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Contents ARES Information Calendar of Events Current News Net Information Public Service Repeater News Skywarn Training Winlink Initiative

ARES Coordinators

David Beltz - WD8AYE Stark County EC Terry Russ - N8ATZ Assistant EC ARECC Level III Certified Mobile Number 330-802-0958 Mike Lackney  - KB8MIB ARES Net Manager - General Operations Phone 330-488-6230 Michelle Gill - KC8ZEJ ARES Net Manager - Net Control Coordinator Phone 330-484-3164  Mike Palmer - KD8ENV ARES Assistant Net Manager Link to Contact Page

Served Agencies

Training News

Amateur Radio Emergency Communications. Using Amateur Radio in an Emergency. The Emergency Alert System. NOAA Weather Radio. Educational Weather  Information Page. The Current National Weather Map. A great source of Emergency Communications (EMCOMM) information on the internet is available at EMCOMM.org.

Skywarn News   ( Jan 21, 2012) -- Just announced .....  Stark County Skywarn Spotter training will be held on Monday, March 12, 2012 at Stark State College of Technology beginning at 6:30 PM. (Jun 21, 2011) -- The National Weather Service (NWS) has updated its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the ARRL (scroll below to access a link to the document). The updated MoU serves “as a framework within which volunteers of the ARRL may coordinate their services, facilities and equipment with the NWS in support of nationwide, state and local early weather warning and emergency communications function.” In May, ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, signed on behalf of the ARRL, and in June, NWS Office of Climate, Water and Weather Services’ Director Dave Caldwell signed on behalf of the NWS. The ARRL and the NWS have had a formal working arrangement since 1986. The NWS, in the MoU, acknowledges that Amateur Radio operators can be of valuable assistance in early severe weather warning and tornado spotting. Through its SKYWARN program, the NWS recognizes that Amateur Radio operators have assisted as communicators and weather spotters since the program began in the late 1960s. “In areas where tornadoes and other severe weather have been known to threaten, the NWS recruits volunteers and trains them in proper weather spotting procedures,” the MoU states. “These dedicated citizens help keep their local community safe by conveying severe weather reports to their local NWS forecast office. SKYWARN spotters are integral to the success of our nation’s severe weather warning system.” Click Here for the Complete Story.... ************** Storm Spotting and Amateur Radio is a resource for the Amateur Radio operator who volunteers as a trained storm spotter. This book includes information on resources, training, equipment, safety, storm spotter activation procedures, reportable weather criteria, developing a local storm spotter manual, and the experiences of storm spotters from around the country. It also provides some meteorological information about severe weather such as hurricanes, tornadoes, hail, floods, damaging wind, and winter weather. A comprehensive index is included with weather-related web sites and a state-by-state listing of SKYWARN® web sites. This new publication is available from the ARRL Bookstore for $22.95. ************ Gary Garnet with the Cleveland NWS handed out a Spotter Reference Sheet during the Spotter Training meeting. Supplies were limited and were gone before everyone got a copy. He recently provided us a copy in Pdf form that has been added to our website. Click Here to download a copy!  *********** Severe Storms Rock Stark County during Summer 2007.  Click Here for a review of the 2006 severe weather season from Cleveland NWS. Stark County Skywarn Spotter Statistics. Damage Assessments Report over 268 Million in damage to 60 Ohio Counties during February Flooding. Stark ARES Assists Ohio EMA. ************** Emergency Preparedness Guideline Basic Spotter Information An excellent full color booklet titled "Basic Spotters' Field Guide" is also currently available from the National Weather Service On-line library of Publications. CLICK HERE for a listing of their currently available information guides. **************** Other News NOAA Weather Alert Comes to Ham Radio. Severe Weather Paging Notification Comes To An End. *************** Weekly Weather Fact     The National Weather Service is second only to the Postal Service among government agencies in day-to-day contact with U.S. citizens. And the public seems pleased with what it gets. The NWS's approval rating has jumped to 70%, up from 51% in 1948. Those saying that it was doing a poor job fell from 15% to a mere 7%. These numbers would please many a politician.      Amateur Radio  Supporting Homeland Security "Amateur Radio - The only fail-safe method of communication." Riley Hollingsworth FCC Special Council Retired ------------------ "Amateur Radio - The Last Line of Defense" Craig Fugate, FEMA Administrator     Click on the link above to get a birds eye view from the repeater site !

