Wednesday, January 11, 2017

The Ohio Section News Update – January 11, 2017 Edition


Inside..

- Skywarn
- 1 Question Survey
- SEC & STM Reports
- DMR
- NIMS / ICS
- Ohio Section ARES Announcements
- N3FJP Logging Software Updated
- Getting this Newsletter
- Upcoming Hamfests
- Got Questions
- Final - Final

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Skywarn..

Hey Gang it’s now time to start thinking of either renewing or obtaining your Skywarn training for 2017. Do you know where the training is being made available?

Here’s the links to the Cleveland and Wilmington National Weather Service Office training schedules. Depending on where you live will depend on which weather office you’ll want to look at. For those like me, in the southern most range of the Cleveland Office, you could go either way. It’s your choice, but just be sure to get that training in!



You can also find these links on the Ohio Section ARES webpage under Skywarn too 

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1 Question Survey



Hey gang..

There’s a new 1 question survey on the website. It will only take you a couple of seconds to answer it and you can even find out how your answer stacks up with everyone else’s!

Here’s a link..  http://arrl-ohio.org/  just look down the left side of the page. You’ll find it.



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SEC/STM Reports

Did you know that you can find the monthly reports for the Section Emergency Coordinator and the Section Traffic Manager on the website? You can, they are there for your inspection. The reports are also archived so that you can go back and view any of them any time you wish.

Here are the links:



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DMR..
 
Hey Everyone on DMR – There’s a lot of neat things on DMR in Ohio going on. Check out the website for nets, updates on Codeplugs as well as updates on the “How to’s..”  I’ve just added a map to help you know where all the DMR repeaters are located, and what system they are using.

Want more information about DMR? Here’s a link to get you started..
http://arrl-ohio.org/digital/digital.html   and also located there is Andy, K4AWC’s newest Ohio Codeplug. You can download it while you’re on this same page.

Did you know one of the really unique features of the Brandmeister DMR System is that it records all of the activity? It does, which means that even if you’ve missed checking in on the weekly statewide net, you can still hear it. Here’s a link for you.. https://hose.brandmeister.network/3139/archive/  Now if you noticed 3139 is the Ohio statewide Talkgroup. You can change that to any of the Talkgroups and listen to the archived files.

Now I didn’t mean to leave the guys out that are on the K4USD C-Bridge.. You too can see who’s on and where the activity is.. Just go to http://cbridge.k4usd.org:42420/MinimalNetwatch

There’s lots more information about DMR on the Ohio Section DMR webpage. Go take a look.

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NIMS / ICS Training

Hey Gang, our numbers are growing, we now have more than 340 who have completed the 4 NIMS required courses!

I’m pushing hard on all of you to not only get this training, but to get those so valuable certificates turned in to me so that we can get you added to the database as well. Yes, we have a lot of folks in there, but we know that we don’t have yours. How do we know that? Everyone that has the 4 basic courses (IS 100, 200, 700 & 800) and has shared those certificates with us are now listed on the Ohio Section NIMS Roster.

If you don’t see your name on the list we don’t have all 4 of your needed certificates, and we definitely need and want them! This list shows those who have all 4 certificates turned in. If you don’t see your name on the list, send them to me  n8sy@n8sy.com   Now even if you haven’t gotten all 4 of these courses in, we still need you to get what you do have turned in to us so that we can get you started on your way.

I’ve had a lot of folks ask me why this training is so important. The answer is easy. In 2014 the ARRL signed a MOU with FEMA to help them when needed. This puts ARES in direct contact with FEMA now, this is a relationship that we didn’t have before. The agreement indicates that we are to be a TRAINED corps of communicators. With that stated, FEMA’s expectations are that we have the 4 basic courses – ICS 100, 200, 700 and 800 completed so that we can properly operate within their Incident Command System that ALL emergencies now operate under. So you see, we’ve now agreed to get this training, and that’s why we need to fulfil our part of this MOU as best as we can.

The Ohio Section has taken a lead in the country with this and really dug its heals in and has done a great job of completing this training. Let’s keep it going for 2017!!   

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Ohio Section ARES Announcements
 
Hey Gang..  Mark your calendars for the following dates.

The Second Annual Ohio ARES VHF Simplex Contest! January 14 – this is only a few days away now.

The Ohio ARES Conference is now scheduled for April 01 at Marion Technical College/ OSU Marion Campus. Anyone and everyone that is interested in ARES is invited. This is always well attended, and it’s theater seating! Easy for everyone to see and hear the speakers. Yes, I’m planning on video recording this as well, for those who just can’t make it, but you’d better have a really good excuse. More details will be forth coming on this as well.

NVIS Day will be April 22 – This has always been a really big hit with everyone, and it’s so easy to participate. More news on this event will be forth coming.

As you can see, 2017 is going to be a really busy year for sure!

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N3FJP Logging Software Updated


Scott, N3FJP, has announced that his NAQP Contest Log 4.4 software is now available, including the new DC (District of Columbia) multiplier for NAQP.

Other changes include enhanced playback/recording support, as well as support for FlexRadio gear through the FlexRadio API. Many of his other logging programs have also been recently updated; see the N3FJP website for more information.

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Are you getting those emails from me? If not, all you have to do is to “Opt-In” to receive them.

Heck, just send me an email:  n8sy@n8sy.com and let me know that you want to be added. It’s really just that easy. We have over 2,500 persons on our Ohio Section Mailing List now and growing.

Are you passing this newsletter on to others? Please, if you know of anyone that would be interested in this information, feel free to pass it on to them. You don’t have to be an ARRL member or even a ham to receive these emails.

You can always  “Opt-Out”  at any time if you feel this is not what you were expecting.

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Upcoming Hamfests in Ohio..

01/15/2017 | Sunday Creek Amateur Radio Federation Hamfest
Location: Nelsonville, OH
Sponsor: Sunday Creek Amateur Radio Federation

01/29/2017 | TUSCO Amateur Radio Club Hamfest
Location: Strasburg, OH
Sponsor: Tusco Amateur Radio Club
Website: http://tuscoarc.org  

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Got questions, concerns or would just like to sit and chat awhile?

Give me a call at (419) 512-4445 or email me at:  n8sy@n8sy.com   

Want to sit and just chat awhile? I’m available, Heck, I’ll even buy!!

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Finally..  Hey Everyone, Amateur Radio is a lot of FUN.. and it’s a learning experience for everyone! Share your enjoyment and learning experiences with those just coming into Amateur Radio!!  

73,

Scott, N8SY..


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