April Section Emergency Coordinator's Report..

ARRL Ohio Section - FSD-96
Month: April
Year: 2016
Total Number of ARES Members: 1561
Change since last month: 28
Number of DEC's / EC's reporting this month: 10
Number of ARES Nets active: 498
Number of Nets active with NTS Liaisons: varies
Call-signs of DEC's / EC's reporting: WD8PNZ W8UY KC8WHK WF8B AI8P KB8STK N8KKW N8SUZ W8FHF N8AUC
Number of drills, tests and training sessions this month: 130
Person Hours: 1782.5
Number of Public Service Events this month: 77
Person Hours: 1168.5
Number of Emergency Operations this month: 7
Person Hours: 100
Total number of ARES/RACES Events this month: 712
Total Person Hours: 4756.5

Comments: A lot of exercises and drills are underway, and public service season is beginning. Planning for RNC and NAACP conventions in July is in full swing. ARESMAT leadership met to continue its finalization. ARES Seminar in Dayton was turned over to the ARRL league.
Submitted by and call-sign: Stan Broadway N8BHL
Email: broadways@standi.com

District 1

District 1 sponsored a severe weather seminar at the Seneca County EMA Training Center. Even with 7-12 inch snowfall the night before, there were about 25 hearty souls that attended. Lucas County is in the planning stages of manning stations at the upcoming Toledo Air Show in mid July and will need added operators from throughout the district. If not enough people volunteer we will seek help State wide.

District 2

No DEC Report,  Only Van Wert reported with no activity.

District 3

No DEC Report.

Clark: On behalf of EMA director, we checked some antenna problems on weather alert radios at Job & Family services. Greene: 8 Voice Nets, 4 Digital Nets / 9 License Course Sessions (concurrent Technician, General, Extra x 3 weeks), GCARES/MVMA Mesh Meeting, District 3 ED Meeting (EC + 3 AEC\'s), NVIS Antenna Day, Greene County ARES Meeting / one public service event.

Logan: On 4-28-2016 the Logan County EMA Communications team assisted with an LEPC exercise. We were not being evaluated in this exercise. There were 8 amateur radio operators supporting this exercise. A report:

Even though we were not being evaluated, I noticed several things that need further investigation. One of the issues noticed was that when the MARCS radios were in use, the near-field radiation caused a static like interference on some of the radios. Additionally, some of the LED controllers on the fire trucks and ambulances caused interference on some of the radios. It is unknown the total number of radios effected, but I think some in depth investigation needs to be done to identify and eliminate this interference. 

Miami: MCES ARES/RACES Net 145.23-: 4/3, 4/10, 4/17, 4/24, MCES ARES/RACES Net 147.21+: 4/7, 4/14, 4/21, 4/28. Supported the NVIS event with 4 contacts with other stations in Ohio due to 10 visits from the Miami Valley Preparedness Network spend the morning at the W8FW clubhouse asking questions regarding HF use in emergency.  Montgomery: MoCo ARES held 3 voice nets, 2 digital nets and our bi-monthly membership meeting. We had a guest speaker, Capt Greg Stevens from the Montgomery County Sheriff\'s Dept. who gave a presentation on the MARCS system. We participated in 3 PSE\'s this month. 1) Support for Suicide Awareness 5K at the Dayton VA Medical Center, 2) Providing escort/security for the Dayton Great TV16 Auction, and 3) Support for the Dayton Autism Society 5K in Moraine. We had 4 Officers of MoCo ARES attend the District 3 Meeting and received DEC/EC Training from Stan Broadway, Ohio SEC, who also gave a briefing on ICS Training and EPCS.

District 4

E-ops hours were in support of the NWS office in Wilmington. It was a very busy month in Hamilton County. Meeting with local radio station about possible ARES shack location. ARES outreach at TMRC (Tri-State Medical Reserve Corps) Summit. AEC Meeting. NVIS Exercise. Flying Pig Marathon: Day 1 & 2 of 3 days. Participated in PA Digi Exercise. Planning for MCI Exercise on May 20.

