courtesy of the ARRL

(Apr 28, 2019) - - Hara Arena, in Trotwood, Ohio, which served as the home for Dayton Hamvention® for more than six decades, was among the structures damaged when tornadoes swept through the Dayton area on Memorial Day. According to a report from WHIO TV, Hara Arena suffered extensive damage. Drone video showed that the roof and side of the structure had been blown off in several places. Hamvention relocated to the Greene County Fairgrounds and Exhibition Center in 2017, after Hara Arena shut down the previous year.

The Hara Arena damage apparently resulted from what CBS News called “a large and dangerous tornado” that struck Trotwood. Ohio Section Emergency Coordinator Stan Broadway, N8BHL, said ARES counties and districts activated last evening after nearly 40 tornado warnings were issued across the state.

“Our state EOC Auxcomm station has been on the air since early last evening,” Broadway told ARRL. “We are still active, and it look like ARES will be active for several days during the recovery. The situation is rapidly changing.” As of Tuesday morning, state and local emergency management agencies are handling damage issues. “Because of lack of power, the entire Montgomery County (Dayton area) water system faces depressurization,” Broadway said. “Dayton Children’s Hospital is on complete generator power.”

Ohio ARES remains active on HF (SSB and digital modes), as well as on DMR and VHF repeaters.

“This appears to be a long-term activation while different areas begin the recovery process,” Broadway said. “Counties and districts involved are urged to maintain liaison with the state through one of these nets.”

The severe weather caused widespread damage in and around Dayton and elsewhere in the Miami Valley. The National Weather Service (NWS) has said it will take several days to survey the damage. The tornadoes struck after dark, and damage assessment is still under way. Multiple injuries and one fatality have been reported.

It appears that at least two tornadoes were responsible for most of the devastation, which has been termed “catastrophic.” Some residents were trapped under debris. Residents of the City of Dayton are being advised to conserve water and to boil it before consuming. Electrical power is out in several areas, and water pumping stations are relying on emergency generators. The NWS office in Wilmington, Ohio, estimated that at one point, storms and tornadoes left some 5 million people without electrical power.

Snow plows were being repurposed to remove debris from Interstate Route 75, and the American Red Cross has set up shelters to accommodate displaced residents.