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Skywarn Spotter Training
Terry Russ, N8ATZ - Assistant Emergency Coordinator

  (Jan 21, 2012) --  Details are currently being finalized but annual Skywarn Spotter training is currently scheduled for Monday, March 12th starting at 6:30 PM. The training will again be presented by Gary Garnet of the Cleveland National Weather Service and will be held at Stark State College of Technology.  

Complete details will be posted once finalized.

New Ohio SEC Appointed
Terry Russ, N8ATZ - Assistant Emergency Coordinator

(Jan 20, 2012) --  As announced by Ohio Section Manager Frank Piper, KI8GW. 

I am pleased to announce that Matt Welch, W8DEC, of Painesville, Ohio is now appointed the Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC) for the ARRL Ohio Section. This position will continue to report directly to me.  

Matt replaces Jack Sovik, KB8WPZ, who was taken the role of Public Information Coordinator (PIC) on the Ohio Section Cabinet on January 1, 2012. Matt s SEC appointment takes effect immediately.  

All current ARES appointments and policies will remain in effect. Once Matt gets settled in, he will be reviewing all appointments and polices and making adjustments as he sees fit.  

Matt is a General Class operator, who was first licensed in 2004 with the call sign KB1LCS. Matt was appointed to District Emergency Coordinator of then newly formed District 10 in 2008.  

Matt is a US Navy veteran, who served as a corpsman at the naval submarine base hospital in Groton, CT and aboard the USS Cape St George CG-71 in Norfolk, VA. Matt then transferred to the Connecticut Army National Guard as a medic. When Matt moved back home to Ohio, he then transferred from the Guard to the Army Reserve component IRR and has been there ever since 2007.  

In Scouting, Matt joined Troop 68 in Painesville, Ohio, in 1990. He is a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow, and also served as Assistant Scoutmaster and Cubmaster. Matt has involved Amateur Radio in many of his Scouting activities, encouraging young people to become involved in the hobby.  

Matt is the Vice President of the Geauga County Amateur Radio Association, and is also a member of many clubs and organizations, including the Salvation Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN), Lake Erie Amateur Radio Association (LEARA), Portage County Amateur Radio Service (PCARS), and was past radio officer of the Lake County Amateur Radio Association, along with past Net Control Station for Eastern CT Traffic Net and the Tri-County Traffic Training Net.  

Matt is married to Lynnette KB1LGB, and has five children. The oldest, Hector, is also licensed as KI4LKX.

2012 Calendar of Events
Terry Russ, N8ATZ - Assistant Emergency Coordinator

    (Jan 8, 2012) -- The Stark Co ARES Calendar of Events has been updated to include a listing of our weekly ARES nets, general meetings and the currently scheduled public service events that we will participate in during this year. Several events are tentative only pending confirmation of the exact date.

It is expected to be another busy year for Stark ARES with several additional events pending for this year.

Mark your calendars for these important public service events and please volunteer your time to serve your community.

Ohio SEC Changes
Frank Piper, KI8GW - Ohio Section Manager

(Dec 23, 2011) --  Effective January 1, 2012, there will be some changes in the ARRL Ohio Section Cabinet.  

Scott Yonally, N8SY of Mansfield will relinquish his position as Public Information Coordinator (PIC), to focus his time entirely on the Ohio Section Website. Scott assumed the role of PIC in 2011 after the resignation of Emily Wells, KC8RAL. I thank Scott for his time and efforts during his time as PIC for Ohio.  

Taking the reins of the PIC role will be current Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC) Jack Sovik, KB8WPZ of Youngstown. Jack has held the position of SEC since August of 2008. Jack s background in Journalism intrigued Jack to move into the role of PIC starting in 2012. Jack s accomplishments as SEC are numerous, including instilling a level of professionalism within the Ohio ARES program. Jack is excited about his new job responsibilities, and is ready to hit the ground running on January 1st.  

Please join me in Thanking Scott for his time as PIC, and also thanking Jack for his time as SEC, and in his new role as PIC.  

Jack s job change now leaves an opening in the Ohio Section cabinet, that of the SEC.

My attention is to have a new SEC appointed by January 15th. This will enable the new SEC to get acclimated to their new duties, and be ready to meet with people at the Mansfield Hamfest in February.     

Candidates for SEC will be limited to existing and former District Emergency Coordinators, existing Assistant District Emergency Coordinators and long serving Emergency Coordinators. Applicants have until December 31st, 2011 to apply by contacting the Section Manager.

At least three finalists will be interviewed before the appointment is made.

