In this issue:
-> NEWS FROM THE SECTION GOVERNMENT LIAISON
-> AFFILIATED CLUB COORDINATOR REPORT
-> SOUTHWEST OHIO HAPPENINGS
-> FROM THE TECHINCAL COORDINATOR
-> THE MYSTERIOUS "LINE A"
-> FROM THE SECTION EMERGENCY COORDINATOR
-> FROM THE SECTION TRAFFIC MANAGER
-> FROM THE EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH - SCOUTING ASM
-> 22nd ANNUAL OHIO SECTION NEWSLETTER CONTEST RULES
-> OUT AND ABOUT IN SOUTHEAST OHIO
-> LET'S TALK
-> SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS IN OHIO
-> OHIO HAMFEST CALENDAR
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NEWS FROM THE SECTION GOVERNMENT LIAISON..
By: Nick Pittner, K8NAP - SGL
Goodsonrd@netwalk.com
Court of Appeals ends Village of Swanton Tower Case..
In a surprise move, the Court of Appeals for the 6th Appellate District dismissed the Village of Swanton’s appeal in the amateur radio antenna zoning case brought by Gary Wodtke, WW8N. The ruling, issued on April 3, was based on the fact that the trial court’s decision that the Village could have appealed was issued on August 20, 2013. The judgment that the Village attempted to appeal was issued by the trial court on January 21, 2014. Since the August 20 decision was a final order of the trial court the Village was required to appeal that decision within 30 days or lost its right to appeal. The Village never filed a Notice of Appeal from the August 20 decision. The ruling, in essence, means that the August 20 decision of the trial court is now final and Mr. Wodtke wins the right to erect his tower as applied for. The specific issue that caused the confusion was a provision in the trial court’s August 20 decision awarding attorney fees to Mr. Wodtke. Since appeals can only be taken from “final” decisions, the attorney fee award, in the view of attorneys for both sides, meant that the decision was not yet final since the amount of fees had yet to be determined. But, while Mr. Wodtke’s attorney had sought an award of attorney fees in his original complaint, the amended complaint which was ruled on by the trial court on August 20 had no request for attorney fees.
The Court of Appeals noted, “Ordinarily, when an award of attorney fees is asked for in a complaint but not ruled on, and order disposing of the rest of the case is not final and appealable (citations omitted) ***. However, in the instant case, a claim for attorney fees was not pending once court entered the August 20, 2013 judgment. Therefore, the order was final and appealable on August 20, 2013.”
The Court of Appeals also noted that, though both counsel for the Village and for Mr. Wodtke had filed motions for reconsideration of the August 20 decision, neither of the motions, nor the trial court’s later decision on January 21, 2014, had the effect of extending the appeal time that had begun to run on August 20, 2013 and expired 30 days later. The Court noted, “It is well settled that a motion to reconsider does not stay the time to file a notice of appeal.”
The Court of Appeals’ April 3, 2014 decision ends the Village’s appeal of the trial court’s ruling in favor of Mr. Wodtke’s tower application and that ruling is now final. However, the Court of Appeals’ decision could yet be reviewed by the Ohio Supreme Court. Appeal of such decisions is not available as a matter of right, and the Village would be required to file a Memorandum in Support of Jurisdiction to convince the Ohio Supreme Court why is should hear the appeal. Any such attempted appeal would need be commenced in the Ohio Supreme Court within 45 days of the Court of Appeals’ April 3 decision.
We can only hope that the taxpayers of the Village of Swanton will not be required to bear the cost of yet another attempted appeal, and that this matter has now reached an end. The record submitted to the Court of Appeals in connection with the Village’s appeal was replete with examples of Village zoning authorities cavalierly ignoring Mr. Wodtke’s rights under PRB-1.
Perhaps their tax dollars could be better used to obtain appropriate legal advice and training for their zoning officials.
The ARRL had commissioned the filing of a “friend of the court” brief in support of Mr. Wodtke’s case in the Court of Appeals and retained my firm, Bricker & Eckler LLP, as local counsel for that purpose. Fortunately, it appears that the filing won’t be necessary in this case. However, the Ohio Municipal League seems intent on challenging H.B. 158 in court, and will likely try to do so in some other case if the challenge is not available in this one. We’re keeping the research files open.
73, Nick, N8NAP
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AFFILIATED CLUBS COORDINATOR REPORT..
By: Sandy Macke, N8YS - ACC
sandymackey@gmail.com
WHAT MAKES YOUR CLUB SPECIAL?
What makes your club special? Do you offer VE testing sessions, mentoring programs, or licensing classes? How active is your club in your community? Does your group participate in the annual ARRL Field Day event? These are a few ideas to consider to help your club stay active and healthy. Think of me as a club-ologist, like a cardiologist, but for ham radio clubs. Yes, you can call me Dr. Sandy! My interest is in the health of your club, and how to keep it active and healthy! My interest is also in you, as a club members you are the heartbeat of your club. With warm weather trying really hard to make a come-back, this is the time to start doing club activities that will bring new and old hams out of their 'winter' shacks and maybe to a club meeting. Find an interesting meeting topic and advertise it on social media or run an ad in the local paper advertising the date and time of your meeting. You may be surprised at how many people are looking for a club to join. Just remember....when a new face shows up at your meeting walk over and talk to them, nobody will come back if they are ignored! Do you have a few club members who are good at making people feel welcome? This is the chance to put that charm and great personality to good use and create a new club position -“Welcoming Committee.”
