The below report of the 8/15 EC meeting was submitted by John Swarcz and posted with his permission.  Carmine, K3CWP

Everyone,

 I just wanted to say thank you to all who took the time to attend the WPA Section EC meeting in Brookville last Saturday.  We had a total attendance of 23 people representing ARES groups from all over the section.  There was good food and lots of conversation about issues we face as ARES organizations.  Also in attendance was our Section Manager John Rodgers N3MSE and the ARRL Atlantic Division Director Bill Edgar N3LLR.  

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The Nittany Amateur Radio Club and Centre County ARES in cooperation with the Horseshoe Amateur Radio Club and Blair County ARES and EMA provided communications for the annual Keystone Country Ride of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Keystone Division on Saturday and Sunday, July 25 and 26, 2009.  The bicycle ride is a fundraiser for the Society and covers a total of 150 miles over the two days.  This year 425 bicycle riders participated.

A total of 43 amateur radio operators participated over the two days of the event. Additionally, Blair County EMA provided its mobile communications van (essentially a full blown mobile dispatch center) COMM 1 as Net Control HQ. The van was operated by Scott Beveridge, the Blair County EMA director and Drew, KA3EJV, the Blair County ARES Emergency Coordinator, and provided a direct link into the appropriate 9-1-1 centers.

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Early this evening, Carmine, K3CWP and Ron, K3RON, completed firmware updates and programming of all of the Kenwood TM-D710 radios purchased under the two PEMA grants last year.  This includes:

• Updating the firmware in the main radio, the display panel, and the TNC.
• Wiring the power cable with Anderson Power Pole connectors according to ARES/RACES standards.
• Loading the memory positions with frequencies releavant to operation in Centre County.
• Programming the TNC to operate with the AVMAP GPS Units.