We are a friendly group of radio enthusiasts serving Philipsburg PA and surrounding communities.
Are you interested in radios, scanners, antennas, emergency communications, or emergency power? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. Our members love to discuss these topics and offer helpful advice. Whether you’re an experienced radio amateur or just getting started, we’d love for you to join our activities and discussions.
Mission
PARA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that promotes learning, experimentation, and the sharing of knowledge related to amateur radio with an emphasis on community service and emergency preparedness.
Quick Links
Regular Activities
| Activity | Date | Time | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly VHF Net | Every Saturday | 9:00 pm | Rattlesnake 146.43 repeater (PL 173.8 Hz) |
| Weekly GMRS Net | The Saturday evening GMRS nets have been rescheduled to Wednesday evenings. Please see the GMRS Activities section below. | ||
| Monthly Meeting | Third Tuesday of every month | 7:00 pm | Second Floor Banquet Room American Legion Post #437 315 E. Presqueisle St. Philipsburg, PA 16866 |
| Annual Picnic | Second Saturday of August | 12:00 pm | Covered Dish Cold Stream Dam, Philipsburg |
| Annual Holiday Banquet | Friday preceding second Saturday of December | 6:00 pm | Covered Dish Philipsburg Elks Country Club |
GMRS Activities
The following activities are designed to strengthen connections between PARA EmComm Team members and emergency response partners equipped with GMRS radios. EMA directors, municipal emergency coordinators, fire chiefs, and shelter managers are encouraged to participate. These activities provide opportunities to meet, build trust, and practice working together as a team. Participants can hear news and announcements and ask questions related to emergency communications. The goal is to ensure everyone is prepared to use PARA’s GMRS repeaters if normal phone and internet systems are unavailable during a disaster.
| Activity | Date | Time | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rattlesnake GMRS Net | 1st Wednesday | 8:00 pm | Rattlesnake 550 GMRS repeater – 462.550 MHz (PL 218.1 Hz) |
| West Decatur GMRS Net | 2nd Wednesday | 8:00 pm | West Decatur 575 GMRS repeater – 462.575 MHz (PL 192.8 Hz) |
| Sandy Ridge GMRS Net | 3rd Wednesday | 8:00 pm | Sandy Ridge 600 GMRS repeater – 462.600 MHz (PL 229.1 Hz) |
| GMRS Communications Forum | 4th Wednesday | 8:00 pm | Virtual meeting via Microsoft Teams. To receive a monthly email with the meeting link, please send a request to info@w3phb.org. Be sure to include your name, location, and the agency or facility that you represent. |
Membership
In order to participate in future PARA activities, just complete and submit a membership form. Your contact info and email address will be listed on our Members Page, which is only accessible to other members. You will occasionally receive email messages from other members announcing upcoming events or providing links to online meetings. PARA will not share your contact info with other organizations.
Do I need an amateur radio license to join PARA?
No. Anyone can join PARA as an Associate member. Licensed amateurs are eligible for Full membership which affords the right to vote and to hold office. If you wish to become licensed, we can offer advice and assistance in preparing for the license exam, and we can administer the test at our location.
Contact Info
Philipsburg Amateur Radio Association
P.O. Box 411
Philipsburg PA 16866
info@w3phb.org