Set a goal and see how many new faces you can add to your club before Field Day. Offer perspective members the chance to operate side by side with a seasoned operator who will show them the ropes....hello GOTA station! Field Day is a fantastic opportunity to show what your club is all about. I know my club (DELARA) get's new members every year just from people who visit the field day site and decided to join, or get licensed. We will get more into field day next month, FD is my very favorite part of being a ham! I have been the FD coordinator for DELARA since 2006 and love to talk field day almost to the point of boring you to tears.....
What's the Scoop?
One thing everyone should keep in mind was this months newsletters (most of them) contained April Fool's Day articles, I personally wrote an article about being able to use Maritime Mobile for Field Day from a tiny pond. So remember to keep your cool when you read about things like.....re-instating the code or other fun articles!
Wayne Amateur Radio Club – W8WOO
Hot off the WATTS HAPPENIN' press -
• On April 24, we will be participating in a communication exercise with the Wooster Community Hospital. John Liburn and I had a meeting with Brian White who is responsible for the hospital’s Emergency Plan and activities. He wants to incorporate amateur radio into their communication plan at a higher level.
• Saturday, May 31, there is the Mohican 100 bike ride.
• June 15 and 16 is the Great Ohio Bike Adventure (GOBA).
• June 21 and 22 is the Mohican 100 mile run. This is a 30-hour event with the Hams getting started about 7 a.m. on Saturday and wrapping up Sunday afternoon – yes it goes through the night.
Follow the Wayne ARC on the web at www.w8woo.com
Highland Amateur Radio Association
From the Monday Morning Memo
IMPORTANT NOTICE – Because of a facility double booking issue, the location for the April 26th Jackson Hamfest location has been changed. The new location is the Christ United Methodist
Family Life Center, 150 Portsmouth Street, Jackson (Next to the Jackson Police Department.) The 8am Start time remains the same. Roman, WU8R states there will be two commercial vendors in
attendance.
Mount Vernon Amateur Radio Club
From the Mount Vernon ARC Newsletter
• The Mount Vernon ARC has a long running Sunday Night ARES Net at 9:00 pm on the K8EEN 2-meter repeater. 146.790 Mhz (-600 Khz with PL of 71.9 Hz)
• Join them for their Wednesday Night Social Net at 9:00 pm on the KD8EVR Repeater 442.100Mhz (+5Mhz with PL of 71.9)
• Meetings are held the second Monday of each month at 7:00 pm at the Knox County Chapter of the American Red Cross, 300 N. Mulberry Street in Mount Vernon. Follow Mount Vernon ARC on the web , and LIKE them on Facebook
Marion Amateur Radio Club Newsletter
From the Marion ARC Newsletter – The QSO
NR8I, Bill Finnegan, MARC's reigning professor of everything you need to know about ham radio to pass the test for your Tech License, has started his annual Spring class. Thanks to Bill, and all his effort over the years, many new hams have earned their license due to his outstanding teaching skills and dedication. We look forward to welcoming the members of this class into the exciting world of amateur radio and the MARC.
Marion ARC April Happenings
• 16th Wed. Night Net 7pm
• 17th Digi Net 8pm
• 20th Easter Sunday
• 23rd Wed. Night Net 8pm
• 24th ARES Meeting 7pm
• 30th Wed. Night Net 8pm
Visit the Marion Amateur Radio Club Newsletter on the web.
ARRL Special Service Club
If your club is not an ARRL Special Service Club, this may be the year to do it! CLICK HERE for information and the Special Service Club application. If you think your club is ready to take this step, and you would like assistance filling out the form or discussing what you need to do, contact me. If your club is not ready to take this step, contact me and we can discuss how
we can turn your club into a SSC.
Include me on your club newsletter distribution list and if you are a social media person, follow me on Twitter, Facebook and on my ACC blog.
73, Sandy, N8YS
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SOUTHWEST OHIO HAPPENINGS..
From: Kitty Hevener, W8TDA - Assistant Section Manager (SW)
w8tda@arrl.net
PUBLIC SERVICE..
As you know, one of the foundations of our hobby is helping others in time of disaster. You might be thinking, “don’t worry, you can count on me when the big one hits.” That’s great provided you have had training that has taught you what to do and how to do it. W8DEC promoted the ARES program at OH-KY-IN’s April meeting. This program and public service events such as those listed below, offer excellent training opportunities for event organizers, experienced hams and newcomers alike. Allow me to explain. I often see repeated requests and even pleas from event organizers for hams to help with a specific event. Leaders, why do you think this happens? To find the answer, I urge you to give some serious thought to the message that comes across through your actions and your words. Are you welcoming, supportive, and encouraging? Or, is the “good old boys” network or clique running rampant? Which of these groups would you likely join? Keep in mind that You have much more to say about whether people come back than you may realize. First timers, you are among friends who can appreciate your excitement and fear because we’ve been there done that at least once. So, I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and reach out to fellow hams for the help you need. Do your very best, and, have fun! For what it’s worth, I’m practicing what I’m preaching. I will be a first time volunteer at ARRL Field Services booth at Hamvention. I am truly excited and proud to represent the League. At the same time, I realize that anyone who I inadvertently miss, might walk away with a bad taste in their mouth. I reached out for help by talking with our leader openly about my concern. From our conversations, I am confident that our team will capitalize on the strengths we each bring to the table and that an Elmer will give me the guidance I seek. And, that brings me to the experienced ham. You can tweak your skills, experiment with new technologies that could benefit the group and mentor newcomers. So, participate in ARES and public service events so we really can count on you when the big one hits.
