Amateur radio operators from Centre and Mifflin Counties participated in a Skywarn net to recognize and celebrate the cooperation between the National Weather Service and Amateur Radio Operators. The net was conducted on Saturday, December 5th, 2009 at 9:00 AM from the National Weather Service office in State College, PA.
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Chris Snyder, Emergency Management Specialist for PEMA asked me to post the following information to clarify some information from the 9/26/2009 PEMA conference that was referenced in the report from John, N3SPW, earlier.
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As I’ve mentioned here there is a new set of software available for digital modes. It is commonly called NBEMS for Narrow Band Emergency Messaging System. I’ve installed the software on one of my PCs and find that it works very well and covers all of the available digital modes that I can see. I would like to see other amateur radio operators in Centre County using the software. Click below to see more information:
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The Centre County ARES needs a liaison station(s) to check in to the Western Pennsylvania Phone and Traffic Net and handle traffic (messages) in and out of Centre County.  We haven’t had such a station for years and it really is part of the Amateur Radio Emergency Services system.  I plan to use this station(s) during the SET on October 31, 2009 to handle some drill traffic. 
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One of the purposes of amateur radio is to provide a cadre of trained communicators in times of disaster or emergency. Most of our drills and contests serve as training for emergencies. Yes, contests too. Contests, like most skill competitions, train us on how to exchange information in a fast moving pressurized environment. That is what a disaster is. But that isn’t the only thing we need.
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The below report of the 8/15 EC meeting was submitted by John Swarcz and posted with his permission.  Carmine, K3CWP

Everyone,

 I just wanted to say thank you to all who took the time to attend the WPA Section EC meeting in Brookville last Saturday.  We had a total attendance of 23 people representing ARES groups from all over the section.  There was good food and lots of conversation about issues we face as ARES organizations.  Also in attendance was our Section Manager John Rodgers N3MSE and the ARRL Atlantic Division Director Bill Edgar N3LLR.  

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The Nittany Amateur Radio Club and Centre County ARES in cooperation with the Horseshoe Amateur Radio Club and Blair County ARES and EMA provided communications for the annual Keystone Country Ride of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Keystone Division on Saturday and Sunday, July 25 and 26, 2009.  The bicycle ride is a fundraiser for the Society and covers a total of 150 miles over the two days.  This year 425 bicycle riders participated.

A total of 43 amateur radio operators participated over the two days of the event. Additionally, Blair County EMA provided its mobile communications van (essentially a full blown mobile dispatch center) COMM 1 as Net Control HQ. The van was operated by Scott Beveridge, the Blair County EMA director and Drew, KA3EJV, the Blair County ARES Emergency Coordinator, and provided a direct link into the appropriate 9-1-1 centers.

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Early this evening, Carmine, K3CWP and Ron, K3RON, completed firmware updates and programming of all of the Kenwood TM-D710 radios purchased under the two PEMA grants last year.  This includes:

• Updating the firmware in the main radio, the display panel, and the TNC.
• Wiring the power cable with Anderson Power Pole connectors according to ARES/RACES standards.
• Loading the memory positions with frequencies releavant to operation in Centre County.
• Programming the TNC to operate with the AVMAP GPS Units.