Staff photo / J.T. Whitehouse Mahoning Valley Amateur Radio Association President Scott Wilton of Kinsman accepts a plaque from Scott Yonally, director of the Amateur Radio Relay League — Great Lakes Division, and Tom Sly from Kent, who is an Amateur Radio Relay League section manager. The plaque honors the association for being a league member for 100 years.

While the Mahoning Valley Amateur Radio Association prepares for the annual Canfield Fair, its members are cherishing a recent presentation honoring the organization for 100 years of membership in the national Amateur Radio Relay League.

Association President Scott Wilton said the radio league was formed in 1914, two years after the RMS Titanic sank. He said the U.S. government was looking to control radio communications, but hobbyists in amateur radio pushed back and the Amateur Radio Relay League was formed nationwide.

“The ARRL was formed by Clarence Tusca and Hiram Percy Maxim, whose father created the machine gun,” league section manager Tom Sly said. “These two got together to protect the hobby, and that is how ARRL got started.”

ARRL is the nationwide organization recognized by the federal government. The ham radio operators belonging to it are often called during emergencies to set up communications.

“Communications during the North Carolina floods were handled by ham operators,” Sly said.

He added that Federal Communications Commission regulations recognize amateur radio.

“We are mandated to exist and serve the public,” Sly said.

As for the organization, it is the local group of ham operators from around the Mahoning Valley. It was formed in 1919 and became a national league member on Feb. 6, 1925.

“We like to recognize local associations that are ARRL members,” Sly said. “We support our local groups and try to keep people active and moving into the future.”

He said that in Ohio the Mahoning Valley Amateur Radio Association is the third club to reach the 100-year mark. He said roughly 30 clubs nationwide have reached that landmark.

Sly and ARRL Great Lakes Division director Scott Yonally presented the association with a plaque and proclamation from the national ARRL during its annual corn roast in Boardman Park. The majority of the association’s 70 members were present for the presentation.

For association member Dean DeMain, the annual picnic carried a special anniversary as well. This is the 25th year he served as corn roast chairman, a position he enjoys being part of.

This week the membership is preparing for the annual Canfield Fair, an event the association plays a role in.

“We have a room set up at the fairgrounds and provide radio service,” Wilton said. “If there is an emergency, we can get help there fast.”

He said members often work with the Emergency Management Agency and can be activated in emergencies. To do that requires a test to be able to work with the EMA.

Wilton said to get involved in amateur radio today is not that expensive. He said a newcomer can be up and running for under $100.

“Some charge $15 to take the test and $35 for the license,” Wilton said. “We do classes twice a year for free to those looking to get their license.”

He said once a license is obtained, the person can be on the air with a $25 hand-held ham radio.

“Once you are on the air, your license ID becomes your call sign,” he said. “You are required to provide the call sign every 10 minutes on the air.”

The call sign also can be placed on an Ohio license plate. Association member Mike McCleery said a ham operator can fill out a form and have his call sign on his license plate. The plate will have “amateur radio” on the bottom.

Other than the fair and annual corn roast picnic, the association hosts two outdoor events to attract new members. It has a field day at the Mill Creek MetroParks Farm during the summer. This year, the organization presented its first Winter Field Day at the Mahoning Valley Railroad Heritage Foundation on Poland Avenue in Youngstown.

“We set up in one of the cabooses that had heat,” Wilton said. “It was fun.”

For more information, visit MVARA.org.