Approximately 20 hams provided communications for the Annual Ohio River Road Runners Club Full and Half Marathons held on April 6. Ham coordinator for this event, KC8GLE, reports “While we were hit with a number of technical problems, we overcame each one and ended up with a very safe event. Our coordinated work with the Greene County dispatch teams in our trailer and Xenia
Fire Department went extremely well. All parties involved were very pleased with the coordinated effort, resulting in additional plans for a future date this year to repeat the effort!”
Speaking of marathons, Cincinnati is hosting the Flying Pigmarathon on May 4. The “Flying Pig” organizers have asked hams to help with communication for the marathon as well as Friday and
Saturday races leading up to it. For more information or to offer assistance, contact Steve Lewis, N8TFD at n8tfd@fuse.net. QCEN members helped with communications for the St. Joseph 5K
held in Evendale on April 12.
NOTEWORTHY ACCOMPLISHMENTS..
Congrats for a good showing to our VHF/UHF guru Bob, K8TQK, for his overall Top 10 finish in the Single Operator, High Power category in the ARRL 2013 September VHF Contest. He was a third
place finisher in the Central Region.
Special thank you to Steve, N8BJQ for organizing the first W1AW Ohio operation. From firsthand experience operating this event, I can honestly say that it was a pleasure to work with him. He did a tremendous job reaching out to and including operators who used 100 W and a dipole antenna to those with a kw and monobanders on a 95 ft tower! As a result of his leadership, W1AW/8 made around 40,000 contacts.
HAMFESTS..
Dayton Hamvention is a given. If you can’t make Dayton or you’re ready to swap your recently acquired treasures for different ones, consider the Milford Hamfest which will be held on June 21. For more information, visit www.w8mrc.com
SILENT KEY..
Manuel Botelho, W3NNA, 99, became a Silent Key Friday 11 April. He was the oldest local ham and a real "Old Timer" (OOTC 2450). He was first licensed in 1932 as W1DKT. At that time, he was
sixteen years old and lived in Massachusetts. After graduating from High School he went on to learn Radio Communication at the RCA Institute in Boston. His parents, immigrants from the Azores, saw to it that he grew up bilingual. Manuel later found work at the Radio Intelligence Division (part of the FCC). WW-II he served in the United States Merchant Marine as a radio operator aboard the George Hawley. He was awarded the Merchant Marine Emblem, Atlantic War Zone Bar and Combat Bar with Stars. He was later stationed in Okinawa (KR6OB), then on Cyprus.
In 1947 the family settled in the DC area (call W3NNA).
In 2001 they moved to Ohio to be near his daughter and her family. He was an avid ham radio operator and a member of the Quarter Century Wireless Association and Society of Wireless
Pioneers Life Member and the Veteran Wireless Operators Association.
He loved DX. His most memorable QSO was one in the 1980s with father Moran in Katmandu. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.tobiasfuneralhome.com
73, Kitty, W8TDA
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NOTES FROM THE TECHNICAL COORDINATOR..
By: Jim Yoder W8ERW - TC
w8erw@arrl.net 
“Spring has Sprung, the Grass has Ris, I wonder where the Birdies is?” Finally, we are free of this dreadful winter. I doubt any of us are sad to see it go. After several years of preparing the snow blower for winter and never using it, this season, I filled the gas tank several times and then bore the brunt of flying snow down my neck while outside clearing the driveway.
Spring has finally arrived and with even modest improvements in the temperature, we are all smiling and enjoying some of nature’s wonderful sunshine.
The change of season also brings sadness for me this year as I mark the passing of my dear friend Charlie Mankin KS8L. Charlie’s key went silent today, April 14, 2014. I met him on the air soon after relocating to the Columbus area in 1991 and we have enjoyed the many years since in close friendship. All those who knew him recognized his ever present humor, his love of life and the certain orneriness that marked his presence among us. Countless Hamfests, nightly chats on packet radio, the daily emails and 20 plus years in the woods together during deer season are behind us now. My deepest sympathy goes to his family, daughter Carly, son Jeff, brother Tom, sister Mary, his grandchildren Chas and Evie who he loved dearly and Jayne his companion who gave him love and comfort. Rest in peace my friend. Your work on earth is done.
I have been working on the ARES training database and making good progress although it is slow keying all the data. I have not taken the time to add up the numbers, but I can tell you, Ohio Section Amateurs are compiling a sizeable amount of training. When finished, I will offer some statistics that I am sure will be impressive. Please continue reporting your course work including a scanned copy of your certificates, (w8erw@arrl.net). This will enable us to accurately assess our readiness posture and capabilities with documented results that can be verified as may be necessary for our served agencies. Thank you to all who have taken the time to submit your training documents.
I had written earlier some of the details of an antenna project Mark WD8KQX and I had completed late last fall with the promise of additional information to follow. So far I can report the OCF dipole is performing well on all bands 40-6 meters. Having no trees to support wire antennas, I was struggling to come up with something that would get me aloft that was relatively simple, useable and flexible enough to allow for changes and modifications as might be later desired. I found that I had an antenna stored away and forgotten with some of my other antenna materials. Now all I needed was a means to support it off the ground. I headed to Lowes and picked up a couple of treated 2x6 posts that were 16 feet long, applied several coats of sealer and allow them to dry thoroughly.
