Opportunities for public service yet this year. If you want to volunteer for any of the events not coordinated by Nittany Amateur Radio Club contact Carmine at k3cwp@arrl.net.
Watch this space for more information, especially how to sign up to help.
The Pennsylvania Keystone Chapter of The National Multiple Sclerosis Society completed another Glimcher Keystone Country Ride on July 15th and 16th through Centre, Clinton, Huntingdon, and Blair Counties in Central Pennsylvania. The ride is composed of two seventy five mile loops on each day. It starts at the Penn Stater Hotel in State College and goes south then back. On day two it goes north then back to the Penn Stater. About 100 riders participated in the event to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis research and support for victims of the disease. The ride has been conducted for 20+ years and one rider and his team, Rob Glimcher, has raised more than $2 million for the event during that time.
Centre County and the counties around us are well into the public service season. Though much of our service will place us on trails in unimproved areas we are often on roads where runners, bicyclists, and/or motor vehicles are operating. This places us at a risk of being struck by one or more of the above. As a First Responder I monitor a Facebook Group related to Traffic Incident Management. The number of first responders struck and killed on our highways is simply appalling. Continue reading
Very good article from domesticpreparedness.com.
As advocates for amateur radio and firm believers in the importance of emergency preparedness, it is critical to raise public awareness and promote active engagement in emergency preparedness through the lens of amateur radio. In today’s unpredictable world, individuals must have the knowledge and tools to handle emergencies effectively. Amateur radio is vital in connecting communities and providing essential communication during crises. By sharing practical tips, resources, and success stories, individuals can explore amateur radio as a rewarding and empowering avenue to contribute to national safety. Embracing amateur radio as a tool for communication and community support fosters a culture of resilience and preparedness to overcome future challenges.
Eight amateur radio operators provided communications assistance for the annual Rothrock Grit Gravel Grinder (what a name) bicycle race through the Rothrock State Forest on June 3, 2023. The race courses cover sixty-five miles over gravel roads and unimproved trails. Between 250 and 300 riders participated. Operations continued from 07:00 through 16:30 hours. Though most of these races are uneventful but this year’s was different, with one very serious crash requiring a lot of radio traffic between headquarters and the crash sites. Continue reading
On Sunday October 9th the Unpaved of the Susquehanna River Valley was held in the Bald Eagle State Forest. Eight hundred riders started from the Miller Center in Lewisburg, PA to ride several routes in the Forest, one of these was over one hundred twenty miles. The race is true to its name with very little of the courses being over anything that could be considered ‘paved’. The courses were all loops that ended at the Rusty Rail in Mifflinburg about ten miles south west of Lewisburg on the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail. Ten amateur radio operators provided communications support between five aid stations and Incident Command at the Miller Center throughout the day. Continue reading
On Saturday October 2, 2022, five Centre County Amateurs participated in the Annual ARRL Simulated Emergency Test from 13:30 UTC (09:30 Local) to 14:30 UTC (11:30 Local). This year’s drill simulated a major snow and cold weather event over the Western Pennsylvania section:
“A massive snow event and below zero temperatures have blanketed the entire Western Pennsylvania Section, downing power lines, blocking traffic and necessitating the
evacuation of large numbers of people to shelters in every county in the the Section.”
On September 10, 2022 the Pennsylvania Trail Riders Association conducted its annual Dual Sport Motorcycle Ride in the Bald Eagle State Forest. About 280 motorcyclists participated in the course covering various routes through the forest. The routes included everything from paved roads to trails that could only be traversed by hikers, mountain bikers, dirt bikes, or high clearance 4WD vehicles. The course also included many changes in elevation between mountains and valleys. It is a challenging all day course and there is no cell phone coverage on most of the route. Amateur radio provided communications throughout the day. Continue reading
Joe, W3BC, Section Manager provided two ICS-205 forms with VHF simplex and HF frequencies recommended for use during public service events, drills, and disasters. You can find links below and can download and use them whenever and wherever you find it appropriate. Continue reading