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Public Service News MARC Is Involved In Public Service !
Public
Service Communications are at the very core of the Amateur Radio Service and the
Massillon Amateur Radio Club is dedicated to providing communications service to
our community.
MARC Assist With MS Walk Sponsored by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society communications volunteers staffed rest stops and provided safety and support communications for this years event. Communications was also maintained between the transfer busses and the Rec Center. EComm 1, the clubs Emergency Communications Trailer was stationed at the Rec Center and provided Net Control operations for the Walk. Great weather made for a very well attended Walk with over 600 registrants this year. Local MS Walk Coordinator Dick Kulick expressed his sincere appreciation to all of the amateur volunteers for their continued assistance year after year. Additionally, we would like to thank Canton ARC member Dale Lamm, NX8J, an adult leader of a Boy Scouts of America Venturing Crew for his assistance along with several scouts. They provided great assistance to our communications as well as assistance to many walkers of the event, especially several in wheelchairs. The overall event went very well with only a few needing transport back to the Rec Center. The following volunteers assisted with this years MS Walk. Terry Russ - N8ATZ, Jim Farriss - WA8GXM, Don Finley - W8DEF, Linda Finley - K8MOO, Gary Kline - WC8W, Tom Phelps - W8TNP, Peggy Phelps - W8PNT, Scott McGill - KC8ZCS, Sarah McGill - KC8ZCT, Tom Gill - KC8QOD, Igor Nikishin - K8INN, Joe Herrick - WD8BGW (in his role as radio operator and Captain of the Massillon Police Department), Scott McCamish - N3JJT, Wade Huthmacher - WD8MIU and Dale Lamm - NX8J. MARC Assists With Holiday Parade
In the early years of the parade, we provided only communications support to the Massillon JCs organization who handled the staging of all the parade units. When they disbanded, the city struggled to find volunteers willing to take on this task. Since the MARC handled communications support, somehow we got nominated to take on this responsibility as well. A few years later, Massillon Cable began filming the parade in conjunction with the Massillon High School Communications Department and again the club was called upon to assist with this part of the parade also. Last minute omissions or changes to the parade line up are passed on to the production crew so that the announcers can follow along with the parade units. We had experience with this as well as amateurs routinely handle staging activities including TV production control relay duties at the Hall of Fame Festival Kickoff Parade. The Holiday Parade has depended on this ever since. Over the past several years the parade has been sponsored by the Downtown Merchants Association with President Donald Harwig serving as Parade Chairman. During this time and before the club has always been there to make sure the parade is properly staged and starts on time down the parade route. We have become an integral part of the parade and I wonder if they could pull it off without us. Im glad to report another successful public service event with very few problems thanks to our communications and parade skills. Over 40 years and counting Santa has arrived in the city in no small part thanks to the MARC. Special thanks to the following club members for volunteering this year. They are; Wade WD8MIU, Sarah KC8ZCS, Scott KC8ZCT, Gary WC8W, Anne N8GAF, Jim WA8GXM, Terry N8ATZ, Dan N8DZM, Joe WD8BGW (providing double duty as both amateur radio communications and his primary role for the Massillon Police Department), Ralph K8HSQ, Igor K8INN, Don W8DEF, Linda K8MOO, Jason - KC8LIN, Scott N3JJT and Communications Coordinator Perry W8AU. This event provided over 80 hours of community service. Now if we could only get them to move the parade up or back a week so we could go to the Ft Wayne Hamfest!. MARC Recognized by Tour de Cure
Summit Co Tour De Cure Communications Coordinator Bruce Brown - KC8RKS visited the clubs August meeting to present a plaque to the club which read "Thank You MARC For Your Generous Support of the 2007 Tour de Cure". The club provided 10 volunteers for the ride including Wade Huthmacher - WD8MIU, Carl Cunert - AB8CC, Mike Palmer - KD8ENV, Rex Simmon - KD8ELX, Dan Anastis - N8DZM, Igor Nikishin - K8INN, Richard Ross - KA8ZQH, Rodger Trompower - KA8FTS, Ralph Bugg - K8HSQ and Terry Russ - N8ATZ. MARC Assists With MS Walk
The following Saturday, April 28th, the MS Society held their Massillon MS Walk at the Massillon Recreation Center. EComm 1, the club's Emergency Communications Trailer was stationed at the Recreation Center to provide base support for this walk. As with the Quail Hollow Walk, the club provided Rest Stop support as well as safety & support communications for the event. The weather was a bit damp but it didn't deter the nearly 500 walkers who participated in this years walk. Thanks to Ralph Bugg - K8HSQ and Dan Anastis - N8DZM, APRS was used to monitor walker flow along the trail. Local MS Walk Coordinator Dick Kulick expressed his appreciation to the club for our continual support of this event year after year. The Walk went well with only a few needing transport back to the Rec Center. Massillon's Event Communications Coordinator Jack Wade - N8LCS also thanked the club and volunteers Terry Russ - N8ATZ, Scott McCamish - N3JJT, Don Finley - W8DEF, Linda Finley - K8MOO, Rodger Trompower - KA8FTS, Wade Huthmacher - WD8MIU, Igor Nikishin - K8INN, Dan Anastis - N8DZM, Ralph Bugg - K8HSQ, Jack Wade - N8LCS, Gary Kline - WC8W and Tom Gill - KC8QOD. A letter of Appreciation was also received from Jodi Shipley, Marketing Coordinator, National MS Society thanking the core group of volunteers who assist each year. The combined walks totaled 82 hours of public service to the community.
