ARES
Delaware County ARES
ARES Delaware County
Year-end wrap up
Well, for doing “nothing” Delaware County ARES members were nonetheless rather busy in this
crazy year. Of course, we had NO events in which to participate- everything was cancelled and
next year is questionable. Our dedication wasn’t diminished- we were able to turn 2020 into a
learning year. Most of that learning revolved around digital modes.
In what in-person sessions we were able to hold there was a wide variety of training. Here is a
sampling:
•
Go-box exercise (portable stations for emergency deployment)
•
Handling message traffic
•
Damage assessment
•
Field Day (National emergency communications weekend)
•
Maps and map reading
•
Ohio Simulated Emergency Test
•
Two national Red Cross exercises using Winlink (email messaging via radio)
Typically, our service totals for a year range from 1,500 to 2,000. This year, the totals we have
logged in the ARRL program “Connect” total 326 hours. There was more that wasn’t captured:
time put in working out digital issues in between nets, working on the Red Cross club station
and antennas (including installation of a second tower and beam) and other projects. Even
without the normal load of public service, we were able to maintain our training levels, and
significantly improve our equipment and capabilities at the Red Cross station which is intended
to be the main ‘control station’ for the county during an emergency.
Our members were busy spreading proficiency in the fldigi program suite, in which formatted
messages such as IS-213 and other FEMA forms, various Red Cross forms, and even the
Delaware County custom status form can be sent digitally over the radio. These forms can also
be used to communicate with the amateur radio station at the Ohio EOC. Another software
suite which has been proven during large-scale emergencies is Winlink. We established a
Winlink relay station (think: post office) in Delaware County which is connected to the Internet
and can be directed to other amateur stations around the nation should the Internet not be
available. Many of our members have been practicing Winlink procedures as well.
Our top volunteers include Larry Howell (AC8YE) and Joe Papworth (K8MP). A special thank-you
and “Well Done” to ALL … even an hour or two can make a tremendous difference! My sincere
thanks to all for taking time to serve our Delaware County community!
Joe Papworth (K8MP)
36
Larry Howell (AC8YE)
36
Robert Dixon (W8ERD)
34
Donn Rooks (K8AOK)
29
David Lewis (K8DL)
28
Gordon Broadway (N8BHL)
26
E. Miller (W8CR)
25
Mike Huffman (W8MDC)
22
Shawn Cray (KE8IZX)
13
Dave LeMay (WB2CWJ)
13
Gregory Zarichny (W8ZAR)
9.1
Jamie Clifton (AD8EC)
9
Mike Womer (K8COH)
7
Daniel Lasorso (KD8OFT)
6
Brian Burley (KE8ANW)
5
Kenneth Bird (W8SMK)
4
Mike Linn (W8IXI)
4
Joe Kuntz (N8ZGL)
3
Paul Luft (KD8UUA)
3
Edward Andres, Jr. (W8EJA)
2
Gary Carmichael (KD8VBZ)
2
Walter Kenyon, Jr. (W8WLK)
2
Randy Lowe (AC8VM)
2
Ben Schwab (W8AXE)
2
Carlton Yaffey (K8NU)
2
Sandra Broadway (KE8BKR)
1
Joe Penzera (N8DRZ)
1
Ohio ARES contributes over $2 Million
What do we do when no one’s looking?
There’s an old measure of character that asks if one does the right thing when no one’s looking.
This looney year of 2020 and all its cancelled events saw the Amateur Radio Emergency Service
(ARES) busy doing things even though the general public and many of our agencies haven’t been
there to see.
Much of what we did involved training and refreshing our basic skills- operating radios, sending
messages and staying ready for any potential activation. And our numbers for the year reflect
our duty to stay “ready”.
Event Category
#Events
#Persons
#Hours
Communications emergency
38
72
161.75
Community event
265
465
2838.9
Exercise
61
547
1164.85
Meeting
479
2176
4667.83
Net
6277
24035
23680
Skywarn
229
1712
1657.62
Training
750
2452
8388.11
Miscellaneous
492
673
4596.6
Unclassified
6085
19941
29056.55
14676
52074
76212.22
Overall, 934 individual volunteers have contributed over 76212 hours of service! According to
the Independent Sector each hour is valued at $27.20. Thus over 2020, ARES volunteers have
contributed over $2.072 Million to our agencies, activities and neighbors throughout Ohio.
We’re already working on activities for 2021! One of the first is a contest which is really an
opportunity for amateur operators to test their VHF/UHF antenna capabilities. We call it the
ARES VHF contest- and we provide a “score” for the number of counties a station can contact.
This provides a means for each county organization to plot where they have radio coverage, and
where they need to improve. It’s a good time for all operators while service a greater purpose.
The 2021 VHF simplex contest is set for January 9.
Another operating event tests our abilities to construct and deploy “NVIS” antennas – those
which are designed to bounce signals within the state of Ohio, so that on HF frequencies we are
able to stay in contact. This has been great fun over the years, and promises more fun this year.
We traditionally have a state conference at the beginning of April. 2021 may have some
holdover from 2020 forcing us to go ‘virtual’. If that’s the case, we’ll have the ability to welcome a
much greater number of people and even break out into different interest areas. We’re planning
that now.
I have to offer my sincere thanks to all of you who participated this year in ARES activities!! Your
dedication of time and energy has kept ARES a welcomed partner with the Ohio EMA, Red Cross
and other agencies. Big thanks to ASEC Matt Curtin, KD8TTE, whose tireless work in traffic
handling has brought us up considerably higher in skill level. Also thanks to ASEC Tim Price,
K8WFL, who traditionally is our “Idea Man” – always coming up with great ideas. And thanks to
each of our ten District EC’s- who all have significant skill at ‘herding cats’ as well as promoting
activity to all our county EC’s. As you know, I consider our whole structure to be upside-down….
That is, we all exist to support you as a county EC! Your shoulders carry the burden of local
relationships with EMA Directors and others to keep ARES and amateur radio in front of their
planning as a viable partner. Without your efforts, this would fail. So thanks to each and every
volunteer- we are all working together as a great team for our neighbors! Let’s do more next
year!
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.