On Saturday, August 13, 2011 nine amateur radio operators from the Nittany Amateur Radio Club (NARC) and the Philipsburg Amateur Radio Association (PARA) acting as Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) operators provided communications for the Moshannon Valley YMCA Bicycle Race held from 11:00 through 15:00 in Black Moshannon State Park near Philipsburg, PA. The race covered approximately 20 miles of varying road and trails through the park. Over 80 bicycle riders participated in the race.
Amateur radio operators were placed at a number of points on the race course to make sure that riders made it safely through the point and to report back the times that first and last riders moved through the point. Additionally, amateurs were prepared to report mechanical failures and crashes requiring either mechanical or emergency medical assistance. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) rangers were thoughtful enough to provide a park radio so that the headquarters station could call them directly for law enforcement or medical assistance. Fortunately, the radio was only necessary to identify a couple traffic control problems that were quickly resolved. Kudos to the rangers for the loan of the radio. Although there were a few bumps and bruises among the riders no serious injuries were reported.
Amateur radio operators participating were:
- Jim Alles, KB3TBX – NARC
- Greg Miller, K3GEM – NARC
- John Passaneau, W3JXP – NARC
- Chip Morgan, N3IW (and his daughter Caitlin) – NARC
- Elaine Prestia, K3ERP – NARC
- Carmine Prestia, K3CWP – NARC
- Bernie Ropchock, W3BAR – PARA
- John Szwarc, N3SPW – PARA
- Lou Trubiani, WB3AAI – PARA
- An example of the trails participating riders had to travel.
The participating amateur radio operators prior to taking their assignments. Left to right; Jim, KB3TBX; Bernie, W3BAR; John, N3SPW; Caitlin; Greg, K3GEM; Chip, N3IW; John, W3JXP; Elaine, K3ERP; Carmine, K3CWP; and Lou, WB3AAI
Carmine Prestia, K3CWP, conducts the pre race briefing