The Massillon MS Walk Volunteers The Great American Canoe Races
2 meter FM (not CW or AM) at that time was fairly new to ham radio. Begun in early sixties with surplus commercial two way FM radio units converted to AC use and usually on one channel, 146.94 MHz, these boxes were heavy all vacuum tube operated. Two meter beams were used to enable our ten watt (big) radios to communicate down the river valley for at least 5 miles. (The canal did not have water in it all the way to Lake Avenue). Needless to say, our efforts were always successful. We were, after all, pretty darn efficient technicians and communicators. Fast forward to today ... we revisit an old "battle ground," the Tuscarawas River Valley ! We have new technologies and new smaller, more efficient radio gear, repeaters, digital modes ... This should be a snap! We can use one of the many repeaters we have locally ... maybe even the club's 442.85 machine that looks right over the river valley right at about Lake Avenue. Think again! After two days of testing, it was found that the UHF machine could not handle the challenge. The nearest VHF repeater, our far ranging 147.18 machine, passes right over the valley and does not penetrate the deep gorge that is prevalent from north of Lake Avenue up to beyond Butterbridge road, south of Canal Fulton. The river is the "lowest" point in the county, obviously, and combined with the thick foliage, tends to attenuate RF very well. Hmmmmmm... We have to go back to the basics ... just like years ago. Since we do not have a lot of HF portables on 75 meters (that would use the ionosphere to reflect signals up and down the valley), we are back to what we do have ... a lot of two meter gear, albeit mush smaller and portable, thank goodness! 2 meter SIMPLEX, revisited... We used four equidistant mobile stations with beams along the eight mile route, with six canoe's based at 1 mile apart. Since HT's cannot be heard far in the thick foliage river valley, at least one of the four mobile stations WILL hear the HT's as they report race progress and these reports can be relayed to the Lake Avenue HQ where we have the club's Ecomm Trailer with the 58 foot pneumatic mast and beam. Viola! Success. No failures, no upended canoes everyone safe and dry! (Except for the sporatic light rain). We are so good at this we will probably have to do it next year! (The price of success). Many thanks to our stalwart members, especially those that were still "young at heart" enough to work out of a canoe for up to 3 hours!. Our volunteers for this event were; In canoes Michelle Gill-KC8ZEJ, Joe Herrick-WD8BGW, Jason Stroll-KC8LIN, Dan Anastis-N8DZM, Anne Ballinger-N8GAF and Barry Heiks-KC8QOE. Canal Fulton start point; Scott McCamish-N3JJT and Perry Ballinger-W8AU. Butterbridge Road crossing; Gary Kline-WC8W. Crystal Springs start point; Rodger Trompower-KA8FTS and Wade Huthmacher-WD8MIU. Lake Avenue HQ; Jim Farriss-WA8GXM and Igor Nikishin-K8INN. 73's De Perry, W8AU GOBA Returns to Stark County - A Final Report Terry Russ, N8ATZ - Assistant Emergency Coordinator
In an extremely well organized event, two meter nets are established as the riders enter each county. This sets the stage for that days ride as our volunteers as well as the GOBA support staff, most of which are also licensed amateurs, begin the 50 mile toward their next destination. This years GOBA staff included 30 radio operators who are responsible for coordinating all aspects of the weeks event. On Monday, June 21, the rolling town of over 3,000 riders left camp in Orville eventually making their way into Stark county. The Massillon club's 147.18 repeater served as the net control frequency for the entire day's ride thanks to the repeaters vast coverage pattern and history of dependability. Our