ARES Connect Monthly Report – July 2019
Number of persons registered per District in this reporting month
|
|
Registered
|
|
Registered
|
|
District 01 - WD8PNZ
|
151
|
District 02 - W8UY
|
42
|
|
District 03 - W8LLY
|
184
|
District 04 - N8TFD
|
126
|
|
District 05 - KC8SYF
|
112
|
District 06 - W8DLB
|
63
|
|
District 07 - KB8YMN
|
232
|
District 08 - N8SUZ
|
55
|
|
District 09 - W8FHF
|
63
|
District 10 - N8AUC
|
175
|
|
Total Registered Users June: 1,205 Last Month 1,132 (6.1% increase from June)
|
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Number of hours volunteered per District in this reporting month
|
|
Hours Volunteered
|
|
Hours Volunteered
|
|
District 01 - WD8PNZ
|
1,322.5
|
District 02 - W8UY
|
83.25
|
|
District 03 - W8LLY
|
599.57
|
District 04 - N8TFD
|
192.50
|
|
District 05 - KC8SYF
|
521.25
|
District 06 - W8DLB
|
421.70
|
|
District 07 - KB8YMN
|
1,443.56
|
District 08 - N8SUZ
|
27.25
|
|
District 09 - W8FHF
|
241.05
|
District 10 - N8AUC
|
821.40
|
|
Total Registered User Hours: 5,674.03
Total Anonymous Hours: 5,650.65
Total Hours: 11,324.68
|
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Breakdown by Event Classification for this reporting month
|
# of Events
|
# of Persons
|
Hours Credited
|
|
|
Communications
Emergency
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Community Event
|
71
|
110
|
1,083.00
|
|
Exercise
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Meeting
|
46
|
209
|
912.25
|
|
Net
|
294
|
1124
|
2,272.82
|
|
Skywarn
|
42
|
294
|
502.25
|
|
Training
|
63
|
136
|
680.91
|
|
Miscellaneous
|
26
|
10
|
61.25
|
|
Unclassified – All
events not listed above
|
236
|
997
|
5,812.20
|
|
Total
|
778
|
2,880
|
11,324.68
|
Breakdown of training levels for this reporting month
|
Level 1
|
606
|
|
Level 2
|
450
|
|
Level 3
|
149
|
|
Total: 1,205
|
|
Top 10 persons for hours volunteered in this reporting month
|
Name
|
Events
|
Hours
|
|
Mathew Nickoson (KC8NZJ)
|
10
|
169.50
|
|
Bret Stemen (KD8SCL)
|
49
|
167.00
|
|
Michael Klaiss (KC8BUJ)
|
18
|
117.20
|
|
Timothy Gray (KD8IZU)
|
14
|
109.75
|
|
Dan Stahl (KC8PBU)
|
44
|
107.75
|
|
Robert Baker (N8ado)
|
26
|
105.90
|
|
Greg Dersarkisian (KD8SSJ)
|
20
|
100.00
|
|
James Yoder (w8erw)
|
9
|
99.70
|
|
John Westerkamp (W8LRJ)
|
43
|
97.41
|
|
Diane Warner (KE8HLD)
|
22
|
93.50
|
Top 10 persons for events volunteered in this reporting month
|
Name
|
Events
|
Hours
|
|
Bret Stemen (KD8SCL)
|
49
|
167.00
|
|
Dan Stahl (KC8PBU)
|
44
|
107.75
|
|
John Westerkamp (W8LRJ)
|
43
|
97.41
|
|
John Malarky (KE8IWZ)
|
42
|
43.75
|
|
Elizabeth Klinc (KE8FMJ)
|
40
|
54.73
|
|
Michael Farkas (n8gbu)
|
40
|
50.00
|
|
Henry Ruminski (W8HJR)
|
36
|
92.93
|
|
Alan Rothweiler (N8CJ)
|
32
|
90.00
|
|
Heinz Stucki (KB8VIP)
|
28
|
22.40
|
|
Colleen Roth (N8TNV)
|
28
|
14.00
|
Written Reports for this reporting month:
We did great for July- lots of activities (‘tis the
season!) Best wishes to all and many
thanks for everything you do!