Mark was pushing me hard to get the holes bored into the ground and after I had both down to a depth of 4 and half feet, we worked out the installation process. We split a couple of 8 ft. 2x4s lengthwise to insure the posts would remain plumb with two at 90 degrees for each. A 16 ft 2x6 treated and sealed is rather heavy and the balancing act to erect it vertically is a bit of a chore. We moved them to the holes and stood them up then carefully slid them down into the hole. After driving some stakes to anchor the 2x4 braces and attaching to both the stakes and the pole, we checked everything for plumb and orientation with the broad sides facing each other at some 90 feet apart. The garden hose was used to fill the holes about 2 thirds with water.
Then a couple of 40 lb. bags of ready to use concrete mix were dumped into the holes with the water. I had used this method on other projects and it actually does work, providing a very solid support for the posts.
After several days to allow the concrete to fully sure, we were ready to erect the OCF dipole. Prior to erecting the posts, we had gathered several sections of surplus military aluminum mast and drilled a hole in two of them to place an eye bolt to secure a pulley. We then cut pieces of the split 2x4 that we had used earlier to support the post while the concrete was curing and fashioned the mounting arrangement to attach the mast sections to the post. This was applied at three places on each of the posts allowing the mast to fit in between which enabled it to slide up or down the post when more or fewer of the mast sections were desired. We then cut three pieces of Unistrut to be used as a clamp of sorts to secure the mast between the wood on each of the posts. 
After getting this ready and everything out to the posts, we threaded Dacron rope through the pulleys on the mast sections. This would allow us to attach the antenna and haul it up at both ends. We then started sliding together 4 of the mast sections at each end and up the side of the posts one after the other. We tightened the Unistrut clamps with bolts through both the posts and the wooden mountings. After attaching the antenna ends to the rope we hauled the OCF Dipole up and into the air. It all looked well and we lowered it down enough to attach the coax feed. 
I had some concern that either the posts might not bear the tension load and begin to lean or the mast begin to bow and be a problem. Neither has happened although it might if I add more mast for height at each end. In that case I would have to consider some guying, likely a piece of treated lumber at 90 degrees along the back side and then a guy from the top of the mast to the horizontal piece and straight down to an anchor. The antenna has been working well now for several months and all through this extended winter. The cycles of freezing and thawing have not caused a problem and the posts are still plumb and working as intended. I have made quite a few contacts with the new arrangement including several W1AW centennial stations.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or I can be of help to you in any way.
73, Jim, W8ERW
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THE MYSTERIOUS "LINE A".. And what it means to Amateur Radio Operators in Ohio.
Hi,
There’s been a plethora of emails flying around lately inquiring about how to properly operate an Amateur Radio Station that is located around “Line A” during times where skip takes radio waves that wouldn’t normally travel great distances to all new bounds.
For those of you who have no clue what I’m talking about, “Line A” is a boundary line that was formed from a treaty between the United States and Canada many years ago in order to prevent
UHF signals (400 MHz and above) from the United States crossing over the border and entering into Canadian Territory and vice versa. Yes, this does directly affect the 70cm band of the
Amateurs in the United States.
What isn’t known about “Line A” is more of a mystery than of fact. After a number of phone calls to the F.C.C. and our own (United States) State Department, I found out that there is no map specific to Ohio, or any of the other states that are included in “Line A”, that give any real detail to just where on the globe “Line A” truly is. That seemed very odd to me, especially in this day and age of Google Maps where you can see a stake cooking on a grill from 20,000 miles up that there is no precise map that shows the infamous “Line A” on it. What we do have however, is a description of where “Line A” was agreed to be. It is as follows.
“For bands below 470 MHz, the areas which are involved lie between Lines A and B and between Lines C and D, which are described as follows:
** Line A - Begins at Aberdeen, Wash., running by great circle arc to the intersection of 48 degrees N., 120 degrees W., thence along parallel 48 degrees N., to the intersection of 95 degrees W., thence by great circle arc through the southernmost point of Duluth, Minn., thence by great circle arc to 45 degrees N., 85 degrees W., thence southward along meridian 85 degrees W., to its intersection with parallel 41 degrees N., thence along parallel 41 degrees N., to its intersection with meridian 82 degrees W., thence by great circle arc through the southernmost point of Bangor, Maine, thence by great circle arc through the southern-most point of Searsport, Maine, at which point it terminates; and
The definition of Line A in Section 90.7 is taken from Paragraph 2 of Arrangement A contained in the revised Technical Annex to the agreement between the United States and Canada on the
"Coordination and Use of Radio Frequencies Above 30 Megacycles per Second", signed at Ottawa on June 16 and 24, 1965. As you indicate, some points on the line are defined as passing through
certain points of cities. These points have been interpreted differently by various persons who have attempted to draw, or enter into a computer, points along this line. As you have noted, there are at least three sets of points used for the four cities listed. Because these points are subject to interpretation, it would be difficult to argue which set is correct; however, for the sake of consistency, it would be desirable that the same set of points be used by everyone.”
Now after all of that said, it really boils down to this, if you live on or North of 41 Degrees of the Great Circle Arc, then “Line A” truly applies to you.. If you live below 41 Degrees then it really doesn’t apply.. Except when your signal is traveling far enough North that it does enter into the 41 Degrees or above classification.
