About Carmine Prestia

Amateur Radio Extra Class License K3CWP ARES Emergency Coordinator, Centre County PA RACES/ACS Radio Officer, Centre Centre County PA

Amateur Radio Operators participate in Penn State/Centre Region COG exercise

On Wednesday, October 17, 2012 amateur radio operators from Centre County and other areas participated in the annual Emergency Operations Center Exercise held by the Penn State University and Centre Region Council of Governments Emergency Management Offices.  The exercise was designed by Hagerty Consulting to bring together University and COG officials in a disaster simulation to test their ability to coordinate and respond to a widespread disaster in the region.  The simulation was designed to force response to a tornado touching down in State College, PA and damaging both municipal and University infrastructure, students, and residents. Continue reading

Centre County/NARC hams help with American Veterans’ Appreciation Day at Lake Raystown

On Saturday, September 9th, 2012, Carmine, K3CWP and Elaine, K3ERP, Prestia provided amateur radio support to the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary District 5 Northeastern Region, Bedford County (PA) Amateur Radio Society, and the Disabled American Veterans (Virginia and Pennsylvania Chapters) at Lake Raystown for the American Veterans’ Appreciation Day. Continue reading

Nittany Amateur Radio Club/Centre County Amateurs Assist Penn State 4-H Competitive Trail Ride

The 4-H Competitive Trail Ride sponsored through the Penn State University Extension was held on September 15, 2012 in the Rothrock State Forest.  As in past years the ride organizers called on Nittany Amateur Radio Club/Centre County Amateur Radio Emergency Service Operators to provide communications assistance for the event.  The ride follows a 28 mile trail through the Rothrock State Forest where there is almost NO communications available save that provided by Amateur Radio. Continue reading

Amateur Radio Operators provide communications during Bike Ride for Moshannon Valley Branch of the Centre County YMCA

Thirteen Amateur Radio Operators (AROs) under the ARES umbrella provided communications assistance for the YMCA’s annual fundraising bike ride in the Black Moshannon State Park Northeast of Phillipsburg, PA on August 11, 2012.  The participating AROs were from both the Nittany Amateur Radio Club (NARC) and Phillipsburg Amateur Radio Association (PARA), including AROs from Centre and Clearfield Counties.

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Amateur Radio Operators From NARC/Centre County and other counties successfully aid 2012 Multiple Sclerosis Keystone Country Ride

The annual Multiple Sclerosis Society (MSS) Keystone Country Ride was conducted this weekend, July 28 and 29.  The event is a fundraiser for the Keystone Chapter of the MS Society.  Bicyclists raise money for MSS by riding from Hollidaysburg to State College on the first day, then the reverse on the second day, a total of 150 miles.  Amateur radio operators have provided communications support for this event for many years. It is one of the largest public service events Amateur Radio Operators participate in in Central Pennsylvania.  The week before the event started out with concerns that we would be unable to field enough amateur radio operators to cover all the positions. However, during the week, including Thursday and Friday a number of operators volunteered.  Enough responded to fill all the necessary position, save one on Sunday.  Amateurs from Centre, Blair, Huntingdon, and Bedford Counties participated.  Read more to see the details.

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