responsibility was to provide a net control station, radio operators to staff several medical transport units and finally to monitor several potentially hazardous intersections along the route through Stark county. As the morning unfolded, it became apparent it was going to be a busy day. Soon the repeater was filled with nearly nonstop traffic as various logistical, medical and support communications filled the repeater. There were two distinct segments active during the ride. First was the GOBA support staff who cover administrative, medical and SAG vehicle coordination. Secondly was the ham contingent from the host county who rode in medical units, guarded dangerous intersections and provided tight net control operations to keep everything running smoothly. I am happy to report that all went extremely well during the day's ride. The MARC's ECOMM Communications Trailer was positioned midway through the route and served as our net control station. Minor medical emergencies, broken down bicycles, lost riders were but a fraction of the traffic that flowed over the repeater during the day. A special thanks to the members of the MARC who gave up a Monday to assist with this major public service event. Our logbook indicated nearly 300 entries during the day which worked out to about 43 separate communications per hour or almost one per minute ! A busy day to say the least and a fine job by a great crew. On behalf of Jeff Slattery, N8SUZ - GOBA Communications Director and myself, I would like to thank my dedicated crew for their assistance during this event. They were: Jim Farriss - WA8GXM, Don Finley - W8DEF, Linda Finley - K8MOO, Rodger Trompower - KA8FTS, Helen Trompower - KC8ZWG, Ralph Bugg - K8HSQ, Larry Fierstos - KC8RKU, Ed Clinger - WA8DRT and Igor Nikishin - K8INN. A special KUDO's to KC8RKU who assisted with the GOBA ride all week. Hat's off to you all for a job well done. Club Assists With Brewster and Massillon CROP Walk's
Providing both safety and support communications,
club members monitored the walkers as they took to the Towpath
Trail, walking from Navarre to John Glenn Cove Park enjoying the
fall foliage along the scenic Ohio & Erie Canal Trail. This
marks the fourth consecutive year we have assisted with this
event. The club's Emergency Communications Trailer, ECOMM 1, was positioned at John Glenn Park to provide a central point for our communications duties. Additional members were stationed at church registration and along the route to monitor walkers progress. Some Amateur Television was used again this year to monitor vehicle traffic along a busy street used by the walkers. The walk was completed in about 2 hours with everyone returning safe and sound. A special thanks to the following club members for their support and assistance. Terry Russ - N8ATZ, Don Finley - W8DEF, Jim Farriss - WA8GXM, Igor Nikishen - WB8KEO, Charlie - KB8STV, Don Wade - W8DEA Gary Kline - WC8W and Ed Clinger - WA8DRT. Igor took some great pictures of the walk and they are posted on his website. Click Here to check them out !
The Great CROP Walk Volunteers !
About 40 plus walkers completed the long route with about 15 enjoying the one mile walk. All participants completed the Crop Walk successfully without incident. Rev Les Peine thanked all the club volunteers for helping with the walk. Volunteers were Terry - N8ATZ, Gary - WC8W, Igor - WB8KEO, Don - W8DEF, Perry - W8AU and Ed - WA8DRT.
EComm 1 at the registration area Red Cross Training Class Well Attended
The video based course introduced participants to disasters, the community response, and the role of Red Cross Disaster Services. The class covered the seven major areas of disaster services and is a required course for those who wish to join the Red Cross as a volunteer.