Now after extensive research, here is the approximate location of 41 Degrees on the Great Circle Arc through Ohio..
Ohio..
Treaty definition: The area north of latitude 41 degrees N from the Indiana line east to longitude 82 degrees W (near Lodi, OH), and north by great circle arc to Bangor, Maine.
In general, the northern quarter of the state. This includes the following major highways:
• I-71 (including I-271) from the junction with I-76 north to its terminus
• I-75 from 2 miles north of Findlay to the Ohio/Michigan border.
• I-77 from Akron north to its terminus.
• I-80 (the Ohio Turnpike) from Exit 14 (Niles) west to the Ohio/Indiana border.
• I-90 (the Ohio Turnpike, and then the Northeast Extension) along its entire length.
• US 23 from Carey (junction of State Route 15) north to the Ohio/Michigan border.
• US 24 along its entire length.
• US 127 from Scott north to the Ohio/Michigan border.
This includes portions or all of the following Ohio counties: Ashland, Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Geauga, Hancock, Henry, Huron, Lake, Lorain, Lucas, Medina, Ottawa,
Paulding, Portage, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca, Summit, Trumbull, Williams, Wood.
The map below is from the F.C.C. website describing “Line A” .. As you can see, it’s not very detailed. If you operate in the 400 MHz band (70cm), you might want to use the land locations
listed above as a guide only to where “Line A” lives.
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FROM THE SECTION EMERGENCY COORDINATOR..
By: Matt Welch, W8DEC - SEC
w8dec2@gmail.com
There were no Ohio SEC Notes for weeks 13, 14, and 15. Decided to hold off for a few weeks.
First and foremost, I have to say, my trip to Cincinnati on April 1st was outstanding! I sincerely thank everyone for making my stay enjoyable. Many thanks to OHKYIN - the Ohio Kentucky Indiana Amateur Radio Society for inviting me and showing me some of that "Southern hospitality." The trip was worth while and I am so looking forward to my next visit. One of the coolest things that came out of that trip was the idea of a Tri-State ARES Conference in 2015. More details to follow as they develop.
Ladies and gentlemen, we're roughly 4 weeks from the largest amateur radio convention on the planet! Of course, I am talking about Dayton Hamvention on May 16, 17, and 18. Don't forget the
ARES Forum will be held at 10:30AM on Sunday, May 18th in Room 3. This is usually standing room only so if you're planning to attend, please come early. This year's guest speaker will be Mike Corey who is the Emergency Preparedness Manager at ARRL Headquarters.
CALLING ALL INSTRUCTORS!! I am looking for instructors to help teach the attached topics at the first ever ARES Training Camp in the Ohio Section! These topics are not etched in stone but
relative to what we're hoping to accomplish at camp. If you are willing to teach any of the topics listed in the attached document or you're willing to teach a related topic, please contact me directly. I am beginning to put my staff roster together.
ARES Training Camp will be held at Camp Falling Rock in Newark, Ohio on September 12, 13, and 14. Online participant registration is expected to open sometime mid-August.
Ohio ARES Response System. This awesome tool was developed by Ohio amateur radio operators for Ohio amateur radio operators. Unveiled at the All Ohio ARES Conference last Fall, it's designed to contain a database of resources available throughout the Ohio Section. Something to keep in mind is the local/county ARES team is the first tier of defense in responding to the ravages of disaster. No community has the resources sufficient to cope with all disasters. Let's take a look at this scenario. An EF-3 tornado has ripped through your hometown. Winds of 165 miles per hour were recorded at National Weather Service. The tornado path is 8 miles long and 1.6 miles wide. Surprisingly, there is no loss of life. Your town is left with severe damage.
Roofs have been torn off and locomotives in the rail yard have been overturned. You're local two-meter repeater has been wiped off the face of the Earth by Mother Nature. Luckily, you have access to a two-meter repeater in a neighboring county. However, HT and mobile coverage is marginal at best. But not all is lost. One of your Assistant Emergency Coordinators remembers something being said at a conference he attended about some kind of database where equipment can be requested. Your Emergency Coordinator, with the help of the DEC, manages to request a tower on wheels, two repeaters (one VHF and one UHF), antennas, feed line, and generators with enough fuel to last for weeks. Most of which will be on site within a matter of hours. All of this was available through the Ohio ARES Response System.
This is precisely where we're trying to get to. But we have a problem. There's hardly anything in the Ohio ARES Response System to request. As of this very moment, if you needed equipment, it would be hard to figure out what equipment is available and where from. So we need your help! Please review the attached document. Let's work together in getting the database populated. That way, when the Ohio ARES Response System is activated, there is equipment available to request.
That's all I have. Thank you very much for all you do for amateur radio.
73, de Matt W8DEC
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FROM THE SECTION TRAFFIC MANAGER..
By: David Maynard, WA3EZN - STM
wa3ezn@att.net
Let’s talk NTS Digital..
I am getting some questions about the NTSD and checking into the OSSBN as a Digital Relay Station. I will try to cover those questions. The questions and statements go something like these.* What is the NTSD and what is a Digital Relay Station?
* Why can’t I check into the OSSBN as the Digital Relay Station?
* I have a Signal Link™ and I think I should have the opportunity to be the Digital Relay Station on OSSBN.
* I’m a digital station on the OHDEN. Doesn’t that make me eligible to be the Digital Relay Station for the OSSBN?
