The Ohio Section News Update – March 22nd Edition

Inside..

- Tornado Safety Day - TODAY

- Prepare for Active Shooter

- NIMS / ICS

- Handbook GiveAway

- Survey Question

- Getting this Newsletter

- Weekly DMR Nets

- My Final    

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Tornado Safety Day - TODAY

Ohio is participating in a statewide tornado drill to test the state's emergency alert systems, according to the Ohio Emergency Management Agency. 

Counties across the Buckeye State will sound outdoor warning sirens at 9:50 a.m.  Phones and other mobile devices will also receive the alert. 

"Schools, businesses and households are encouraged to practice their tornado drills and emergency plans," the agency wrote in a recent email. 

This week's drill is part of the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness' 'Severe Weather Awareness Week,' which ends on Saturday. 

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How to Prepare for an Active Shooter Scenario

Hey Gang, This subject is not one any of us likes to think about but, in this day and age sometimes we just aren’t given much choice. As radio operators being called out to a scene, we can find ourselves in rather peculiar situations, and knowing what to do, and when to do it, might just keep us from being injured. An active shooter incident is a situation in which people in a confined or populated area are threatened with deadly violence. Incidents can happen anywhere and at any time. The best way to make sure you and your loved ones stay safe is to prepare ahead of time. Taking a few steps now and mentally rehearsing what to do can help you react quickly when every second counts. To help you prepare, review the Preparation How to Prepare for an Active Shooter Scenario Guide that outlines steps you can take before, during, and after an active shooter incident. The guide also includes:    *   A Video - Run. Hide. Fight. Surviving an Active Shooter    *   An Online Course - Active Shooter: What You Can Do   Hey Guys.. This is an ICS Course..    *   A Guide for K-12 Schools    *   A Guide for Houses of Worship To learn more about preparing for an active shooter incident, read  this story featuring Augustana College in Rock Island, IL where 1,700 students, 150 staff members, and 34 local agencies, organizations, and public safety departments participated in a full-scale active shooter exercise.

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NIMS / ICS Training

Hey Gang, The numbers just keep growing, and that’s absolutely fantastic! Here’s the latest count we have on everyone.. Members in the database 692. Members completing all 4 required NIMS courses 476. Total Number of the Courses taken by everyone in the database 4585,  Here’s the link so that you can find out if your name is on the list..  http://arrl-ohio.org/SEC/special/nims_roster.html 

Why are these courses so important? The simple answer is this - without these courses, you are not trained! Without the training, you can’t be used! Now, I’m not going to kid you.. These courses are just the beginning of your training. These 4 courses are the BASICS only, but they are extremely important to me and to your Emergency Coordinator.

Here’s where you can get all of this information  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!

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

By the way.. When submitting copies of your certificates to us, please don’t forget to include your call sign!!

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Handbook GiveAway

 

Have you gotten registered for the “Handbook Giveaway” drawing yet? Well, if you haven’t it’s time you do.  

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 2016 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 the form..  http://arrl-ohio.org/handbook.html

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Survey Question

Hey Gang,

Have you checked out the Newest Survey question on the website yet?. Yup, there’s a new question for you to answer. This one will have you doing inventory in your shack for sure! 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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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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Weekly DMR Nets

Hey gang, don’t forget to check-in on the weekly Wednesday night DMR net tonight, there are averaging around 60 check-ins each week, and it’s really growing in popularity for sure. Come join in on the fun, Wednesday nights at 8:30p local on the 3139 Ohio statewide Talkgroup.

The North American Tech Net is also on Wednesday night at 9pm EST on Talkgroup 3, as well as  The After HamNation Net, following the HamNation program on Talkgroup 311 as well.. Lot’s of good nets to check in to on Wednesday’s for sure..

Want to know more about DMR? Here’s a link. http://arrl-ohio.org/digital/digital.html

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My Final..    It’s Wednesday, Hump Day!!

The middle of a work week (Wednesday); used in the context of climbing a proverbial hill to get through a tough week. After hump day, the weekend gets closer.

Now…  Go have FUN..!!

 

73,

Scott, N8SY..

eof..

The Ohio Section News Update – March 20th Edition

Happy First Day of SPRING!!

Inside..

- It’s Spring

- NIMS / ICS

- Handbook GiveAway

- Survey Question

- Getting this Newsletter

- Maritime Radio Day

- My Final    

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SPRING BEGINS

Spring begins on the March or vernal equinox, which is when the amount of sunshine is approximately 12 hours long.  The amount of sunlight will incrementally increase until the first day of Summer.