Bruce discusses Disaster Preparedness to MARC Club participation was exceptional with 18 members taking part in the introductory course organized by club Training Coordinator Charlie Scherger - KB8STV. Congratulations to the following for taking part in this Red Cross course. They were, Don Finley-W8DEF, Jason Stroll-KC8LIN, Bryon-KF8UN, Gary Lewis-W8SSB, Don Guisinger-KC8RPE, Don Wade-W8DEA, Linda Finley-K8MOO, Jim Farriss-WA8GXM, Terry Russ-N8ATZ, Ann Ballinger-N8GAF, Rich Ross-KA8ZQH, Randy Phelps-KD8JN, Charlie Scherger-KB8STV, Jules Labourcane-KA8MMN, Sam Marang-WA8YGR, Bruce Putnam-AB8FB, Gene Beckwith-W8KXR, and Gary Blagg-KC8IHR. Members Don and Linda Finley, Jim Farriss and Sandra Becker-N8TZB have been involved in the Red Cross for many years and Bruce Robinson hopes the introductory class will inspire a few new volunteers ! FEMA Training Class Well Attended
A special thanks goes out to Charlie, MARC's Public Service Award recipient for 2001, for spearheading an effort to provide additional training to the amateur operators of Stark County. This is one of the major goals of the Stark County ARES and Charlie is helping us to achieve this important goal. Congratulations to the following MARC members for successfully completing this initial FEMA class. They are Gary Kline - WC8W, Randy Phelps - KD8JN, Don Wade - W8DEA, Anne Ballinger - N8GAF, Linda Finley - K8MOO, Perry Ballinger - W8AU, Bruce Putnam - AB8FB, Russ McMahen - N8PII, Gene Beckwith - W8KXR, Jules Laborcane - KA8MMN, Byron Berger - KF8UN, Jack Wade - N8LCS, Rick Garner - KC8LYG, and Terry Russ - N8ATZ. Our instructor Charlie Scherger - KB8STV, assistants Don Finley - W8DEF and Jason Stroll - KC8LIN have previously taken and completed this course. ARRL Emergency Communications We continually demonstrate this need by participation in numerous training exercises - Skywarn, Field Day, SET, etc and by providing communications during public service events - parades, bike-a-thons, races, to name but a few. Over the last several years mainly due to reduced licensing requirements we have added many new amateurs to our hobby. While this was necessary ours is still a technical hobby and we depend on this level of expertise when participating in public service events. As amateur radio emergency communications has continued to evolve, it became apparent that some form of formal certification would soon be necessary in order to assure that we continue to provide trained and qualified communicators. With this in mind the ARRL has developed through their Certification and Continuing Education Program an Emergency Communications Course. Because the topic of emergency communications is so diversified and so much information is available, the material is broken into three levels: Introductory, Intermediate and Advanced Emergency Communications (Level I, II, III). The Level I Emergency Communications Course (EC-001) is currently available online only. The course has been developed in segments -- learning units with objectives, informative text, student activities, and quizzes. The entire Level I course is interactive and includes direct communications with a Mentor and other students. The Mentor assists students by guiding them through the course. Students take three 25 question multiple - choice assessments (exams) during the course (75 questions total). Those who successfully complete the course and pass the assessments earn an attractive certificate and ID card. The ARRL has established a very detailed website page that describes the Emergency Communications course. Click Here to go their directly. The online course usually fills quickly and are open for registration each month. Class capacity is about 50 students and opens on or about the second Monday at about 4 PM EST. Registration remains open until all seats are filled. The fee is $ 40.00 for ARRL members and $ 70.00 for non members. EmComm Certification is an opportunity to provide the public service community with trained amateur radio operators who will have a consistent level of expertise in emergency communications no matter where in the United States they live. The goal therefore is to provide consistently knowledgeable communications people who have a positive service oriented attitude.
Stay tuned to this page for further updates in this exciting new program ! MARC Involved in Search & Rescue Operations
With approximately 60 to 65 personnel from various fire departments including additional support from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, local Police and the Stark County Sheriff as well as the Ohio Highway Patrol involved in the massive rescue effort, Red Cross & ARES member Don Finley - W8DEF was immediately dispatched to the scene to provide Red Cross meal support. Red Cross Coordinator Jim Farriss - WA8GXM also stood ready in case the clubs Emergency Communications Trailer, ECOMM 1, was called into service. During the height of the search efforts, a Metro LifeFlight helicopter and a Ohio Highway Patrol search plane circled the area while a rescue boat combed the waters and fields surrounding the Tuscarawas River. Other personnel set out on foot or mounted all terrain vehicles. Thankfully the woman was found unharmed sitting inside a locked vehicle in a local business parking lot. Although Amateur Radio participation was minimal, Navarre Fire Chief Ray Gallaher, incident commander was ready to call out additional amateur support in the event the search continued throughout the evening.