First, the NTSD consists of a group of fully automated store and forward bulletin board type systems known as Mail Box Operations (MBO) or hubs operating on HF using high speed Pactor 3 protocols on a 24/7 basis moving formal message traffic. The goal of NTSD is to move that traffic via digital means to the closest point of delivery at which point it is then removed from the automated system by operators known as Digital Relay Stations (DRS). The DRS then take this traffic to the nets at region, section, and local levels for any additional necessary relay and ultimate delivery.
The second thing to know about being a Digital Relay Station is that it is an ARRL appointment. You must meet the requirement of a Digital Relay Station to receive such an appointment. You must have the time and specific equipment needed to be a Digital Relay Station.
The third thing to know is that the Signal Link™ does not have the capability of working with the ARRL NTS Digital Network. Software for transmitting and receiving Pactor 1 is available for the Linux Operating System only. Receive only software for Pactor is available for Windows. This is an issue with all sound card interfaces regardless of manufacturer, and is due to Pactor's licensing requirements. More information on the Signal Link ™ can be found on the Tigertronics website: http://www.tigertronics.com/
The fourth thing to know is that the OHDEN uses different equipment and programs than the Digital NTS network. The programs used for OHDEN are not compatible with a Digital NTS System MBO
and this is not the fault of the OHDEN. The OHDEN and the Digital NTS System are two different systems. The OHDEN is a statewide HF net of digital stations but to my knowledge (and I may be
wrong) there is no link from the OHDEN to the National Traffic System without going through a local or statewide voice or CW net.
What about this difference in programs between OHDEN and the Digital NTS System. The OHDEN is using the OLIVIA program which is free to download off the internet. The Digital NTS System
uses Pactor I, Pactor II and Pactor III which is a proprietary program and is not free for downloading. You can only get these Pactor programs by buying a modem that has the Chipset and program installed and licensed. The Pactor programs were developed in Germany and the owner will not release it free for Amateur Radio use. The modem you would need is most likely an SCS Pactor II or Pactor III modem. These modems come with the Pactor chipset and program installed were sold for $1200 to $1400 from the dealer. You can find them used on Ebay in the $500 to $800 range depending on their method of hookup to the computer and whether they are twos or threes.
Is there another way?
The Pactor II and Pactor III “controllers” (modems) will allow you to work Pactor at fast speeds and super fast speeds. But there is the other Pactor, Pactor I. Pactor I is much slower and you may be able to find a used modem that will operate Pactor I. The PK232MBX will work Pactor I if you have spent some money for the Pactor upgrade chipset. This is where I started and when I was comfortable operating in this mode I secured one of the faster modems. PK232MBX modems that are left over from the packet boom often can be found at hamfest for very reasonable prices. There is a way to get the chipset upgraded to work Pactor I but I would advise that you talk to me to learn a few pitfalls to avoid so you don’t waste your money. I have heard that the older “KAM-plus” HF/VHF PACTOR/PACKET TNC will work on the Pactor but I have no personal knowledge of this like I did with the PK232MBX.
So if I have given you sufficient information to get you interested or scare you off then I have accomplished something. In the future I will have more to say about setting up a Digital Relay Station and what you need to make it work. Until then I suggest you download the programs for use on OHDEN and enjoy some of their digital operation. Here is some more information about OHDEN.
If you are interested in operating digital I would encourage you to join the OHDEN at 7PM on the Tuesday night digital net. The OHDEN has a website where you can get more information on their operations (http://ohden.org/ ). Gary Hollenbaugh NJ8BB is the OHDEN Net Manager and in a recent email he states that the QRM on 80 meters 3585 Khz has become unbearable during net
time. He says that they are looking into another frequency. The net also meets on 40 meters at 7072 Khz OLIVIA 8-500 USB. See the website for more information.
That’s all I have for now. If you have any questions or comments send me an email
73, David, WA3EZN
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FROM THE EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH - SCOUTING ASM..
By: Scott Hixon, KC8ITN - ASM - Educational Outreach- Scouting
kc8itn@arrl.net
There are two scouting events coming up May 2-4 that I want to tell you about. One I've mentioned in my Feb.2014 OSJ article and one that I recently found out about. Both of these events would be a perfect time for amateurs to get on the air so the scouts would have someone to make a contact with.The first event I want to remind you about is the Simon Kenton Council Camporee " Thunder Base 2014 " that is being held at the Ross County Fairgrounds in Chillicothe, Ohio. Amateur radio will be set up in a large building involving many different radio groups. They will be giving the scouts ( over 8,000 registered ) an opportunity to see the many different modes of communications that amateur radio has to offer. they will even get the chance to operate some of those modes! They will be operating on the World Scout Frequencies using the callsign K2BSA/8.
On the same weekend, Cub Scout Pack 3405 , Great Trail Council, Will be enjoying a campout at the Mohican Wilderness Campground and amateur radio will be set up on Saturday for the cub scouts and adults to operate! Be listening for the K8RSO callsign and get back with them. Some say that having a Collins Transmitter with a serial number of "001" would be priceless. But seeing the look on a Cub Scouts face after he just made his first ham radio contact is truly " PRICELESS "!!
So, on May 2-4, if you hear a scout on the radio calling "CQ" get back to him and let him know amateur radio welcomes people of ALL ages. As I always say, the youth of today are the hams of
tomorrow !
Remember: Take care, stay safe, and make a difference in someone's life !!
