Fellow Amateur Radio Operators,

It may seem quite a ways off yet, but planning for the 2019 Bike MS: Glimcher Keystone Country Ride Amateur Radio Public Service Event is going on now. This year’s Ride will be Saturday, July 20 and Sunday, July 21, 2019. The Ride is over two days and covers 150 miles. On the first day, the Ride goes from Hollidaysburg, PA, to State College, PA. On the second day, it’s back to Hollidaysburg from State College.

It would difficult, if not impossible, to put on an event of this size and complexity, have it run as smoothly, and more importantly as safely as it has been for more than 25-years without Amateur Radio volunteer resources. The Pennsylvania Keystone Chapter of the National MS Society staff, riders, and other event volunteers appreciate the work we Amateur Radio operators do.

The “Amateur Radio Information for the 2019 Bike MS: Glimcher Keystone Country Ride” web page is now up. This web site will provide Amateur Radio specific information about the Ride.

The URL is <http://personal.psu.edu/drm6/bikemskcrham/>.

The May “Incident Briefing” (ICS-201) forms for Day 1 (1.6 MB PDF file) and Day 2 (1.7 MB PDF file) are at the top of the Amateur Radio information web page. Section 10 of each day’s briefing indicate the Amateur Radio resources needed for each day of the Ride. The next “Incident Briefing” (ICS-201) for each day of the Ride will go up in early June. Another briefing will be provided in early July. Then weekly updates will be provided until the Ride. For those of you that have already registered on-line as a Bike MS volunteer, the assignment you have requested will be reflected in the June briefing.

If you’re interested in helping out with this Amateur Radio public service event, go the Bike MS: Glimcher Keystone Country Ride 2019 web site and register as a volunteer by clicking on the “Volunteer” box in the upper right hand corner of the page. At the bottom of the “Volunteers” page, click on “Register to Volunteer.” On the next page, scroll down a bit until you see the “Ham Radio Operator” volunteer categories. There are two; one for each day. If you would, include your call sign either after your last name or in the “Comment” box.

The on-line registration process is simple and easy. All Amateur Radio operators must be registered as a Bike MS: Glimcher Keystone Country Ride volunteer to participate in the event. Once you have registered on-line, you’ll get a follow-up e-mail from me.

This event is always in need of Hams to help out. If you know other Hams that would like to come out and help provide safety, health, and welfare communications support for the 2019 Bike MS: Glimcher Keystone Country Ride, please let me know their name, call sign, and e-mail address. I’ll then contact them. No matter the experience level or equipment capabilities, an Amateur Radio related assignment can be found for any Ham to handle that is appropriate to their skill and equipment capability levels.

Drew McGhee KA3EJV Event COML

ka3ejv@arrl.net

Work: 814-949-5092

Home: 814-949-9090