THE QUAD-COUNTY Amateur Radio Club, Inc. proudly presents our 2012 Annual Report, detailing the activities of the past 12 months in this, our 38th year. You may view or download it here:
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Saturday morning found club members Don Jewell KB3LES of Falls Creek and Peach Caltagarone AB3OG of Reynoldsville setting up 2-meter stations at the Red Cross shelters in Brookville and Big Run, with Greg Donahue KB3WKD and Joe Shupienis W3BC setting up in the Red Cross Headquarters in downtown DuBois. All stations set up and were able to maintain and relay communications with the Jefferson County EMA and the Red Cross HQ for the duration of the exercise. The Western Pennsylvania Section scenario was severe weather disrupting power, transportation and communications in the section. The Red Cross disaster drill was coordinated with the WPA master plan, and included simulated tornado damage and hundreds of evacuees in the areas of Brookville and Troutville. As the mission progressed, routine and priority messages were exchanged, including requests for counts of evacuees at each shelter, requests from the shelters for supplies, EMA bulletins, and calls for additional volunteers. Red Cross officials at each shelter were able to communicate with HQ via our Amateur Radio links. Tactical callsigns and plain-language communication techniques were used throughout the drill, and greatly facilitated accurate and effective communications. Several “problems” were simulated, both by EMA and Red Cross officials, and our amateurs were able to quickly and satisfactorily respond to each with appropriate actions. A couple “real” difficulties occurred which added an air of realism to the exercise. This was a great opportunity to put Amateur Radio Public Service on display for the public and the served agencies. We promptly got every message through, overcame difficulties and exceeded all expectations. Red Cross officials remarked on the high degree of realism they witnessed in our communications, and praised the operating skills and knowledge of the Amateur Radio Volunteers. They further indicated their desire to equip the headquarters and shelters with antennas and radios, and hope to plan a Red Cross disaster drill in the spring, with live “victims” and official vehicles actually travelling to shelters in all four counties.
The picnic is for members, former members, non-members, guests and anybody interested in our clubs or amateur radio in our area. The clubs are providing hamburgers and hot dogs, with condiments and soft drinks. You are encouraged (but not required) to bring a covered dish to share with the group. This will be a wonderful opportunity to spend some time with your ham radio friends, old and new. Please plan on attending. The picnic will be held, rain or shine, [or wind! -Ed.] and in case of blizzard, shovels will be provided. DirectionsFrom Reynoldsville: Take PA-310 south for 3.5 miles. Watch for the Quad-County sign on the right at the driveway (1.8 miles beyond the Lakelawn Cemetary entrance). Proceed up the driveway past the gray house (with a “G” on the chimney) and back through the field along the trees to the picnic grounds. Talk-in on the 147.315 Quad-County repeater. From Punxsutawney: Take PA 310 north for 9.0 miles. Watch for the Quad-County sign on the left at the driveway (2.1 miles beyond the Amish Restaurant / old PA-952 intersection). Proceed up the driveway past the gray house (with a “G” on the chimney) and back through the field along the trees to the picnic grounds. Talk-in on the 147.315 Quad-County repeater. GPS Coordinates:
 The Community House on the Clearfield Fairgrounds The Quad-County ARC would be delighted to welcome you to our Field Day operation. We are located in the Community Building on the Clearfield County Fairgrounds. Here is a map and directions. Directions:
Drive to the Fairgrounds Gate at 700 Weaver Street (B). Say the magic words “Ham Radio” to get in free, then… Turn left immediately and park near (C). Our Field Day operation is in the yellow brick house immediately in front of you! Hope to see you there!
Jeff Rowles KA3FHV held down the fort on the HF rig, and the HF antenna system built by Joe W3BC was given a thorough workout. The results were good, and Jeff reported that he was able to work every station he heard. The entire operation was set up in under an hour and it was great to see so many hands make light work of all the heavy lifting. In a Quad-County first, at no time did anyone discover they had left something important at home!
