Members of the Nittany Amateur Radio Club (NARC) deployed multiple stations for the Field Day exercise July 22 & 23 at the Pleasant Gap Fire Company Carnival Grounds. They contacted other stations around the country as a test of emergency communications capabilities. Though a contest, Field Day simulates the kind of conditions amateur radio operators might face in a disaster situation. Here is a video of the NARC effort. Thank you Bill, WX2DX.
Author Archives: Carmine Prestia
Local hams participate in ARRL – Red Cross demonstration on May 23d.
In April WPA Section Manager Joe, W3BC contacted Centre County EC Carmine, K3CWP about participation in a demonstration of amateur radio communications for the ARRL and American Red Cross. The demonstration was scheduled for Thursday May 23d. ARRL officials were looking for field communications between various locations in multiple states and ARRL HQ in Newington, CT on HF frequencies. Messages would be relayed from the field to ARRL and then sent to a station in Baltimore, MD set up for the ARC/FEMA disaster preparedness conference that week. Only fully portable stations operating completely off the grid and using portable antennas were to be used. These stations should also have digital capabilities, all of this was a challenge. Continue reading
Skywarn Operations Conducted at NWS CTP five times in May 2019
Spring weather being what it is the National Weather Service office in State College requested amateur radio assistance to activate Skywarn operations from their amateur radio station. Greg, K3HOT staffed the station on each activation. Communications were successful through much of the area covered by NWS-CTP, thirty three counties in Central Pennsylvania. Continue reading
Skywarn Net Activated May 19, 2019 at 15:35
At request of NWS, Mike, Greg, K3HOT responded to the NWS CTP office to monitor Skywarn networks around the area. Somewhat later Carmine, K3CWP also staffed the station. Continue reading
Request for amateurs to participate in 2019 Bike MS Glimcher Keystone Country Ride
Fellow Amateur Radio Operators,
It may seem quite a ways off yet, but planning for the 2019 Bike MS: Glimcher Keystone Country Ride Amateur Radio Public Service Event is going on now. This year’s Ride will be Saturday, July 20 and Sunday, July 21, 2019. The Ride is over two days and covers 150 miles. On the first day, the Ride goes from Hollidaysburg, PA, to State College, PA. On the second day, it’s back to Hollidaysburg from State College. Continue reading
Skywarn Training Completed
On Saturday the twenty third of February 20 individuals completed Skywarn training at the National Weather Service office in State College, PA. Continue reading
Impromptu Skywarn Net Activated Today
At 10:00 Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019 K3CWP, Carmine, went to the NWS CTP office in State College to activate a Skywarn net. Though assistance had not been requested Central Pennsylvania was in the midst of a winter weather event, Winter storm Maya. Continue reading
Amateur Radio Operators Provide Real Time Snowfall/Weather Reports to PEMA during winter storm Harper
Amateur radio operators from all over Pennsylvania and a couple neighboring states provide reports to PEMA Headquarters on HF Saturday and Sunday, January 19 and 20. PEMA broadcast the following after the event: Continue reading
PEMA Activates ACS for Winter Weather Event
Due to the predicted winter storm, ACS will be Activating from Saturday 1/19 08:00 Thru Monday 1/21 TBD an HF Net will be established on the HQ Primary Daytime and Nighttime Frequencies starting on Saturday at 0800. PEMA ACS will also monitor the PaNBEMS HF Frequencies and PEMA ACS DMR Talkgroup on the Brandmister network starting at that time. Stations are asked to report their current weather conditions. This information will be used to provide PEMA with corroborating information on where the snow, ice, and rain is occurring throughout PA for situational awareness and operations planning. Click the link to the ICS-205 for operation details/frequencies for this event. Please be sure to read the notes in Box 5 special instructions. If anyone has any questions please feel free to email me at acso@pa.gov (PEMA ACS Officer).
NWS CTP Receives Skywarn ‘Wildfires’ Certificate for participation in Skywarn Recognition Day with Central Pennsylvania Hams
Matt Steinbugl, K3MRS, of the State College office to the National Weather Service reported that they received the Skywarn “Wildfire” certificate for the 28 contacts made from the NWS CTP office on Skywarn Recognition Day (12/1/2018). Continue reading