K3ARL, Karl, co-owner of Centre Communications, recently shifted the antenna on his digipeater, K3ARL-1, to provide better APRS coverage to the north of Centre County.
Amateur Radio Operators provide parade communications
On Friday, August 7, Nittany Amateur Radio Club and Amateur Radio Emergency Services volunteers provided communications for the Gatesburg, Pennsylvania bicentennial parade. Gatesburg is a small town in Ferguson Township, Centre County to the southwest of State College.
NARC/ARES Amateurs provide communications for Mountain Bike Race
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.
ARES Participation in 2009 MS-150 Successful
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.
RACES Radios Programmed
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.
Amateurs interested in assisting MS-150 July 25 & 26
The following amateurs have indicated they will be able to assist with the MS-150 on July 25 and 26 and the days they can help:
N3LI – Mike – Both Days
K3OOL- Criag – Both Days
KB3HQN – Don – Both Days
K3ARL – Karl – Both Days
K3YV – Woody – Both Days
K3BOB – Bob – Both days
WA3IBO – Jim – Sunday
N3EWR – Paul – Both Days
WA3WAB – Wayne – Saturday
K3CWP – Carmine
K3ERP – Elaine – Limited
W3EDP – Eric – Both Days
KR3ORY – Rory – Saturday
W3JXP – John – Both Days
MS-150 Keystone Country Ride Amateur Radio Staffing Sheet
The MS Word file linked below is the staffing plan for the MS-150 on July 25 and 26. As of June 11th ARES/NARC should provide amateur radio operators for five (5) positions on Saturday and eleven (11) on Sunday. Some operators have already signed up. More information will be published soon.
Attendees at 6/11/2009 ARES organizational meeting
The following attended the ARES Organizational Meeting held on June 11, 2009 at the Centre Region COG offices in State College:
K3CWP, Carmine Prestia
K3ERP, Elaine Prestia
KA3EJV, Drew McGhee, Blair County EC
N3LI, Mike Coslo
W3WAB, Wayne Bicehouse
KB3PIQ, James Craig Wingate
K3OOL, Craig S Miller
K3ARL, Karl Hosterman
K3YV, Woody Brem
N3CRM, Chuck Maggi
K3JWH, John Hawkins
KB3HQN, Donald Novak
KR3ORY, Rory Stenerson
W3TNE, Thomas N Eby
K3CM, Chuck McMullen
W3EDP, Eric Prescott
Public Service Event Dates
A number of public service events are planned for the future. NARC/ARES has been asked to participate. Please listen to the Sunday night net on 146.85 mHz at 9:00 PM local time for further announcements or watch the NARC Newsette
- MS-150 Keystone Country Ride, July 25 and 26, 2009
- Wilderness 101 Bicycle Ride, August 1, 2009
- Gatesburg Parade, August 7, 2009
MS Keystone Country Ride Volunteer Release Form
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society has added a new requirement for volunteers this year.
The Society’s risk management arm has advised the Society to require ALL volunteers to complete a Volunteer Consent Form. Based on the information received during our meeting on May 21st, the requirement extends to any volunteer who volunteers for ANY assistance with the Multiple Sclerosis Society, not just amateur radio operators. You can click on the form name above to see the form.
While the local branch views our participation as extremely valuable and vital to the safety of the riders, their hands are tied by the national requirement. They, like the amateur participants in the meeting realize that some amateurs may decide NOT to participate simply because of the form.
This is one of the largest public service events we do and is a showcase for our abilities. Indeed, our presence has in several cases helped get emergency medical assistance to injured riders. It is unfortunate that such requirements are becoming a necessity in many volunteer efforts.
NARC President, Woody, K3YV; Treasurer, Elaine, K3ERP; Centre County EC, Carmine, K3CWP; and Blair County EC, Drew, KA3EJF discussed this at some length after the meeting. While we don’t think the form is really necessary and we note that we do want to provide the service, there isn’t any real way around the requirement. It is the MS Society’s requirement.
As Centre County EC I plan to participate and Elaine and I will complete the forms. The forms will be available at the June 11 ARES meeting and I can try to answer further questions there. Please consider participating in the event and completing the form as required by MS.
Thank you for your interest and participation. You can also contact me at K3CWP@ARRL.NET.
Carmine Prestia, K3CWP
Centre County ARRL EC