Amateur Radio is more than a hobby- it

becomes an important service when other

forms of communication fail. It’s up to all of

us to stay ready, stay trained, and stay

available. We could be required on a

moment’s notice.

Delaware County ARES is part of the national ARRL program. We rely on our volunteers. We operate during several large public events including the national-level Ironman competition. We hold a radio net on the 145.19 repeater (no tone) on the first Thursday of every month at 8PM. We hold a training meeting on the second Thursday of every month at 7:30 usually at the Red Cross building. All amateurs are invited! For information, contact Stan, N8BHL the Delaware County Emergency Coordinator, or Joe, K8MP or Craig, W8CR.

ARES

Delaware County - By the Book

It is important to any organization to have a play book. It’s even more important for organizations involved in emergency response to study and understand the play book. ARES in Delaware County certainly isn’t a first responder, but it wouldn’t take much to put us at a level where urgent response, professional conduct and a good attitude would be a requirement to assist our county agencies. That applies to public service events, training drills, and actual activations. At our training meeting in January, we’ll be looking over a rebuilt and current operations manual for ARES. This has some vital elements: timely activation, concerns and conduct during our work and other considerations such as communication security. This to me is amateur radio a giant step above being a hobby- when our activity becomes a “service” we’re more than entertaining ourselves. Thus, we need to be prepared and to understand how it works best. Are YOU involved in ARES? I would like to extend a respectful invitation to join us and put your knowledge to use if needed. The training should be fun, and just like participating in DELARA, activity in ARES gets you even closer with people. Naturally, almost all the faces in ARES are faces from DELARA - it’s all about amateur radio in Delaware County. Please feel welcomed to attend our meetings the second Thursday of every month, 7:30 at the Red Cross. Our radio net on the 145.19 repeater is held at 8 on the first Thursday of the month, As detailed earlier, our ARES desk at the Red Cross is up and running- we’re as ready as we can be! Take a minute next time you’re there and look around! I apologize that I do not have a report on the number of hours we operated in 2018, we will be tracking closely for 2019 both in our own database and ARES Connect! I look forward to working with you all this year! 01

To the State ARES Organization

Ohio Section: Amateur Radio Emergency Service Yearend Report, 2018 Ohio ARES members provided at least $2,674,295.00 in service to their communities during 2018. For the year 2018, Ohio Section ARES volunteers donated their time and equipment in large numbers. The monetary value of their time is calculated using $24.69 according to “The Independent Sector” as used by the ARRL. We calculate the value of equipment at $300 per volunteer. December is anticipated based on prior years. Activity 2018 Total 2018 Average Monthly Monetary Value Training events / nets 8417 701 Training hours 64035 5336 $ 1,581,024 Public service events 736 61 Public service hours 21856 1821 $ 539,624 Emergency events 138 12 Emergency hours 2028 169 $ 50,071 Volunteer equipment 1679 $ 503,575 Total contribution $ 2,674,295 Some major changes were implemented which will assure our volunteers are well-qualified and ready for any activation. The biggest change was the implementation of “ARES Connect” – a time accounting database managed for the entire nation by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) which is the sponsoring agency for ARES. ARES Connect tracks events and activities, assigns hours to volunteers, and provides a “real time” report of activity across the nation. Ohio was one of four Sections to BETA test the system, and we are among the top users of the system prior to its full release. Section Manager Scott Yonally, N8SY, has worked tirelessly to help de- bug the system and provide input on potential problems and suggested improvements. Ohio ARES modified the training standards to match those which are to come from ARRL. Our lowest level 1 is designated for new recruits and volunteers without NIMS training. They are welcome to work public service events, but will not be on the “first due” activation lists and will not be assigned within EOC environments. Level 2 volunteers are those who have completed the four NIMS (National Incident Management System) training courses ICS 100, 200 700, 800. These will be considered full- fledged members. To achieve level 2 certification their certificates of training must be on file with the Ohio ARES training database. It is suggested paper copies be kept on file at the local EOC. Level 3 volunteers are those who’ve added ICS 300/400 and other courses such as COML, COMT to indicate their leadership position. In addition, the “AUXCOMM” course is strongly recommended for all volunteers. ARES is structured so that each county Emergency Coordinator (EC) operates autonomously with training, relationships and service to served agencies. A guideline for them is provided in ARRL EC training material, and in the Ohio Section Emergency Response Plan (OSERP). Under their guidance, radio nets and training meetings help to keep members active and ready. ARES county organizations participated in numerous drills and exercises throughout the year, from active shooter training to many other scenarios. ARES members were activated for a number of real events, including missing person searches, storm damage, and other events. Some counties made use of ARES members during elections as supplemental communications back to the various boards of elections. Others used our volunteers for additional security and situational awareness at fairgrounds, special events, and Halloween observances. We provided free communication support for hundreds of events including major marathons, Ironman, and numerous other large public gatherings. ARES members participate in a weekly statewide radio net anchored at the Ohio JDF/EOC where station W8SGT is located right off the main control floor. This activity confirms our ability to communicate from the state EOC to various counties throughout Ohio. On the same evenings, the Ohio Digital Emergency Net (OHDEN) does a similar exercise using digital message modes, such as would be employed to send forms such as IS-213 messages between counties and from county to state. Most counties are active in early January for the “Ohio ARES VHF Simplex Contest”, testing our ability to use VHF / UHF frequencies without repeaters to relay messages. In late April, we stage our annual “NVIS Antenna Day”, employing “Near Vertical Incident Skywave” antennas designed to communicate to neighboring and nearby locations. These antennas are the type that might be deployed after a major disaster removes normal communication equipment and antennas. In late June, we participate in the ARRL’s “Field Day” exercise- where remote stations provide portable antennas, power, and equipment to communicate across the country for a 24-hour period. All of these activities further our mission to be able to communicate “when all else fails”. Our ability to provide this important service is dependent on having proper antennas to allow us to make contacts. With these resources in place in our homes and public buildings, we are able to stay ready to provide this important service.

ARES

Stan Broadway, N8BHL

Section Emergency Coordinator - Ohio Emergency Coordinator - Delaware County