Sunday June 14, 2026 a significant line of storms passed through Central Pennsylvania. The first notices of the event came from National Weather Service warnings and reports from Clearfield County Amateur Radio Club of severe weather. Continue reading
Amateur Radio Operators Assist Communications for the Ironman 70.3 Happy Valley 2026
On Sunday, June 14th, 2026 1,700 athletes participated in the 4th annual Ironman 70.3 Happy Valley Triathalon. Ironman races are held around the world but this is the fourth time the race has been conducted in Centre and Clinton Counties. Athletes start with a 1.2 mile swim at Foster Joseph Sayers lake in Clinton County, then a 56 mile bicycle race through Clinton and Centre Counties to the Penn State University Campus at Beaver Stadium. The final leg is a 13.1 mile run through the Penn State Campus. For the first time this year a group of professional athletes competed in qualifying for the Ironman world championship. Participating athletes came from all over the world.
Public Service Events for 2026
As of June 15, 2026 here are Public Service Events we expect to be working in 2026. If a specific date has not be set then we don’t know it yet. This is early information, it is always possible that things could change. Check back here often. Information on who to contact is provided: Continue reading
Winter Storm Fern of 2026 and Amateur Radio Participation
Saturday and Sunday, January 24th and 25th, Winter Storm Fern struck Centre County and really all of Pennsylvania. Centre County ARES activated to provide local weather reports to the National Weather Service State College Office (NWS CTP) and to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA). PEMA activated the Auxiliary Communications System with amateur radio operators staffing the PEMA station KB3NIA at the Commonwealth EOC near Harrisburg. Depending on where you were Fern dumped between seven and 15 inches of snow on the County. Amateur Radio Operators were active throughout the storm. Continue reading
Amateur Radio Assists Alpha Fire Company Santa Express
Over the past thirty years the Alpha Fire Company of State College, PA has transported Santa Claus through Centre Region around State College. It is one of the most anticipated events the Alphas conduct for the public. Two convoys of fire trucks carry Santa in the bucket of their ariel platforms to greet kids of all ages. Santa’s elves hand out treats to kids, adults, and pets. Amateur radio provided assistance by locating Santa on the routes. Continue reading
Skywarn Recognition Day Centre County ARES Results ** UPDATED**
On Saturday, December 6th, from 1000 to 1100 Centre County ARES in cooperation with the National Weather Service Office in State College (NWS CTP) conduced a drill testing communications for weather events. Both the VHF/UHF stations at NWS CTP (WX3CTP) and the Centre County Emergency Operations Centre (CCEOC) were activated by Greg, K3HOT, and Carmine, K3CWP. Check ins with weather reports from a number of locations and stations were conducted. Continue reading
Skywarn Recognition Day 2025
Skywarn Recognition Day is sponsored by the National Weather Service on the First Saturday of December annually. For 2025, December 6, 2025, ue to fallout from the Federal Government shutdown, NWS has cancelled the 2025 event.
Regardless of the cancellation, Centre Counties ARES will conduct a short exercise on Saturday, December 6, 2025 from 1000 to 1100. Continue reading for details. Continue reading
Amateur Radio Operators Provide Communications for the Unpaved on the Susquehanna Valley
On Sunday, October 12th thirteen amateur radio operators provided communications for the Annual Unpaved of the Susquehanna Valley bicycle race. Five hundred plus riders started in Lewisburg, PA at the Miller Center. Multiple routes were available to riders based on their capabilities/desires. However, the longest component of the ride was over 100 miles through the Bald Eagle State Forest. Continue reading
ARRL announces new online ham class for Technician Class License.
ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio® has introduced a new, fully-interactive two-day online course for ham radio licensing. The ARRL Technician Class LIVE Video Course includes everything needed to prepare for the FCC Technician Class amateur radio license exam. Enrollment is open now for the inaugural course, which will take place December 20 – 21, 2025.
First time communications assistance provided for the Raven Half Marathon in Bald Eagle State Forest
On Sunday, October 5th, 2025, six amateur radio operators provided communications for the Raven Half Marathon foot race in the Bald Eagle State Forest. Although the Raven has been run for a number of years this is the first time they asked for communications assistance. There were ninety runners on the 13.5 mile course beginning and ending at the Poe Valley State Park near the lake. A Headquarters station and four field stations were provided by amateur radio operators. Continue reading