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 →

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 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 →

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 →

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 →