Jefferson County ARES EC Kevin Snyder KA3YCB, along with assistant EC and Punxsutawney Area Amateur Radio Club President Steve Waltman KB3FPN were both on hand to help out and take part in the activities. Kevin also serves as the Quad-County ARC Public Service Officer, and brought portable tables and chairs for the event. Red Cross Liaison Greg Donahue KB3WKD made sure we had everything we needed, and connected us to the electrical power system for the duration. He also set up PA announcements directing fairgoers to our location. Before the rainstorm hit, we discussed how much fun it was, and our desire to do more events like these. We look forward to the next events: Field Day, Race Day, Car Show, and Baker Trail Marathon. Participants:
Amateur Radio Volunteer Examiners from Clearfield and Jefferson Counties administered FCC license examinations for members of recently completed training classes and others hoping to obtain or upgrade their Amateur Radio licenses. The classes and the exams were held at the PA Heartland Chapter of the American Red Cross in DuBois. “This is the largest turnout for Amateur Radio exams locally for a significant number of years,” commented Volunteer Examiner Team Liaison Bryan Simanic WA3UFN of DuBois.  Recently Licensed Radio Amateurs (l-r) James Withers KB3YJF, Ian Gerard KB3YJM, Joel Best N3UOA, Wayne Kocher KB3YJE, Jay Lorance KB3YJL, Bob Thunberg N3DIR, Nick Lorance KB3YJJ, Devon Lorance KB3YJK, Bev Hudsick KB3YJI, Jim WickerKB3YJG, Greg Donahue KB3WKD, Larry Whitten KB3YJH, Ed Stewart KB3WRX They will now be able to get on the air and join with thousands of other “hams” nationwide and around the world to participate in this growing and active radio service. Over the past year, the news has carried many reports of ham radio operators providing vital communications during emergencies across America including wildfires, winter storms, tornadoes and other events. During Hurricane Katrina, Amateur Radio—also called “ham” radio—was often the only means of communication with stricken areas. When trouble is brewing, Amateur Radio volunteers are often the first to provide rescuers with critical information and communications.  Volunteer Examiners (l-r) Charlie Lindahl N3DEO, Scott Mathewson WA3FFC and Bryan Simanic WA3UFN score the exams. Not pictured, Herb Murray W3TM and Joe Shupienis W3BC Their slogan, “When all else fails, Ham Radio works!” is more than just words to hams as they prove they can get the message through without the need of telephone, cable, cellular or internet systems which are usually rendered unavailable in a crisis. In the local area, The Quad-County Amateur Radio Club offers training classes to prepare for license exams, and schedules regular examination sessions. The Club meets monthly in the Hiller Building at Penn State DuBois on the third Friday of each month at 7:30 pm. Meetings are free and the public is invited to attend. Following each meeting are programs and activities for radio amateurs and those interested in radio and electronic communications.  Getting It Right – Prospective hams concentrate while taking their Amateur Radio Exams
This year, there was a new activity that captured the interest of the Cub Scouts from the north-central Pennsylvania region served by the Bucktail Council. That activity was an Amateur Radio station and exhibit set up by members of the Quad-County Amateur Radio Club. Nearly 400 Cub Scouts got on the air to experience Amateur Radio first hand, as Quad-County hams volunteered to help. Club President Joe Shupienis W3BC led the hams in greeting each 50-60 Scout unit as they entered the room. Quad-County members Don Jewell KB3LES and Lars Kvant KB3WBT/SM7FYW demonstrated VHF antennas they built, and answered questions from the Scouts and their parents. Jesse Tucker KG4ZXC and President Shupienis W3BC discussed how Amateur Radio is a lifelong activity which can lead to careers in engineering, science and technology.
Next, the Go-Box was put into action on the Quad-County 147.315 repeater, and each and every Cub Scout got to speak on the air with Phil K3PJ at his home in Clymer. They learned from talking with him that he is a Scoutmaster for a unit in Indiana County. After putting 381 Cub Scouts on the air, both groups were very happy with the operation and look forward to working together again! Photo Gallery:
After the callup, we’ll take mobile check-ins, followed by weaker and distant stations. Then the big boys can play. Once we have our list, we’ll start things going round the list and keep going until everybody falls asleep or the electric company pulls the plug! Let’s all give this a try and see how it goes! Club membership isn’t required — everyone who can key the repeater is welcome! (Although why not join the club? It’s cheap!) UPDATE! First Session a Success! We had 8 checkins for our first session which lasted the better part of an hour. The topic was, “How’s DX?” and we had a nice roundtable. Here’s a recording: Help Wanted This is a simple and friendly net. You can be the net control station for a month. The entire format fits on a 4×6 index card. If you would like to volunteer for a month, (or even just a week to give it a try) contact our Quad-COunty ARC Net Manager Doug W3DWR. Here’s the PDF of the net format! Going through event photos I’ve taken this year, I found some that ought to be shared with our members! Have a look at some of the activities of your Quad-County club this year![more]
Our recent Clearfield Licensing Class was a success. We welcome new and upgraded hams to our ever-growing ranks! [Photo (L-R): Bob Thunberg KB3WKE (ex-N3DIR), Greg Donahue KB3WKD, Bev Hudsick, Ed Neeper KB3VWX] |
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