On Saturday, August 10th fourteen amateur radio operators, and three family members from Centre, Clearfield, and Blair counties provided communications for the annual Moshannon Valley Branch of the Centre County YMCA Bicycle Race. All of the posts that race organizers asked to have covered were staffed. This may be the first time that has happened and helped make things go well. Fifty three bicycle riders participated. Click the link to see the full story. Continue reading
Category Archives: ARES/RACES
State College National Weather Service Skywarn Recognition Day
Saturday December 1, 2012 was Skywarn Recognition Day. Unfortunately, the Centre County EC, K3CWP, was tied up on other matters and was unable to work on local participation. Matt Steinbugl, K3MRS, of the State College Office of the National Weather Service did sign on at about 09:00 and was answered by Carmine, K3CWP and John, W3JXP.
Penn State Amateur Radio Operators Visit PSU/COG EOC
On November 28, 2012 the Penn State Amateur Radio Club held its regular meeting at the Penn State/Centre Region Emergency Operations Center in the Police Station at Beaver Stadium. The visit was a chance for the Penn State students to see and hear about the EOC. Continue reading
Amateur Radio Operators participate in Penn State/Centre Region COG exercise
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
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.