There were a lot of large-scale activities, and our
operators showed their professionalism. In Delaware, we had a reminder that
~any~ event can turn deadly serious in a heartbeat…as we plan and operate,
remember to be ready!
Have a great August!
Ohio ARES Monthly Activity Report – July 2019
District 1
Busy Month with the Toledo Airshow
Seneca County-EC James Hershberger KE8ERN: The Seneca County
ARES group and The W8ID Seneca Radio Club had a booth at the Seneca County
Fair. We operated a special event station W8ID commemorating the 177th year of the fair. This ran from July 22 to
July 28.
Huron County-EC Craig Franklin KD8KWU: 2 Severe
Thunderstorm Warnings
Sandusky County-EC Owen Fritz KD8GSI: To just think how
quickly the month of July has gone by is remarkable. One of the highlights that
I always enjoy is how the ARES group was able to assist at the Toledo Air Show.
It is awesome for members to see firsthand how a large-scale event works with
all the operations and modes of communication used. The camera setups and even
VOIP setups were especially neat to explore via Amateur Radio. The ARES group
also this month found a critical issue during our regular Outdoor Warning Siren
Check. We were able to report that an entire locality did not activate. Our
report was greatly appreciated by the local EMA to investigate and correct the
issue. Besides our regular nets we also had a slew of Weather Operations for
Severe Weather in the county. Luckily there was no serious damage and or
injuries. Speaking of weather I (Owen -KD8GSI) was able to teach a Skywarn
Spotter Training class at the Red Cross in Lucas County (Toledo) for the GTARA
Amateur Group and Red Cros s Volunteers. Our ARES group is now gearing up and
prepping for working the Sandusky County Fair during the month of August. We
look forward to another great month ahead. 73, KD8GSI
Hancock County-EC Evan Hartman W8KJR: 5 routine nets
held. 2 skywarn nets held. Procured equipment necessary to complete our 2
go-boxes for emergency response, and to add digital capabilities to our
emergency comms trailer.
Erie County-EC Tim Bergeman KE8IBN
Lucas County-EC Tim Grey KD8IZU
Ottawa County-EC James Garber KB8TT
Wyandot County-EC Ron Wilch KE8PX : The Wyandot County
Hams met at the County EMS / EMA facility
for their monthly meeting. We discussed our Field Day results, upcoming Bicycle Tours and The Wyandot County Fair. "73"
for their monthly meeting. We discussed our Field Day results, upcoming Bicycle Tours and The Wyandot County Fair. "73"
Hardin County-Craig Newland KC8FEL: Assisted with our YMCA
bike ride and ran a 2A at Field Day.
July and August will be more bike rides to help with.
July and August will be more bike rides to help with.
District 2
Defiance - The Repeater Group installed a cooling fan and
duct work to keep the repeater cool during hot days.,
Auglaize - 4 Nets - 15.0 hrs and support the "Run to
the Moon" 5 members @ 2 hrs total of 10 hrs.
District 3
DEC Fred Stone, W8LLY, w8lly@arrl.net
* 100% of Nine
Counties reporting.
* Five District 3
weekly 2m voice nets.
* No comments.
* 14 Members.
* Five Weekly Nets
held this month with an average 10 check-ins. 18.4 man-hours for the
month. There were Clark Amateur Radio
Assn meeting for the month of July due to summer vacation.
* One ARES
Training/Meeting held this month with 10 ARES Members in attendance. Topics included ARES 2.0 and ARES Connect.
* One Ecomm meeting
held with 5 members in attendance totaling 10 man-hours.
* No Weather Nets
activated this month.
* 5 nets
* 1 meeting
* 1 parade
* GCARES members
continued with post tornado support activities during the month of July
including a tornado response critique meeting at the Beavercreek Township Fire
Department.
* Several members
participated in the Beavercreek Active Threat Training.
* GCARES members
continue to be active with weekly GCARES Net, Greene County DMR Net, BARC Net,
UVARC Net, GCARES Digital Net, Winlink Net, OHDEN & Ohio Emergency Prep Net
and D3 Nets.
* Planning finalized
for a combined GCARES/D-3 Emcomm Operations Center configured within the
Bellbrook ARC Communication Center.