District 5

Stark County - N8ATZ Stark County ARES completed 4 public service nets for the month of April that totaled 123 check-ins. There were no public service events during the month. In partnership with the County EMA office we did sponsor Skywarn Spotter Training at a local High School on Wednesday, April 6th with over 130 attending. The training was conducted by Michelle Sowers, Emergency Management Specialist and Meteorologist from the Ohio EMA Office. In attendance at this years training were Amateur Radio Operators, area public safety forces, hospital staff, school employees and the general public. We also provided an introduction to ARES during Technician Class training held by the Massillon Amateur Radio Club. Training and planning continues for the annual Pro football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival to be held this August.

Summit County - KA8OAD This month we had our first public service event, the MS Walk Akron walk. The weather was perfect and the temperature ended up being close to 80 degrees, not bad for the middle of April. This is probably why they were expecting 200 walkers and ended up with 1200 walkers.

Columbia County - KB8HTU Received Radiologica ltraining for upcoming nuclear drill with Beaver Valley power station just across the state line in Pa. Mahoning County - W8IZC Webinar on April 7th for NEC antenna modeling-emergency antenna design. 23 attended 6:30pm to 6:50 short local ARES meeting, then webinar and after event discussions ending about 9:15pm

District 6

Richland County ARES participated in Mansfield Mid winter Hamfest had a great turn out and weather this year

District 7

DELAWARE-- A busy month for Delaware ARES with 72 hours of training from the Weather Spotter to District 7 training led by the SEC. Good preparation for coming events as we have a busy summer ahead.

FAIRFIELD-- TRAINING ARES ANTENA TEST AT TWP FIRE DEPARTMENTS NVIS ANTENNA STATE WIDE EXERSISE FIELD DAY LOGING SOFTWARE TRAINING 

LICKING-- Licking County had a busy April! A few of our members helped with a CERT Communications class part #2. The class was to teach the CERT members net operations and message handling with simulated disasters among 3 teams. NVIS day was operated out of the CERT/ARES trailer at KD8DZ’s QTH north of Granville with an elevation of 1130’. The morning was not good due to the propagation, but the afternoon proved to be better for us. May is looking to be another busy month for us with tabletop exercises and full scale exercises and planning for upcoming events. 

MARION-- April 2016 April was a busy month for the Marion County ARES gang. Starting things off was the National Robotics Challenge held at the Marion County Fairgrounds. The Challenge, whose main sponsor is Honda, last three days, attracts hundreds of high school and college aged student teams from Ohio, all the states surrounding Ohio and beyond, with teams as far away as Wisconsin and New York, to name only a couple. The ARES was in charge of ticket sales and providing security for the event. Next was the statewide NVIS exercise where we fielded two teams on the East and West side of the county and manned the W8MRN anchor station at the Fairgrounds Clubhouse/EOC location. Finally, the EMA Countywide SET was conducted April 30th with the ARES directing cars and EMS vehicles at the starting site, acting as safety officers at the SET incident locations, establishing communications with the Marion General Emergency Room and tracking EMS Squads with victims being transported to the hospital. The ARES group passed with flying colors and received positive remarks from official observers including the EMA Director and staff. 

UNION-- NVIS day was a great recruiting tool

District 8

Counties reporting: Athens, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Scioto, Vinton EC comments:

Athens: Provided comm support for the Iron Furnace Trail Run at Lake Hope and the Athens Marathon. Athens Hamfest was Sunday, April 24 with a good turnout. VE session resulted in three new Technicians, one General upgrade and one Extra upgrade.

Hocking: We are having some minor issues with our 2 meter repeater on 147.345 and suspect a loose or bad connection on the county tower. We are waiting on better weather to climb the tower to check it out and make repairs.