The vernal equinox marks the moment the Sun crosses the celestial equator.  This is the imaginary line in the sky above the Earth’s equator, from south to north. This happens on March 19, 20 or 21 every year. 

The time the sun crosses the equator marking the Vernal Equinox is different for each time zone.  For those in the Pacific, Mountain and Central time zones, this will occur on March 19th.  For those in the Eastern time zone, spring begins on March 20th at 12:30 a.m.

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NIMS / ICS Training

Hey Gang, I’ve got new numbers to show off to all of you..  Here’s the latest count we have on everyone.. Members in the database 688. Members completing all 4 required NIMS courses 471. Total Number of the Courses taken by everyone in the database 4550,  Here’s the link so that you can find out if your name is on the list..  http://arrl-ohio.org/SEC/special/nims_roster.html 

Why are these courses so important? The simple answer is this - without these courses, you are not trained! Without the training, you can’t be used! 

Now, get those oh – so important ICS certificates in to me and to your Emergency Coordinator, and don’t forget to include your call sign!!

Here’s where you can get all of this information  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!

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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Handbook GiveAway

Have you seen that the NEWEST “Handbook Giveaway” drawing on the website? It’s there..!! 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 2016 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 it..  http://arrl-ohio.org/handbook.html

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Survey Question

Hey Gang,

Have you checked out the Survey question on the website yet?. I think you’ll find this question really interesting. 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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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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Maritime Radio Day Event Set for April

(from ARRL Bulletins)

Maritime Radio Day will take place in mid-April, with activity — all on CW — centering on International Naval Frequencies, 1,824; 3,520; 7,020; 10,118; 14,052; 21,052, and 28,052 kHz. Maritime Radio Day is held annually to commemorate nearly 100 years of CW maritime wireless service. Register online.

The event gets under way at 1200 UTC on April 14 and concludes at 2200 UTC on April 15. Participants exchange QSA (signal strength, 1-5), QRK (readability, 1-5), name, call sign of last or favorite ship/aircraft/maintenance company and “additionally a tr, msg and/or a QTC, if you like.” SWLs are welcome to take part. A newly designed certificate of participation will be available.

Submit logs by May 1 via e-mail to Rolf Marschner, DL9CM, or Narzissenweg 10, 53359 Rheinbach, Germany. — Thanks to David Ring, N1EA

(ed note.. as some of you might know.. April 15, 1912 is the date of the sinking of the Titanic..  That’s what makes this event date so special.. Especially since they did use the International distress CQD, and it was all in CW..)

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My Final..    Today in history.. 

In 1934 Rudolf Kuhnold demonstrates radar in Kiel Germany. In 1958 50" snow across the Mason-Dixon line, and in 2005 A magnitude 6.6 earthquake hits Fukuoka, Japan, its first major quake in over 100 years. One person is killed, hundreds are injured and evacuated.

It’s Monday once again..!! Now, let’s think on the bright side.. it’s only 4 more days until the weekend!!   Go have FUN..!!

 

73,

Scott, N8SY..

PS.. Don't forget to get registered for the Handbook Give Away!!  

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

eof..

The Ohio Section News Update – March 17th Edition

Happy St. Patty’s Day to you all!!

Inside..

- NIMS / ICS

- Motorola Lawsuit

- Survey Question

- Getting this Newsletter

- Contest Corner

- Hamfest Calendar

- My Final    

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NIMS / ICS Training

Hey Gang, I’ve got new numbers to show off to all of you..  Here’s the latest count we have on everyone.. Members in the database 684. Members completing all 4 required NIMS courses 466. Total Number of the Courses taken by everyone in the database 4525,  Here’s the link so that you can find out if your name is on the list..  http://arrl-ohio.org/SEC/special/nims_roster.html 

Why are these courses so important? The simple answer is this - without these courses, you are not trained! Without the training, you can’t be used! 

Now, get those oh – so important ICS certificates in to me and to your Emergency Coordinator, and don’t forget to include your call sign!!

Here’s where you can get all of this information  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!

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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Motorola Solutions Sues Hytera Communications, Alleging Patent, Trade Secrets Theft

(from ARRL Bulletins)

Motorola Solutions has filed complaints in federal court (US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois), alleging that Hytera Communications’ digital mobile radio (DMR) products employ techniques and systems that infringe on Motorola Solutions’ patents and trade secrets. Already known for its Land Mobile Radio Service products, Hytera entered the Amateur Radio DMR market last year. Motorola alleges that proprietary and patented information was taken illegally by three former company engineers who now work for Hytera, as “part of a deliberate scheme to steal and copy” its technology.