* Winlink
improvements were successfully tested.
* GCARES members
helped with communication for the Pan Ohio Hope Ride through Greene County and
the annual Young's Dairy Charity Bike Ride.
* The Greene County
EC completed the required FEMA courses for Level 3 certification.
* We had no emergency
actions this month, but had our normal meeting and nets for a total of 15 man
hours.
* Club conducted a
three transmitter bunny hunt that covered the city of Troy on July 27th. Two
one hour training sessions were held July 13th and 20th to train operators in
how to find hidden transmitters.
* Had a total of 4
voice nets and 4 digital nets for the month.
* On July 30th, MoCo
ARES held its Planning Meeting. Updates were given along with preparations
starting for the upcoming SET.
* Two Skywarn watches and activations.
* Assisted Darke County ARES with annual Annie
Oakley parade.
* The K8YR repeater amplifier became
defective. Not cost effective to repair. An effort will be made to replace with an
upgraded modern repeater amplifier.
* Currently have 35
members on the books, Minus 1 since last reporting period in June. We had
another member move away.
* SCARES has a weekly
Net every Sunday evening at 1900 on 146.835 – PL 156.7 for a total of 4 nets
and 34 man hours for the month of July.
* We have a digital
C4FM net that continues immediately after the weekly net every other Sunday. 2
C4FM nets and 5.5 man hours for the month of July.
* July 4th, SCARES
supported the Sidney Fireworks. SCARES guards the 500’ perimeter, and keeps
track on APRS for Sidney Deputy Fire Chief in Hot Zone. 9 SCARES members and 36
man hours.
* July 18, Shelby
County had one severe thunderstorm warning Skywarn net for the month of July
resulting in 5 man hours.
* July 20 thru 27,
Shelby County Fair. Relocate SCARES EM Comm trailer from inside building for
fair events. Put EM Comm vehicle back after the fair. Also monitored the
weather during fair week to give any heads up or weather information. 8 Man hours
* July 28, SCARES VE
team, Mike Bennett, W8EGL, Grant Reed, N8KZL, Nick Sabo, KC8CFI, and Joe Clark,
KC6NLX, met for a scheduled test session at the Shelby Co. EMA building in
Sidney. No testers registered. 10 man hours.
* Nick Sabo, KC8CFI
and I replaced a Henry amp on the SCARES 443.200 repeater on the sheriff tower
on SR 47. 3 Man hours.
* SCARES meeting at
1600 hours at the Shelby Co. EMA building. Training on ARES Connect, and
general business. 7 members present,
17.5 man hours.
* I spent 12 man
hours learning ARES Connect, creating my report and creating events.
* TOTAL SCARES MAN
HOURS for JULY = 131
District 4
Butler County continues to be active on OHDEN, the Ohio DMR
nets, and Winlink.
Hamilton County: Another busy month! Members in Hamilton Co
volunteered for several public service events during the Independence Day week.
Some events were fund raisers for local clubs and others were the usual extra
'eyes and ears'. We continued to have WX related close calls. However, most
incidents (including TS Barry) went to the north or south of us. While the EC
was on vacation, the AECs took care of a scheduled music festival event at the
ROC. Special thanks to John KD8MMY for making sure CEMA was taken care of. We
had our first 2019 SET planing meeting. It looks like we plan to flood out
Anderson Twp and test out our setup at the EOC. We also joined forces with a
local GMRS net. The EC is coordinating with the GMRS folks ways that we can get
them involved with EmComm. We've just started but this could be something
exciting down the road. AC use is getting better. We are still changing our old
ways of reporting. I'll feel better once we get a good solid month under our
belt . Until next month - 73!
District 5
Mahoning: In July we focused on updating our pool of County
Control Station Operators. We held a VHF/HF exercise using multiple local
repeaters and 10M to check operators capabilities and followed up with a
combination on-air debrief and brainstorming session the following week.
Columbiana: Columbiana County ARES members are manning the
EMA communications trailer and tent at the county fair. They are watching the
weather for the fair and interface with fair security. They have assisted in 2
missing children searches so far. There are radio demonstrations and they are
promoting amateur radio. The fair will continue through August 4th.
