Monday, April 24, 2017

The Ohio Section News Update – April 24th Edition


Inside..

- NIMS / ICS
- News Flash
- Getting this Newsletter
- New Survey Question
- Handbook Give Away
- NVIS Day
- Field Day
- My Final    

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NIMS / ICS Training

The numbers just keep growing! WHY? Well, the answer is simple, our Ohio ARES folks realize that they need to be properly trained, and you don’t get that by just being a bystander or having an HT in your hand! It takes some effort on your end and our folks are showing very clearly that they will make that effort count! Just having these numbers grow every day proves that we are doing the right thing for the right reasons. We need these courses, and we need to continue our education. It doesn’t stop just because we got our Amateur Radio license.

Here’s the latest count we have on everyone.. Total amount of members in the database is 723. The total amount of members completing all 4 required NIMS courses 507 and the total Number of the Courses taken by everyone in the database is 4765. We’re now over the 500 mark, but that’s only about a third of the Ohio ARES membership. Now the push is on to get all the others to join in as well.

Here’s the link so that you can find out if your name is on the list.. 

Now, for the folks in border counties of Ohio, you may be registered in our other surrounding Section ARES programs (Kentucky, West Virginia, Indiana, Pennsylvania or Michigan) and that’s ok.. They may, or may not  require the 4 basic courses for ARES membership, BUT Ohio does! Please send me, and your EC, copies of your certificates, regardless of another Section’s requirements.

Also, for those outside of Ohio in the bordering states, if you have these 4 courses in, please feel free to send me copies of your 4 certificates and we’ll be very happy to get them entered into our database as well. Please make sure that you have your call sign either in the email or as part of the file name on the certificate.   

For those just starting out, we have a webpage with all the information about how to get started..  http://arrl-ohio.org/SEC/training.html. This page contains a lot of information about what is needed. Each course takes about an hour or so to take, that’s really not much to ask now is it? You spent way more than that to get your Amateur Radio operators license!

Now here’s a link that Ed, KE8ANU found that breaks it all down for you as to what the classes are:

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NEWS Flash!!

Here’s a teaser news flash for you..  This past Friday Stan and I met with Rhonda Meggitt from the Ohio EMA.. Our topic of discussion was the ARRL Ohio ARES joining forces with Ohio Responds. I won’t let the cat out of the bag on the details, I’ll let Stan fill you all in on them later, in another message. What I will say is that we had a great meeting and we have decided to join in with Ohio Responds.


Stan will have more details about all of this in a later edition.

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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. 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 are always free to “Opt-Out”  at any time if you feel this is not what you were expecting. Just send me an email with the email address that you used to opt-in on, and you will be removed. It’s that simple.

Also.. are you viewing the Ohio Section Website on a regular basis? You should, it changes all the time. Here’s a link to it.  http://arrlohio.org

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Survey Question

Hey Gang,

Have you checked out the Newest Survey question on the website?. There is another brand new question up there! You’ll find it on the left side of the main page..  http://arrlohio.org  Don’t forget, once you’ve voted to go back and take a look at how your answer stacks up with everyone elses..!!


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Handbook Give Away

Have you seen that the NEWEST “Handbook Giveaway” drawing on the website yet? To enter the drawing all you need to do is fill in a couple of boxes on the form.. (your name and email). That’s you need to do to be entered into a drawing to win a 2017 ARRL softcover Handbook. There’s nothing else required (Oh.. You do need to be a resident of Ohio to win..)   The winner will be mailed the Handbook at my cost. This is being offered just to see how many folks are really checking in on the website. Got the idea? Best of luck to you!!

Here's a link to get registered..  http://arrl-ohio.org/handbook.html

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NVIS Day

Hey Gang,

Did your club or group do NIVS Day this past weekend? If so, did anyone take pictures of your setup? Please, send all the pictures you can to me so that I can get them added to our growing collection of “Hams In Action”. Also.. it’s time to start looking for a photographer for Field Day as well. Yes folks, I want all the pictures that you can send me from Field Day as well.  Send them to:  n8sy@n8sy.com 

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Field Day


Hey Gang,

I know that a lot of you are already deep into planning your Field Day activities as well as getting everything ready for that big weekend, well I have some additional goodies for you.. I have the Ohio Governor’s Proclamation posted on the website.. Thanks to our State Government Liaison, Bob Winston, W2THU we have it and it’s posted on the website.

There’s also a suggested Press Release there as well as a lot of other information about Field Day too.  Go take a look:  http://arrl-ohio.org/FD_Message.html

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My Final..    

Today is April 24th and it’s Monday once again!!! It’s also “Poem in Your Pocket Day.” Today is also remembered for – In 1925 highest temperature ever recorded in Cleveland in April, it was a balmy 88°F. Was global warming of concern back then?  Hi.. Hi..

And since the Cavs did win their first round in the championship run, I’ve gotta’ say it loud and clear..  GO CAVS..!!!

Amateur Radio has its serious side, but it can also have a FUN side too.. So, as we go through our training and exercises learning from our past and learning from those who are willing to take the time to teach us, let’s remember to have FUN too.. It’s what keeps us alive and vibrant..!!


73,

Scott, N8SY..

eof..