Thursday, August 29, 2013

SEC Weekly Notes.. Week 35


Ohio SEC Notes & Stuff - Week 35 - 2013

For public distribution.  Please forward as appropriate.

These notes will also be available on the ARES page at www.arrl-ohio.org Ohio Digital Emergency Net (OHDEN) <http://ohden.org>  Tues at 8PM. 3585 kHz and 7072 kHz  Upper Side Band.

Ohio HF Net by W8SGT.  Tues at 7PM on 3875 kHz and 7240 kHz Lower Side Band.

Preparedness Leads to Readiness

I thoroughly enjoyed the Ohio QSO Party this year.  I had a great time operating W8DES from the Geauga County Emergency Operations Center with the Geauga Amateur Radio Association and Geauga County ARES.  Many thanks to everyone who participated in the first ever EOC Category in the Ohio QSO Party!  I am so looking forward to next year.  This is one of my favorite operating events.

I have shifted my attention to the 191st Great Geauga County Fair.  Geauga County EC Pat N8ONI tells me we have 20 amateur radio operators signed up to volunteer at the fair.  That is spectacular in comparison to past years!  If you are coming to enjoy Ohio's oldest fair, be sure to bring a portable transceiver (HT).  Stop by the communications trailer adjacent to the fire station for on-site frequencies.  There is also a talk-in station on 146.940(-) PL 110.9 from Noon to 8PM each day of the fair.

Ohio State Parks on the Air is Saturday, September 7th.  There's 74 Ohio State Parks.  Which one are you operating from?  I will be with the Warren Amateur Radio Association operating W8VTD from Mosquito Lake State Park in Cortland, OH in Trumbull County.

September 7th is also the same day as Twenty Over Nine ARC Hamfest at the Austintown Senior Center in Mahoning County.  This is a new hamfest and I would imagine they'd love to have a great turn out.  Come show your support.

Saturday, September 8th is the Findlay Hamfest.  This is one of the largest hamfests we have in Ohio and I encourage everyone to come support this great hamfest.

SEPTEMBER ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

September is National Preparedness Month.  In the spirit of National Preparedness Month and in the spirit of tradition, I am announcing the Second Annual ARES Membership Drive!  This contest runs from September 1st through September 30th.  All county ARES teams and all 10 ARES Districts are asked to participate in the contest by registering as many new volunteers throughout the month of September.  New volunteers can be new licensees (any license class) or returning ARES members.  All those registered must have a valid amateur radio call sign.

The question was asked, If someone registers during the month of October, will it count toward the contest?  The answer is no.  Volunteers can register for ARES at any time throughout the year.  However, in order to count toward for the contest, the volunteer must register during the month of September.

The county and district that wins will receive a phenomenal award certificate suitable for framing.  The winners will be announced at the All Ohio ARES Conference on Saturday, November 9th at the Ohio Fire Academy in Reynoldsburg, OH.  Both the winning county and winning district will also be recognized on the Ohio Section Website, Ohio Section News, and in my weekly Ohio SEC Notes & Stuff.  An announcement will also be sent to QST Magazine and ARES E-Letter so everyone will know who took first place in the Second Annual Ohio Section ARES Membership Drive.  You can review all the rules and details at http://www.arrl-ohio.org/SEC/Notes/ares-drive.html.

EMCOMM EAST www.emcommeast.org is on Sunday, September 29th at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY.  So far, I know of 3 people from Ohio who are attending.  Myself and two others.  This is a great conference and I have always found the traveling to be worth it.  Please contact me if you plan on attending so we can coordinate.

The All Ohio ARES Conference on Saturday, November 9th is shaping up nicely.  Participants are registering almost every day.  Many people have indicated they're bringing a go box.  One participant indicated they're bringing a communications trailer.  There is plenty of room for more participants, go boxes, and communications vehicles/trailers.  The agenda is also in good shape with excellent programs and presenters.  There is room for more.  If you have something you'd like to teach or show-off, feel free to contact me with your program or demonstration.

There is so much ARES stuff happening in the Ohio Section.  Drumroll please...  dim the lights, here we go.

 

   1. Ohio HF Net on Tuesday nights at 7PM managed by W8SGT operated from  the State of Ohio Emergency Operations Center in Columbus.  This net has the reputation as being on the air every single Tuesday night no matter  what.  Put your county on the map by checking in.  All are welcome.

   2. Ohio Digital Emergency Net on Tuesday nights at 8PM.  All are welcome.  This net has turned into a great resource and a great place for elmering those in the world of Fldigi and digital sound card modes.