Massillon Holiday Parade
Terry Russ, N8ATZ - Assistant Emergency Coordinator

(Dec 3, 2011) --  The Massillon Amateur Radio Club just finished assisting with the 56th Annual Massillon Holiday Parade which brings to a close the club’s public service season. A full wrap-up will be posted later from event Communications Coordinator Perry – W8AU. Again this year we were asked to support two major areas of the parade, staging of the nearly 100 units that comprised this year’s parade and Parade Marshals that helped keep order along the parade route.

Perry reported 24 volunteers which included club members and family & friends who also helped as parade marshals. The list comprised Perry - W8AU; Robin - N8EBS, Steve - KD8ACF; Mike - KB8ZN; Joann - AB8DM; Igor - K8INN; Anne - N8GAF; Don - W8DEA; Bob - N8KXO; Jim - WA8GXM; Terry - N8ATZ; Dan - N8DZM; Robert - AC8GE; Bud - WA8KWD; Tom - KC8QOD; Linda - K8MOO; Don - W8DEF; and Charlie - KB8STV. We also thank a few non-hams and family friends John; Diana and W8DEA's daughter. Nice job everyone as we continue to support one of the longest running public service events handled by the Massillon ARC !. 

Stomp The Grapes Marathon
Terry Russ, N8ATZ - Assistant Emergency Coordinator

(Nov 13, 2011) --  On Saturday, November 5th members of the Massillon, Alliance and Portage Amateur Radio Clubs combined forces to provide communications support for the Annual Stomp The Grapes Half Marathon in Hartville, Ohio. This years event took runners on a scenic course around the Hartville countryside including historic downtown Hartville and over to the famous Hartville Fleamarket.

Good weather made for a strong turnout as over 1,000 participants joined for this years marathon. Amateurs provided safety and support communications by staffing five water stops, relay points and several last minute potential trouble spots along the course. APRS was also utilized to track the trail vehicle which was following the last runners. Several water stops also had APRS support. This worked very well thanks to a portable Gateway station that had been put in place prior to the event.

Net Control was located at the race start at Maize Valley Winery using the Massillon ARC's Emergency Communications Trailer which gave us multiple communications capability.

Race Director Terry Lewis was very impressed with our communications, especially our ability to track the end of the race using APRS. This provided a real time track of the race end which was monitored by computer from inside the trailer.

The race was very successful with nearly all participants finishing safely. Race officials would like to thank all the amateur volunteers for their support again this year with this popular community event. Amateur radio received great exposure during the marathon. At the conclusion, all runners and volunteers were treated to a post race party at the Winery.

Communications Coordinator Terry Russ, N8ATZ of the Stark Co ARES also thanks all the volunteers who support this event. They were:  John Myers - KD8MQ; Ben Davis - KD8KMQ who together provided the APRS equipment; Tom Gill - KC8QOD; Tom Steele - KD8JRK; Wade Huthmacher - WD8MIU; Jim Farriss - WA8GXM; Gail Wands - WB8VNO; Ted Wands - WD8CVH; Richard Humpolick - KD6MPN; James Korenz - N8PXW and Don Whitaker - K8OMO.

The Start Line

John, KD8MQ monitors APRS 

AARC Assists With Castle Run
John Myers, KD8MQ - Alliance ARC

  (Sep 11, 2011) -- On September 5th members of the Alliance Amateur Radio Club provided safety & support communications for the annual Rotary Castle Run held in Alliance. Amateurs were stationed at key points along the 10K run to monitor runner movement. APRS was also utilized to provide a visual overview of the tail runner for event coordinators.

The event was a success with race officials very appreciative for amateur support. The following amateurs participated in this event. John - KD8MQ; Ben - KD8KMQ; Richard - KD6MPN; Don - K8OMO; Steven - K8SRR; Frank - WA8WHP and Tom - KD8JRK.

ARRL ARES E-Letter Posted
Terry Russ, N8ATZ - Assistant Emergency Coordinator

   (December 20, 2011) --  The  December 20, 2011 edition of The ARES E-Letter is currently posted and includes the following highlights;  Add Television to Your ARES Tool Kit; Western Pennsylvania ARES; NBEMS For Data Communications; Letters: A Tornado, and Lessons Learned; R. Kent TeVault Scholarship for Emergency Communications; ARRL Orange Section Hams Recognized; and Hams Help Save the Life of a Fellow Ham.    You can read the entire newsletter on the ARRL website. Click Here for a direct link.

