The file linked below contains a listing of the Western Pennsylvania ARES nets, their frequencies, schedules, and other pertinent information. Prepared by WPA SEC, John, N3SPW.
Author Archives: Carmine Prestia
Volunteers requested for 2009 Section Emergency Test
On October 31ST from 09:00 hours to 12:00 hours local time the ARRL Western Pennsylvania Section will be conducting a Simulated Emergency Test, or SET. The Centre County ARES organization will be participating in the SET.
The purpose of the SET is to test readiness to handle emergency communications in Centre County and the ARRL Western Pennsylvania Section. All amateur radio operators are welcome to participate.
Interested volunteers may contact me at k3cwp@arrl.net, on the air, or after the Sunday night ARES net on 146.85. Again, the simulated emergency test will be held on October 31ST from 09:00 hours to 12:00 hours local time.
73, Carmine, K3CWP
Recommended EmComm Training for Amateur Radio Operators
One of the purposes of amateur radio is to provide a cadre of trained communicators in times of disaster or emergency. Most of our drills and contests serve as training for emergencies. Yes, contests too. Contests, like most skill competitions, train us on how to exchange information in a fast moving pressurized environment. That is what a disaster is. But that isn’t the only thing we need.
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SEC John, N3SPW reports on WPA EC Meeting
The below report of the 8/15 EC meeting was submitted by John Swarcz and posted with his permission. Carmine, K3CWP
Everyone,
I just wanted to say thank you to all who took the time to attend the WPA Section EC meeting in Brookville last Saturday. We had a total attendance of 23 people representing ARES groups from all over the section. There was good food and lots of conversation about issues we face as ARES organizations. Also in attendance was our Section Manager John Rodgers N3MSE and the ARRL Atlantic Division Director Bill Edgar N3LLR.
County EC attends WPA meeting
K3CWP, Carmine, Centre County EC attended a meeting of the ECs of the ARRL Western Pennsylvania Section. The meeting was held in Brookville, PA on Saturday August 15, 2009. N3SPW, John called the meeting to discuss a number of items related to amateur radio and emergency preparedness in the section.
APRS antenna shifted to provide better coverage
K3ARL, Karl, co-owner of Centre Communications, recently shifted the antenna on his digipeater, K3ARL-1, to provide better APRS coverage to the north of Centre County.
Amateur Radio Operators provide parade communications
On Friday, August 7, Nittany Amateur Radio Club and Amateur Radio Emergency Services volunteers provided communications for the Gatesburg, Pennsylvania bicentennial parade. Gatesburg is a small town in Ferguson Township, Centre County to the southwest of State College.
NARC/ARES Amateurs provide communications for Mountain Bike Race
Amateur radio operators from the Nittany Amateur Radio Club and Centre and Blair County Pennsylvania ARES provided vital communications for the Wilderness 101 bicycle race on Saturday, August 1, 2009. This is an aggressive mountain-bike race that runs for 101 miles through state forest trails in central Pennsylvania.
ARES Participation in 2009 MS-150 Successful
The Nittany Amateur Radio Club and Centre County ARES in cooperation with the Horseshoe Amateur Radio Club and Blair County ARES and EMA provided communications for the annual Keystone Country Ride of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Keystone Division on Saturday and Sunday, July 25 and 26, 2009. The bicycle ride is a fundraiser for the Society and covers a total of 150 miles over the two days. This year 425 bicycle riders participated.
A total of 43 amateur radio operators participated over the two days of the event. Additionally, Blair County EMA provided its mobile communications van (essentially a full blown mobile dispatch center) COMM 1 as Net Control HQ. The van was operated by Scott Beveridge, the Blair County EMA director and Drew, KA3EJV, the Blair County ARES Emergency Coordinator, and provided a direct link into the appropriate 9-1-1 centers.
RACES Radios Programmed
Early this evening, Carmine, K3CWP and Ron, K3RON, completed firmware updates and programming of all of the Kenwood TM-D710 radios purchased under the two PEMA grants last year. This includes:
- Updating the firmware in the main radio, the display panel, and the TNC.
- Wiring the power cable with Anderson Power Pole connectors according to ARES/RACES standards.
- Loading the memory positions with frequencies releavant to operation in Centre County.
- Programming the TNC to operate with the AVMAP GPS Units.