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Mahoning County recognizes amateur radio group and spotlights emergency communications ahead of Field Day
Summary
The board formally recognized the Mahoning Valley Amateur Radio Association and highlighted the county—MA integration and a county mobile command van that will be on display at the association—ield Day June 27 nd 28 at the Metro Parks Farm in Canfield.
The Mahoning County Board of Commissioners on June 18 recognized the Mahoning Valley Amateur Radio Association and underscored the group's role in backup emergency communications as the county prepares for Amateur Radio Field Day on June 27 and 28.
Commissioners praised volunteer radio operators for helping maintain communications during large-scale outages and for integrating with the county EMA. "These guys provide a critical volunteer service to us," a presiding official said during the presentation, calling the volunteers "invaluable" in the event of major infrastructure failures.
Connor, representing the Mahoning Valley Amateur Radio Association, described the Field Day exercise and invited the public to the Metro Parks Farm in Canfield (Route 46). "We will be out here locally ... we have eight different transmitters on the air," Connor said, describing modes that include digital, voice and Morse code and explaining the exercise ims to simulate 24 hours of off-grid communications.
Staff and presenters also described the county—MA mobile command van, noted in the meeting at an approximate cost of $800,000, which will be on display during parts of the Field Day. The county said credentialed EMA volunteers will operate the van and that the van was designed to be built out for future capabilities.
The board presented a proclamation recognizing June 27 and 28, 2026 as Amateur Radio Field Day for the Mahoning Valley Amateur Radio Association. The association nd county officials encouraged residents to attend demonstrations Saturday afternoon (the van is scheduled to be available to view around 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.).
The recognition is ceremonial; there was no formal vote required beyond the presentation. The board emphasized that the volunteers strengthen local disaster preparedness by providing alternate communications when commercial systems fail.
