District 1 OHIO ARES

Radio Operators Test State Disaster Preparedness:

Monday, 13 July 2009 15:44

In late August just four years ago, the dark clouds forming off the coast of New Orleans forewarned of a catastrophic event. Unleashing its full fury as it touched land, the horrific Hurricane Katrina laid waste to a city that was unprepared to deal with such a major natural disaster. As levees broke in the metropolitan area, nearly every communication system shut down, leaving emergency crews unaware and unable to evacuate those in harm"s way. It was this kind of total blackout that inspired state agencies and emergency volunteers in Delaware to re-evaluate their own disaster preparedness, especially in an area that could be at high risk sometime in the near future. Joining together in a combined field day exercise June 28, officials from Bethany Beach Fire Rescue, the Delaware State Police, the Delaware National Guard and the Sussex Amateur Radio Association sought to put their resources to the ultimate test.

Historic Station in Point Reyes Brings Morse Code Back to Life:

Monday, 13 July 2009 15:43

You won"t hear Denice Stoops" voice when she takes to the airwaves on Sunday night. But the shipboard radio operators who remember a time - 10 years ago this week - when Morse code telegraphers like Stoops brought weather reports, news, telegrams and other messages to mariners throughout the world will know her by the sound of her dots and dashes. "She has very distinctive keying - you know it"s her right away," said Richard Dillman, a member of the Maritime Radio Historical Society and one of the hosts of Sunday"s "Night of Nights" event at historic radio station KPH in the Point Reyes National Seashore. "She uses a chrome-plated key, and she has those long red fingernails and bracelets jangling. She"s one of the most famous folks we have on the air."

Oregon Congressman Pledges Support for HR 2160

Monday, 13 July 2009 05:37

On July 10, Representative David Wu (OR-1) signed on as a co-sponsor to HR 2160 -- The Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2009 -- bringing the total number of co-sponsors to 15. Click here for information on how to encourage your Congressional representative to sponsor HR 2160.

WRC-11 Is Now WRC-12

Monday, 13 July 2009 08:37

The ITU Council, the 46-nation administrative oversight body of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), has agreed to move the next World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) to 2012. Originally scheduled for October 24-November 18, 2011 in Geneva, Switzerland, the Council has proposed January 23-February 17 as the new dates. According to ARRL Technical Relations Manager Brennan Price, N4QX, the full ITU membership is now being consulted on the dates; responses are due by August 3. "The ITU Council had previously proposed dates for fall 2011, but various scheduling conflicts and the lack of available facilities during some weeks made this schedule impractical," he said.

Ham Radio Hobbyists Talk from Tahoe Mountaintop:

Sunday, 12 July 2009 15:24

NORTH LAKE TAHOE -- Amateur ham radio operators gathered on top of Martis Peak, overlooking Truckee and Tahoe, to hone their emergency communication skills. The national event known as "Field Day" gets radio operators in touch, able to communicate through emergencies like natural disasters. The local amateur radio operators tested their abilities this weekend to reach out and talk to other "hams" across the country and around the world. As part of a national simulation and competition that has been going since 1933, the Truckee team set up their field station atop Martis Peak, 8,000 feet up in a Calfire fire lookout.

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