On September 20, 2014 the Penn State University Extension hosted the annual 4-H Keystone Ride, a competitive trail ride in the Rothrock State Forest. Thirty one entrants rode their horses over a twenty eight mile course starting and ending at the Penn Roosevelt State Park. Amateur Radio Operators (ARO) from the Nittany Amateur Radio Club (NARC) provided communications throughout the course of the ride. Continue reading
Author Archives: Carmine Prestia
Moshannon Valley YMCA Bike Race a Successful Event
The August 9, 2014 mountain bike race to support the Moshannon Valley branch of the Centre County YMCA was a great success. Eleven (11) amateur radio operators from the Nittany Amateur Radio Club and the Philipsburg Amateur Radio Association provided communications for the event. The operators were stationed at different points along the 18 mile race course. Click on more to see the participating operators and more information about the event: Continue reading
Moshannon Valley Bike Race Maps
These maps are created with MapMyRide and give a good rendition of the race course based on the information available as of 8/6/2014. GPX and KML Versions of the Loop 1 & 2 maps are available by clicking on ‘FILES’ in the above menu.
1st Loop
2nd Loop
YMCA Supplied Map
Note this is a very large file, 23 mb. It has their rendition of the map that is provided to the racers.
Files for operators participating in the Moshannon Valley YMCA Bike Race
The Communications Plan (ICS-205) for the race:
The Assignment sheet (ICS-205A) for the race (Incomplete):
Another Successful MS-150 Keystone Country Ride is History
On Saturday and Sunday the 19th and 20th of July, over twenty Amateur radio operators from Centre, Huntingdon, Blair, Bedford, and Cambria counties again provided communications assistance for the annual Multiple Sclerosis Society Keystone Country Ride in Central Pennsylvania. The ride is an annual fundraising event for the MS Society and involves about 500 riders over 150 miles in two days.
Continue reading
FEMA and ARRL Announce Cooperatieve Agreement
RESCUE RADIO: FEMA AND ARRL ANNOUNCE NEW COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
The ARRL and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have announced a new Memorandum of Agreement. One that is destined to enhance cooperation between the League and FEMA in the area of disaster communication.
ICS Planning Documents for 2014 MS-150
The most recent planning forms for the 2014 MS-150 on July 19 and 20 have been place in the file area of the website. You can click on the ‘Files’ menu item above to get to the files.
Amateurs Assist with Penn State Cycling Club Nittany Classic
Ten ARES amateur radio operators (and family members is a couple cases) provided communications assistance for the Penn State Cycling Club’s annual Nittany Classic Bicycle Race in the Black Moshannon State Forest on Saturday, April 19, 2015. This is a competitive race conducted under the auspices of the Eastern Collegiate Cycling Conference. Click on the link to see the participants read the whole article:
2014 Western PA Emergency Communications Conference
The Western Pennsylvania Emergency Communications Conference is scheduled for June 14, 2014 at the University of Pittsburgh Johnstown Campus. Click on this sentence to go to the website with information on the conference.
Amateur Radio Volunteers Requested for April 19th Bicycle Race.
I have received a request for amateur radio operators to provide communications for the Nittany Cycling Classic, Black Mo’ Road Race, sanctioned by the Eastern Collegiate Cycling Conference. The race will be held on Saturday, April 19, 2014 (yes, the Saturday before Easter). The race is run through the Black Moshannon State Forest/Park. Unlike the Mountain Bike race in the fall it does NOT go through the unimproved trails. The course is on improved roads.
Amateurs volunteering will be asked to report at 9:15 AM for a short briefing and then deployment to their assigned posts. I would like to have at least eight (8) volunteers. The first wave of the race will take off at 10:15 AM. Anticipated end time is about 4:00 PM. Volunteers should have a portable/handheld capable of operation on VHF or UHF amateur frequencies.
If you want to participate and do not have UHF capability a loaner radio MAY be available.
In addition to the race organizers we will be working alongside volunteers from the Hope Fire Company, Centre LifeLink EMS, and DEP rangers. I’ll release more details as I organize them, I just met with the organizer today.
If you wish to volunteer please reply to me here or at k3cwp@arrl.net.