   3. Digital Communications Commitee continues to work together in determining if DSTAR, Echolink, IRLP, and/or AllStar should be added to the Ohio Section Emergency Response Plan.

   4. A team of volunteers consisting of DEC03 Bob KC8WHK, Gallia County EC Matt KD8OMT, ASEC Mark KB8YMN, and ASEC Gary WW8O are working diligently on the Statewide Simulated Emergency Test.

   5. ASEC Scott N8SX is working on developing the first ever Ohio ARESMAT in addition to maintaining the Ohio Section training database for both leadership and volunteers.

   6. The Assistant SEC's have recently been tasked to coordinate with DEC's and ADEC's in recruiting EC's for vacant counties.

I am sharing this with you because all of this is taking place in between public service events, ARES meetings, club meetings, nets of all sorts, trainings, exercises, and drills.  Not to mention during a little thing called LIFE.  To me, this shows passion, dedication, and determination in getting the tasks done so we can move on to the next one.

 

73 de Matt W8DEC

Matthew Welch W8DEC

Ohio Section Emergency Coordinator

ARRL - The national association for AMATEUR RADIO™ w8dec@arrl.net

440-585-7388

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Week 34 - SEC Notes


Ohio SEC Notes & Stuff - Week 34 - 2013

For public distribution.  Please forward as appropriate.

These notes will also be available on the ARES page at www.arrl-ohio.org Ohio Digital Emergency Net (OHDEN) <http://ohden.org>  Tues at 8PM. 3585 kHz and 7072 kHz  Upper Side Band.

Ohio HF Net by W8SGT.  Tues at 7PM on 3875 kHz and 7240 kHz Lower Side Band.

Preparedness Leads to Readiness

I had a blast at the Warren Hamfest last weekend.  One of the many highlights at the Warren Hamfest this year was Boy Scout Troop 8 from Leavittsburg. OH.  They were the food vendor and they have a top-notch menu.  Danish, donuts, and coffee for breakfast.  Loaded baked potatoes, hot dogs, cheese dogs, and chili-cheese dogs for lunch.  Add chips and drink to make it a combo.  Oh my goodness, their loaded baked potatoes were heavenly.  I had a loaded baked potato with sauerkraut and I cannot stand sauerkraut. But this loaded baked potato was so darn good, I couldn't even tell there was sauerkraut on the potato.  They had a fresh squeezed lemonade stand!  The food was fantastic and the prices were right.  Oh by the way, I heard Boy Scout Troop 8 has already been asked to come back next year.

Let me throw in a little testimony.  Roughly 5 years ago, I attended the Warren Hamfest for my very first time.  It was held at the Trumbull County Fairgrounds.  After walking the whole hamfest in about 10 minutes, I told myself at that time I would never come back.  I didn't think it was worth the drive.  But since that time, I have seen this quaint little hamfest grow into a great place to buy, sell, and trade.  It's a wonderful place to meet up with hams, make new friends, enjoy the friendship and fellowship, and share the camaraderie.  Not to mention, they have cool prizes.  I can honestly tell you if you didn't attend this year, you missed out on a great time.  Warren Hamfest is already marked on my calendar for August 17th, 2014.  Always the third Sunday in August.  It might not be the largest hamfest in Ohio, but in my eyes, it's the fastest growing.  Many thanks to everyone who came out and supported the Warren Hamfest and Boy Scout Troop 8.

The Portage County Amateur Radio Service (PCARS) annual amateur radio mobile cruise-in is tomorrow, Wednesday, August 21st, starting at 6PM, at the A&W restaurant in Ravenna.  See the attached flyer for details.  Let me add this is one my all-time favorite events.  It really is a great time and plenty of fun.  Come on down for some great service, excellent food, and cold beer ;-).  A&W root beer that is.  Need some ideas on how to install a transceiver in your vehicle?  What about antennas?  Want to see some unique ideas?  Want to learn some neat tips and tricks, do's and don'ts in a mobile radio install?  Come ask the participants the infamous question, "How do I get my DC cord through the firewall"?  The amateur radio mobile cruise-in is the place to be.  There is a fun contest too with prizes.  Did I forget to mention I took first place the very first year PCARS had this event?  This event will always be my favorite.  Come on down and you might just say the same.