Stark:Stark County ARES completed 5 public service nets that
totalled 115 check-ins. We completed one public service event during July, The
Hall of Fame Community Parade in which we 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. We utilized 5
volunteers to provide 15 volunteer hours.
District 6
No report submitted
District 7
Licking County: July turned out to be a busy month for us
with various planning meetings for upcoming exercises and events including
Buckeye Lake Fireworks and Vigilant Guard 2019. Buckeye Lake Fireworks: This
event proved to be successful with the testing of newly built go-boxes for the
LCEMA. We have 2 go-boxes that were built from the radios that were located at the
previous EOC as work at the new EOC continues. Sean Grady, EMA Director was
pleased that the test and comms were successful, one of the boxes was set up on
the north shore of Buckeye Lake and the other was set up at the EOC in Heath
and were able to communicate via simplex. The Buckeye Lake radio was able to
reach to the northern part of the county via simplex as well. Thanks to all who
helped out at Buckeye Lake Fireworks. Vigilant Guard 2019: This exercise is
gearing up to be an event filled couple of days as planning meetings and set-up
continues, we are looking forward to be able the exercise
Knox County: This was a slow month with not a lot happening.
We did have a regular Sunday night net, monthly meeting and Friday breakfast.
Marion County: We had the fair this month, lots of hours
with that. Also had the pleasure of Iron man 2019 bike race through Marion
county. Thanks Delaware ARES for allowing us to assist.
Franklin County: I'm including 2019 Field Day photos from
the Franklin County Emergency Management & Homeland Security office. Four
Amateur Radio organizations were involved this year in addition to the Ohio
Military Reserve. In July we were privileged to learn about the poison Control
Center located at Nationwide Children's Hospital from one of our ARES members,
Dr. Marcel Casavant Chief of Toxicology at Nationwide Children's Hospital and
the Medical Director of the Central Ohio Poison Center.
Delaware County: Delaware ARES had our biggest event of the
year, the 2019 Ironman 70.3. This is one of their top ten events, with over
2600 registered, 2100 appeared to compete. Delaware and Marion combine to
handle the event- with Marion picking up the 56 mile bicycle ride which goes up
through Marion and Morrow counties then back into Delaware. Our event rapidly
turned very serious, when a bicycle rider swerved out from the bicycle lane
into the path of a moving tanker semi. She was fatally injured in the crash.
Chris, KD8UUB was within eyesight of the mishap, and immediately called in the
situation. ARES members were then tasked with locating the victim's husband,
also a competitor so officials could pull him from the ride. Our communications
continued to be very professional throughout, even with the additional pressure
of the incident. The rest of the event went off without incident, but there
were some takeaways. First, we retained the procedure of NOT mentioning a
fatality over the radio. Second, we see a need to have a "Team B"
standing by for both event management and our NCS station. That allows the
A-team to shift their focus completely to the incident, and B-team can easily
step in to continue to operate the overall event. Everyone did a great job
Madison County: The weekly ARES and digital training net was
put on hiatus until fall due to lack of check-ins. The EC participated as a ham
radio volunteer for the annual Young's Ice Cream Charity Bike Tour.
Union County: July started off as a busy month. We helped
out with the MS Bike Central Ohio Challenge on July 6th. That goes between
Dublin and Bellefontaine, the longest loop being 100 miles long. I want to say
a big THANK YOU for everyone that helped out with it this year. Jim, KD8KCH
from Marion came to our meeting and was able to help answer questions relating
to FLDigi. Our simplex diginet has spanned 3 counties at a time. One station in
Franklin county, one station in Madison County, and a few stations in Union
County participated in it on several occasions. Another time we had a station
in Marion County, stations in Union County and Madison County participate. Our
ARES group member participation has been low for meetings and participation on
the two weekly nets we do on Monday nights. I suspect the weather and summer
activities have contributed a lot to that. The details are still being worked
out to get the feed line ran and antennas mounted on the new tower. Part of
that is coordinating the removal of some equipment that is currently in use at
the repeater site and try to plan for minimal down time for the 2 meter
repeater as well as procuring everything that is needed for the job before its
started. I have been reading a book that I purchased from Amazon called Amateur
Radio Digital and Voice Emergency Communications - 2nd Edition: Build your
community group's assets & expertise by Gordon Gibby (Author), Barry
Isbelle (Author)
https://www.amazon.com/Amateur-Radio-Digital-Emergency-Communications-ebook/dp/B072N5H8TC/ref=sr_1_1
It has been a good read so far and has a lot of useful information in it. It
has been giving me some ideas of things to work towards with our ARES group. It
has several examples of real world experiences. It also gives the reader a
better idea of how amateur radio fits in with emergency communications and the
need or reasons amateur radio operators need to learn several ways to
communicate information to better serve their communities during a big
disaster. It also has information of several software packages for doing digital
modes and also has information about winlink and examples to make inexpensive
portable stations for both digital and voice communications.
