Zoom class available to upgrade to Amateur Extra Class License

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For anyone interested in taking a class to upgrade to Amateur Extra Class License:

A free, weekly, live, Amateur Radio Extra Class Licensing course on Zoom will begin on Thursday, January 16, 2025, and will run through Thursday, March 27.  There will be 11 sessions.  The three-hour sessions will start at 6:30 PM Eastern Time.  Sessions will be recorded.  Those attending should hold (or be studying for) the General Class Amateur Radio License.  These are the classes that we have been holding for years sponsored by the National Electronics Museum.  Please publicize this with anyone that you think would be interested.  Those wishing to sign up should email roland.anders@comcast.net.

 

Skywarn Recognition Day – December 7, 2024

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Skywarn™ Recognition Day (SRD) was developed in 1999 by the National Weather Service and the American Radio Relay League. It celebrates the contributions that Skywarn™ volunteers make to the NWS mission, the protection of life and property.

SRD will be held on December 7, 2024 from 0000z to 2400z (December 6 7 pm ET – December 7 7 pm ET).  The objective for SRD will be

“For all amateur stations to exchange QSO information with as many Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotters and National Weather Service Stations as possible on 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6, 2 meter and 70 centimeter bands. Contacts via repeaters are permitted. SKYWARN™ Recognition Day serves to celebrate the contributions to public safety made by amateur radio operators during severe weather events of the past year.” Continue reading →

Amateur Radio Operators Assist Unpaved of the Susquehanna Valley Bicycle Race

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On Sunday October 13th, 2024 nine amateur radio operators provided communications coordination for the annual Unpaved of the Susquehanna Valley bicycle race.  The race starts and ends in Lewisburg, PA and runs a maximum of 120 miles through the Bald Eagle State Forest.  This year 271 riders participated in the race.  Amateur communications assisted with race administration and several calls relating to injured riders and an ambulance. Continue reading →

Western Pennsylvania Skywarn Exercise, October 19,2024

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Between 10:00 and 12:00 on Saturday the nineteenth of October, Western Pennsylvania amateur radio operators cooperated with the National Weather Service offices in State College and Pittsburgh to test amateur communications capabilities throughout the ARRL WPA Section.  It turned out to be a very successful drill confirming the ability of the State College NWS office (NWS CTP) to communicate over a wide area, including contact with the Pittsburgh office (NWS PBZ). Continue reading →

Amateur Radio and the PATRA Dual Sport Motorcycle Ride 2024

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What started as a cold and rainy day on Saturday September 7, 2024 wound up bright and dry(er) but still cold for the Pennsylvania Trail Rider’s Association annual 7 Mountains Dual Sport Motorcycle Ride in the Bald Eagle State Forest.  One hundred eighty five motorcyclists started from the Union County Sportsmen’s Club in Weikert, PA and rode various trails through the forest to the Track and Trail Motorcycle dealership just off Route 322 outside State College.  After lunch, they turned around and rode back to the Sportsmen’s club.  Good communications is vital to the safety and orderly conduct of the ride.  The ride tracks through four different Pennsylvania Counties: Union, Centre, Mifflin, and Snyder. There is NO cell service in the Weikert area and throughout most of the forest, so amateur radio provided all the communications for the ride organizers. Continue reading →

Amateur communications for Second Annual Ironman 70.3 Happy Valley Triathlon

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Amateur radio operators from several counties again provided communications assistance for the Happy Valley Ironman on June 30, 2024.  About 1,600 athletes competed in the swimming, bicycling, and running event.  The race started at the Foster Joseph Sayers lake near Howard, Pennsylvania and ended at Beaver Stadium on the Pennsylvania State University campus. Continue reading →

Amateur Radio Operators Provide Communications For the 2024 MS Glimcher Keystone Country Ride

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On June 22 and 23, 2024 fifteen amateur radio operators and two non-ham family members provide communications for the Annual Glimcher Keystone Country Ride for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS).  Usually covering 150 miles over two days the NMSS decided to limit the riders to 50 miles each day because of the brutal heat wave covering Central Pennsylvania.  NMSS wanted to limit the exposure of the riders, volunteers, and staff to the 100° plus heat index. Continue reading →

Successful Communications for the Rothrock Grit Gravel Grinder

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ARES operators provided communications assistance for the 2024 edition of the Rothrock Grit Gravel Grinder in Pennsylvania’s Rothrock State Forest.  About 200 riders participated over the three different courses, the longest being 65 miles.  Amateur radio operators staffed three aid stations; Headquarters at Tussey Mountain Lodge, Penn Roosevelt State Park, and the Hammer station at North Meadows Road and Treaster Kettle Road.  Although there was only one minor emergency the stations relayed operational information to and from headquarters. Continue reading →

Senate Bill 37 and Amateur Radio – update

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After all the discussion about Senate Bill 37 many amateur radio operators contacted their senators and other legislative contacts about the effect this bill would have on mobile operation, especially for drills and training.  Thank you to those who took the time.  Several days ago Bob, KC3KVS did further research and found that the language of the bill is forced by federal requirements.  Bob’s research is below. Continue reading →