73, Scott, KC8ITN
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22nd ANNUAL OHIO SECTION NEWSLETTER CONTEST RULES..
It is time again for the Annual ARRL Ohio Section Amateur (Ham) Radio Newsletter Contest. This contest has become very popular and there have been obvious improvements to the newsletters over the years. This was the objective of the Ohio Section PIC (Joe Phillips, K8QOE) when he created it back in 1992..."Now the rules:
A.) An eligible newsletter must be regularly published at least four (4) times per year by an Ohio Amateur Radio organization. The Ohio Section Journal and the newsletter for any club that the current PIC is affiliated with are not eligible.
B.) Each organization submitting a newsletter for the contest must enter at least two (2) issues starting with January 2014 for judging. All Amateur organizations that have regularly been sending newsletters to the Ohio PIC are automatically entered (as long as these publications qualify under rule A, or C if applicable). Unless you are automatically entered, the deadline for entries is Monday, June 30, 2014, and all entries must be in the hands of the Ohio PIC by that date.
C.) Electronic (Web based) produced newsletters may also enter. Non-amateurs, in the Public Relations industry will do the judging. They will be judging on style (15%), content (35%), service to membership (35%), and clarity of presentation (15%). Style means newsletter design of all pages. Content means amount of useful information contained in the newsletter. Service to members means amount of information using individual members' names. Clarity of presentation means readability of the newsletter including accuracy of English grammar.
D.) No entries can be returned and all decisions of the judges on content and eligibility are final. The Ohio PIC only serves to certify entries, to provide the judges with entries, and to announce their decisions only.
E.) The decision of the judges is final.
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OUT AND ABOUT IN SOUTHEAST OHIO..
By: Connie Hamilton, N8IO - Assistant Section Manager - Southeast
n8io@suddenlink.net
This has been a quite a month for me. First I attended the ARES Conference and put the wrong address in my Tom-Tom. I spent quite a time looking for the location until I talked to a nice policeman who put the right address in my unit. Always before the address was listed as being on State Route 161 and I’d been there before. My face was red. This was on March 15th.
Next I went to Gallipolis to the MOVARC Hamfest on March 22nd. I was able to help with the VE testing for them and helped with the drawing for prizes. one of their better Hamfests.
My next excursion was to the Portsmouth ARC on April 5. Pictures are on the Ohio Website of this one. Last but not least was my trip to the Cuyahoga Falls Hamfest, not officially but they
send me their newsletter and I wanted to support them. There were several YL’s in attendance and answered questions and gave them info on some YL nets. And, I also stopped to see an old friend WD8IKC on my way home and had a good talk with her.
Coming up is the Jackson Hamfest at a new location of 105 Portsmouth Street in Jackson, OH on the 26th and the Athens Hamfest on the 27th. I’ll be at Jackson but have another obligation instead of Athens.
I’ll also be at the Dayton Hamvention® the 15th thru 18th of May. Be sure to visit the ARRL area and look for the OHIO Section. We will be glad to greet each one of you.
73/88, Connie, N8IO
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LET'S TALK..
From: Scott Yonally, N8SY - Section Manager
n8sy@arrl.org
Hi Everyone, I think spring is finally here! I have gotten the motorcycle out of storage and actually got to ride it this long weekend. No, I haven’t really taken any long trips on it yet, but I have taken a few short ones that always bring back those great feelings of being back on two wheels once again. Funny, unless you've ridden a motorcycle, you really can't describe the feeling of freedom that you get going down a quiet back road. That's one of the advantages to living in a rural area like I do, there's lots of quiet roads to travel. Ok, enough of that.. Now on to the business at hand..
One of the advantages to being the editor is that you get to see all of the other articles before you sit down and write yours up. This way you can comment on any of the important articles.
I do want you to take special notice of the first article in this newsletter from our Section Government Liaison, Nick Pittner, K8NAP. It has a lot of good information about what should be important to every ham in Ohio.. Ohio's PRB-1 law. Nick did an excellent job of telling you what the pros and cons to our "winning" in this landmark court case. Please, if you just skimmed over it, go back and really read it. Like I said, it's very important to every ham in the state.
Along that same thought patterns, Nick also got a signed Proclamation from the Governor and Lieutenant Governor for Field Day. The proclamation, along with a printable version is posted on
the Ohio Section website. Please be sure if you are holding a Field Day operation to print this off and have it posted for all to see.
The logo mugs continue to still a big hit everywhere I go, and boy have I been to a lot of meetings and hamfests lately! It’s absolutely great getting out to meet and great everyone. I especially enjoy being asked to come to meetings were I can show off the newest ARRL video. We’ve got a winner there for sure. One warning about inviting me.. I take pictures!! I also post them on the Section website. I know that this has been said a million times before, but it’s always worth repeating, don’t forget that the entire Cabinet is Ohio’s Speaker’s Bureau. If you’d like any of us to come and be a speaker at your function, please feel free to give any of us a call.
As promised, I have introduced a new freebie give away. It’s sticky notes with the Ohio Section logo on them. I’m working on still another, more special item that I’m pretty sure will be a big hit as well. You’ll never know what else I’ll come up with!! So stay tuned.
Have you notice the front page of the website? I put a new RSS feed up there. This one shows all the new updates to the site no matter where it may be within the website. And Along those same lines of keeping updated.. You can access our website 24/7 and get the latest information on just about any topic you can think of. There is a number of RSS feeds that bring in information from all over the state and country. Take advantage of this FREE service. Whether you are a member or not, you are invited to view our website.
