On Saturday and Sunday, July 23 and 24 amateur radio operators from Centre, Blair, and Huntingdon Counties provided communications assistance for the Annual Keystone Country Ride of the Keystone Division of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The ride is a fundraising event that runs from Hollidaysburg, PA to State College, PA and back. That’s a total of 150 miles, and this year there were 640+ riders! Amateur Radio Emergency Services assistance has become an important part of the event. The ride moves through a number of areas where cell phone coverage is non existent but amateur repeaters provide very good coverage and a network that allows all of the communications units hear what is happening.
Category Archives: ARES/RACES
Western PA ARES Registration available online
It is time for Centre County Amateur Radio operators to (re) register for ARES. A number of Centre County filled out paper registration forms several years ago. Those that did, and anyone who would like to register for ARES is asked to submit a new form. This time you can register online.
ARES/NARC Members Provide Communications Assistance for Bicycle Race
On Saturday, April 23, 2011 eight members of Amateur Radio Emergency Services and Nittany Amateur Radio Club provided communications assistance to the Penn State Cycling Club. The club held the Easter Collegiate Cycling Conference District 1 Eastern race in the Black Moshannon State Park near Philipsburg on the western end of Centre County, Pennsylvania.
Amateurs Provide Communications for 4-H Trail Ride
Centre County amateur radio operators provided communications support for the annual Keystone 4-H Horse and Pony Club, Pennsylvania Competitive Trail Ride on Saturday, September 18th through the Rothrock State Forest.
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.
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 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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Comment/Clarification on N3SPW’s report on PEMA Conference 9/26
Chris Snyder, Emergency Management Specialist for PEMA asked me to post the following information to clarify some information from the 9/26/2009 PEMA conference that was referenced in the report from John, N3SPW, earlier.
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NBEMS Digital Modes software for SET
As I’ve mentioned here there is a new set of software available for digital modes. It is commonly called NBEMS for Narrow Band Emergency Messaging System. I’ve installed the software on one of my PCs and find that it works very well and covers all of the available digital modes that I can see. I would like to see other amateur radio operators in Centre County using the software. Click below to see more information:
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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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