What if it happens here ? That's the title newsline from the Massillon Independent newspaper article of Monday, October 22, 2001 and Amateur Radio is mentioned as part of the cities emergency preparedness plan. The events of September 11th redefined the meaning of emergency preparedness, both local & national and the Massillon Amateur Radio Club is stepping up our efforts to provide communications support to our community should an emergency occur. We are fortunate to have a presence in our public service community as we already have permanent two meter stations setup at both Massillon Community and Doctor's Hospital as well as our newest station located at Massillon's Regional Emergency Dispatch Center. This liaison helps to unite us with several local police & fire departments. Our EComm 1 Communications Trailer has been upgraded continuously over the past several years in preparation for any local emergency. It will soon have a permanent commercial public service radio installed that will provide a direct link with nearly all of our local public service agencies. Massillon has had a disaster plan loosely in place since 1975 and it has been steadily upgraded each year as possible threats to the city became apparent to local officials. The MARC has been an integral part of that plan almost since that time but over the years our ties to local government slowly faded due to inactivity. We have taken part in numerous local practice exercises and drills primarily under the direction of the Red Cross, an agency with whom we have developed a very strong relationship over the years. This would undoubtedly be the focus of our activities in the event of a local emergency, but I can envision an expanded role since the real worth of professionally trained radio operators was demonstrated to the world at both the World Trade Center and the Pentagon disaster sites. City officials are keenly aware of the fact that any number of both natural and man made disasters could land squarely here in Massillon. Everything from weather related disasters such as tornadoes and floods, disasters such as toxic spills, railroad accidents or even airplane crashes are all possible in our small community. City planners have already stated that all local resources would be taped to assist in a local emergency situation including amateur radio. The real question is ARE WE READY ? Click here to read the full text of the recent story in the Massillon Evening Independent. Click Here for details on ECOMM 1. Click Here for a guide to working public service events.
This page was last updated on 11/22/08 Site best viewed in 800 x 600 Resolution
2008 MARC |
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plus many other community events. Many of our members participate in the Amateur
Radio Emergency Service. The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) consists of
licensed amateurs who have 
To
maintain a high level of readiness, the MARC routinely participates in yearly
training exercises with several local and national organizations such as the
American Red Cross and the National Weather Service. We also actively
participate in several amateur radio service exercises, most notably "Field
Day", sponsored by the ARRL, the National Association for Amateur
Radio. These operating events help to keep our skills sharp and ready should we
be called upon to assist in an emergency situation.
Many of our members also participate in our local Skywarn Spotter program. Typically,
trained volunteer spotters report into a local operations center, and these
reports are relayed to the National Weather Service. Reports are delivered to
this local center by many means including Amateur Radio. Specialized training is
necessary to become an effective skywarn spotter and many of our members attend
yearly spotter seminars to remain proficient in this program. In 1999 the
Massillon Amateur Radio Club was asked to allow our primary 2 meter amateur
repeater to be used as a backup to the Stark County ARES Skywarn repeater should
it become necessary. The MARC has always been committed to assisting the Skywarn
program here in Stark County. 
As part of the local Skywarn Spotter program, the MARC has also established
memorandums of understanding with both Massillon Community and Doctors Hospitals
here in Stark County. We have established full time fully operational amateur
radio stations to be staffed by MARC volunteers in the event the National
Weather Service issues a severe weather warning for our area. Massillon
Community Hospital is also the home of our UHF Communications Repeater, a
further testament to the mutual cooperation that exists between our two
organizations.
In 2000 we continued that commitment by establishing an amateur
station at the Regional Emergency Dispatch (RED) Center located in Massillon.
This office handles the dispatching responsibilities for several local police
and fire departments and completes the circle in a carefully prepared area
disaster plan that we are an integral part of. We have also created several
portable packet stations that can be setup at these three locations to relay
sensitive and confidential information back to either Red Cross command centers
or the Stark County Emergency Operations Center. We also maintain close
ties with the Stark County Emergency Operations Center located in the Stark
County Sheriff's Office. 
We are always looking for ham operators to become involved in public service
communications here at the MARC. If you are interested in this important aspect
of the amateur radio service, you are encouraged to contact us. If you would
like to know more about Emergency Communications here in Stark County we
recommend you check out the Stark County Amateur Radio Emergency Service website
at 
(Nov 24, 2007) -- The
club has just finished assisting with the 53rd Annual Massillon
Holiday Parade which brings to a close the MARC public service
season. It looked like we had another great parade with terrific
club participation. This continues to remain the oldest public
service event that is handled by the club and our responsibilities
have grown over recent years to include many aspects of parade
operation. The parade was rebroadcast over Massillon Cable TV and
I hope some of you had a chance to view it. The club trailer
looked great on the route and special thanks to Ralph K8HSQ
for loaning us his pickup to pull the trailer in the parade.