You’ll find it at: http://arrlohio.org take advantage and check it often.
I'm still experimenting a little on the format of the Ohio Section Journal. A suggestion came in from a reader after the last issue was published that stated they wanted to see the "by-line" include the authors name and email address at the top of the article instead of at the bottom where I had it.. So, I've made a change. And, after a comment that I had made several months ago about looking at not publishing a "text" version, I quickly found out that there are many hams out there that were against that idea. Trust me, I heard you loud and clear. As such, I will continue to have the OSJ in both formats for a very long time to come.
Got a suggestion on how to improve the OSJ, I'm listening..!
Dayton Hamvention.. For those of you interested, the Ohio Section has been invited back to host the Field Services Organization booth at Dayton. Stop by and say hello. And, along that same thought.. Matt Welch, W8DEC has also been invited back to be the moderator of the ARES forum on Sunday morning. If you happen to be there on Sunday morning, drop in and support Matt.
I was once asked if I talk much with my counterpart in that state just north of us. Whelp, I'm here to tell ya', I do. Larry Camp, WB8R and I do talk to each other fairly regularly. Here's an example of one of those special communications from Larry..
"Just a quick tale to tell you about my experiences at the Hazel Park Hamfest last Sunday. I had a fellow come up to me and ask if he could sign up for ARRL membership at the table. Smiling, I said sure and produced the appropriate form and a pen for him to use. He finished the form and I took a quick look to make sure that things were legible and all the boxes were full and I thanked him and told him that I would get it in the mail first thing Monday morning. I put the form in my folder and continued on with the business of chatting, answering questions and generally having fun.
Sunday afternoon after I returned home, I pulled out my stuff from the swap and proceeded to address an envelope for the membership application and when I took one last look at the form to
double check that all was in order before sealing the envelope, what did I see but his address was in OH! I mailed it regardless and that is why you owe me one!"
So, for the next several hamfests I tried very diligently to find a Michigan person that I could sign up to pay the debt back.. Unfortunately I just haven't found that "special" person yet, but not to let a debt go unpaid, I did send Larry one of our very special "Ohio Section Mugs" to even it up. Larry now has the mug proudly on display in his shack. That’s going to do it this month from here.. I hope to see all of you at the various hamfests or meetings soon and who knows, maybe you’ll be one of the lucky ones to get a “mug” on me.
Have a question? Feel free to give me a call or write to me.. My email and phone number are always listed on the Ohio Section Website.. http://arrlohio.org
73, Scott, N8SY
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SPECIAL EVENTS STATIONS IN OHIO..
04/27/2014 | Two Modern Popes Now Saints Apr 27, 1600Z-2000Z
ND8GA, Gates Mills, OH.
Gilmour Academy Amateur Radio.
146.55 21.255 14.255 7.255.
Certificate. Ken Kane, KG8DN, Gilmour Academy, 34001 Cedar Rd, Gates Mills, OH 44040.
Gilmour Academy celebrates the dual canonization in Rome today of Pope John 23rd and Pope John Paul 2nd. Each worked effectively to serve the church and the world while "opening the doors" to lay people and youth. Mail a hard-copy QSL card to Gilmour with your email address to receive an emailed certificate.
https://sites.google.com/a/gilmour.org/gilmour-amateur-radio-club
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05/02/2014 | Thunder Base 2014 Boy Scouts of America Simon Kenton Council Camporee
May 2-May 4, 1300Z-0400Z, K2BSA/8, Bloomingburg, OH. BSA Simon Kenton Council.
3.940, 7.190 14.290, 18.140 21.360, 24.960 28.390, 50.160.
QSL. Clyde Morrow Sr, KE8DQ, 19317 Shirk Rd, Marysville, OH 43040.
Thunder Base 2014 Boy Scouts of America Simon Kenton Council Camporee will be operating K2BSA/8 on HF, CW, Digital and satellite from Ross County Fairgrounds, Chillicothe, Ohio.
QSL via LOTW or send SASE to; Clyde Morrow Sr. KE8DQ 19317 Shirk Rd.
Marysville, Ohio 43040.
Also, follow us on Facebook for hourly frequency updates at K2BSA.scouting or on Twitter at K2BSA_scouting.
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05/25/2014 | WBCCI Region 4 Rally
May 25, 1400Z-2200Z, W4B, Lima, OH.
Wally Byam Caravan Club International Region 4.
14.320 7.225 3.860.
Certificate. David Brett, 40 Edgewater Dr, Youngstown, OH 44514.
Celebrating the 38th annual WBCCI Region 4 Rally, a gathering of Airstream Trailer owners from
Miichigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.
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OHIO HAMFEST CALENDAR..
04/26/2014 | Jackson County ARC Hamfest
Location: Jackson, OH
Jackson County Amateur Radio Club
Website: http://jacksoncountyarc.org/page3.html
PLEASE NOTE:..
The hamfest had to be moved. The new address is: 150 Portsmouth Street in Jackson, OH
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04/27/2014 | Athens Hamfest
Location: Athens, OH
Athens County Amateur Radio Association
Website: http://ac-ara.org/
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05/16/2014 - 05/18/2014| Dayton Hamvention - "REGIONAL ARRL CENTENNIAL EVENT"
Location: Trotwood, OH
Sponsor: Dayton Amateur Radio Association
Website: http://hamvention.org
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