“Motorola Solutions believes that Hytera is intentionally infringing its intellectual property and misappropriating its trade secrets, which has enabled Hytera to compete unfairly by bypassing investment in innovation,” Motorola said in a March 14 news release. Motorola Solutions General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer Mark Hacker characterized the copying as brazen, blatant, and willful.

The three former Motorola engineers all signed non-disclosure agreements, agreeing to treat all Motorola trade secretes as confidential, when they left the company to assume similar positions with Hytera. According to the lawsuit, none of the three disclosed beforehand that they intended to go to work for Hytera.

Motorola contends that its digital radio products were rendering Hytera’s analog systems obsolete, and rather than develop its own digital products, Hytera stole Motorola’s ideas, its attorneys allege. Motorola said technology features it developed started showing up in Hytera products soon after Hytera began hiring engineers who had left Motorola in 2008, according to the lawsuit.

In a statement, Hytera, which said its policy is not to comment on cases presently before a court, then proceeded to do just that. The manufacturer, headquartered in Shenzhen, China, said it adheres to high ethical standards and complies with “the laws and regulations in markets where we operate,” and “firmly believes that its business practices and operations will be fully vindicated.” — Thanks to IWCE’s Urgent Communications, The Chicago Tribune, and Motorola Solutions for information used in this story

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Survey Question

Hey Gang,

There’s a NEW survey question on the website. I think you’ll find this question really interesting. 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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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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Contest Corner

(By Bob Bross, W8NFM and the Listening Post)

The South America 10 Meter contest this past week-end was a mixed bag; almost nothing heard on 10 me-ters, but a lot of those stations moved to 15 and 20 – go where the propagation is!

Not a lot of major contests going on for the next few weeks. Next month, I’m going to add some unusual DXpeditions which may be of interest. Twenty continues to be the best band for DX at the moment, though things have been getting “interesting” on 40 meters at night.

3/18-3/19 Russia DX Contest

http://www.rdxc.org/asp/pages/news.asp  

3/18-3/19 Louisiana QSO Party

http://laqp.louisianacontestclub.org/

3/18-3/19 Virginia QSO Party

http://www.qsl.net/sterling/uf1.htm

4/16 ARRL Rookie Roundup

http://www.arrl.org/rookie-roundup

Remember: you can find out more info at http://www.arrl.org

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Ohio Hamfests

March

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

April

04/01/2017 | Portsmouth Radio Club Hamfest
Location: Portsmouth , OH
Sponsor: Portsmouth Radio Club

04/08/2017 | CFARC 63rd Annual Hamfest
Location: Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Sponsor: Cuyahoga Falls Amateur Radio Club
Website: http://www.cfarc.org/hamfest.php

04/29/2017 | Jackson County Amateur Radio Club Hamfest
Location: Jackson, OH
Sponsor: Jackson County Amateur Radio Club
Website: http://jacksoncountyarc.org/page3.html

04/30/2017 | Athens Hamfest
Location: Athens, OH
Sponsor: Athens County Amateur Radio Association
Website: http://ac-ara.org/

May

05/19/2017 | Ohio State Convention (2017 Dayton Hamvention)
Location: Xenia, OH
Sponsor: Dayton Amateur Radio Association
Website: http://www.hamvention.org 

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My Final..    It’s St. Patty’s Day as well as FRIDAY!! What’s not to celebrate!!  Just go easy on the green beer…  Now, Go have FUN..!!

 

73,

Scott, N8SY..

PS.. Don't forget to get registered for the Handbook Give Away!!  

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

eof..

March edition of the Ohio Section Journal has been posted..

Hi Gang,

Just wanted to let you all know that I have posted the March Edition of the Ohio Section Journal..

Go take a look..                   >> Click Here <<


73,

Scott, N8SY..

The Ohio Section News Update – March 13th Edition

Inside..

- NIMS / ICS

- ICM Going out of business

-  Alkaline batteries OK for Landfills

- Survey Question

- Getting this Newsletter

- Moving Forward

- My Final    

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NIMS / ICS Training

Hey Gang, I’ve got new numbers to show off to all of you..  Here’s the latest count we have on everyone.. Members in the database 674. Members completing all 4 required NIMS courses 454. Total Number of the Courses taken by everyone in the database 4423,  Here’s the link so that you can find out if your name is on the list..  http://arrl-ohio.org/SEC/special/nims_roster.html 

Why are these courses so important? The simple answer is this - without these courses, you are not trained! Without the training, you can’t be used! 

