Bill in the PA Senate that could make it illegal for amateur radio operators to operate their radios while driving

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The Pennsylvania Senate is considering Senate Bill 37, Enhanced Driver Responsibility.  There have been a number of emails about the bill but reading the current version leads me and others to conclude that the bill if passed could make it unlawful for amateur radio operators to operate their radios while driving a vehicle.  This was proposed by the House before but exemption language was included for amateur radio operators.  That language appears to have been removed.

The bill:
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2023&body=S&type=B&bn=37

Who you contact:
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/index.cfm

Bob Famiglio, K3RF, Atlantic Division Director is aware of the situation and will be working with the ARRL also.  Here is his message of last week. Continue reading →

ARES/ACS/RACES Net Repeater Outage Test Successful

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For years the ARES/ACS/RACES net on the W3YA repeater in Boalsburg/State College (21:00 Sunday Evenings, (146.85 mHz -) has opened with a preamble that instructs amateur radio operators what to do if the repeater fails.  Amateur radio operators should expect the net to move to the W3GA, (146.76 mHz -) repeater on Rattlesnake Mountain. To test this procedure Centre County EC, Carmine, K3CWP, arranged to have the repeater shut off by Trustee Woody, K3YV, midway through the net on Sunday, March 31, 2024.  To Carmine’s knowledge this has never tested before. Continue reading →

FREE ON-LINE AMATEUR RADIO OPERATING CLASS

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A free, weekly, 3-hour Amateur Radio Operating Class on Zoom will begin on Thursday April 4 and run through June 20 at 6:30 PM Eastern time. The presenters will be various experienced folks in the various subjects.

A detailed syllabus will be published before the classes begin. Attend them all, or any that you like, but you must register for the classes. To receive registration information, contact Rol Anders, K3RA, at roland.anders@comcast.net. Continue reading →

The Difference Between Tactical and Formal Messages

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Tom, N3WS, the EC for Washington and Green Counties, Pennsylvania circulated this.  It is a very good and very short training on the differences and what they mean.

This video from the New England ARES Academy showed up in my feed this morning and it is worth reviewing.  The subject is Tactical Voice Messaging.  It discusses the difference between tactical and formal messages with some good examples.

I have added a permanent link to the Links of Interest above. Continue reading →

PEMA/ARC National Mass Care Exercise/Red Cross Announcement

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From WPA Section Manager, JoeShupienis W3BC:

Attention all District Emergency Coordinators and County Emergency Coordinators! Our partner agency, Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania is requesting the service of all ARES members in both Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Pennsylvania Sections to participate in an upcoming drill. Information follows, and reflects the work of many hams and Red Cross volunteers across the state in planning and coordinating these exercises. Participation is voluntary, however we encourage all ARES members to try to participate in at least one of the run-up exercises and the main event on May 22. we expect a good number of ARES members to offer their services. Continue reading →

Results of Skywarn Net Jan. 24, 2024 on W3GA, 146.76

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As announced a Skywarn was conducted from the National Weather Service State College Office (NWS CTP) on January 24th at 19:00.  NCS used the NWS CTP call sign WX3CTP.  Carmine, K3CWP and Greg, K3HOT staffed the station.

Nineteen stations checked in from seven counties as listed below.  The showed that the coverage for W3GA will be useful for Skywarn activations should other local repeaters fail.  Thank you to the stations who checked in. They are listed below. Continue reading →

Skywarn net announced for Jan. 24, 2024

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On Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 19:00 local time we will conduct a Skywarn net on the W3GA repeater.  Frequency is 146.760 mHz, -600 kHz shift, 146.2 Tone.  Net control will be operating from the National Weather Service Office in State College using the callsign WX3CTP.
Net control will call for stations to check in from Centre and surrounding counties.  Stations checking in are asked to give their callsign, name, and a brief report of weather observations at their location.
This will give us a test of coverage into the areas west, south, and north of Centre County from the repeater’s location on Rattlesnake Mountain.
Any amateur radio operator is welcome to check in, not just Skywarn spotters.