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
Author Archives: Carmine Prestia
Public Service Events for 2026
As of January 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
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
ARRL Announces Grassroots Campaign to Show Support for the Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act – IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Amateur Radio Operators:
Bipartisan bills that have been introduced in the United States Congress — H.R.1094 in the House and S.459 in the Senate — are designed to prevent restrictive homeowners’ association (HOA) rules that currently prohibit or severely limit the installation of amateur radio antennas, even when such antennas are hidden in trees, placed in attics, mounted on vehicles, or look like flagpoles.
The ARRL has launched a grassroots campaign of support for these bills. To make it easy for amateurs to let their congressional representative know about their support the ARRL has provided a method to generate support letters to your representatives by going to the ARRL page and entering your call sign in a form. The form will generate your address information and compose letters to YOUR representatives and then send them.
You can find this information by clicking here. There is complete information and you can read the text of the letter before doing anything. You do NOT have to be a member of the ARRL to participate. If you want you can print or copy the letter and modify it to express more personal support.
Please consider doing this, the bill is important. HOA regulations have severely restricted the ability of many amateur radio operators to participate in our operations, including support for emergency preparedness and government support.
Thank you.
Carmine Prestia, K3CWP
Amateur Radio Operators Handle Very Active Communications for PTRA Dual Sport 2025 – UPDATE
The Pennsylvania Trail Riders’ Association held the annual Seven Mountains Dual Sport Motorcycle Ride in the Bald Eagle State Forest on Saturday the 6th of September. Two hundred forty motorcycle riders left the Union County Sportsmen’s Club at 0900 to ride over 100 miles through the forest and return. Riders had to negotiate everything from paved roads to rough and rocky trails. To complicate the ride the day began with rain that makes the dirt and rock sections seem like they are paved with grease. Over such a course, communications are vital to keep things moving and provide aid if needed. The forest has very little cellular coverage so PTRA asks Amateur Radio to help out. Continue reading