Now, get those oh – so important ICS certificates in to me and to your Emergency Coordinator, and don’t forget to include your call sign!!

Here’s where you can get all of this information  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!

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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International Crystal Manufacturing Going Out of Business

(from ARRL Bulletins)

International Crystal Manufacturing (ICM) of Oklahoma City has announced that it will be going out of business, probably at the end of May. Royden Freeland Jr., W5EMH, son of the company’s founder, posted a letter this week on the ICM website. 

“We will be honoring all orders that we have already taken and will be able to fill a limited amount of new orders dependent upon raw materials available,” Freeland said. “We would like to thank you for your past business. The success of ICM over the previous 66 years has been largely due to its amazing customer base.”

International Crystal produces RF control devices — quartz crystals, oscillators, QCM crystals, filters, TCXOs/VCTCXOs, and precision crystals.

Royden R. Freeland Sr. founded International Crystal in 1950, at first operating out of his garage. One of his first contracts was to produce crystals for Collins Radio. The elder Freeland and his wife died in a 1978 air crash, and his son took over the company, which expanded into the production of other electronics in the 1980s.

In the 1990s, though, it sold off some of its equipment and distribution business to concentrate on its core enterprise — the manufacture of crystal and oscillator products.

The announcement caught some manufacturers off guard, and they are seeking to source the products they had been buying from ICM, one of the few remaining US-based manufacturer of crystal products. Radio amateurs requiring crystals for projects or as replacement parts for older equipment also will have to look elsewhere.

Ironically, International boasts on its website that it’s “a proud supplier to RadioShack,” which, for the second time in 2 years, declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy this week.

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Alkaline batteries OK for Landfills

(from the Monday Morning Message)

When taking a load of batteries to the recycle center recently, I was told that they are no longer accepting Alkaline cells. Their reason is that alkaline batteries are now approved for the landfill.

Being the skeptical sort, I checked further, and found that since 1993, Duracell has discontinued the use of Mercury in their batteries. The cells manufactured since are approved for the landfills.

According to their website, “you should recycle rechargeable, lithium, lithium ion, and zinc air batteries.”

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Survey Question

Hey Gang,

There’s a NEW survey question on the website. I think you’ll find this question really interesting. 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..!!

************

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

************

Moving Forward

(from Tom Sly, WB8LCD and the Radiogram)

Sometimes we get stuck. We can't move forward. It can happen in our job, it can happen in our relationships, it can happen in our hobby. The whole key to moving forward is to remain engaged – in other words: Don't just sit there – DO Something! But, what are you going to do? If you're feeling a bit unmotivated, uninspired, unable to get going, here's some things to think about doing that can help you get back in gear, help you get moving forward again.

Teach a Class: Help someone else get their license and get involved in the hobby. You'll be amazed at how much you forgot about Amateur Radio, and at the same time you might just be amazed at how much you remember. New hams are vital to the continuation of the Amateur Radio Service – and you could be an important part of its overall survival. Teaching the General or Extra class might just give you an opportunity to learn some things you never understood before!

Become a VE: Test sessions happen all the time, and VE's are important to their success. Work with all the clubs in your area to make their test sessions a success. Volunteer at the local hamfests. Look for opportunities as schools, with the Boy/Girl Scouts.

Build Something: Work to your level of competence. Even building a crystal set can give you a sense of accomplishment and bring back some of the awe and amazement of how radio works, even in its simplest forms. (get yourself a grandkid, niece, nephew or young neighbor and include them to open their eyes to radio!) Work from a kit. Rejuvenate a piece of old gear. Try a new antenna. Maybe even build a new operating desk – get everything neat and tidy in the shack and you might feel better about sitting in the chair and getting on the air!

Chase Awards: Already Worked All States? That was easy. How about DXCC? Want a real challenge? Try Worked All Counties (there's 3077 counties in the US). You might have to learn some efficient operating habits, some propagation science, and some ERP boosting techniques. Set a goal, then get on the air and complete it.

DXpedition: You don't have to spend $100,000+ to go somewhere freezing cold to operate from. Remember those 3077 US counties? Some of those are sparsely populated and you could be a real hero for activating them. Like working from the Ohio State Parks (especially during OSPOTA)? Other states have them too! (A number of years ago, I had a ball working portable from Chimney Rock State Park in North Carolina) Check out “Summits on the Air” (SOTA) and you'll find a lot of neat places to operate from. Use your imagination here, come up with something unique and get the word out about it ahead of time. Working the pile-ups is a lot of fun!