Jackson: Jackson and Vinton Counties will be doing the County annual exercise on May 22, 2016 at 1:00pm

Lawrence: good testing Scioto: Good turn out for Antenna Day the 23rd. Automatic relay from ARES Nets for Severe Weather direct to EMA who is on chat with NWS Wilmington. Works out nice.

Vinton: I just took over Vinton County as the EC along with keeping Jackson County. So far from what I can tell Vinton doesnt have a ARES group. I will be trying to put together a new group.

DEC comments: Jackson County EC Doug Tilley, KD8GSP has been appointed to also assume the duties of Vinton EC. Thanks, Doug! Tour of the Scioto Valley (TOSRV) to be held May 7-8.

District 9

COSHOCTON CO: NWS Pittsburgh presented in person an advanced SKYWARN training which was well attended. We also participated with Coshocton County Amateur Radio Association during NVIS. It was another cold year with 8 participants and three antennas. We now have echo-link on the ARES 145.23 repeater. Thanks to AB8RR-R for setting this up at his station. The club repeater 147.045 also has had echo- link through KB8HEA-r. KL7RF, KC8PUW, KC8WX have been checking into W8SGT, and some check-ins into OHDEN. 8 events for 62 hrs. Steve, AA8BN, EC.

GUERNSEY CO: The EC, AECs, and several members attended an EOC orientation training for the upcoming May county emergency exercise. The monthly ARES training was on messages forms, logs, radiograms, and briefing in preparation for the upcoming county drill. Also, three stations participated in the NVIS operations. 6 events for 44 hrs. EC Richard, WD8SDH.

MUSKINUM CO: One station worked the NVIS station on the air for the NVIS event. EC Liz Nichols, KC8SIQ.

NOBLE CO: No comments. 0 events for 0 hrs. EC Gary Oliver.

DEC-9: I had my station on the air for the NVIS operations. I worked 24 counties, mostly on 75 meters. I had three antennas for 40 meters, but saw limited use due to poor band conditions. I also gave a presentation on NVIS theory, antennas, and operations at the Cambridge Amateur Radio Assn. April club meeting. DEC Sonny W8FHF.

District 10

District 10: NVIS day was a blast. Big fun! Hope to see lots of you at Dayton!

Ashtabula County: his month has been a roller coaster to say the least. One of our most beloved and valued members of our club and AshCo ARES passed away unexpectedly. Bob, WD8PVB, my AEC and right hand man went silent key. But as a nice nod to him Mother Nature cooperated and gave us decent weather to honor him with great weather for our NVIS drill- which he started. Bands weren't great but it just made us work harder!

Cuyahoga County: Appointed Bob K8MD as AEC to lead the newly formed HF team. ARES is preparing for the Cleveland Marathon on May 15.Preparations continue for the RNC as well. NVIS day went very well including a fire command vehicle that was provided by the local FD.

Geauga County: No report submitted.

Lake County: Can you believe 7.5 inches of snow the night before the 20 mile drop run from Chardin to Fairport Harbor. Sixteen operators braved the 19 degrees and snow to monitor the progress of the 570 runners on the 20 and 10 mile course. We had 2 bicycle mobiles on the bike path. Brrr !!! Net Control was happy to be in the heated Comm Trailer for the event. No major issues were encountered. The following weekend, April 16th, was sunny and mild for the Lake County M-S Walk. This was an other smooth event with no issues. We again activated the Jame A. Garfield Home for NPOTA ( NS-39) making 189 contacts in 4 hours of operations using the LCARA call N8BC.

Lorain County: No Comments.

Medina County: No Comments.

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Official Emergency Station Reports for April..

Name	Call	County	District	PS Hours	EM Hours	Hours Net Participation
Scott	N8SY	Richland	6	10	0	10
Bob	W8RWR	Franklin	7	0	0	1.5
Clair	W8KF	Huron	1	0	0	0
David	NF8O	Medina	10	19	0	3.25
Tony	KC8UR	Knox	7	2	0	12
Matt	KD8TTE	Franklin	7	15	0	16