Pickaway County: Besides having one in-person meeting and
three on-air nets, nothing to report.
Fayette County: Comments : none
District 8
No Activity this month ACARA/SCARF will hold ARRL VE session
Monday, August 19, 7 PM, Athens Red Cross, 100 S May AVE, Athens, OH
District 9
BELMONT CO: No Report
COSHOCTON CO: Attended July LEPC mtg and gave report on ARES
June involvement in West Lafayette flash flood emergency.... 4 SKYWARN nets
.... EMA/EOC now has 2 newer computers specifically for ARES use, including
internet access . DMR, Echolink , fldigi etc. on computers..... Monthly ARES
mtg showed new EMA computer setup and discussed ARES Connect..... 145.23 pl
71.9 ARES repeater back on air. TU AB8SV, KB8HEA. Echolink available via AB8RR.
TU Eric..... Radiogram from Coshocton EMA Director to Guernsey EMA used for
training among our ARES. Return msg rec. and delivered. EC Steven Wheatcraft
AA8BN
GUERNSEY CO: The EC and AEC attended the Local Emergency
Planning Committee meeting. Traffic exercise conducted with Coshocton County.
Monthly training was a review of the American TTT race. What went wrong, what
went right and how to improve next year. Radiogram procedures were reviewed. EC
Richard Wayt, WD8SDH
JEFFERSON CO: Jefferson County ARES/TERA continues to build
relationships with served agencies; meeting with the LEPC and local Early
Response Teams. The weekly digital net on VHF has now grown to include HF
sessions. Although HF participation has been limited we are learning a lot in
the area of local propagation and coverage on HF. We are also working to
improve capabilities from the Communication Trailer that is owned by a local
faith based disaster response team. EC Robert Carson, N8CUX
NOBLE CO: The Noble County ARC's bi-weekly Ragchew and
Training Net 2330Z 25 July 2019 on 147.285 (91.5) Participants: WA8RAZ, WD8SDH,
N2LC net control. Not a bad showing considering there were meetings and the
annual Caldwell Firemen's Festival competing for everyone's time. Summary:
Discussion surrounded primarily around Towers and antennas that one or another
of us is in the middle of putting up, and Operation Vigilant guard. Dick Wayt,
Guernsey County EC, checked in and briefed us on the upcoming event, provided
links, and reached out for communications assistance and/or support if and when
needed. The county has at least 4 amateurs interested in participating. EC Gary
Oliver, KD8OSI
TUSCARAWAS CO: 5 voice nets with 72 operators participating
for 144 hours; one monthly meeting with 10 operators in attendance;
communication with Coshocton EC regarding joint participation in several
upcoming events; communication with Tuscarawas Co. EMA Director regarding the
radio room at EMA EOC. EC Tracy Goddard, K8TAE
WASHINGTON CO: Nothing to report. EC Joseph Wigal,
W8JTW.
District 10
Summer means public service event seasion around here. The
MLB all star game in Cleveland saw ARES involvement with their Color Run event.
Then there was the antenna raising party in Sandusky (yeah - we get around!).
The General Class upgrade course in Lorain County came to an end, with the
result being five shiny new General Class Licenses! NOARSFest in Elyria was a
good time. And welcome to Andy Gross, K8ALG as the new EC for Lorain County!
August will be even busier. If you're sitting around bored, that's on you.
There is plenty to do, and lots of fun to be had! So get up off the couch and
get involved!
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