On Sunday, August 15th six (6) amateur radio operators from Centre and Clearfield Counties provided communications coverage for the Moshannon Valley YMCA Mountain Bike Race held in the Black Moshannon State Park in Eastern Centre County.  The park has a number of very challenging trails through heavily forested areas so the potential for crashes was significant.
Continue reading →

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.

Continue reading →

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.

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.

Continue reading →

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

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.
Continue reading →

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.
Continue reading →

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.
Continue reading →

Attached to this post is the SET plan for the exercise in Centre County on Saturday, October 31, 2009.2009_SET_Plan_20091020

The following amateur radio operators have volunteered to work the SET on Saturday, October, 31, 2009.
Continue reading →