The Ohio Section News Update – February 24, 2017 Edition

Inside..

- NIMS / ICS

- Hamfests

- Handbook Giveaway

- Contests

- Getting this Newsletter

- License Stats

- Final

   

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NIMS / ICS Training

Hey Gang, get those oh – so important ICS certificates in to me and to your Emergency Coordinator!!

Ok, hold it a minute. I’m sure by now that all of you are sick of seeing this article appear each time I send the updates out. Why in the world am I pushing this so hard? It’s this simple. There will be a day when something bad happens, and when that day comes, it will be too late for you to get that training in so that you’ll be of use to not only us, but your EMA, Red Cross, Salvation Army or any of the other served agencies.

We have over 28,000 licensed Amateurs in Ohio, of which we have 1,700 that are members of our ARES program. If you look at the numbers below we still have a lot of folks out there that either aren’t taking courses, or have not turned in their course certificates yet. WHY? None of us want to be told that we can’t participate when something happens, so why let that happen? Please, if you haven’t started taking these classes, do so now. If you have, and just haven’t turned in your certificates to your E.C. AND me, get it done NOW, before that time comes.

Every Ohio ARES member needs to have at least these 4 basic courses completed. Why are these courses so important? The simple answer is this - we need these courses as part of our requirement for our state credentialing system. As you know, the State of Ohio has a credentialing system that we are a big part of, and to obtain your credential when the time is needed, means that you need to have these courses completed and turned in to the database. So, without these courses being completed, you won’t be able to get credentialed!

Now, just where do you get all of this information to get you on your way, that’s easy.. Here’s a link

http://arrl-ohio.org/SEC/training.html. This page contains a lot of information about what is needed.

Here’s the latest count we have on everyone.. Members included in the database 631, Members completing NIMS 418, and Total Courses taken 4,131 

I also highly recommend that you get used to looking at the Ohio Section Website..  http://arrl-ohio.org as it changes all the time. You’ll also want to visit the Ohio Section Emergency Coordinators page frequently too  http://arrl-ohio.org/SEC/default.html

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Hamfests..  None for this weekend, but..

03/05/2017 | WinterHamFest
Location: Elyria, OH
Sponsor: Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society

 *Free pancake breakfast with paid admission

 *Free Vibroplex Clinic
 Website: http://noars.net

 03/18/2017 | MOVARC HAMFEST
 Location: Gallipolis, OH
 Sponsor: MOVARC Club 
 Website:

 https://sites.google.com/site/midohiovalleyarc/

 03/19/2017 | Toledo Mobile Radio Association

 Hamfest and Computer Fair
 Location: Perrysburg, OH
 Sponsor: Toledo Mobile Radio Association
 Website: http://www.tmrahamradio.org

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Handbook Giveaway

Hey, hey, hey.. this month is drawing to a close fast! Don’t forget that February this year only has 28 days in it and we are getting to the end very quickly. So, if you haven’t seen it yet, the NEWEST “Handbook Giveaway” drawing is now in progress!!

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..  http://arrl-ohio.org/handbook.html

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Contests

March 04 – 05, 2017

Here’s a link for more details.  International DX– Phone

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

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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License Stats

Have you been wondering just how the license classes are stacking up now that we only have 3 classes of licenses. Well, wonder no more, here’s the stats from the FCC database as of February 21.

Novice - 512

Technician – 12,864

General – 7,002

Advanced – 1,766

Extra – 5,855

Grand Total – 27,999 licensed Amateur Radio licenses for Ohio

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Finally.. 

 

Sunday is the Oscars.. Now what movie do you think will win the Oscar for the Best Picture?

Here are the nominees..

- Arrival

- Fences

- Hacksaw Ridge

- Hell or High Water

- Hidden Figures

- La La Land

- Lion

- Manchester by the Sea

- Moonlight

I am going out on a limb and say La La Land will win.. Let’s see how that stacks up with your pick.

Remember, life is short, go have FUN..!!

 

73,

Scott, N8SY..

eof..