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
Category Archives: ARES/RACES
ARRL WPA Section VHF Simplex and HF frequencies ICS-205s added
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
Amateur Radio Public Service Events for 2023
As of January 31, 2022 there are several public service events that have contacted me and requested amateur radio assistance. They are listed on the calendar but here are the dates for those who want to pencil them in early or volunteer. Unless otherwise indicated below contact Carmine, K3CWP at k3cwp@arrl.net to volunteer for an event.
- Multiple Sclerosis Glimcher Keystone Country Ride TENTATIVE, July 15-16, 2023
- Begins and ends at the Penn Stater Hotel in Centre County, PA
Thank you.
Centre County Amateurs Assist the Rothrock Grit Bicycle Ride
On Saturday, June 11th the Happy Valley Women’s Cycling Team (HVWC) held their annual Rothrock Grit Gravel Grinder Race. This is a 66 mile race over various trails and roads in the Rothrock State Forest. Several hundred bicycle racers took to the course at 09:00. Six Centre County Amateur Radio Operators provided communications among three support stations and race headquarters. Continue reading
K3HOT/R Amateur Radio Repeater Information
A new Amateur Radio Service repeater is now in operation in Centre County.
The K3HOT repeater located on Rattlesnake Mountain operates on a frequency of 443.425mhz with a CTCSS of 107.2hz (pl 1B). The repeater is linked fulltime (a simulcast) with the W3ND repeater 145.11 at Harrisburg. This repeater serves as the PEMA auxiliary communications service repeater for the lower Susquehanna valley. The W3ND repeater also serves as the primary Skywarn repeater for a 10 county area. Continue reading
Centre County Skywarn Recognition Day 2021 Participation
UPDATE: 12/3/2021 @ 1632.
Click here to see a list of Skywarn Recognition Day Registration Numbers. You can still register if you wish but they don’t guarantee a number before SRD starts this evening.
Click here to see a list of participating stations. I imagine this will update as stations register, so check often.
Centre County amateur radio operators are invited to participate in Skywarn Recognition Day on December 3 & 4, 2021. We hope to have contacts on HF, VHF, and UHF. Participation details may be found in the following document
Participants may register at:
National Weather Service Skywarn Recognition Day
Amateur Radio provides communications for the Unpaved Bicycle Race
On Sunday, October 10, 2021, Amateur Radio operators provided communications for the Unpaved of the Susquehanna Valley bicycle race. The race starts in Lewisburg, PA and winds its way south west through the Bald Eagle State Forest back to Lewisburg. It is a particularly long race, the longest course is 120 miles with several other shorter courses possible. Near 1,200 riders registered for the race with about 800 riding. The reduced number was probably a result of the rainy weather. Continue reading
Local amateur radio operators assist Public Lands Ride
Five amateur radio operators provided communications assistance for the Pennsylvania Environmental Council Public Lands Ride on October 2, 2021. The course covered sixty five miles of mixed surface roads and paths in the Black Moshannon State Forest. About eighty-eight bicyclists rode the courses. Continue reading
Volunteers needed for TWO events on October 2, 2021
Centre County (and other) amateur radio operators (ARO) have the opportunity to volunteer for two events on October 2, 2021; the Pennsylvania Environmental Council Public Lands Ride (Bicycle) and the ARRL Simulated Emergency Test. Continue reading
Multiple Sclerosis Glimcher Keystone Country Ride – Public Service
The annual Glimcher Keystone Country Ride (GKCR) was back this weekend! Canceled last year as a result of the Pandemic, the ride was one day covering seventy-file miles in central Pennsylvania. The Multiple Sclerosis Society (MSS) again asked for communications assistance from Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES). Twenty three amateur radio operators from Centre, Blair, Venango, and Bedford Counties volunteered along with two from Maryland. Three relatives of participating amateurs also participated.