Amateur radio operators from several counties again provided communications assistance for the Happy Valley Ironman on June 30, 2024.  About 1,600 athletes competed in the swimming, bicycling, and running event.  The race started at the Foster Joseph Sayers lake near Howard, Pennsylvania and ended at Beaver Stadium on the Pennsylvania State University campus.

Amateur radio operators were situated at a variety of locations along the bicycle and running sections of the race to provide communications to race headquarters in the Penn State Emergency Operations Center.

Operators participating were:

• Rick Gilmore, W3TM
• Greg Guise, K3HOT
• Robin Harchak, W3IWJ
• Andy Mummert, W3AND
• Keith Comp, KC3FVN
• Joe Petrulionis, KC3RHR
• Carmine Prestia, K3CWP
• Brett Saylor, W3SWL
• Ruth Tillman, KC3AF
• Gordon Vanauken, KC0QJX
• Ryan Vanauken, KB3VDG

For most of the amateur operators the race was pretty quiet and proceeded without incident.  However, Greg, K3HOT, found himself very busy at Hubler Ridge Road and Eves Road.  Hubler Ridge Road is a winding two lane road across the Hubler Ridge to the West of Hublersburg.  It is a difficult climb and Greg was the only communicator there.  Ironman organizers only received permission to place an operator there a couple days before the race.

There were mechanical problems with bicycles as well as a few medical problems that needed addressed and amateur radio was instrumental in getting the help needed into the area.

In addition to thanking all the above operators for taking time out of their weekends we want to thank the Ironman for inviting us to participate and Penn State University Emergency Management for facilitating the placement of the Headquarters amateur radio station in the Penn State Emergency Communications Center.

Carmine Prestia, K3CWP
ARES EC, Centre County, PA