Any amateur radio operator planning to volunteer at the 190th Great Geauga County Fair is asked to participate in an important meeting at the Fire Station at the Geauga County Fairgrounds this coming Thursday, August 22nd at 6PM.  It will be at this meeting where communications plans and general information will be disseminated.  Those attending need to let Geauga County EC Pat N8ONI know as soon as possible for proper food procurement.

Pat can be reached by email at n8oni@arrl.net, or by phone at 440-223-3062.

The Ohio QSO Party is this coming Saturday, August 24th from 12 Noon to Midnight local time.  Don't forget about the new EOC category this year!!

I will be with the Geauga Amateur Radio Association operating the W8DES station at the Geauga County Emergency Operations Center.  Did I mention we're aiming for First Place in the EOC category?  Are you activating a county?  Is your callsign listed here?  --> http://www.ohqp.org/operatingPlannedOhQP2013.php

Ohio State Parks on the Air is coming up Saturday, September 7th from 12 Noon to 8PM.  Not only is this a fun event, it's also a great training opportunity for ARES volunteers.  "Visit a beautiful Ohio state park and have some amateur radio fun at the same time."  Help put all 74 state parks on the air!

The Statewide Simulated Emergency Test will be on Saturday, October 12th.

The SET Planning Team is working hard on great objectives for this awesome training event.  Stay tuned for details.

~~HOT~~ GREAT NEWS!!  The All Ohio ARES Conference has been approved by the ARRL Board of Directors and is now an ARRL Convention!  It's now listed amongst all the other hamfests and conventions on the www.arrl.orgwebsite!  Many thanks to those who helped make this happen. 

Online registration is *OPEN* for the All Ohio ARES Conference on Saturday, November 9th at the Ohio Fire Academy in Reynoldsburg, OH.  We have a great lineup of presenters so far but there's room for more.  This conference is the perfect venue to teach us something you know about public service communications, digital communications, emergency/disaster communications, or even show us something you made, constructed, built, or bought!

Calling all Emcomm vehicles/trailers!

The All Ohio ARES Conference is a great place to show-off communications vehicles/trailers!  Don't forget about the Go-Boxes!  2012 marked the largest go box display this Section has ever seen!

There were 105 people in attendance!  Help make 2013 better than ever!  We can't do it without you!  Go to  http://www.arrl-ohio.org/SEC/default.html to register.

ASEC Scott N8SX has done a marvelous job maintaining the Ohio Section Training Database not only for the ARES Leadership but also ARES volunteers.

He's still collecting training documents so feel free to submit yours to n8sx@arrl.net.  Visit the training page at http://www.arrl-ohio.org/SEC/training.html for guidance or if you have any questions.

Did you know...

If you are a current ARRL Member, you can get a Centennial Membership Certificate and ID Card by going tohttp://www.arrl.org/membership-certificate.

You must be logged-in on www.arrl.org to access the page to print your Certificate/Card.  Thank you, Bob K8BL, of the Lake County ARA for the tip.

SEC's Soap Box...

 A little over 25% of the counties in Ohio do not have an Emergency Coordinator and/or ARES program.  Check out http://www.arrl-ohio.org/SEC/ec-open-list.html to find out which counties are vacant.

The Emergency Coordinator is one of the most important positions in the ARES program.  Much like any ARRL appointee, there is no doubt being an Emergency Coordinator requires time and effort.  But it's not difficult.

Being an EC doesn't mean you have to do everything.  In my article for the Ohio Section News, I talk about delegation.  The EC should delegate duties and responsibilities so he or she can focus on the tasks at hand.

Volunteers often get "burned out" by taking on too much.  Delegation is a powerful tool in effective and efficient leadership.

I am looking for volunteers with a "can do" attitude to step up and lead from the front.  Maybe you'd like to be the next Emergency Coordinator but have questions first.  Not a problem, call me or email me and I will answer all your questions.  If I do not know the answer, I am not afraid to say I don't know.  I'll find out and get back to you in a reasonable amount of time.  If you're not the leader type, that's ok.  Maybe you know someone who is.  Point them in my direction.  Give them my phone number and my email address.  If you'd rather me talk to them, give me their contact info.  The bottom line is we know there are great volunteers in the Ohio Section.  You just might know them a helluva lot better than I do.  Help me find the next Emergency Coordinator.

That's all for this week.  Thank you very much for all you do for amateur radio!  My name is Matt Welch and I approve this message.  ;-)


73 de Matt W8DEC

 

Matthew Welch W8DEC
Ohio Section Emergency Coordinator
ARRL - The national association for AMATEUR RADIO™ w8dec@arrl.net
440-585-7388