DELARANEWS

ARES

Stan Broadway, N8BHL Ohio SEC, Delaware EC

Ohio ARES NVIS Antenna Day – 2022

An NVIS antenna (Near Vertical Incident Skywave) is an HF antenna that is used to make contacts near to the originating station – in our case, approximately 400 miles. These antennas would be used in the case of no other alternatives to make contact within the state of Ohio specifically to the Ohio EMA. ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) has been sponsoring an “NVIS Antenna Day” since 2016 offering our amateur radio operators a chance to construct, test, and analyze their antenna systems selecting the best performing to be used in a real emergency situation. While by now many operators already have their antenna of choice, we have given different challenges to continue interest in the day. In prior years, we have operated without commercial power, send formal messages through the systems, and send the “grid square” locater for their station location (that was this year’s project.) These additional activities stress not only local HF communication but accurate messaging as well. In addition to communicating with nearby counties, stations also try to contact the Ohio EOC’s amateur station W8SGT. This simulates the flow of communication to be expected in a real emergency. Our activity is not a contest, we stress being able to make a contact, then switch antennas to determine the best performing antenna. This year the day was a success especially since it was the first day in recent memory that did not offer thunderstorms or inclement weather! The EOC station (called “The Sarge” based on our FCC callsign) had a successful run. For the first half of the day, 75 meters (3.902 MHz) was open and productive. We made 15 contacts with 12 counties. As 75 meters faded (typical for daytime use) 40 meters (7.250 MHz) opened up locally. The Sarge logged 35 contacts with 26 counties, including neighboring counties in Michigan and West Virginia. We operated for the duration of the 6-hour event. Log submissions were down from prior years, but the number of stations in various logs indicated operating at our usual successful levels. NVIS 2022 Results Call County QSO Q County Msg sent Antennas KD8JQE Greene 1 1 1 Buddipole Inv V KA0AZS Greene 1 1 1 Little Tarheel w/ 30' coax as whip N8GD Jefferson 3 3 Chameleon Emcom II at 6' w 2 60' legs WF8B Clinton 6 5 KA8BJA Coshocton 6 5 OCF Dipole; 6BTC vertical N8ADX Licking 6 6 2259, NN8B Columbiana 7 7 Dipole KE8JNN Tuscarawas 12 10 80 4' 30M 3' KE8ANU Licking 13 11 EF 52' at 4'; Emcomm II end fed 4'; 80 doublet a 40' N8ESG Cuyuahoga 15 12 1 2 end fed N8ESG Cuyahoga 15 12 1 W1ALW Hancock 38 30 0 SOTA Beams BandHopper dipole 15' W8HH Washington 40 ? KE8UFS Ashtabula 37

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 second Thursday of every month at 8PM. We hold a training meeting on the first 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.
DELARANews

ARES

Stan Broadway, N8BHL Ohio SEC,

Delaware EC

Ohio ARES NVIS Antenna Day – 2022

An NVIS antenna (Near Vertical Incident Skywave) is an HF antenna that is used to make contacts near to the originating station – in our case, approximately 400 miles. These antennas would be used in the case of no other alternatives to make contact within the state of Ohio specifically to the Ohio EMA. ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) has been sponsoring an “NVIS Antenna Day” since 2016 offering our amateur radio operators a chance to construct, test, and analyze their antenna systems selecting the best performing to be used in a real emergency situation. While by now many operators already have their antenna of choice, we have given different challenges to continue interest in the day. In prior years, we have operated without commercial power, send formal messages through the systems, and send the “grid square” locater for their station location (that was this year’s project.) These additional activities stress not only local HF communication but accurate messaging as well. In addition to communicating with nearby counties, stations also try to contact the Ohio EOC’s amateur station W8SGT. This simulates the flow of communication to be expected in a real emergency. Our activity is not a contest, we stress being able to make a contact, then switch antennas to determine the best performing antenna. This year the day was a success especially since it was the first day in recent memory that did not offer thunderstorms or inclement weather! The EOC station (called “The Sarge” based on our FCC callsign) had a successful run. For the first half of the day, 75 meters (3.902 MHz) was open and productive. We made 15 contacts with 12 counties. As 75 meters faded (typical for daytime use) 40 meters (7.250 MHz) opened up locally. The Sarge logged 35 contacts with 26 counties, including neighboring counties in Michigan and West Virginia. We operated for the duration of the 6-hour event. Log submissions were down from prior years, but the number of stations in various logs indicated operating at our usual successful levels. NVIS 2022 Results Call County QSO Q County Msg sent Antennas KD8JQE Greene 1 1 1 Buddipole Inv V KA0AZS Greene 1 1 1 Little Tarheel w/ 30' coax as whip N8GD Jefferson 3 3 Chameleon Emcom II at 6' w 2 60' legs WF8B Clinton 6 5 KA8BJA Coshocton 6 5 OCF Dipole; 6BTC vertical N8ADX Licking 6 6 2259, NN8B Columbiana 7 7 Dipole KE8JNN Tuscarawas 12 10 80 4' 30M 3' KE8ANU Licking 13 11 EF 52' at 4'; Emcomm II end fed 4'; 80 doublet a 40' N8ESG Cuyuahoga 15 12 1 2 end fed N8ESG Cuyahoga 15 12 1 W1ALW Hancock 38 30 0 SOTA Beams BandHopper dipole 15' W8HH Washington 40 ? KE8UFS Ashtabula 37

ARES

Stan Broadway, N8BHL

Section Emergency Coordinator - Ohio Emergency Coordinator - Delaware County