Skywarn Recognition Day is sponsored by the National Weather Service on the First Saturday of December annually. For 2025, December 6, 2025, ue to fallout from the Federal Government shutdown, NWS has cancelled the 2025 event.
Regardless of the cancellation, Centre Counties ARES will conduct a short exercise on Saturday, December 6, 2025 from 1000 to 1100. Continue reading for details. Continue reading
On Sunday, October 12th thirteen amateur radio operators provided communications for the Annual Unpaved of the Susquehanna Valley bicycle race. Five hundred plus riders started in Lewisburg, PA at the Miller Center. Multiple routes were available to riders based on their capabilities/desires. However, the longest component of the ride was over 100 miles through the Bald Eagle State Forest. Continue reading
On Sunday, October 5th, 2025, six amateur radio operators provided communications for the Raven Half Marathon foot race in the Bald Eagle State Forest. Although the Raven has been run for a number of years this is the first time they asked for communications assistance. There were ninety runners on the 13.5 mile course beginning and ending at the Poe Valley State Park near the lake. A Headquarters station and four field stations were provided by amateur radio operators. Continue reading
The Pennsylvania Trail Riders’ Association held the annual Seven Mountains Dual Sport Motorcycle Ride in the Bald Eagle State Forest on Saturday the 6th of September. Two hundred forty motorcycle riders left the Union County Sportsmen’s Club at 0900 to ride over 100 miles through the forest and return. Riders had to negotiate everything from paved roads to rough and rocky trails. To complicate the ride the day began with rain that makes the dirt and rock sections seem like they are paved with grease. Over such a course, communications are vital to keep things moving and provide aid if needed. The forest has very little cellular coverage so PTRA asks Amateur Radio to help out. Continue reading
Sixteen amateur radio operators and some family members provided essential communications for the annual Multiple Sclerosis Society Glimcher Keystone Country Ride on June 21 and 22, 2025. The Saturday and Sunday event features two seventy five mile courses each day plus a couple shorter versions of the ride. That’s a total of 150 miles. The ride starts and ends at the Penn Stater Hotel in State College each day. The Saturday ride loops south through Centre, Blair, and Huntingdon counties. The Sunday ride loops north Centre and Clinton Counties. A predicted heat wave on Sunday was a concern with temperatures and the heat index expected to be around 100°. Continue reading
The Rothrock Grit Gravel Grinder bicycle race was held on Saturday June 7th in Centre County, PA. The race starts and ends near the Tussey Mountain Resort east of Boalsburg. Three components of the race, 25, 45, and 65 miles, accommodate most any rider. The courses are on gravel roads in the Rothrock State Forest. Roads and trails can be quite challenging so communications with the field is important. Four amateur radio operators provided communications for the race. Continue reading
Sunday, June 15th local amateur radio operators provided communications support for the third annual Ironman 70.3 Happy Valley. Over 1,000 athletes participated in the triathlon with an early morning 1.5 mile swim in Sayers lake, a 55 mile bicycle race, and a foot race through the Penn State University campus. The race takes place in Clinton and Centre Counties Pennsylvania. Nine amateur radio operators were placed at locations along the bicycle route as well as Net Control embedded in the Penn State University emergency communications center. Continue reading
On June 5, 2025 a new law goes into effect in Pennsylvania. Section 3316.1 of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code prohibits using an “interactive mobile device while driving a motor vehicle”. Driving includes being temporarily stopped at a traffic light or stop sign. The law makes it clear that holding a device with your hand or another part of the body while driving constitutes ‘using’ the device. Hands free operation is permitted. Under the definitions of “Interactive Mobile Device” in Section 102 using an amateur radio would be a violation of Section 3316.1. However, Continue reading