Ten ARES amateur radio operators (and family members is a couple cases) provided communications assistance for the Penn State Cycling Club’s annual Nittany Classic Bicycle Race in the Black Moshannon State Forest on Saturday, April 19, 2015. This is a competitive race conducted under the auspices of the Eastern Collegiate Cycling Conference. Click on the link to see the participants read the whole article:
Participating were:
- K3CWP, Carmine Prestia, Centre County
- N3SPW, John Szwarc and son John, Centre County
- KB3QKR, Rich Brnik, Centre County
- KA3EJV, Drew McGhee, Blair County
- KR3ORY, Rory Stenerson, Centre County
- K3BIE, Dick Thompson, Centre County
- NK8Q, Mark Schreiner, Centre County
- W3JIM, Jim Rayburn, Centre County
- K3OOL, Craig Miller, Centre County
- KB3ZJT, Jeff Gibson and wife Melissa and their two children, Centre County
Operations were conducted on the NARC/Centre County Repeater on Rattlesnake Tower, 146.76 mHz negative split.
Net Control at the Organized Group Tenting area also had radios to communicate with the Park Rangers and the fire police. Fire police were handling traffic control at several congested intersections. The race ran from 10:00 to 16:00 with several waves of riders based on their racing class.
Though no serious incidents were reported Amateurs called for several support vehicles to come an pick up riders who were disabled because of bicycle failures or other physical problems. Three individuals presented themselves at Net Control with a variety of injuries received in minor crashes. EMS was called and treated the individuals.
It was a successful event for all concerned and the participating amateur radio operators hope to return again next year. Thank you to Andrew Artz and the PSU Cycling Club for inviting ARES to participate.
A special thanks to the amateur radio operators for devoting the Saturday before Easter to the event.