Amateur radio operators from the Nittany Amateur Radio Club and Centre and Blair County Pennsylvania ARES provided vital communications for the Wilderness 101 bicycle race on Saturday, August 1, 2009. This is an aggressive mountain-bike race that runs for 101 miles through state forest trails in central Pennsylvania.

The race started at seven o’clock in the morning and went on until well after dark. Amateur radio operators set up and maintained radio link communications between five aid stations along the bicycle route. Amateur radio provided the only communications possible; telephone, cell phone, and other radio communications were out of the question because of the extreme terrain and forest cover.

Communication duties included keeping track of rider numbers and their progress throughout the race. Logistical and emergency medical communications were also addressed. During the race, amateur radio communications were used to deal with several medical emergencies: one rider broke his scapula and had to be transported to the hospital, one rider had an asthma attack and had to be transported to the race terminus, and several cases of physical exhaustion were handled. In each case, amateur radio provided prompt and necessary communications to race officials and emergency medical personnel.

Radio connectivity was a challenge due to conditions and the general inaccessibility due to heavy forest canopy and the very aggressive mountain terrain. Adding to the challenge, the aid stations were all in the valleys. Communication was established using the State College 146.85 and the 146.76 MHz repeater systems. Cross-repeater operation was necessary to establish radio links to all aid stations.

The following Amateur Radio operators assisted in the Wilderness 101 event: K3BOB, KR3C, W3EDP, KA3EJV, KB3HQN, K3JWH, W3JXP, KB3KPP, N3LI, K3OOL, N3SG, and K3YV. These Radio Amateurs had the tenacity to provide useful and continuous radio communications for over twelve hours in spite of primitive and difficult conditions: no AC power, insects, heat, occasional rain sprinkles, and long hours. Congratulations for a job well done in the finest traditions of Amateur Radio.

Special thanks to the Centre County EMA director, Randy Rockey, who permitted amateurs to use an antenna stand, antenna, and cable for the main remote communications point.

Submitted by Woody, K3YV