Hams in Southern States Assist NWS
Courtesy of the ARRL

   (Jan 25, 2012) ---  Strong winds and tornadoes moved through Arkansas and Alabama on Sunday, January 22. In response to the storms, the National Weather Service office in Little Rock activated Arkansas SYWARN the same afternoon, while ARES® members were activated in parts of Alabama.

Arkansas SKYWARN Program Coordinator Danny Straessle, KE5WLR, summoned a team of radio amateurs and headed to the NWS office to provide communications support to the forecasters. While Straessle was enroute to the NWS office, Daryl Stout, AE5WX, brought up the Weather Watch Net, a pre-net for Arkansas SKYWARN. By 6 PM, the Arkansas SKYWARN net control team was in place and the NWS issued the first tornado warning for the area. At this time, Straessle and Shane Lee, KF5FBR, took over as Net Control for the Arkansas SKYWARN net. They were assisted by Mona Blacklaw, KM5ONA. The NWS received reports of tornadoes in Arkansas, Dallas, Lonoke, Prairie and Cleveland Counties.  Read More.....

Army MARS Resumes Use Of Winlink
Courtesy of the ARRL

   (Jan 20, 2012) --  According to Pudge Forrester, AAA9GL, government liaison for Army MARS, Lieutenant General Susan Lawrence has reversed the decision to phase out the use of the WinLink 2000 global radio e-mail system by Army MARS members.

Gen. Lawrence stated that the Army, after reviewing its capabilities, had decided that the continued use of WinLink 2000 was a valuable asset to Army MARS members and agencies that were using the service. She issued a statement to that effect on December 21, 2011. On January 5, 2012, the Chief of Army MARS officially notified his membership that the phase out notice had been rescinded.

Army MARS members and agencies who had been using the service hailed the decision by Gen. Lawrence and resumed use of WinLink 2000.

Amateurs Assist with Communications in Aftermath of Nor'easter
Courtesy of the ARRL

  (Nov 2, 2011) --A rare October nor’easter brought historic snowfall and widespread damage and power outages from the Mid-Atlantic into the Northeast United States. Up and down the Atlantic seaboard, radio amateurs provided various critical services to the National Weather Service through the SKYWARN weather spotter program, and provided communications support to local, state and federal emergency management and non-governmental organizations. MORE....

ARES/NTS Study Report to ARRL
Courtesy of the ARRL

(Nov 1, 2011) --  ARES® and the National Traffic System (NTS) exist as the League’s implementation of the basic principle stated in Part 97.1(a): “Recognition and enhancement of the value of the Amateur Service to the public as a voluntary non-commercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications.’ The ARRL Board of Directors’ Programs and Services Committee (PSC) tasked the League’s Emergency Communications Advisory Committee (ECAC) to recommend improvements to ARES® and NTS so that the Amateur Service can better serve the public in providing emergency communications. Assigned study topics include, but are not limited to, ARES® and NTS objectives and organizational structures, integration between ARES® and NTS, training, certification, and credentialing, and relationships with served agencies.  MORE....

ARRL Briefs White House Staff on Amateur Radio's Capabilities During Emergencies
Courtesy of the ARRL

  (Oct 1, 2011) --  On September 12, at the invitation of White House Cybersecurity Coordinator Howard A. Schmidt, W7HAS, the ARRL briefed several members of the National Security Staff on the capabilities of the Amateur Radio Service to communicate in emergencies. “The White House is looking for ways that the great work of Amateur Radio operators can continue to support emergencies in the future with particular attention to increased use and dependency on internet based technologies,” Schmidt said. The ARRL presentation, conducted by Emergency Preparedness Manager Mike Corey, W5MPC -- along with President Kay Craigie, N3KN, and Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ -- focused on Amateur Radio’s current and evolving capabilities to provide Internet messaging connectivity.

   Monitor the 147.12 Mhz Repeater for Severe Weather information here in Stark County !

Our thanks to Mercy Medical Center for their commitment to the Stark County Amateur Radio Emergency Service and First Communications for their support of Stark County Winlink.

 
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The Stark County Amateur Radio Emergency Service
Canton,  Ohio  44701

ARES^®, Amateur Radio Emergency Service and the ARES logo are registered trademarks of the American Radio Relay League, Incorporated and are used by permission.

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Welcome to the new Stark County ARES Website. The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) consists of licensed Amateur Radio operators who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment for communications duty in the public interest when disaster strikes.

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