On Wednesday, October 17, 2012 amateur radio operators from Centre County and other areas participated in the annual Emergency Operations Center Exercise held by the Penn State University and Centre Region Council of Governments Emergency Management Offices. The exercise was designed by Hagerty Consulting to bring together University and COG officials in a disaster simulation to test their ability to coordinate and respond to a widespread disaster in the region. The simulation was designed to force response to a tornado touching down in State College, PA and damaging both municipal and University infrastructure, students, and residents. Continue reading
Category Archives: ARES/RACES
Nittany Amateur Radio Club/Centre County Amateurs Assist Penn State 4-H Competitive Trail Ride
The 4-H Competitive Trail Ride sponsored through the Penn State University Extension was held on September 15, 2012 in the Rothrock State Forest. As in past years the ride organizers called on Nittany Amateur Radio Club/Centre County Amateur Radio Emergency Service Operators to provide communications assistance for the event. The ride follows a 28 mile trail through the Rothrock State Forest where there is almost NO communications available save that provided by Amateur Radio. Continue reading
Roy Long Appointed Deputy ACS Officer for Centre County
Roy Long, KB3CZD, of Bellefonte was appointed Deputy Auxiliary Communications Services Officer for Centre County on August 14, 2012. Continue reading
Amateur Radio Operators provide communications during Bike Ride for Moshannon Valley Branch of the Centre County YMCA
Thirteen Amateur Radio Operators (AROs) under the ARES umbrella provided communications assistance for the YMCA’s annual fundraising bike ride in the Black Moshannon State Park Northeast of Phillipsburg, PA on August 11, 2012. The participating AROs were from both the Nittany Amateur Radio Club (NARC) and Phillipsburg Amateur Radio Association (PARA), including AROs from Centre and Clearfield Counties.
Amateur Radio Operators From NARC/Centre County and other counties successfully aid 2012 Multiple Sclerosis Keystone Country Ride
The annual Multiple Sclerosis Society (MSS) Keystone Country Ride was conducted this weekend, July 28 and 29. The event is a fundraiser for the Keystone Chapter of the MS Society. Bicyclists raise money for MSS by riding from Hollidaysburg to State College on the first day, then the reverse on the second day, a total of 150 miles. Amateur radio operators have provided communications support for this event for many years. It is one of the largest public service events Amateur Radio Operators participate in in Central Pennsylvania. The week before the event started out with concerns that we would be unable to field enough amateur radio operators to cover all the positions. However, during the week, including Thursday and Friday a number of operators volunteered. Enough responded to fill all the necessary position, save one on Sunday. Amateurs from Centre, Blair, Huntingdon, and Bedford Counties participated. Read more to see the details.
Moshannon Valley Bike Race Needs Amateur Radio Volunteers
Amateur radio has again been asked to provide communications coverage for the annual fund raising bicycle race of the Moshannon Valley Branch of the Centre County, Pennsylvania YMCA. Members of the NARC and PARA participated last year and while providing serious service we had a good time.
Two Public Service Events Conflict In July 2012
Centre County Amateur radio operators have traditionally provided communications support to the Multiple Sclerosis Society Keystone Country Ride and the Wilderness 101 another, more intense, bicycle ride. For the first time there is a conflict with the dates.
The MS-150 (our term for the Keystone Country Ride) will be held on Saturday and Sunday, July 28 and 29. The Wilderness 101 will be held on Saturday, July 28th. A number of Centre County amateurs like to participate in both events. This conflict will undoubtedly affect the number of volunteers available for both events.
Centre County amateurs are asked to consider which event they want to work, if not both. We don’t have all the logistics in place yet but it may be possible to participate in part of the Wilderness 101 then move to a State College position in the MS-150.
In addition to this the Centre County and Blair County ECs may ask for help from counties other than Centre, Blair, and Huntingdon, our traditional resource pool.
Skywarn Recognition Day Participation 2011
Centre County ARES members participated in the Skywarn Recognition Day event held on Saturday, December 4, 2011 from 09:00 through 10:00. The National Weather Service and ARRL cosponsor the event.
The VHF Station at the State College National Weather Service office was staffed and took check ins and weather reports from Centre and surrounding counties. An experimental HF Station at the Mount Nittany Medical Center was staffed and participated also. Click on Continue Reading to see the list of participants and results. Continue reading
Centre County ARES to Participate In Syywarn Recognition Day
Amateur Radio Operators:
Tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 3d is Skywarn Recognition Day. It is sponsored by the ARRL and the National Weather Service to recognize the ties between amateur radio and the NWS in disaster reporting and awareness.
Tomorrow between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM Centre County ARES will have a mini drill to participate.
- Rick Cabral, KR3C will be at the NWS office in State College staffing their VHF station.
- Carmine Prestia, K3CWP, staff a station that has both VHF and UHF capabilities.
When the Skywarn net is opened on the 146.85 repeater please consider participating by calling into the NWS station and reporting the WX conditions in your area. NWS may also prepare some bulletins for Rick to broadcast.
A number of NWS stations across the country are participating, you can find a full list at http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mtr/hamradio/ as well as the expanded hours (we’re only participating at NWS for the hour). Amateur radio operators who wish to participate on HF are encouraged to do so on any of the bands they are capable of using. If you contact stations and send a log in as instructed, you will receive a certificate.
Thanks in advance for your interest and participation.
Carmine Prestia, K3CWP
Amateur Radio Operators Provide Communications for 4-H Trail Ride
Members of the Nittany Amateur Radio Club provided communications for the annual Pennsylvania 4-H Competitive Trail Ride (The Keystone Ride) on September 24, 2011. This is a horse ride sponsored through the Penn State Extension and is held in the Penn Roosevelt Park in Centre and Mifflin Counties.
Amateur radio operators participating were:
- John, W3JXP
- Woody, K3YV
- Mike, N3LI
- Chuck, WB3AEI
- Eric, W3EDP
- Craig, K3OOL
- Chip, N3IW
- Dean, KB3EWU
- Jim, KB3TBX
John, W3JXP was the contact and organizer for the group. The total of nine (9) volunteers allowed the addition of two more checkpoints. Communications went well with no accidents or injuries to horses or riders. John even reports a new experience of babysitting (horsesitting?) a horse named Sugar. He reports that the horse was better behaved than his cat!
Our thanks to the 4-H for asking us to participate.