Eight amateur radio operators provided communications assistance for the annual Rothrock Grit Gravel Grinder (what a name) bicycle race through the Rothrock State Forest on June 3, 2023. The race courses cover sixty-five miles over gravel roads and unimproved trails. Between 250 and 300 riders participated. Operations continued from 07:00 through 16:30 hours. Though most of these races are uneventful but this year’s was different, with one very serious crash requiring a lot of radio traffic between headquarters and the crash sites. Continue reading
Category Archives: Events
Unpaved of the Susquehanna River Valley and Amateur Radio
On Sunday October 9th the Unpaved of the Susquehanna River Valley was held in the Bald Eagle State Forest. Eight hundred riders started from the Miller Center in Lewisburg, PA to ride several routes in the Forest, one of these was over one hundred twenty miles. The race is true to its name with very little of the courses being over anything that could be considered ‘paved’. The courses were all loops that ended at the Rusty Rail in Mifflinburg about ten miles south west of Lewisburg on the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail. Ten amateur radio operators provided communications support between five aid stations and Incident Command at the Miller Center throughout the day. Continue reading
Amateur Radio Operators Provide Communications for PATRA Dual Sport Motorcycle Ride
On September 10, 2022 the Pennsylvania Trail Riders Association conducted its annual Dual Sport Motorcycle Ride in the Bald Eagle State Forest. About 280 motorcyclists participated in the course covering various routes through the forest. The routes included everything from paved roads to trails that could only be traversed by hikers, mountain bikers, dirt bikes, or high clearance 4WD vehicles. The course also included many changes in elevation between mountains and valleys. It is a challenging all day course and there is no cell phone coverage on most of the route. Amateur radio provided communications throughout the day. Continue reading
Amateur Radio Public Service Events for 2023
As of January 31, 2022 there are several public service events that have contacted me and requested amateur radio assistance. They are listed on the calendar but here are the dates for those who want to pencil them in early or volunteer. Unless otherwise indicated below contact Carmine, K3CWP at k3cwp@arrl.net to volunteer for an event.
- Multiple Sclerosis Glimcher Keystone Country Ride TENTATIVE, July 15-16, 2023
- Begins and ends at the Penn Stater Hotel in Centre County, PA
Thank you.
Centre County Amateurs Assist the Rothrock Grit Bicycle Ride
On Saturday, June 11th the Happy Valley Women’s Cycling Team (HVWC) held their annual Rothrock Grit Gravel Grinder Race. This is a 66 mile race over various trails and roads in the Rothrock State Forest. Several hundred bicycle racers took to the course at 09:00. Six Centre County Amateur Radio Operators provided communications among three support stations and race headquarters. Continue reading
Nittany Amateur Radio Club members assist Alpha Fire Company Santa Express
Santa Claus appeared in Centre Region neighborhoods Christmas Eve courtesy of the Alpha Fire Company. For more that two decades AFC used their fire truck sleighs decked with Christmas lights bringing Santa to the neighborhoods to the delight of children of all ages. So everyone had a chance to see Santa and his elves Woody, K3YV, and Carmine, K3CWP, equipped Santa’s sleigh with APRS beacons. Continue reading
Amateur Radio provides communications for the Unpaved Bicycle Race
On Sunday, October 10, 2021, Amateur Radio operators provided communications for the Unpaved of the Susquehanna Valley bicycle race. The race starts in Lewisburg, PA and winds its way south west through the Bald Eagle State Forest back to Lewisburg. It is a particularly long race, the longest course is 120 miles with several other shorter courses possible. Near 1,200 riders registered for the race with about 800 riding. The reduced number was probably a result of the rainy weather. Continue reading
Local amateur radio operators assist Public Lands Ride
Five amateur radio operators provided communications assistance for the Pennsylvania Environmental Council Public Lands Ride on October 2, 2021. The course covered sixty five miles of mixed surface roads and paths in the Black Moshannon State Forest. About eighty-eight bicyclists rode the courses. Continue reading
Volunteers needed for TWO events on October 2, 2021
Centre County (and other) amateur radio operators (ARO) have the opportunity to volunteer for two events on October 2, 2021; the Pennsylvania Environmental Council Public Lands Ride (Bicycle) and the ARRL Simulated Emergency Test. Continue reading
Multiple Sclerosis Glimcher Keystone Country Ride – Public Service
The annual Glimcher Keystone Country Ride (GKCR) was back this weekend! Canceled last year as a result of the Pandemic, the ride was one day covering seventy-file miles in central Pennsylvania. The Multiple Sclerosis Society (MSS) again asked for communications assistance from Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES). Twenty three amateur radio operators from Centre, Blair, Venango, and Bedford Counties volunteered along with two from Maryland. Three relatives of participating amateurs also participated.