EmComm: Get involved with your local ARES® / RACES or other emergency communications groups. Emergency communications is a lot more organized now than what it may have been in the past. Ham Radio is actually more highly regarded as a more important component in the overall emergency response plans both nationally and locally. There will be lots of new stuff to learn and you'll do lots of public service in the guise of training. If ever needed, you'll be providing a valuable public service.

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My Final..    Yes.. It’s Monday..  BUT….  Go have FUN..!!

 

73,

Scott, N8SY..

eof..

STM's February Report just posted..

Hi Gang,

Just wanted to let you all know that I just finished posting the Section Traffic Manager's February report..


Go take a look..                       >> Click Here <<


73,

Scott, N8SY..

The Ohio Section News Update – March 10th Edition

Inside..

- NIMS / ICS

- Daylight Saving Time Starts

- Bad News For Radio Shack

- Upcoming Ohio Hamfests

- Survey Question

- Getting this Newsletter

- My Final    

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NIMS / ICS Training

Hey Gang, I’ve got new numbers to show off to all of you..  Here’s the latest count we have on everyone.. Members in the database 668. Members completing all 4 required NIMS courses 449. Total Number of the Courses taken by everyone in the database 4382,  Here’s the link so that you can find out if your name is on the list..  http://arrl-ohio.org/SEC/special/nims_roster.html 

Why are these courses so important? The simple answer is this - without these courses, you are not trained! Without the training, you can’t be used! 

Now, get those oh – so important ICS certificates in to me and to your Emergency Coordinator, and don’t forget to include your call sign!!

Here’s where you can get all of this information  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!

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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Mar 12, 2017 - Daylight Saving Time Starts

When local standard time is about to reach Sunday, March 12, 2017, 2:00:00 am clocks are turned forward 1 hour to Sunday, March 12, 2017, 3:00:00 am local daylight time instead.

Sunrise and sunset will be about 1 hour later on Mar 12, 2017 than the day before. There will be more light in the evening.

Also called Spring Forward, Summer Time, and Daylight Savings Time.

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RadioShack Again Files for Bankruptcy

(from ARRL Bulletins)

Once the go-to store for radio amateurs, electronics tinkerers, and shortwave listeners, RadioShack has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the second time in 2 years, placing the future of its remaining stores in jeopardy. The 1743 retail outlets that survived RadioShack’s 2015 bankruptcy were acquired by General Wireless Inc, an affiliate of Standard General LP, which, at the time, received US Bankruptcy Court approval to acquire the inventory and assume the leases of the RadioShack stores. Now down to 1,500 stores, RadioShack once boasted more than 5,000 stores nationwide. At least some of RadioShack’s 5,900 employees could be affected. That figure is down from 7,500 workers 2 years ago.

“RadioShack.com, stores and dealer locations across the country are still currently open for business and serving customers,” the company said in a news release. “The Company is closing approximately 200 stores and evaluating options on the remaining 1,300. The Company and its advisors are currently exploring all available strategic alternatives to maximize value for creditors, including the possibility of keeping stores open on an ongoing basis.”

The acquisition by General Wireless followed a bankruptcy auction in 2015. Plans at the time called for “co-branding” about 1440 of the surviving stores with cellular phone provider Sprint Corp. RadioShack also has closed more stores and slashed operating expenses by more than 20%, but it wasn’t enough. CEO Dene Rogers cited weak mobile phone sales as a factor. Chapter 11 gives RadioShack another opportunity to restructure and stay in business. The retailer joins other brick-and-mortar stores forced to shutter outlets in the face of declining sales and fiscal losses, and electronics stores have been especially hard hit.

Dating its founding to 1921, RadioShack once offered a considerable array of name-brand Amateur Radio equipment — even beams and towers — along with home entertainment gear and discrete components — including transistors, resistors, and capacitors. Its iconic 1960s-era catalog ran to more than 300 pages. In later years, it sold a fairly popular 2 meter handheld transceiver for a time, as well as Citizens Band equipment, 10-meter single-banders, and shortwave receivers. RadioShack’s website is announcing a clearance sale, with some items steeply discounted.

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Upcoming Hamfests in Ohio

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

04/01/2017 | Portsmouth Radio Club Hamfest

Location: Portsmouth , OH

Sponsor: Portsmouth Radio Club

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Survey Question

Hey Gang,

There’s a NEW survey question on the website. I think you’ll find this question really interesting. 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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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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My Final..    

It’s TGI Friday!!  Go have FUN..!!

 

73,

Scott, N8SY..

eof..