Over the past several months Karl Hosterman, K3ARL, one of the owners of Centre Communications in Centre County has significantly improved APRS coverage in Central Pennsylvania at his own expense.
Author Archives: Carmine Prestia
Amateur participation in MS Keystone Country Ride Successful
On Saturday and Sunday, July 24th and 25th seventeen amateur radio operators from the Nittany Amateur Radio Club (NARC) along with operators from the Horseshoe Amateur Radio Club (Altoona, PA) participated in an Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) drill by providing communications assistance for the 2010 Keystone Country Ride of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Keystone Branch.
FCC Amends Rules Relative to Participation in Drills
Yesterday, July 14th, the FCC issued a Report and Order amending Section 94.113 of the rules to now permit employees of government or non government agencies who are amateur radio licencees to participate in drills. The full Report and Order can be found on the FCC website.
ARES Meeting held
Thirteen Centre County amateur radio operators attended an ARES meeting Tuesday evening, June 29, 2010 at the Centre Region COG building. Centre County EC Carmine Prestia, K3CWP conducted the meeting.
Discussion items were:
- The upcoming MS-150, Keystone Country Ride for the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
- The Wilderness 101 bicycle race on July 31, 2010.
- The possibility of providing communications for a 4-H trail ride. The ride was canceled last year and we have heard nothing to date.
- Possible participation using packet radio in an Ultra Marathon scheduled for October 16, 2010.
Carmine exhibited some of the County Equipment that may be used for the MS-150 and Mike, N3LI demonstrated his mobile tracking station which will also be used during the MS-150.
Volunteers for 2010 MS-150
The following amateur radio operators have volunteered to help with the MS-150 this year as of June 14, 2010:
K3CWP, Carmine, Both Days
K3ERP, Elaine, Both Days
K3YV, Woody, Both Days
N3LI, Mike, Both Days
W3JXP, John, Both Days
W3EDP, Eric, Both Days – Willing to go to Hollidaysburg on Saturday Morning
K3OOL, Craig, Both Days
N3HQN, Don, Both Days
N3EWR, Paul, Both Days
KB3TBX, Jim Alles
KR3C, Rick Cabral, Both Days
KA3GBC, Joe Pelick, Sunday
Centre County ARES Meeting Scheduled
K3CWP, Carmine Prestia, Centre County EC has scheduled a meeting of Centre County ARES for:
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at 7:00 PM
Centre Region Council of Governments
General Forum Meeting Room
2346 Gateway Drive
State College, PA 16801
Registered ARES members and any amateur interested in ARES are invited to attend.
Meeting subjects will include but not be limited to:
The Multiple Sclerosis Keystone Country Ride on July 24 and 25, 2010, and
Demonstration and instruction on the Kenwood 710 VHF/UHF radios available for County ARES operations.
Contact Carmine with questions:
814-238-7857
k3cwp@arrl.net
Skywarn Recogniton Day – The NWS Perspective
Below is the text of a message sent to the Manager of the State College NWS office and other NWS amateur radio operators from Matt Steinbugl, KB3RJW, the NWS employee who coordinated the event with me.
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Skywarn Recognition Day Successful!
Amateur radio operators from Centre and Mifflin Counties participated in a Skywarn net to recognize and celebrate the cooperation between the National Weather Service and Amateur Radio Operators. The net was conducted on Saturday, December 5th, 2009 at 9:00 AM from the National Weather Service office in State College, PA.
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Skywarn Recognition Day
The National Weather Service and the ARRL have announced December 5th, Saturday as Skywarn Recognition Day to celebrate the contributions that volunteer SKYWARN radio operators make to the National Weather Service.
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2009 WPA SET Centre County Successful
The 2009 Section Emergency Test in Centre County was successful this morning, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009. Special thanks to the amateur radio operators named below for their participation. Also thanks to Jody Lair, Assistant Director of Centre County EMA for joining me at the Centre County EMA/EOC office during the drill.
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