National Incident Management System (NIMS) standards call for the use of a form ICS-205 Communications Plan to be prepared for drills and disaster operations. Centre County EC, Carmine, K3CWP prepared the attached communications plan for the 2010 SET. Other amateurs might like to see this form prepared for amateur operations.
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2010 ARRL WPA Simulated Emergency Test Successful
The 2010 Simulated Emergency Test (SET) for the Western Pennsylvania Division (WPA) of the ARRL was conducted on Saturday, October 30, 2010. Members of the Nittany Amateur Radio Club (NARC) participated in the drill. They were:
NARC APRS Special Interest Group Meets again
The APRS Special Interest Group of the Nittany Amateur Radio Club met on Wednesday evening 11/3/2010. In addition to Centre County amateurs several Blair County amateurs attended again.
Centre County SET Postponed
The Centre County ARES SET participation originally scheduled for Saturday October 2, 2010 has been postponed to Saturday, October 30, 2010 to coincide with the WPA SET Participation.
Amateurs Assist with Mountain Bike Race. Updated with comments by K3BIE.
On Sunday, August 15th six (6) amateur radio operators from Centre and Clearfield Counties provided communications coverage for the Moshannon Valley YMCA Mountain Bike Race held in the Black Moshannon State Park in Eastern Centre County. The park has a number of very challenging trails through heavily forested areas so the potential for crashes was significant.
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APRS Coverage improved by K3ARL and Centre Communications
Over the past several months Karl Hosterman, K3ARL, one of the owners of Centre Communications in Centre County has significantly improved APRS coverage in Central Pennsylvania at his own expense.
FCC Amends Rules Relative to Participation in Drills
Yesterday, July 14th, the FCC issued a Report and Order amending Section 94.113 of the rules to now permit employees of government or non government agencies who are amateur radio licencees to participate in drills. The full Report and Order can be found on the FCC website.
ARES Meeting held
Thirteen Centre County amateur radio operators attended an ARES meeting Tuesday evening, June 29, 2010 at the Centre Region COG building. Centre County EC Carmine Prestia, K3CWP conducted the meeting.
Discussion items were:
- The upcoming MS-150, Keystone Country Ride for the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
- The Wilderness 101 bicycle race on July 31, 2010.
- The possibility of providing communications for a 4-H trail ride. The ride was canceled last year and we have heard nothing to date.
- Possible participation using packet radio in an Ultra Marathon scheduled for October 16, 2010.
Carmine exhibited some of the County Equipment that may be used for the MS-150 and Mike, N3LI demonstrated his mobile tracking station which will also be used during the MS-150.
Volunteers for 2010 MS-150
The following amateur radio operators have volunteered to help with the MS-150 this year as of June 14, 2010:
K3CWP, Carmine, Both Days
K3ERP, Elaine, Both Days
K3YV, Woody, Both Days
N3LI, Mike, Both Days
W3JXP, John, Both Days
W3EDP, Eric, Both Days – Willing to go to Hollidaysburg on Saturday Morning
K3OOL, Craig, Both Days
N3HQN, Don, Both Days
N3EWR, Paul, Both Days
KB3TBX, Jim Alles
KR3C, Rick Cabral, Both Days
KA3GBC, Joe Pelick, Sunday
Skywarn Recogniton Day – The NWS Perspective
Below is the text of a message sent to the Manager of the State College NWS office and other NWS amateur radio operators from Matt Steinbugl, KB3RJW, the NWS employee who coordinated the event with me.
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