(Sep 9, 2007) -- The MARC was recognized by the American
Diabetes Association for our support of the 2007 Tour de Cure Ride
held June 16th in Summit County.
(May 13, 2007) -- Saturday,
April 21st marked the official opening of the 2007 public service
season as members of the MARC assisted with the Annual MS Walk at
Quail Hollow State Park. Sponsored by the Multiple Sclerosis
Society, volunteers staffed rest stops and provided safety &
support communications for this years event. Communications
Coordinator Jason Stroll, KC8LIN reported an excellent event with
no rain or medical incidents for the 300 walkers who took part in
this years event. A special thanks to volunteers Wade Huthmacher -
WD8MIU and Rodger Trompower - KA8FTS who staffed rest stops. Dan
Anastis - N8DZM at Lake Elementary School pickup point and Jason
MS Walk Coordinator.
(July 4, 2006) -- On
Saturday, June 3rd the Massillon Area Clergy Association's
sponsorship of this canoe race brought back an annual event that
MARC used to participate in from 40 to 26 years ago. At that time
it was the "Canal Fulton Canoe Races." The MARC was
called upon for safety communications and we responded by using 2
meter FM at a number of locations along the Ohio and Erie Canal.
(This parallels the river and is quite water as compared to the
river.)
(July 1 , 2004) -- Imagine this scenario, we have been
asked to provide total communications for an entire town of over
3,000 people that is being uprooted and moved 350 miles away. What
am I talking about ? GOBA - The Greater Ohio Bicycle
Adventure, an annual, seven day, 50 mile per day circular bicycle
tour that is considered to be the second largest event in the
country. It is also unique in that it is the largest multiday
event in the country that is supported entirely by amateur radio
communications. Our volunteers, together with the bicycle mobile
amateur radio operators along the route, were a critical link in
their emergency, health & welfare support system for this
years ride. This years event occurred June 19-26 and began in
Medina and ended up their one week later. Using scenic back
country roads, the tour passed through Orrville, New Philadelphia,
Bolivar, and Wooster.
(Updated
Oct 22, 2003) -- On
Sunday afternoon October 5th, members of the Massillon Amateur
Radio Club assisted the Brewster United Methodist Church with
their annual CROP Walk. Known as the Christian Rural Overseas
Program (CROP), is a program that provides interfaith hunger
education sponsored by local churches. The Brewster walk is a
collaboration of over 11 area churches.
Then two weeks later on October 19th the club provided similar
assistance to Massillon's First United Methodist Church under the
direction of Rev Leslie Peine, K8CP also a club member. The four
mile route took the walkers through downtown to the Towpath Trail
and back. Rest stops were set up at the Trailhead by Ernie's
Bicycle Shop and the First Assembly of God Church on Lake Avenue.
Operators were used at both rest stops and monitored the walkers
as they made their way around the four mile course. Our operators
monitored dangerous intersections downtown and as they crossed
Route 21 on Lake Avenue. The clubs Emergency Communications
Trailer was stationed at UMC church and the 147.18 repeater was
used to maintain communications. 
On Tuesday, March 19th, members of the MARC participated in a Red
Cross class held at the Western Stark County Chapter in Massillon.
The class "Introduction To Disaster Services" was
conducted by Bruce Robinson, Director of Emergency Services. 
17 Members of the
MARC under the direction of club Training Coordinator Charlie
Scherger - KB8STV completed the first of what we hope will be a
semi-annual club training program series. Our first attempt at
this type of "no charge" training was FEMA's sponsored
"Emergency Response to Terrorism", presented by the
National Fire Academy. This course, part of FEMA's Independent
Study Program, consists of self-paced courses designed for both
the general public and people who may have emergency
responsibilities, a perfect starter for amateur radio operators
involved in the Amateur Radio Emergency Service. Their website, 
With Charlie as course instructor and assisted by Don Finley -
W8DEF, the basic outline of the course was presented through
slides which defined what terrorism is, types of terrorism
incidents, appropriate responses and basic HAZMAT fundamentals.
Participants were then required to complete a twenty question open
book test at the conclusion of the class. Once submitted,
recipients will receive a nice certificate of completion from
FEMA. 
Public Service has and will continue to be a very important
part of the Amateur Radio Service. Our continued
existence as a hobby may be dependent on our ability to demonstrate a continued
need of our very valuable part of the radio spectrum.
